Please introduce yourselves, I'll start

eddings220 · February 27, 2010, 10:33:00 PM

Hey Everyone, my name is Mark Eddings I am 42 years old, married to my wife Traci for 16 years. We have a 15 year old daughter, a 11 year old son, and a new 2 month old son. I am blessed beyond belief. I was born and raised in Providence, Ky. in the western part of our state, but now live in Madisonville, Ky. I am a Pastor and also work in the R&D department for a local company. I am so grateful to God for allowing me to enjoy His great outdoors.

Jerry Wald · February 27, 2010, 11:00:00 PM

Hi my name is Jerry Wald (named after a hollywood director. My ma said she was at the movie and pregnant with me and saw the name in the credits).

That's me kneeling with the yukon sweater on - we just lost a tennis championship to Juneau Alaska.

I live in the yukon now for the past 23 years. I am an electrical instructor and journeyman electrician.

I am 53 this year. I enjoy life that is my only real goal. I try to live everyday to it's fullest. I have been doing trad since I was 12.

I was born in New Westminster - NEAR VANCOUVER BC. Lived in 25 places by the time I was 11. My dad left when I was two and left my wonderful mother with five of us...what a tough life she had so we moved lots to stay ahead of the bill collectors.

I am not waiting until I retire to get the most out of this life. i will do them now and pay as I go. I hear way to often ppl wishing they did this or that and by the end they have ONLY WISHED THEIR LIVES AWAY...NOT ME.

Like this spring..i am jumping on my bike and heading east...rain - shine - thunder and hale I am coming. Then I am coming south to florida and then west through the southern states.

I love bowhunting - hockey - horses - Tennis - ping pong - and of course my wife Deb. We have three wonderful kids from 21-27 and we have been married for 28 years.

I try to treat ppl like I would have them treat me...that is my church...hope that is good enough.

I really hope to meet some of you this summer on my trip..I will try my darndest to stop by if i get a reply...i will fill up the blackberry and try to adjust the route some.

Anyway I should get outta here so someone else can post theirs

Cheers and happy hunting - Jerry Wald.

LongbowGuy83 · February 27, 2010, 11:21:00 PM

Hey everyone.
My name is Caleb A Chambers, nicknamed Stumpy. I am 26 years old. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, but as soon as I hit 18, I got out of there. Now live about 30 miles outside of there. I work as a facility maintenance tech for the military. I have a dog, a truck, some guns, and a couple bows. No lady as of now, but I like my money anyway. I have been a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical tech for the past 7 years. My pop and I enjoy camping, mostly packing in. I am in the process of getting my pilot's license. Not much else, although I am moving to Alaska this summer. Have met alot of good people on this site, and hope to continue doing so. See ya'll around

Manitoba Stickflinger · February 27, 2010, 11:34:00 PM

A big "Hello" to everyone here from Manitoba Canada. My name is Ryan Derlago, nearing 37 years old, and been "flinging sticks" for 34 of those years. I grew up in a bowhunting/Christian family and was blessed to have this wonderful province as my backyard.

"BEAR" was my 1st word (no lie) having the walls covered in dead stuff as long as I can remember. Took most of my first's with Trad gear and eventually got caught up in the #'s game, company sponsorship, and establishing a name for myself and began shooting wheel bows.

Married a wonderful Christian girl (Kirsten) 6 1/2 years ago and now have my son Maddox who is 4 and Ruby who is 3 today. Those kids can pop balloons with arrows like there is no tomorrow.
Bills get paid from being a Firefighter/Paramedic.

Sold the last compound this past year and am more about the method than the results. I guess I've already gone full circle. Man...do I love this sport!!!

My handle "Manitoba Stickflinger" is the name of a small business I started a few years back...Bowhunting only hunts here in Manitoba. I put it on the backburner for a couple years now but might be owning a bear camp by the end of tomorrow. This will be the 1st place I advertise!

One more thing...Tradgang has been a real blessing to me over the last while. The positive attitudes, the support, and all the wonderful down to earth people have really been refreshing...especially after being on "other" sites. Thanks guys....Ryan

BrianO · February 28, 2010, 12:12:00 AM

Hello all my name is Brian Oden. I am first a Christian tying to do the best I can. I have an awesome and loving wife of 13 years and two of the most beautiful daughters you've ever seen and yes they both shoot stick bows ages 3 and 7.

I am a full time Captian for the fire dept in Jonesboro Ar. and love every minute of it. I have WAY too many "irons in the fire" including but not limited to archery, hunting, making bows, flintknapping, photography, coaching, and being a dad. Lots of "drama" in a house with three ladies.

I have often thought that I was born about 50 years late as I Dream of a simpler time when life was slower and family and friends are what got us through life and not all the cell phone, Blueray, HD stuff that we just "have" to have now or we are lost.

I love this place called Tradgang and look forward to lots of years of learning and laughing with you all.

Brian

Stiks-n-Strings · February 28, 2010, 12:19:00 AM

Well as you can see I go by Stiks-N-Strings cause that's how I like it these days.

Been a faithful servant of the Lord since I was fourteen all except those few years I got selfish and ran from Him but I already new you can't out run God. So I finally gave in for the long journey about seven years ago. Play the Bass on the praise team and am involved in the ministry. Guess I'll have to start preachin one of these days.

My friends tell me I'm crazier than out house rat and I tell them "that's right" they all tell me I'm as hillbilly as they come and I say "wouldn't have it any other way". Was born and raised in KY and ended up in Pike Co, IN about 20 years ago. Got a wonderful wife and three beautiful girls 14, 11, and 8. The two youngest ones like to sling some arras with ol'dad and the oldest likes to hunt with a gun but I figure I'll take what I can get.
My Bride is my #1 turkey hunting buddy and I wouldn't have it any other way.
I'm an uderground coalminer and love it everyday and as of the last several years or so I catch myself leaning to a more simpler way of living off the land and wanting a more primitive type life style so to speak.

Oh yeah,almost forgot my wife says I have to may hobbies like making turkey calls, Bows, Arrows, about anything I can make home made. Raise rabbit dogs and just like to do anything with making hunting gear or being in the woods or fields. I told her it ain't to many hobbies' it's just one great big one. LOL

Well I'm about like Mudd, I could talk to a doorknob and ain't never met a stranger. Look forward to putting some faces with these names someday and sharing a campfire or two with you fellers. some of the Best guys I've come to know and never met have been right here on the Gang and I'm proud to be a part of it.

God Speed Gang, Kris

Craig Schoneberg · February 28, 2010, 09:12:00 AM

Craig Schoneberg from Nebraska. Will turn 62 in a very short while. Have been shooting bows since I was 8. A family friend was a target archer - gave me a lemon-wood longbow and kept me supplied with arrows. Every time he would break an arrow he would cut it down and give it to me. Lived on a farm - think our egg production dropped considerably when I started shooting. Never killed one of the chickens (that I'll admit to) but I sure harassed them.

In 1963 at the age of 15 I lost my right eye while shooting a crossbow my father had bought. So switched to shooting left handed. No problem for me to figure out which eye is dominate - ha!
Bought my first archery deer permit in 1966 and haven't missed a year since. In the early 70's I bought a Bear Alaskan compound. Shot it maybe 5 months and sold it - just wasn't for me.

My wife and I will celebrate 40 years of marriage in October. We have one daughter who lives in Nevada with her husband and our 5 month old granddaughter. My daughter started bowhunting with me when she was 15 - she also shoots traditional. Life is good! Oh, by the way, I been a Dispatcher and Dispatch Supervisor for the Nebraska State Patrol for the last 37 years.
Craig

kbetts · February 28, 2010, 09:45:00 AM

My name is Kyle Betts. I am a 33 year old Senior Water/Wastewater Operator in Delaware. I've been shooting a bow since about six. I toyed with a recurve for all my years but finally put the wheels away for good about this time last year. So far, two deer and a turkey have fallen to one of my two Widows. I am captivated by the flight of an arrow.
I have a beautiful wife Lisa and a wonderful daughter named Isabel. At one time, I fished as much as I hunted, but as i get older my hobbies seem to narrow. When I'm not shooting a bow, I'm either thinking about deer hunting or trying to find some ducks to shoot. My eight year old lab Cole never ceases to impress me. Now that he's slowing down (only very slightly) I think I may have a real antler dog on my hands.

lpcjon2 · February 28, 2010, 10:01:00 AM

Ok now hold on this could be boring!
My name is Tim Jones I am married to a gorgeous loving blond hottie named Richelle,I have 3 awesome kids Michael,Tucker,and Kylie.I live in Northfield N.J. which is 10min from Atlantic City.I currently work for the State Medical Examiners Office.I am a certified FF/EMT, rifle and pistol coach,CPR and first aid instr.,Haz Mat instr.All of which doesn't make me more money :confused: My wife considers me a redneck(ok with me). I went into the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17 and found the values and knowledge that makes me who I am today. I believe in God,Country,Corps,respect,honor,trust,and freedom. I have been hunting since I was a kid,and spend a lot of time teaching my kids what I learned and still learn.After dealing with death every day at work I have become somewhat hardened with death and try to live each day as if it your last,because you may have plans but but death doesn't check your calender.
My wife is the best mother and friend I could have ever hunted down(total spot and stalk).And my kids keep me smiling every day and keep me scratching my head as well.
I view myself as the kind of friend that you can call in the middle of the night in need, and no matter what I would be there for you. I have a sense of humor that takes some getting used to. I like to make people laugh it heals the body. I like to better myself in some way every day and to be thankful for what I have. Someone always has it worse than I do and I try to think of that.
I am grateful to this site and the people who run it and the guys and gals on it.For this is the kind of place that can take some of those depressing issues and people you deal with on a daily basis and put them out of your mind. For this place holds people who have the values that the rest of the world has lost.IMHO of course
So thats me in a nut shell thank god not a straight jacket.

Benha · February 28, 2010, 11:14:00 AM

George Stamps here. I love my savior, family and traditional archery and fishing in that order. I also love to write and have done some articles for TBM, Bowhunter and Ky Bowhunter. Am planning a book now. I do not gun hunt at all (by choice)but do enjoy shooting trap. I shoot longbows and love to stump with my daughter. My dream is to hunt elk someday.

woodworker · February 28, 2010, 12:14:00 PM

Great thread,
The name is Joe Flikkema and I am a furniture maker and wood worker. At 45 I am married to my best friend (second try) , Melissa and we have almost 8 children between us (Austin 25, Tara 21, Samantha 18, Alana 16, Angus 9, Colin 7, Tess 2, and we are due for our last in mid April. Making furniture is not the fast track to wealth (of the material kind) but the family believes in me and so far so good. I have been hunting since I was quite young started with traditional gear then left due to the urging of my peers only to return again 5 years ago when I grew tired of having so much gear to keep track of and around my neck. I made the switch back and have been lucky enough to make a few traditional friends along the way. I live in rural Upstate New York, a little town named Ripley. Loads of snow each year, not bad hunting either, right on Lake Erie and I really can see another country from my bedroom window. My oldest two children live on their own my two teenage girls are away at boarding school (on scholarships) the three at home keep me on my toes and love being in the out of doors. I hope that my brood will help keep me young (at least at heart). We, for the most part, raise or hunt for what fills the freezer a great way to live if you have the room. I love to hunt for what ever I can and the recurve is my bow of choice and so are wood arrows. I was lucky enough to get a Robertson Stykbow a few years ago. I do hunt with my rifle and shotgun from time to time, but the bow is my go to. I love to go out to the Rockies to hunt when I can, Idaho and Colorado and have goals to hunt other wilderness but have not had the good fortune to yet. My house and small farm is my other hobby and so I am either in the shop or at home working on it, gives me a chance to be with family. Not a very exciting guy but I have a great family and turn out some nice pieces of furniture from time to time and I hope to keep meeting more traditional archers and making more friends as I move along, as stated several times on this thread; a work in progress

Glenn Hickey Jr. · February 28, 2010, 02:47:00 PM

My name is Glenn Hickey, 55 and live in a small town in south central Kentucky, Monticello. It's bordered to the west by Lake Cumberland and to the east by the Big South Fork National Park, truly a sportsman's paradise. I've been married to my childhood sweetheart and the mother of my children for 35 years. My daughter is 26 and my son will be 28 in April.
For a livelihood I own and operate a Funeral Home, enough said about that because my job does not define me. I'm a blood-bought born again Christian who has been given the gift of teaching which I do in my home church and in several other venues. I believe in doing missions, and lead groups into south west Russia a couple of times a year and serve as an initial responder with Baptist Global Response which has taken me around the world. Most recently I was able to take a medical team into Haiti and may return in April.
I have had a life-long love affair with Motorcycles and presently own two, a 2003 Goldwing with just under 100,000 miles and a 2007 DL 1000 that I plan to ride up the Haul Road to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska then Key West on the return trip. I belong to the IronButt Riders Association and really enjoy endurance riding (ironbutt.org), my wife says I'm still trying to prove my manhood, she may be right.
I took up archery at the age of 12 after attending a summer camp operated by KY Fish and Wildlife and took my first deer at the age of 17, a small 3 pointer with a 45# Shakespeare Necedah. As family responsibilities took over my life I got away from hunting and only returned about 5 years ago. I now only hunt traditional after a very limited encounter with compounds.
In reality I love to be outside if its calling a turkey, watching a doe nurse her fawn or traveling a curvy mountain road on a motorcycle is makes no difference to me. Like it is so well said in second verse of the great song "How Great Thou Art"...
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Keefer · February 28, 2010, 05:46:00 PM

Hello Fello Brothers and Sisters,
My name is Keith and I got my handle from my Old Pastor from my local Church...I accepted Christ and I attend a local Baptist Church ...I have a Great Wife I've known for 25 years but been married to for 23...I am 46 years old and my wife is a hair bit more mature then I... :D We adopted two abandoned children ..The first daughter we named Ande cause we took my Grandmothers name that was Edna and flipped it around to "Ande" ...We were told she was 5 months old when she was found abandoned and we got our first picture of her when she was around 10 months old from our adoption agency and she was found outside near an animal hospital where they Quaritine sick animals...By the time we got to meet her for the first time she was then 15 months old and became our first daughter Phraise the Lord...Our second daughter that we just adopted late Oct. and became an American citizen on Nov.6th we named " Kaci " was found at around 2 months of age on a side of a road...She has special needs and one of the needs was a cleft lip and palet that have been repaired and will need updated surgury later and the other is a heart condition that may need a valve inlarged at a later date...Kaci will turn 3 in July and spent most her life in an orphanage till God answered our prayers again...The Lord has Blessed my wife and I with these two girls and a world of friends who welcome them with open arms...I walk around with one Big Grin on my face whereever we go cause people sometimes think I'm their "GRANDPA" but I say no I'm their Father and then the oppogize's start....I love to spend time in the "Creation" that God has made!...I also like to look for stoneheads,metal detect and spend time with friends and share coffee with anyone who likes real coffee and none that what I call "Sissy" (flavored) coffee !

Chris Shelton · February 28, 2010, 07:25:00 PM

Hello Traditional Bowhunters,

Name is Chris Shelton, 18 years young. Been a Catholic for the younger part of my life, but without stirring the pot to much, I simply dont agree with Catholic Ideals, but I am still definatly a Christian. . .

Still live at home, have a brother who lives in OK and a younger sister, a regular mom and dad, we all have the same last names, lol. And I suppose you can call us traditional. We eat meals together, and that about explains it all.

Dad is my best freind, even though he sometimes sweats the small stuff. But that is what a ex marine is suppose to do. He is also my best hunting partner, after all he is the one that brought me into this wonderfull sport.

Started hunting at age 12, we still lived in the city of Baltimore, what a wonderfull place(not), and now we live in the western part of this lovely state. Without stirring this pot to much, our game officials have no clue, period.

Anyway, been into traditional archery for just about 4 years, started with a little 20# fiberglass recurve, then moved up to a bycicle and back to a 40# recurve. After 3 months of shooting that recurve it was time to hunt with it. I was finally to the point that I was hitting disks in the air, at age 15. That first hunt was definatly one I will never forget. Because that day we didnt come home empty handed, I had made a perfect 22 yard quartering away on a mature whitetail buck.

Ever since then I have been hooked. Year before last I started self filming. To add to the challenge, and adventure, I have a mini show on youtube called Instinctive Adventures. If you want to check it out it is www.youtube.com/user/Guitararcher

Other than that I love music, play the guitar, piano and a bit of harmonica.

I tan my own leather, and made my own guitar. Love working with my hands. And enjoy learning new things. Love this site, and all the folks and lessons contained within! And that is all Ive got to say about that, lol

Dean Lintz · February 28, 2010, 09:23:00 PM

Hello All my name is Dean Lintz I am 48 years young. Home grown lived on same block for 47 years. Only moved up the block when I got married. The wife is understanding of my outdoor addiction. Always working or shooting,new to trad. only been at it for a year. I love the challange when not frustrated. I swiched from wheel bows. Have 5 children 3 girls 2 boys youngest on is 20. I like tinkering and building arrows. Have worked doing industrial maintenance for 28 years. Will hunt anything that walks,jumps,or crawls sometimes swims.

klm5121 · February 28, 2010, 09:34:00 PM

Hey Gang, Name is Kyle Mongold. I am currently a senior at Penn State majoring in mechanical engineering. I recently got engaged to my high school sweetheart. I was born again three years ago and now trust the Lord with everything in my life. I have been hunting since I was twelve and made the switch to traditional archery only a few years ago. Last year, in large part to this site, I started making my own bows. I hope to start making my own arrows soon as well. To go along with hunting, I enjoy fishing, trapping, golfing, and baseball(playing,watching or coaching).

I just want to let everyone know how much i enjoy this site. I used to hang around on a lot of other forums but after i found this site, this is the only one i visit. The people on this site are so generous and wealthy with knowledge. I would just like to thank everyone who makes this site possible!!

Preacherman · February 28, 2010, 10:07:00 PM

What a great post. My name is Tom Williams. I am 59 and have been married to my childhood sweetheart for 37 years. I pastor a Baptist church in Bryant, AR. This is my 3rd church and we have been here for 14 years. I grew up in a Christian home but my 20's were a little rough. God reclaimed me around 30 and called me into the ministry when i was 35. Before that i was a sales manager in an oilfied company. We have two children. My daughter lives in Jonesboro, AR and married to a great guy and have 2 wonderful boys. My son and his wonderful wife are missionaries to the nation of Macedonia. They have a daughter and one on the way. I am blessed.
I love my Lord, His church, my family, my country. I love to shoot traditional bows and gave up gun hunting years ago. During the spring and summer i ride a bicycle as much as i can. I read and just wrote my first book. Would love to have more time to write.
I have met some of the finest guys on this wall and the Black Widow Wall.
I am burdened for my country and pray for a return to the Lord; but I rest assured in His grace and His security. Blessings to you men.

cbCrow · March 01, 2010, 08:00:00 AM

Hi I'm Chuck Brake and reside in Kingsport,TN with my wife and 2 dogs. I started in trad in 1983 when I was dared to see if I could hit the target with a LB, did and have never looked back. I love to hunt,fish,track,photography, and the outdoors. I am 61 yrs young and had to drop a lot of weight off my bows but at least I'm still shooting! The most exciting thing about archery to me is the flight of the arrow. When you let it go and if everything is right, watch as it arcs thru the air and hits its mark. If that rush ever stops I will put down my bow and sit by the fire in my warm teepee and remember that thought. May the Great Spirit look after all of you and keep you safe!

Renaissance Man · March 01, 2010, 08:37:00 AM

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f138/bill_schultz/IMGP0452.jpg

Hello fellows, great idea for a post Mudd. My name is Bill Schultz, aka Willy.
Many of you may have known me as the owner or New Jersey's Traditional only shoppe, Renaissance Archery which I ran for eight years until regular job and family demands forced me to close.
Born in Virginia and raised in NJ. Loved Cowboy and Indian movies and especially Robin Hood growing up.
One summer I fell out of our tree fort and broke my left arm, was in a cast from my bicep to my thumb.
My Dad wanted me to do something to keep it active so he bought me Pearson fiberglass bow at Two Guys and a dozen of cheap arrows to keep my entertained.
I never stopped. My folks were not hunters but our next door neighbors were big game hunters with rifles and bows and I ended up with throw away stuff from them and vowed when I was old enough I would do it.
Well when I was 18 joined the Army and my hunting days began around the country for a few years and then I came home and got to work
Married above my pay grade 29 years ago. Four of the greatest kids you can have, two still in high school and home. Two sons that hunt, the second one loves it big time.
Thirty year Lawman, retired from one version and started last year as a different type.
Love traditional archery, love flintlock rifles in which I have built a few..love fly fishing, fishing in general salt and fresh. Love being a good rifleman, believe every American should be one. Love hunting with all of it but main enjoyment is my bows of which I have had a passle over the years.
Respect Traditional type men, like to hang out with them, hunt fish and share a campfire with them. Been blessed with some good ones as friends.
As a matter of fact I have been blessed in general in my life.
Hope it goes on a lot longer.
Bill

D. Key · March 01, 2010, 09:26:00 AM

Hi. Doug Key here from Southeast Texas. I've been around this earth for some 60 years now and have loved archery since I was 5. Shot ol Willow bows and arrows until I was about 12 and then bought an old Shakespear Neceda recurve. Hooked on Trad ever since.

Been married for a mere 40 years to my high school sweetheart. We have one Son (Chris, 34), a graduate from Texas A & M (that was a 7 year ordeal but worth it), whom is married to a wonderful young lady (more like my own daughter than a daughter-in-law) and two wonderful Grandchildred; Summer 7 years and Traiton 4 but soon to be 5. I am a Viet Nam Vet and proud to have served my Country (even though that was such an unpopular war).

I have been a Christian since I was 16 and thank God for his direction and his everlasting love for humanity. I am still working in Sales but my Bride has retired from the Phone Company. We moved to our country home in 2005, lived through 2 hurricanes (Rita 2005 and Ike 2008) and have an old farm and home to constantly work on and remodel with 75 acres of pine and hardwood timber. The Kitchen is my current rebuild project.

I enjoy archery (no question here), Bass fishing (I'm only 10 minutes from Lake Sam Rayburn, golf (I love this game but it doesn't like me at all), and spending quality time with my family. As I have gotten older and without the responsibility of raising a family, life has taken on a new meaning for me. I enjoy each day as if it is my last, savoring every moment.

Even though our economy and current political admistration has taken downward spirals, I have the hope and confidence that our Lord and Savior will keep those that love him and live true to his name. God bless.