Why the addiction?

[critman]

Why is trad shooting so addictive? Shot wheelie bows for years, but I admit I was a "bring it out a couple of weeks before season, hits close, good enough" kinda shooter. Now I eat, sleep, breathe trad archery. Everything about it lures me in. Bought bows, self bows, recurves, longbows, and heck I have even been thinking about those funny looking horse bows. I can't get enough. So what lights your fire fellow tradgangers?  

[PebblePlacement]

Raw primitive roots.  I find my true nature in the field.

[ARCHER2]

Not sure brother, but I'm right there with ya. Maybe it's my Cherokee heritage. Whatever it is it just gets stronger every day.
Shoot Straight!
Charlie

[pamike]

Addiction.....what are you talking about?????

Ok maybe I have a small problem....but I can't stop myself!

[LimBender]

I don't know, it is just inherently addictive for me.  The feeling of releasing that rare perfect arrow to the bullseye is tough to duplicate.

[dhermon85]

Not sure, but I like it

[hitman]

Its addicting to me because of several reasons. I can make my own equipment for one and it is so satisfying to see an arrow I made glide through the air with such beauty I am amazed. Just the feel of being in the woods with equipment that don't have sights, stabilizers, release aids, levels, etc, is sure a great feeling for me. I'm not putting those thimgs down, they are not for me anymore.

[TxAg]

I'm with you. I shot my compund year round, but never had a desire for a new or different bow. I never had the desire for different arrows, heads, or quivers. Now I want to try everything and seem like I can't satisfy myself (in a good way, though).

I think I was just scared of messing my compiund up.....because I couldn't fix it if I broke it.  With trad, I can tinker to my heart's delight and can fix most anything I break. Did I mention I love to tinker,

[jonsimoneau]

The feeling of doing it the right way is what is addictive. The fact that you must work for shooting accuracy is what is addictive. The satisfaction one feels when it comes together is what is addictive.  You can half-ass a job and get it done. But it leaves you feeling empty. When you do the job right...you feel good. And you sleep better. At least I do!

[dragonheart]

I think it is the feedback you get.  When you shoot a sight you do not get the gratification of watching the arrow hit its mark.  We get that shooting traditional.  It keeps you coming back for more.

Many moons ago, a man wrote a book called the Witchery of Archery.  I have been  bewitched by the flight of the arrow and the quest for the perfect shot since I was a boy.  Today we call that addiction, I guess, it is a passion for me.

[VictoryHunter]

What really does it for is the way traditional archery translates to hunting. The way the bow feels in hand, the lack of technology, the pure instinct that guides you and allows your arrow to find it's mark. It's as simple allowing your eyes to choose where you want the arrow to go.

[Richie]

Self reliance.
  You buy a trad bow ,fletched arrows ,string. Eventually you make a bow ( or a friend makes it), you make your string , fletch your arrows, maybe a quiver. The journey never ends, from tanning hides to making your own blinds . To me it is a constsnt desire to do it yourself.  

[old_goat2]

ah heck guys, you all know it's because it's so easy!!!!! in bizarro world!

[Petrovic]

I think for me it is trying to master something that seems so simple but isn't.

[takefive]

The hands on aspect of it does it for me, too.  I've made 3 selfbows and 3 all wood lam bows and it is rewarding to shoot a bow that you made yourself.   The fact that you have to put some time in to shoot well (or at least I do) with a bare bow appeals to me, too.  When it all comes together and you start taking a nock off here and there, it's pure bliss.  As long as you didn't wreck the arrows :-)

[Paul/KS]

I get a kick out of all of you guys who are so enthusiastic about traditional archery.    
For some of us that are of the older generation it was,and is, the only archery we have known...

Now I have gotten into the primative side of the sport and make self bows so there is always more to learn and do which adds to the enjoyment.

[Wiley Coyote]

Once you get hooked..............It must be that you will never be perfect and we keep striving to improve. And it's a helluva lot of fun!!!!  

[wetfeathers]

I'm not sure why either, but it sure is fun isn't it?  I get 10x more excited shooting any deer with my recurve than I ever did shooting wheels. Even losing arrows is more fun!    

[NOMAD88]

It's TradGang!!!!! Reading your stories, making friends,getting together and flinging arrows,raising money for St. Judes and maybe one day being able to share a great story here. I wonder how addicted we would be without TradGang  

[LongStick64]

For me it's the challenge, it's not easy to be consistent and yet you learn something new everytime.