I posted up in the shooters forum, but I got some advice that this might be a better place for me. I am brand new to all aspects of archery (I don't even have a bow yet!) but I stumbled across this site while researching knife making and thought I'd give this a shot as well.
My name is Chris, I'll be 28 this year. I'm married, no kids, and I am a career Firefighter/EMT. I live down in Maury County, about an hour south of Nashville. I don't have any friends that I know of that shoot Trad, so if it's all right with you guys I'll probably have lots of questions for you.
Right now I am really leaning towards trying to make a board bow for my first one. I really enjoy the process of creating things, and it keeps me out of trouble and off the streets . I know I am probably going about this the hard way, but I figure nothing ventured, nothing gained. Any tips are greatly appreciated!
Anyhow, thanks for taking the time to read this. Talk to you later.
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Welcome Chris ! Being that you are close to Nashville and thus Clarksville you will need to attend the shoots at Twin Oaks in Clarksville. Once you hang out at Pappy's place one weekend you will be addicted. Pappy and the Twin Oaks crew can hook you up with a stave so you can make you a good selfbow. Also the Ye Olde Fartes hold a monthly shoot the 3rd Sunday of each month in Crossville which should be about 2 hr drive tops for you.
As for a bow, cruise the classifieds under bows and get you a used Bear for less than $100 and get started. Then while you are at shoots you can try others custom bows so you will know what to shop for next. If I can be of further help please let me know. Again welcome !
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Hey NoCams, thanks for the info. I am actually a graduate of APSU, so I'm sure I can come up with an excuse to make it up to Clarksville sometime. I'm not familiar with Twin Oaks, is it Pappy's private place or is it a range?
The wife and I are working towards getting things squared away to try and buy some property in the next year or so, so she is a bit harder than usual to talk into new hobbies at the moment, which is a big reason I wanted to have a go at making a board bow. It is easier to get away with a few bucks here and there (especially since I have most of the tools I'd need already) at the hardware store than a big chunk at one time
Besides, maybe if I look pathetic enough trying a board bow she'll green light another one Really though, I am hard headed and have been thinking about this for a while.
Anyhow, enough rambling, talk to you later, and thanks again!
Posts: 172 | From: Columbia, Tennessee | Registered: Sep 2008
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Ditto everything Jimmy said. Ethan too, for that matter.
I'll add that you have in your backyard a bow building/learning resource that people literally travel from oversea's to experience. It's four weeks away and you'll be able to pick up a hickory blank for about $35, and leave with a bow. And that's just the beginning...
But a word of warning- You know in "Matrix" when Neo decides between taking the blue pill or the red pill? This is like taking the red pill.
-------------------- Twin Oaks Bowhunters PBS Associate Member Traditional Bowhunters of Tennessee
"just remember, you can't put the wood back on" Posts: 1627 | From: EAST Tennessee | Registered: Feb 2004
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Welcome Chris, this is the best sport to bring your family into. There's bows of every size and pull. You'll be able to find one for the Missus and she'll beat you soundly once she gets the hang of it. Us "ladies" will see to that. This is a treaured habit for sure.You will certainly know no better group of people in your life. And that includes the Olde Fartes, come shoot with us!!!! Mrs. Cheapshot (Tomi)
-------------------- TNGIRL.... >>>>>>>>------------>> Ye Olde Fartes and Sore Losers, NGTA, TBG, TGMM Family of The Bow, Compton's Traditional Bowhunters Posts: 1173 | From: S.E. Tenn. | Registered: May 2005
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Chris, you are in luck! The next PBS Banquet will be in Nashville in March of 2010. Ethan and some of the other TTAS folks can give you more info but we would love to see you there! Good luck in your new journey into traditional bowhunting!
Posts: 1223 | From: Morton, Illinois | Registered: Mar 2003
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Chris we are about 30 miles west of Nashville off i24w off exit 19.Come visit sometime,we have 2 firefighters in the club that work in Nashville.If you make it down the first of May you can get all kinds of ideas on what you want to shoot.There are several vendors there selling used and new bow and they are glad to let you try them out.Also like has been said you can build one or at least pick the brains of guys that do it all the time and then go home and build it yourself. Pappy
Posts: 1355 | From: Nashville,Tn. | Registered: Apr 2004
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Thanks for all the warm welcome folks, I really appreciate it. I'm looking forward to getting more involved in this sport, it really does look like fun. Hopefully I can get the wife to join in as well. Today I am actually going to begin work on a Red Oak Board Bow, so we'll see how long it takes to mess that up
quote:Originally posted by Bear: I'll add that you have in your backyard a bow building/learning resource that people literally travel from oversea's to experience. It's four weeks away and you'll be able to pick up a hickory blank for about $35, and leave with a bow. And that's just the beginning...
I guess you are talking about the Ultimate Self Bow Challenge at the TN Classic? Naturally it figures that I'd need to try and get 2 shifts off at work to make it, but that sounds like an absolute blast. Is it the $20 entry fee + $35 for the blank? I definitely need to look into that...
Anyhow, thanks again gang, talk to you soon.
Posts: 172 | From: Columbia, Tennessee | Registered: Sep 2008
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CHRIS, Yes, $55 will get you a blank and entered. Listen to all the above.... You cannot miss the TN Classic ! After you start peeling hickory or osage shavings off one of Pappy's staves, under their shed I am afraid you will forget all about that board bow, haha !!! Go ahead and work a trade with someone at work so you can come on up. We will C YA there.
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Well, it looks like I should be able to make it to the TN classic afterall. I know I have one of the two days off that I need and it looks like I should be just fine for the second one as well. I'm looking forward to seeing you guys (and girls) there. Thanks again.
Posts: 172 | From: Columbia, Tennessee | Registered: Sep 2008
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BY ALL MEANS COME TO AN OLDE FARTES SHOOT AND WE WILL BE GLAD TO HAVE YOU & YOUR WIFE SHOOT WITH US. THERE ARE SEVERAL OF THE GUYS THAT WHITTLE THIER OWN BOWS AND CAN GIVE YOU HELP IN THAT RESPECT. HERE IS OUR WEB SITE FOR MORE INFO AND A MAP TO GET THERE. HTTP://WWW.TRADITIONALARCHERS.WEBS.COMPosts: 111 | From: GEORGETOWN, TN | Registered: Feb 2004
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. I know I am probably going about this the hard way, but I figure nothing ventured, nothing gained. Any tips are greatly appreciated!
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