Traditional - 1 Year Later

[pseman]

It's been just over 1 year since I made the switch from wheels to traditional(17 years late) and I've been thinking back over the last year.

 I have learned more about archery and shooting a bow than I did in the previous 17 years with training wheels. I still don't shoot as well as I hope to, but I have more fun shooting than ever before. Anybody else ever late to work because you just had to get in 15 minutes of shooting after breakfast?

I have owned 7 bows in the last year(still have 3) and am currently saving and looking for a Widow or Morrison. I owned 5 compounds in the previous 17 years. I'm starting to think there is something to this term "bowaholic".

I have met lots of great people both in person and on this site, and look forward to meeting many more and hopefully getting to share a hunting camp with many. Also, 3D shoots were never this fun before.

I didn't kill a deer last year with my bow, but it was not because of the bow I carried but rather the result of not being able to spend nearly as much time in the woods as well as just an overall "sucky" deer season where I hunt.

I tried to switch several years ago but after buying a bow that was way too heavy and some arrows that were no where close to correct in spine I spent several weeks shooting like crap(surprise, surprise) and went back to the wheels. After taking the plunge again last year, I wondered if I would stick with it this time or if it was just a passing fancy. Well, one year later and I'm more excited everyday. I think I have found my home in archery.

Well, that's my story. Anybody else have a similar story?

[Hot Hap]

Just keep after it and it will all come together. Hap

[NDTerminator]

Welcome to the club, we have jackets...  :D

[Cherokee Scout]

Great post!
There are several hidden messages new guys could learn from your post.
To other new guys, read his post carefully, then think about the words. You might learn a few things!

[Terry Green]

   

[Apex Predator]

I have a very similar story.  I finally sold my last compound in July.  I took my first animal with traditional gear that same day.  A nice boar hog with a Robertson longbow.  I have since killed a nice 7 pt buck and young boar with my Ghost recurve.  I killed a nice sow yesterday with my Savannah longbow.  I am addicted for life, and a different person since July!  I shoot most every day, but try not to be late for work!

[overbo]

You sure bring back memories.

[3Under]

Sorta sounds like me in '95. I identify with your thoughts and feelings. Glad you're a Trad Ganger

[AnointedArcher]

       

[JRY309]

Mine was back in the early 90's while I was visiting my brother in GA.We drove over to Dan Quillian Archery Tradition's and shot some trad bows.That was it for me when I went back home sold my compound the next week and haven't looked back.There is just something about traditional archery that gives satisfaction.

[Robhood23]

There is definitaly a satisfaction that one can not get anywhere else. I to am guilty of the shooting before work and being late!

[Deadbolt]

Heya bud glad to see ya stuck with it...come the end of april it will be 1 year for me.  Shot the wheeles for a while then the urge came when I went to a trad only 3D shoot with the guys just for breakfast and to watch.  

Well when i saw how much fun it was i bought a bear then a custom bow now on to a widow.

The first 3 months were rocky for me I gave up ALOT!!!  I was all over the place with form and style and this and that and just thought of hanging it up.  Well after being a stubbord bugger I had to master it (hahah yea like that will ever happen)

I loved shooting the recurve so much thats what kept me going...even though I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn there is just something about the flight of an arrow no matter where it was hitting.  I started to progress from 5-10-15 yards little by little then it just all came together.

There have been many of days spent telling the boss i was stuck in traffic or had car problems b/c I just didn't want to stop shooting LOL.

But more so then the shooting the friends I have made along the this trip have been amazing!  I counted out any good people left in this world prior to switching to trad but once I picked up a stic it was a whole new world and a whole different clan of people and they are awsome!

[Robert Honaker]

I know how you feel. I was a good shot with a recurve when I was a kid and when I needed a new string the owner of the archery shop convinced me to get a good bow[compound]. Well tat was about 25yrs ago. I picked it back up again 3yrs ago. After strugging with too high of poundage and stiff arrows I am finally making it come together. My family thinks I'm nuts because I shoot so much. I too am almost late for work on a regular basis when the weather is good. I gave my compound away last month.

[sswv]

great post!   I'm 3 years into traditional after about 30 with the wheels and I LOVE IT. In the past three years I have learned a lot (owned a LOT of bows) but most important I have made some great new friends. My shooting isn't what I'd like it to be BUT, in the past 3 deer archery seasons I've filled all my tags and actually won the Big Buck contest in our local traditional club the past 2 years. I get more satisfaction out of hunting with this simlpe 'stick & string' than any other weapon I've ever carried. like the tag on the front of my Silverado says....

"traditional archery excites the spirit"

[Dannon]

pseman, I know exactly what you mean. I've had a bamboo backed osage for three years now. I hunted with it last year, missed a good buck at 10 steps and shot a doe the same day that I didn't find. I hate shooting a deer and not being able to find it. So, I went back to compound this year. Killed one doe. But next year it will be Traditional only. Im scraping and saving to try and have a bow built by a guy on this site in hopes of having it by next deer season. I've heard of being bit by the traditional bug, but man I think i've been sat down in a pile of fire ants, cause i'm eat up with it. I've been shooting my BBO everyday, and I only have one arrow. (i'm getting plenty of excersise as well.) I had a bear recurve but I gave it to a young kid who kept showing some interest in the bow and wanting to shoot it. So I gave the recurve to him with about 2 dozen arrows.
Now I'm back to square one. Got to get me some more arrows and I GOTTA GET THAT NEW BOW. Good luck on your venture as I will need good luck in mine.
Dannon

[pseman]

Thanks for the comments and stories guys. It's great to have this site where guys from all backgrounds and experience levels can talk and share advice, ideas, and stories.

I know for myself, I love to hear from guys with years of experience sharing some of there knowledge with those of us who are trying to learn all we can. At the same time, I love seeing threads showing the successes of new guys like myself. They give me lots of motivation.

For years I struggled with the idea that I could ever shoot a trad bow with any proficiency. I still remember watching Bowhunting October Whitetails in the early '90s and thought how cool shooting a recurve would be, but self-doubt led me to believe only guys like the Wensels, Fred Bear, or Howard Hill could really do such things.
Well I am certainly nowhere near the archer/hunter of any of those guys, but I now see that "regular Joes" like myself can and do enjoy much success with traditional equipment.

If success is measured in enjoyment, I just had my most successful season ever.