thanks to you guys...

[VA Elite]

I may not have my rite of passage into the traditional world through killing an animal yet, but I do feel as though I am part of this small fraternity of very moral and kind brethren. thank you tradgang for welcoming me in and taking the time to help me get to where I am. where am I? I am where I have always wanted to be as a bowhunter. so many of you were right about how this changes a man. my whole outlook on bow hunting has changed. it is now October 27 and I have not killed a deer..sure I want kill a deer, but for some reason there is no sense of urgency or haste. I feel no pressure, and for the first time in my 25 years of bow hunting, I'm ok with it. who knows what will happen the rest of the season, but I can promise you all this, I will never forget this first year as a trad hunter.

             

Bisch

[30coupe]

Sounds like you "get it" to me! It is the journey as much as the destination. Your first will be sweet, but every adventure with a simple, traditional bow is a memorable event. Welcome to the Gang!

Russ

[DennyK]

[KSshrewman]

  yup.  That's it.  

[Mudd]

[woodchucker]

Keep at it!!!!! It will come.....  

[ChuckC]

Its not a race.  Keep at it.  Any favorable 5 minutes can change all of your waiting.

ChuckC

[Matty]

You're hooked! You get it too.
   

[Tom]

Way to enjoy just being out there, the kill will come and be that much sweeter. You are getting the point of hunting with a stick. Close encounters are well worth the effort.

[Doc Nock]

Tip o the hat!  I admire such candor and willingness to ask questions...

Sifting and sorting process for sure...

[bear bowman]

VA, well said my friend.

[CRS]

Traditional bowhunting is ALL about the journey, which makes the success that much more gratifying.
 

[D. Key]

To me it is the journey, not the destination.  Best of luck, as I am sure you will succeed in the near future.

Aim low...

[VA Elite]

Thank you guys for the encouragement. to be honest, the fact that I can most times hit where I aim is enough of an accomplishment for this year. Anything more is a true blessing from God.

[Archer1977]

I agree VA Elite. Sure I want to take a deer too, but the "how" is more important to me now. I have had encounters with deer nearly every time I go out, but just haven't connected yet. Hunting on the ground with a longbow is so much more fun than sitting in a stand for hours upon hours with a compound.

[IndaTimber]

Originally posted by VA Elite:
I may not have my rite of passage into the traditional world through killing an animal yet, but I do feel as though I am part of this small fraternity of very moral and kind brethren. thank you tradgang for welcoming me in and taking the time to help me get to where I am. where am I? I am where I have always wanted to be as a bowhunter. so many of you were right about how this changes a man. my whole outlook on bow hunting has changed. it is now October 27 and I have not killed a deer..sure I want kill a deer, but for some reason there is no sense of urgency or haste. I feel no pressure, and for the first time in my 25 years of bow hunting, I'm ok with it. who knows what will happen the rest of the season, but I can promise you all this, I will never forget this first year as a trad hunter.

Roger That!!  I'm having as much fun as when I first started hunting (small game), 27 years ago! It truly does become a part of who you are.

[MR BILL SHORTY]

           

[joe ashton]