A Serious Question Here.....

[manitou1]

Joe, this is one of the best posts I have ever read on TG.  Thanks for bringing it up... and making folks think about the issue.

[YORNOC]

Kids,kids,kids. It's easy to get them interested because its so fun.
I brought up archery to the school system here and I thought I was going to be taken out in handcuffs. But thats Massachusetts for you.
I try to pick up cheap bows when I can and make them all spiffed up. There are always a few bows ready at my house for a kid who wants to shoot.
I'm looking to get certified at giving hunter education/safety certs now.

[Bowwild]

Because I'm providing a website below this may not be a "legal" post. If so, I'm sorry and please delete.

In the spirit of providing ideas to those who want to do more to perpetuate our discipline and be a positive influence in the life of a student, you can go to this website.

 http://archeryintheschools.org/activea.asp?CompID=23&btnSubmit=ByFileCategoryID&cboApplicationID=321&cboFileCategoryID=969

This link provides contact information for the Coordinator for NASP in each of the 47 states, 5 provinces, and 8 other countries in the program.

Over the past 11 years 30,000 teachers, 1,300 teacher trainers, and 138 Teacher Trainer Trainers (BAIT Specialists) have been certified. Together they have trained more than 11,000,000 students.  While the bow used isn't traditional, the teaching is very traditional; barebow and 3 fingers under.

About 7,000 new adults are certified each year. The orgnization is non-profit.

(Tim, you'll see what I'm doing here is from a different perspective than what we talked about.)

[LBR]

Served in various clubs in various capacities from regular member to regional rep. to boardmember to president, which is my current position in the Southern Traditional Archery Association.

Volunteer coach for the NASP at our local school, and help at other schools in our county.  I think the NASP is the best thing going for the sport of archery today.  My wife and I have helped at our NASP State Championship, and plan to do so again this year.

Put on various demos for kids and adults in different venues.  The biggest will be this year at the Wilson County Fair in TN.  For the last several years they have had over a half-million people come through the gates in 9 days.  

Set up with the Southern Traditional Archery Association at some big sports trade events with the STA supplying bows, arrows, targets, and candy dish and let kids shoot for free all weekend.

Work with kids and adults at my home when I can.  Not that I'm a great shot or coach, but a little instruction can go a long way and plant a seed that will continue to grow.

I've gotten a lot of support and inspiration from some great people in this sport.  I know I won't remember them all, but it includes folks like Rod Jenkins, Denny Sturgis Jr., Ray and Roger Browne of BCY, fellow members of the STA, Dr. Marty Brunson of the Catch-a-Dream Foundation, etc.

Chad

[Canadabowyer]

I got my whole neighborhood into Trad archery , some times we have 20 shooters here on weekends.Most of then had never shot a bow before. Just make it fun, shoot baloons and have coffee afterwards.I also donate a bow every year to one of the local clubs to raise funds.And talk Trad archery hunting to anyone who will sit still long enough to listen. Bob

[Josh Perdue]

Have done nothing and that needs to change.

[lpcjon2]

Bowwild thats the way to do it. but you do deserve some recognition.

[Maxx Black]

Bowwild ! Thanks for your post . I even found the number for our provincial contact.  I have been in charge of the kids archery for our club and have had 18 kids register for this year. I have been lucky to have three other trad shooter contribute time regularly . The enjoyment I have gotten in return is awesome . Some of the kids probably won't ever hunt but have an activity they can enjoy all to themselves. Maxx

[magnus]

Get as many kid involved as I can in the sport and vote for politicians who support my beliefs.

[JamesKerr]

I will teach anyone who is willing to give bowhunting a try no matter what type bow they use, I also am more than willing to help anyone with hunting or just shooting a gun. I look at it like we are all sportsman and instead of dividing ourselves based on the equipment we choose most often to use (i.e. I still enjoy shooting and hunting with guns  :eek:  ) We need to pull together and not worry about personal differences. One thing I cannot recommend enough is that if you are not a member of the NRA than to join right now! Not only do they protect our second ammendment rights but also fight for our rights to hunt and many other freedoms we have.

[flyfish1]

Most recently, this past fall my sons friend asked if I could help "get him a buck". I went out and we walked his farm, showed him stand sights and recommended when to hunt them. One was a nice funnel, which I advised to hunt very sparingly until the third week and he should get an oppurtunity at a buck from the spot. He did what I said and he shot his first buck there. He also filled his doe tag and is hooked for life.