I admit it I am a man who is whipped

[Blessed One]

3 years ago I went to traditional archery and got so frustrated I went back to wheels. Last year I was blessed to hunt for the 3rd straight year at the Wide Rack with Mike Connett in Crown City Ohio, which is my favorite place to chase giant whitetails. There was a man in camp from Montana. Most of you know who he is, but I had never heard of him named Dan Toelke. Dan and I talked and very humbly he told me he builds bows. I told him of my horrible experience with traditional equipment and Dan said he would take me out to the range between hunts and show me some things. Dan let me shoot the take down whip he brought to hunt with and showed me all the things I was doing wrong and explained to me the process and what to focus on mentally when shooting trad equipment. When I got home I could not quit thinking about what Dan showed me and picked up a recurve I was given. I took to heart Dan's instuction and I changed the way I shoot. Last week I picked up a new used bow and all I can say is Thank you Dan. The fire is burning again and the whip will be going with me to the woods this year. I feel like the passion for bowhunting has returned.

The first picture was from 23 yards. This was the same paper target I used the first time I tried to shoot trad. That will let you know why I quit.

 

The second image is from 20 yards on one knee

 

I am hoping to redeem myself this year and once again Thank you Dan Toelke for your kindness and  taking the time to help me.

PS. Dan had what he called a toad come in within range that week but could not get a shot because it was too thick. He said it was a 160 plus.


Toelke Whip 58' 58#'s @ 28

[JEFF B]

congrats man and nice shooting  

[nineworlds9]

Congrats.  That will be a great memory.  Whips are a longbow's longbow no doubt about that.

[TxAg]

Great bows and great folks

[bruinman]

Looking good!!

[Friend]

Permit the phenomenal dream to unfold and hopefully you may pass on this most treasured experience.

The wondrous folks of the traditional have made it miraculously possible to always reserve a seat beside the campfire.

[monsterbuck]

I also feel the passion has returned for me also. I had completely quit bowhunting, until I tried traditional, and I feel that it has returned. Thanks for sharing. God bless.

[joe skipp]

When I had compound shooters wanting to switch over, I had long talks with them about not being afraid to miss. The recurve or longbow is a new animal compared to the wheelie bow.

Practice and dedication would sooner or later result in that first trad kill and then confidence would increase. Glad your back shooting and having some fun. Good luck with the new bow.

[njloco]

Don't it feel great not to need all that technical junk to get it done.

Welcome !

[Muss03]

Dan Toelke sounds like a very stand up fellow.

[kestimator]

Great story!!
Here's wishing you lots of fun in your "trad" journey!

[Josh Perdue]

nice shooting, i love my whip as well

[T-Bowhunter]

Great story, thanks for sharing.

[Jim Wright]

Dennis, Dan Toelke is indeed a "very stand up fellow"!

[Longbow917]

Nice shooting and that is a good lookin bow for sure.  Dan is a great guy no doubt....patience of a saint!

[rlc1959]

Thumbs Up    
I second (The Passion has Returned) since switching to Traditional Equipment.

Take care , Randy Chamberlin

There is a definite groove you have to find to shoot traditional equipment -- it's easy to feel lost if you either lose it or can't find it to begin with. Glad you gave the stickbow another chance!  

Originally posted by huntryx:
There is a definite groove you have to find to shoot traditional equipment enjoyably and well-- it's easy to feel lost if you either wander out of it or can't find it to begin with. Glad you gave the stickbow another chance!      

[Brianlocal3]

That's AWSOME, thanks for sharing. I have not shot a whip but their reputation is great and I have talked to Dan multiple times and he is a very nice man

[tkytrac]

Ahhh my friend, when that traditional fire begins to burn you won't be able to get enough. You will eat, sleep, drink traditional archery. I know I've been breathing it for nearly 40 years and it has not dimmed yet. Welcome to the ranks. ENJOY!