Giving Credit Where Credit is Due

[Kevin Hansen]

The older I get the more I come to realize how things come full circle; how we are brought to the place where we are by the influence of others. As I gain in experience (age)I also feel a real need to acknowledge those who have "mentored" me along the way in my traditional archery journey.
There have been many mentors down through the years. At the risk of neglecting to mention some I'll feature some that stand out the most.
My earliest mentor was my dad who even though he never shot a bow was always willing to help me as a kid round up hay bales to use as target back stops in our yard. I'm thankful for help with a sport that he had no interest in.
I'll never forget over 15 years ago when Lamont Granger gave my 5 year old son a steal of a deal on a used back quiver. This great deat allowed Travis to have a quiver just like Dad's. There isn't a time I go by that old quiver hanging in the basement that I don't think of Lamont and all the fun times my son and I had while he wore that quiver.
Then there was Ken Burgaard who sold me his old Bear Kodiak Magnum back in the 1970's. With that purchase I was able to "graduate" from my kids bow and begin chasing deer with my "hunting" bow. I have continued ever since. I can't tell you how many times I have regretted selling that bow for a brief fling with coumpounds during the 1980's!
It was during a visit to our state bowhunters convention in 1985 for the express purpose of finding a way back to tradtional archery that I met Jim Dahlberg who answered EVERY question I had about longbows, broadheads, and arrow building. That was before the days of email so he answered lots of my questions with letters. Thanks to Jim's initial guidance the traditional fire has burned brightly ever since in both my son and me.
I could go on as there have been many other mentors, but I'll stop for now and wait to see what the rest of you have to say about your mentors.
Anyone???

[hunterbob]

I would have to say that Steve Smith (bearbowman) has been my biggest influence in traditional archery. And next would be my old friend that I dont get to see much any more and he only lives five minutes from me. Scott Williams . It was in my compound days that he bought an old recurve and started going to the three d shoots with it and I seen how much fun he was having . I had to give it a try and have been hooked ever since . that was back around 1995 .

[rastaman]

Welcome to tradgang sir..I never really had a mentor, but I had a best friend in the early 70's in college who pushed me as I pushed him as we learned about archery together.  He remains my best friend today and we still push each.  His name is Clyde Musick and I love him like a brother!

[JAG]

I've had some great mentors in Traditional Ways.  The first was Paul Murphy, who helped me out by helping me learn when I first started.
Then there was Russ Dickson, that ole damn yankee.  I loved him as a brother.  He helped me learn the art of seeing the bow in a stave and bringing it to life.  He was my hunting parterner.
Both these great friends are waiting for me, at the Campfire on the other side.
Last but not least, my friends, Sterling and Krista Holbrook.  Sterling keeps my feet on the right path.  Krista helps keep me sane!  Sterling has helped me bring wood to life in the form of a good bow and arrows.
I owe much to these great Friends.
I also must credit my bride, of 30 plus yrs., for putting up with me.  She has allowed and encouraged me with my bows.  She has even gone along and shot with us for fun. (even tho Trad Gear is not her forte)
Thanks to all that have helped me on the Journey!
JAG/Johnny

[Rob W.]

I never really had a mentor til I found Tradgang. I have Learned a bunch, met new friends, and even reconnected with some old ones. I guess the gang is my mentor.


Rob

[Bowwild]

There weren't a lot of bowhunters in Richmond, Indiana where I grew up.  I didn't have any mentors. Mom bought Dad a Ben Pearson Cougar for Christmas when I was 14 years old.  

Dad shot one arrow out of the bow -- straight up off our front porch on Christmas morning.  We lived in a sub-division -- I don't know where that arrow landed.  It scared Dad and he handed me the bow and said "here, it's yours and don't ever do what I just did!"

My neighbor buddy had a fiberglass bow and we stalked local chipmunks for a couple years before I "discovered" deer 120 miles south of where I lived. But that's another story.

[huntnmuleys]

closest thing i had to a mentor was a local guy here who shoots recurves and has always took time to show me things.  but mainly i got into it after reading the books by bob munger, fred bear, glenn st charles, and other historical bowhunters, as im into history and i just kinda took it from there.

[glenbo]

I agree with Rob W.Trad gang has enriched my knowledge more than I can say.I feel I am learning from the best of the best.I will state however that in my early stages of traditional archery that Joe Skipp always had time to answer my questions at the shop he worked for.It was a non trad shop so I would always get there before the owner did so I could pester Joe.Meeting Guru at work has also added to my bowhunting experience,from bowfishing,to rabbit hunting and the Muzzy shoot.He has also introduced me to many fine trad people in the area.thanks

[Gray Buffalo]

I had two that I took some of my shooting style from. Darrel Dixon a top shooter back in the 60’s and our own Charlie Lamb. Both had an influence on changes in my shooting style. Thats been a few years back, Hey Charlie?

[Kevin Hansen]

Thanks for sharing. Reading about your mentors brought back even more memories of my own. One thing that stuck out in my mind is how technology has changed the ease with which we can learn from others. Way back when, it was a stamped envelop sent on its way followed by a week or more of waiting for answers to my questions. Not as bad as it might seem. I think there was good that came out of the waiting.
I try to make it a point now to not only thank those who help me, but also at a later date tell them the influence they are still having on the way I do things and think about things.
On the flip side of that coin we would all do well to remember that our actions as mentors carry far beyond our immediate presence and time of being.
Just my two cents worth...

[awbowman]

Had two of the best get me started, Greg Gravois and Warren Womack.

Without ever meeting me, Greg showed up with a super treestick for me to shoot at a 3D shoot a couple of seasons ago.  That day I shot with Greg and Warren.  Meeting Warren and hearing he and Greg's stories lit a fire.

Since then, I have met some great new friends always willing to lend a hand.

[WildmanSC]

The owner of The Archery Shop got me started with recurves, even though he primarily sells wheeled bows.  That being said, he has around 20 recurves and longbows that are hanging on he walls of his indoor shooting range.  He owns all of them.  He still hunts primarily with wheeled bows, although he does occasionally take one of his recurves or longbows hunting.

Then, I would add "me too" to the TradGang mentoring.  I've learned a lot on this board!  Thanks to all who have contributed.

Bill