What is Traditional Archery?

[Zradix]

What do you all consider Trad. archery hunting? Do carbon arrows qualify? What if you use sights? Recurves seem to be ok. Anyway just curious what you all think.

[Whip]

As long as it doesn't have wheels you're good to go    
You'll find a few people who might try to narrow it further, but for the most part people around here are pretty open minded and it's all good.  :cool:

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Anything you see here on TradGang!

[stickytoes]

stick and string and arrow.....and having fun.....enjoy every shot...every breath...every moment....climb in a tree....sit on the ground...do what you want to do the way YOU want to do it ....if that is not "trad" enough for a bunch of people on the internet that is there cross to bear not mine....i enjoy archery but all the hot air and critisism gets old quick...we have to realize that we are all on the same team ..... but that is just my two cents

[Paul WA]

Yup.  sights, stabilizers,elevated rests, berger buttons, limb savers are all ok as long as it doesnt have wheels...PR

[robtattoo]

Is it that time again?

[Killdeer]

 
Killdeer

[dragon rider]

Originally posted by robtattoo:
Is it that time again? [/QUOTE

To everything there is a season; to many things it comes at least annually.

[Outwest]

DEja Vu

[George D. Stout]

I remember a time when we didn't have to ask what a bow and arrow was 8^(.

We didn't call them traditional bows, and we didn't call it traditional archery, until the compound device came along.  So what do you think that tells you?   One can pontificate on the subject till the cows come home, but there is no ephiphany!  It's anything before compounds.
No stinking wheels....no stinking let-off.

Well....that's about it.  Continue.

[m midd]

traditional for me is a stick and string,instinctive shooting and wooden arrows. I love archery and i dont pass judgement on anyone else, even compound shooters. So it doesnt matter if traditional for some one else is stabilzers and carbon arrows as long as it makes them happy.

[wapitimike1]

FRUSTRATION!!!!

[Whip]

AND JOY!!!!  :D

[GMMAT]

Beyond wheels....it's whatever each person thinks it is TO THEM.  They can't define it FOR YOU.

[MCNSC]

To me it is as much a state of mind as an issue of equipment.

[wollelybugger]

It is all traditional archery. Passing down a tradition to the next generation, whether compound or recurve.

[Old York]

It's something to discuss and argue about until
one's mouth is drier than salt, then the bows
come out and arrows start flying, then hot  coffee,
or a cold beer, or a good single-malt is consumed,
then what they were arguing about in the first place is soon forgotten...
 
until someone else joins the group
with their brand spankin' new single-bevel
Scythe Head-'O-SweetDeath 19%+ EFOC BH shot from a 2-strand FF
string with concave bowlimbs made outta Unobtanium;
they're wearing a plaid armguard and ASAT underwear with a Kromer hat
lined with Scent-Lok and carbon shafts stuffed with
silicon-impregnated brass inserts and 4-fletched arrows
(both LW  and  RW!) and then the "VOID" is mentioned vis-a-vis
'deer anatomy' whilst all in the same breath
wood vs. carbon vs. aluminium is mentioned
and it all begins anew

It's "Traditional" and IMHO,
I would not have it any other way;
welcome to the fray   :D

[George D. Stout]

Old Stout household proverb:
"If, ifs and buts, were candy and nuts, we would have Christmas everyday."

[Curtis Haden]

For me, "traditional archery" is the pure enjoyment of archery. It's romance and intrigue all wrapped up in a perfect target shot at an unknown distance. Or the imaginings, soft as a whisper on the wind, of the spirit of a Bear; breathing in your ear, "A little closer son, just let him take a few more steps..."

Your shadow on the ground, with recurve or longbow limbs bent in a beautiful arc. The sight of a perfect ball of feathers, spinning into the center of your 'spot'.

I can take some joy in a well executed shot from a rifle, or even a compound...for about 5 minutes.  I can shoot my "stick" bows for all day, and go to bed wishing for more light.

I believe there are a few "epiphanys" left out there, especially for those of us who grew up in what was, by and large, quickly becoming a compound era. --The first time it all comes together, whether at the target mat, or in the deer woods... That first good pull on a bow you built yourself... Each will have his or her own (that probably differ greatly from mine). To others, it's just what has always been right.

For some it's a hobby, to some a sport, still others consider it a way of life; a means to an end, or a new beginning. Food for the soul, or just a perfect past-time, it's some good stuff!

 

[Dave Bulla]

By basic definition to me, it's holding the full weight of the bow at anchor with no mechanical advantage.  

Sights and stabilizers were around long before compounds.  So were elevated rests, adjustable rests, metal risers, mechanical release aids, aluminum arrows, fiberglass arrows etc. etc. etc.  They are all part of the traditional era of archery George is familiar with.  

Compounds were still kinda new when I started but were coming on strong.  I do recall relatives and others still shooting recurves when I was a kid but most were already going to compounds.  My first bow was a recurve too so they were still common.  That was back in the days of the old Bear Polar, Polar II and Whitetail Hunter compounds if that dates me.