Traditional Friendship

[BryBow]

My name is Bryan Jameson and I live in New Port Richey, FLorida. I have recently become involved in primitive and traditional archery. I am learning to build my own bows and arrows through the Traditional Bowyers Bible and online resources like YouTube and forums like Trad Gang and Primitive Archer.

I am writing to ask if you know the names and contact info of others in my local New Port Richey, FL area that are involved in this wonderful endeavor, hobby, sport, way of life. I have not been able to find anyone and any help you would be able to provide would be greatly appreciated.

I have read in the Traditional Bowyers Bible that modern bow equipment users often scoff at the traditionalist. I had my first taste of this Saturday 08/03/2013. I stopped into a local archery retailer and archery range close by to see if there was a chance of camaraderie. Not only did they know nothing of traditional archery the owner seemed tired and fed up with his livelihood. I can only imagine the toll that years of plastic and carbon surroundings have taken. As I looked at the lifeless displays of compound and fiberglass bows I quickly realized how fortunate I was to have stumbled into archery through traditional channel's. You see, several weeks ago my 17 year old daughter and my wife expressed an interest in archery when they saw the compound bows on display at Bill Jackson's. Technology has a way of looking awfully enticing. Kind of like sin you know. We had stopped in there to go to the pistol shooting range. Later, when exploring archery on line I stumbled across the traditional way and thought it would be great to build our own bows and arrows.

What an exciting and joyful experience to have the involvement of my Wife and Children in something that has great history, beauty, and builds family bonds is more ways than I ever expected.

[slivrslingr]

I'm not from your neck of the woods, but welcome to trad archery and TradGang!  The wealth of information here and the willingness to share it is second to none.    

[Sirius Black]

Welcome! I have only met polite shooters so far at events I've attended, but most archery shops are all about compounds. The owner of the store I visit the most(I get my arrows there)was very supportive of my trad shooting, but when I told him I wanted to shoot trad 100% and sell my compound, he almost called me stupid. The beauty of traditional is you can do most things yourself anyway, and don't need them. Talk with a bowyer, they're a wealth of info on trad shooting.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Welcome, You will find great people in your area.  Florida has quite a few.  hopefully a few will chime in here.

You have to remember, archery shops in most part need to stay in business therefore catering to the masses.  Mostly people who need a new bow and arrow set up every year and typically only get their gear out a week or two before archery season.  All their misses are due to equipment failure and couldn't possible be related to the "archer".  Therefore that owner is probably sick of dealing with stupid heads all day every day.

You are far better off doing things on your own and finding a group of people to make the learning curve smaller.  You have found a great place here.    

[Jayrod]

Welcome .u will enjoy it here!!

[VictoryHunter]

Welcome! There are some good ones in Fl, hopefully they will chime in here soon.

[Hot Hap]

Hi there-Hap

[Ifrit617]

Go over to primitive archer and look up Mullet (Eddie). I believe he is located close to you and is a great bowyer.

Jon

[T-Bowhunter]

BryBow, I live in Ocala, If you would like to meet a lot of traditional Bow hunter. Traditional Bowhunters of Florida (TBOF) will be having our fall shoot, starting August 9, through August 11. The shoot is held in Ocala.  Go to the TBOF website:  www.tbof.org  for shoot times and directions.  I hope to see you there.

[Mudd]

It does my heart good to read about folks/families like you and yours.

Thank you!

Welcome to the Tradgang family!!!!

God bless, Mudd

[nineworlds9]

Welcome sir, great story and glad you've 'arrived'...it will just keep getting better and better!  The TBOF shoot is a great suggestion.  Lord knows  I am doing what I can to try and make it.

[tradarcher816]

Welcome

[threeunder]

No where close to you, but I have to agree.

I've been involved in many different types of outdoors sports.  The people involved in traditional archery are the absolute nicest, most genuine people I've ever met.

Welcome to the family!

[BryBow]

Originally posted by T-Bowhunter:
BryBow, I live in Ocala, If you would like to meet a lot of traditional Bow hunter. Traditional Bowhunters of Florida (TBOF) will be having our fall shoot, starting August 9, through August 11. The shoot is held in Ocala.  Go to the TBOF website:  www.tbof.org  for shoot times and directions.  I hope to see you there.

Thank you. I have been looking at the TBOF site and will probably be one of the attendees. Since posting here and at PA I have received many replies including a reply from a new traditionalist who lives within 5 miles.

I have also received several emails from some TBOF members who have invited me to contact them and meet up with them this coming weekend.

Never expected everyone to be so friendly but in this case the unexpected is a great thing.

[BryBow]

Originally posted by HighTecRedNeck:
Hello Bryan


I am new to trad but have been shooting for over 20 years.

Was it the shop on US 41 or over in Tampa ?

Anyway, I am really close in Trinity. The club in Tampa has quite a few trad guys ( Those rotten rascals are the ones who gto me hooked a few weeks ago )

I have to say the trad folks are good people and MUCH more willing to help out " Noobs " like us. I am not seeing the arrogance I used to with the " Wheelies " which is why I decided to make the change

[Sam McMichael]

I have had a few people scoff at my traditional equipment, but I have had a lot more ask if they could try it out. In recent years, I have been going only to all traditional events.  I see that you were pointed in the direction of the TBOF shoot coming up this weekend. It is a goodie! If you can go, then by all means do so! There are numerous primitive shooters and bowyers, and you could really make some good connections. That would be a fantastic way to jump into the game. I have been going to the TBOF shoots since 2008 and have really made some good friends.