Going full Circle!

[Straight Shootin']

My first exposure to archery was stick and string! Why? Because this was all there was.  Bear Archery was thriving in Grayling Michigan and places like Anderson Archery was what it was all about, also in Michigan...There were no Compounds or Crossbows at the time.  This is what I grew up knowing and experiencing...This was the way it was...At the age of 9 I was exposed to a fiberglass bow from Anderson Archery...12 a Bear Grizzly which if I remember right cost about $50.00 new, it was 40# @ 28".  I remember going to the local Rod and Gun club and practicing, practicing, practicing....40 yards not a problem.  Then a few years later after graduating from High School I did'nt hunt for several years because I joined the Military and basically wasn't provided the opportunity..then the opportunitity arose, guess what?  Compounds were the rage!  So this is were I went...but after a few years I felt that something was missing...I could nail bulls eyes at forty yards with very little effort with my compound, so what was the matter....practice, practice, practice...I did'nt need to practice as much, I felt confident in my abilities and the challenge was gone.  But instead of giving up the sport, I came full circle, back to the beginning and you know what?  This time I have to practice, practice, anc practice more because it is not as easy as the first time. Am I the only one????  Please let me know!!! By the way, I've been back to Stick and String for 6 yrs now...I like the challenge and would'nt give it up for nothing....I LUV IT!!!!!

[Eugene Slagle]

You are not alone there bud.

I started out shooting a hicory bow my Grandfather made me back when I was around 9 then when I was 13 he bought me a 45# used Bear Super Grizzly, I shot that bow for what seemed for ever & got really good with it.
When I turned 17 my uncle bought me my first compound & for several years I was hooked on the contraptions till just lil over 2 years ago when I decided I had enough & wanted simplicity in my gear but the return of a challenge.

Now I have found where I'm happiest at, I may not be the best shot out there but then I haven't really worried about the score in almost 10 years cept now to see if I'm improving from the last time.

been there done that,   its fun aint it !

[GRINCH]

I started out with a fiberglass bow,my Dad didn't bow hunt but was supportive and got me a 45lb super grizzly that we shot for a few years,got out of archery for the 22 years I was in the Navy,my little brother got me back in with a compound,but didn't like it so came back to trad and since then have gotten him back also.

[Straight Shootin']

I think having been there (using traditional gear) made it easier to go back, thus for those that have not been, it will no doubt be a little bit harder. As with everything else in life.  The unknown, at times, can be a little.......it is no doubt a decision that I am glad I made.  I enjoy the challenge, and it keeps me motivated to become better and smarter at what I do and how I do it...

[maineac]

It is a grand circle.

[moththerlode]

I did exactly the same thing .. started with a cheap fiberglass bow.. first real bow was a Wing Falcon that was too heavy for me but drew first blood with it.. second bow was the Bear Hunter.
around 1972 myself and a buddy snuck into the local Archery range (Yahi) and got caught  by the club president Larry Franco.
Next thing I know he picking me up and taking me to their shoots both indoor and out door.
At that time the Allen Compound had just came out and one member had one.
I have also since although much more recent come full circle back to Trad and love it..something about the feel of wood and old fond memorys.
           Scott

[Buckwheaties]

My Grandpa was of the Howard Hill era. He built me and my brother aluminum longbows (semi-recurves) and we lived in the Mojave desert with a hundred thousand acres of desert right out our back door. Mom use to tell us, "You boys go get your bows and get out of here." Needless to say we played hell on any lizard, snake, jack or sand pile out there.. Years later without touching a bow my brother was shooting a HH and wow!!! I bought one, 70#'s (overbowed but didn't know it) then out of bows for a while longer, then came the compound for a couple years and alot of money. One day I was sitting in the Oregon woods hunting Roosies with this cold heavy piece of metal in my hand and I realized I wasn't enjoying it... Been shooting my recurve a little off and on, but my real love is my longbow.. Shoot it most every day and will til I can't anymore.. Hopefully in my 90's.? Full circle huh??

[salemons]

I think I went past full circle.
I started with a Bear recurve back in the early 60s. I think I got pretty good with it. Long time ago so I'm not really sure. Got out of archery for I don't know why. All grown now and my 20 something daughter mentioned an interest in trying archery. Bought a cheap compound then got one for her. Didn't seem as much fun as I remembered but better than nothing. Tried that for about a half year and decided I wanted to try a recurve like I started with. Got a Quinn and thats more like I remember but not as easy as I remember. Great bow and I was having lots of fun again. My daughter liked my Quinn so she got one also. She usually out shoots me at the range but I'm a little better at 3D. Decided to try a longbow so got a used Mohawk. Wow This is even more fun but also a little harder to shoot as well as the Quinn. Just have to practice a lot and my daughter is along too. I don't think it can get much better.