New to Trad Bows (Father and 2 Sons)

[mmisciag]

To date I have bought four traditional bows; An Osage longbow and Bear Montana for me. A Black Rino longbow for my youngest. And today, a Samick Sage recurve for my middle son.

The question is, how do I keep my boys interested. I think I am going to do this for the rest of my life. However, I need to keep them interested. What have you done with your children to get them and keep them interested in traditional archery?

Thanks!

Martin

[HARL]

The grandson that I'm raising has been shooting on and off since he was 4.Right now he is 15 and still likes to go shooting.I never puss it on him but always ask if he wants to join me when I go to the range.Most of the time it is an instant "yes",every once and a while it's "not this time".When he comes along he does not want to stop shooting so I think he really enjoys it.I took him to the GLLI in Mich.2 years ago and I could not keep up with him.He asks now when he can get his hunting lic.In my opinion you can't force them but always ask if they are interested in going shooting.

[bow loving man]

I have a 9 year old son and 14 year old daughter that like to shoot with me...They really do not like to just stand at the line and shoot at a target but they love 3d stuff...So we created a game in our backyard... Remember the basketball game of HORSE?  we do that with our bows...It is a blast, makes for some creative shots and some fun competition....Now when I say, "Do you want to go shoot?" There is a resounding YES and then the argument starts about who gets first shot!
Good luck!

[jsweka]

Take them to 3D shoots and let them shoot however close they want.  Ignore the stakes.  There's lots of traditional 3D's in PA.

My 5 year old daughter doesn't care much to shoot with me in the backyard.  Shoots a few arrows and then goes to play on her swingset.  But when I take her to a 3D, she'll shoot all day.

[The Whittler]

I would say that is very good advice, about not pushing them. Let them shoot a bit and when they see you having fun, I think they might just want to join you more often.

Just show them a few basics, like how to hold the bow and the string, and their release. Then set back and let them have fun learning. As they progress you can teach them more. Good luck and remember to keep it fun and safe.

[frassettor]

The one thing I learned is not to push it. If they want to be involved they will. My daughter is 13 and she was really into traditional archery ,and shooting. Now she is spending her attention on cloths, and texting on the darn cell phone..

She still shoots.. WHEN SHE WANTS TO.  That way Im not pushing it , that only seems to turn her away more when you try and force the issue. The fire that I lit is not out, just a little dimmer then before. I take her to the woods, she helps pull my arrows when I shoot, and that seems to keep the piolet light still burning.

[mmisciag]

I was thinking about 3D shoots. We have a club not far from the house. I live in a development so shooting at home is limited to the garage. I have been working on my form out there but going to a range is a great idea.

I will not push them but will be sad if they don't want to come along. One good thing is that they are both in the Boy Scouts. Some of the boys shoot. I hope that carries over in their friendships.

In the end, I think that 3D is going to be the way to go.

I would like to hear any other ideas. Thanks for all your input!

Martin

[Pierre Lucas]

Martin,

Fun, fun, fun....Just keep it fun.  We shoot at ballons all the time and it keeps things interesting.  

If you can, take them to Denton Hill, Pa. for ETAR.  That's were my daughter, who thought shooting bows was boring, got interested.  

When she got home she called and bought her 1st bow from Maddog Archery.  She has really enjoyed every minute now shooting her bow.  

Family fun.....

God Bless,  Pierre

[ishoot4thrills]

My two sons love to shoot 3D but they also really enjoy going stump shooting. It's a good reason to get away from the crowds and competition and get out in the woods and fields with just us. We always see deer sign and stuff too, which helps prepare them for hunting come fall. Sometimes I take a foam disc along with us and some flu flus and we all try our hand at aerial targets.

[el_kirk]

I shot and hunted as a kid down in Texas, then grew out of it.  Then I grew back into it in my thirties.  I had a very supportive dad, good equipment and a fun place to shoot.  Don't take it personally when they get interested in cars, girls and anything BUT being like their dad.  It isn't personal.  
Take care of yourself though...if they're anything like I was their need to shoot and hunt will come back with a vengeance when they hit 30.  Unfortunately, you might have gotten old by then and your sons will give you a hard time about it.   Then, all you can do about it is out shoot them and rub it in.    
A thought:  spend at least as much time trying to get interested in what they think is compelling as you spend trying to get (or keep) them interested in what you are interested in.  I think you've done well by them.

[legends1]

Find out where there are some 3D shoots held in your area.They are a wonderful spot to have fun with the whole family.

[Earl Jeff]

Martin take them to lots of shoots let them have fun there are lots of shoots in Pa. Hope to see ya at some.

[mmisciag]

I met a couple of guys at a Christmas Party last night. One is the VP at Frontier Shooting Club in my area. He was telling me about a ton of 3D shoots in the area. I think I will start there.

I took the boys to a drainage basin that is in my neighborhood today. We shot for about an hour. It seems like they had a good time. We shot at 10 yards and about 40 yards from an elevated sidewalk that runs next to it. I thought it was a lot of fun.

Great advice. Thanks for the input.

Earl, I hope to see you at a shoot.

[Bjorn]

My son has been involved since about 6. We made bows from saplings till he was 9 and he got a Little Bear off the auction site. Stump shooting and hunting on the ground were his favorites and still are. He is 16 now and has won many archery events shooting better than most adults including me. He has killed and harvested numerous animals on his own.
I think not pushing, don't  force them to sit in stands, and me not worrying about computers, warcraft, wrestling, guitars etc has helped a lot.