The next great.

[Cherry Tree]

I love this group of people for giving different thoughts and perspectives and a place I can talk about random thoughts.

After watching some old legends on DVD it got me thinking what will it take for another legend to arise? Someone who stands out everywhere he/she goes. Can a equal to Howard Hill be out there in a younger generation (I think so!) What will it take I. Today's day and age for someone come up and be a great?

[huskyarcher]

I think there is plenty of potential out there. In today's world of social media however it will be harder for someone to "stand out." But like i said, there is tons of potential. The trad community while admittedly still having some "turds" here and there is absolutely loaded with stand up, A+ kind of guys. I'm glad to have stumbled in this community!

   

[Orion]

I dunno.  Times have changed. The entire world has become more polarized and folks don't have respect for each other like they used to. Too much dissension nowadays. Might have some individuals accomplish some unusual/striking archery feats, but I think its unlikely that we'll see archery cultural icons like we did in the past.

[BAK]

I tend to agree with Orion.  The next great heroes will likely be computer hackers.

[Cherry Tree]

I agree with what is said above for sure. For someone to stand out they will have to go above and beyond. Not that it wasn't hard for Howard Hill or whoever but like what was said times have changed. Idk maybe there is someone rightnow out performing most? On social media it's easy to do a "truck shot" etc when you can try over and over til you get it right. That's not how legends are made.

[crazynate]

I also agree with Orion. Well said. My generation has become to high tech even in traditional archery. Nothing wrong with it but I think because of the modern archery world we won't see another great like the  guys in the past.  My generation tends to over complicate simple basic archery skills and it brings to much confusion.

[ahab78]

While I agree with you guys on what was said above, I think there may be potential for someone of Hill's caliber to come along today. Don't forget the impact traditional archery in Hollywood films is having nowadays. My niece and nephew are both under 10 and shoot daily. They got into archery because of the Hunger Games films. And they are shooting trad bows. They take lessons and shoot in local meets. That said, I think we need more festivals throughout the country to really promote the sport. I hope to set up a 3D course for them (and me) soon.

I think the main thing hurting the sport is actually all these hunting shows that glorify the kill shots and are just platforms for product placement. When you watch Bear or Hill films, you see the entire hunt, from preparations until the animal is brought into camp. While it is a sport, it is also a way of life, and we need a way to promote that message. Skill through devotion -- the antithesis of the modern hunting culture of gadgetry and high dollar shortcuts. Just my opinion.

[McDave]

Howard Hill became famous because of his association with Hollywood. Without that, he would be like Tom Brady, who is famous today, but in 5 years will be a footnote in sports history, like Jack Nicklaus already is.  I don't think any sports figure would stay famous for very long without becoming prominent in some other venue as well.

[Tom Phillips]

Being a Patriots fan and resident of Mass myself,Tom Brady will not soon be forgotten he is considered the GREATEST NOW and he is still playing with a new season upon us he is not finished yet.............stayed tuned.

[McDave]

They didn't pay people as much in Hill's day as they do today. I think Hill had to keep working as long as he did to support himself. I'm sure Tom Brady could keep playing or have any promotional or entertainment job in the world, or he could fade into the woodwork like Jack Nicklaus evidently has, and enjoy his well deserved loot. I know which choice I'd make!

[Roy from Pa]

Brady will end up getting a job where they make footballs. He can sit at the end of the assembly line and check the balls for proper air pressure...  

[fnshtr]

Lol

[DanielB89]

Originally posted by Roy from Pa:
Brady will end up getting a job where they make footballs. He can sit at the end of the assembly line and check the balls for proper air pressure...      

       

[maineac]

The challenge is the lack of attention and huge number of individuals who do the same thing.  Hill and Bear were both iconic due to the relative lack of others who got involved with hollywood.  theaters at the time had shorts of their trips (Bear) or shooting (Hill) as movie openers.  Nothing like that today.  Society was more homogeneous it seems back then as well.  A larger number of people had connections to the rural life and valued the skills of archery and hunting.  there is so many more interests and hobbies and skills out there that no one seems to foster the interest Hill and Bear could generate in their time.

Trad archery does not have the sponsorships to really take it to that level, though there are a couple of people on youtube, the new screen equalizer, that are producing good things on a regular basis.  And don't think Bear was not hawking his wares.  Always shots of the box of Bear arrows being opened, and Bear broadheads being sharpened, and Bear bows being shot and successful on cool game species.

[-Zor]

My hope is that the next great will be someone that sets milestones for conservation. Aldo Leopold wasn't the greatest archery hunter to step foot in the woods, but he's "a great" in my opinion for what he accomplished for the woods. Like was said above, we are in a polarizing time and that polarization is affecting or threatening to affect our privilege to hunt and the preservation of the species we chase and their habitat. I hope the next "great" is the person who brings the hunting and conservation communities together on the public perception of hunting and conservation of wild places to go hunt.

[The Night Stalker]

Dalton, I think it's your buddy at the archery club, he is the next.

[huskyarcher]

Originally posted by The Night Stalker:
Dalton, I think it's your buddy at the archery club, he is the next.

     

[ChuckC]

How could someone like Hill get famous today ? Nobody goes out and does or sees anything unless it is part of a cruise ship or some thing that doesn't entail walking very far from their car or the concession stand.    We have someone ( at least one) around today, BF, and the only time I ever see anything in the news about him it is from Japan or some other country where he does his magic, not from the USA.

We can't even get families and kids to commit to taking a full Hunters Safety course, with the new internet option taking over big time, at least here in WI.  Nobody has time, busy lives.  I bet very few miss their TV or video games time though.