How many just pretend?

[moebow]

I think many confuse an organization's competitive category of "trad" with the original meaning.  It was introduced to differentiate single string archery from the then new compound bow.  Many too, try to disqualify fiberglass or carbon fiber lamination from being trad.  Was Howard or Fred Bear, or Ben Pearson not in the "trad" era??  They were some of the first to introduce and use (and embrace) fiberglass in bow construction when it became available after WW2.  Many too, disqualify sights and various mechanical releases (as opposed to fingers) but they have all been around for over 100 years now.  Again, I think a confusion of competitive shooting categories and NOT whether or not they have been used for a long time.

Labels can be convenient but misleading.  So WHICH definition of Traditional are you supporting??  For me it is very simple.  A bow that is bent by the pulling of a single string that is attached to the tips of the bow limbs is traditional.  Doesn't matter if a sight or release of some sort is used.  Expand to "primitive," Self, or laminated (with what ever materials) BUT keep the single string concept and in my mind you are "traditional."

Again, though, NOT to be confused with rather arbitrary shooting categories that various organizations use to set up (relatively) fair competition.

Arne

[txcookie]

It just struck me this morning that as much as we want to tell everyone we are "traditional " hunters, most of us are likely just pretending.
We shoot the highest tech composite bows, many carved out by CNC machines;

Our arrows are the highest tech, computer balanced, carbon fiber, nearly indestructible shafts;

Many of the broadheads are costing crazy high prices and they are machined from high tech alloy steel;

Many are carrying the most expensive high tech optics and laser range finders they can find;

Most are hunting out of tree stands that have taken a team of engineers to design;

Many are putting out high tech cameras to pattern our quarry, some even sending pictures back to our computers to tell us all the details;  There is no doubt what so ever some guys are using the latest drone technology to do the same thing.

Those with enough money are buying tractors and machinery to plant tasty crops to ensure we'll maximize the likelihood the biggest and best deer will grow and frequent our little bit of heaven;

What say you?   

Im shooting Bear Razor heads on three river pre finished arrows. Im using a Bear Montana. This is as tradtional as you get as my bow and arrows mirror that of the founders of modern archery. I also have a   1-63 inch ball sling plains rifle. IMO its very traditional. I also have a pimped out Bow madness with carbon arrows and rage head fiber optic sights and a scott release. Cant forget my REM CDL in 270 WIN topped with a 3x9 nikon. Im a hunter and choose what and how I want to hunt every hunt. I practice with all till I am proficient. This yr Its gonna be the long bow and My plains rifle. Until I go to TX then itll be the long bow and rem CDL Hunt how you like division is for Democrats!!!!!

[txcookie]

MOE BOW GOT IT !!!!

[Will Of Stone]

Alright first off, hello all, first time posting ever. Been lurking for years finally joined. As to the topic, I bowhunt. I shoot longbows and recurve. I fly fish for blue hills, and a couple times I used live bait on my fly rod, oh the horror! This whole argument is pointless, we all are "trad" or we wouldn't belong to this amazing brotherhood of the bow. I haven't read one single post, unless I missed it, of anyone claiming to be a PURIST, nothing wrong with a purist, I admire that level of dedication. I used to be an avid muzzle loader guy, I would stay home if part of my get up wasn't right, or complete, I sucked the fun right out of it, lost a lot of time in the woods. So don't suck the fun out of it, do what makes you happy and let the purists be purists and the pretenders be pretenders. I love what I do and it only matters to me.

[Pine]

 
 

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I wear non traditional underpants and drive a vehicle with foreign gasoline to my hunting areas.  I bought my broadheads online and mounted them with big Jim's glue ( best glue running)

Yep, I'm a poser and don't care. 

[DocWolf]

BAK, I understand where you’re coming from. It is just a thought, something to ponder and discuss. IMO, it is like “Classic Rock.”  The definition may change to include newer stuff every decade or so. What was classic rock yesterday, is now called oldies

No labels, only fun and self satisfaction here.

[Possum Head]

I’m primitive as I use a selfbow with a fast flight stringer 

[Stumpkiller]

It just struck me this morning that as much as we want to tell everyone we are "traditional " hunters, most of us are likely just pretending.
We shoot the highest tech composite bows, many carved out by CNC machines;

Our arrows are the highest tech, computer balanced, carbon fiber, nearly indestructible shafts;

Many of the broadheads are costing crazy high prices and they are machined from high tech alloy steel;

Many are carrying the most expensive high tech optics and laser range finders they can find;

Most are hunting out of tree stands that have taken a team of engineers to design;

Many are putting out high tech cameras to pattern our quarry, some even sending pictures back to our computers to tell us all the details;  There is no doubt what so ever some guys are using the latest drone technology to do the same thing.

Those with enough money are buying tractors and machinery to plant tasty crops to ensure we'll maximize the likelihood the biggest and best deer will grow and frequent our little bit of heaven;

What say you?   

My recurves I have hunted with in the last 15 years were made in the 1960's (a couple from the 1950's).  I only shoot wood arrow shafts I fletch up myself.  My broadheads were from a batch manufactured in 1960 that Larry Whiffen Jr. found in his garage from his Dad's shop. 

I use a treestand - but sometimes not.

In fact, I travel on foot to my hunting site from my home.  No vehicles.  I chose my current home because of the land (20 acres, 17 wooded) and only hunt that . . . and usually come up with a whitetail buck.  That makes me very happy.  I do not plant feed crops, put out minerals or attractants.  I don't even use scent masks or buck scents/lures.  Though I do brush-hog some paths I keep down for grouse hunting and for general access.  The deer like the new growth along them.

But for me the "treat" is to hunt with the gear I drooled over as a kid on my own property.  Your motivations may vary. 

Really - it's all good.  It all comes down to a shot opportunity, a shot placement, and a sharp broadhead.

[Whip]

Why on earth would it matter? If I shoot my self bow and wood arrows while dressed in a loin cloth wouldn't I be pretending to be something I'm not? 

[Roy from Pa]

Whip, ya have any pictures of you shooting while wearing your loin cloth?

Well on second thought.

Never Mind.

LOL

 

[Rob DiStefano]

Why on earth would it matter? If I shoot my self bow and wood arrows while dressed in a loin cloth wouldn't I be pretending to be something I'm not?

 

[Rob DiStefano]

most of us realized from the get-go this was a "cabin fever" thread, no more or less.

say good night gracie!