what does trad archery mean to you

[bayoulongbowman]

[John3]

Stick bows....  No metal, no sights, no wheels.


JDS III

[Soilarch]

As far as equipment definitions:
No wheels, no releases, no sights...and no rests
I DO NOT WANT EVERYONE TO AGREE WITH ME ON THAT!  ...but that's what it means to "me".  I've got no problems going hunting with a laser-guided-techno-dart-launcher armed buddy, let alone a rest, release or sights. (I'd rather go hunting with the guy above knowing he can make a humane kill than go with someone who "might" hit the vitals without his laser-guided-techno-dart-launcher.)

As far as what "it means" to me...

A quiet, simple, almost romantic, connection back to a day and mindset that I envy.  That, and good challenge!!! Which is probably the biggest draw for me to hunting.

[2fletch]

My interpretation of traditional is using lightweight and not complicated equipment mostly of natural origin. I'll gladly sacrifice the high tech advantage for the simplicity of a real wood bow.

I shoot both traditional and primitive, but shooting primitive is when the spirit is most alive. That's when you are connected with the ancient archers and hunters of the past.

The ultimate thrill for me is to build the bow of osage, or locust, or hickory, or hop hornbeam, or sassafras. Then to make arrows from rivercane, arrow bamboo, dogwood, or even dog fennel. I have done these things but haven't yet hunted with them. I'm 65 yrs old now so I'd better start planning for that before time runs out and I've joined the ancients with no story to tell.

[ron w]

Simplicity!!

[Col]

I like the oneness of being that comes with eliminating sights and wheels, and relying solely on my own skill & that of the bowyer.

I'm not a purist or elitist.  I use a wheelie when I want meat on the table or in the freezer right now.  I shoot aluminum and carbon and wood; depends on which way I feel like hunting.

But the feeling I get when it's just me, two sticks, and a string, AND I make the shot...total buzz.  And if I miss, it's an honest miss; I've only myself to blame.

To me, traditional is as real as you can get.  That instant of zen I get on the release is indescribable.  There I am...felt hat, woolen serape, leather boots, denim trousers, flannel shirt, all Gods' glory.  Nothing else but two sticks, a string, and the eyes, nose, & ears I was born with.  

I feel more alive at that one instant than I do at any other time, or anyplace else.  It's something worth living for.  Truly.

[jimmerc]

A closer balence with nature!!! I now can feel the heart beat of mother earth!!!

[RC]

I like knowing that I am in control . If I miss it was me not some equipment malfunction. I like the feel of a stickbow in my hand when it sends an arrow. The beaty of an arrow going slow enough that I see the beauty of the yellow feathers I shoot going through the spot where I`m looking. The feeling of "I`ve done something special" I get when I put my hands on a critter I`ve just killed with a traditional bow.

  The closeness to God I feel when wandering the swamps with a bow in hand and also the very special campfire time with fellow tradbow hunters that all share the same feeling about what we do.

   One thing that I really like is that on hunts with my stickbow friends its the hunt that matters...the time spent afield with friends is very special and the kill is icing on the cake but not a must.The hunt will still be succesful with a dead animal.RC

[Plumber]

We offen talk about how we have to get closer to our game but traditional archery brings the entire experence closer to our soul. I belive the sport it self changes us as people. I know I think alot more about the hunt, I know I shoot a lot more an the funny thing is if I need something I will try to make it before I will buy it.If you have always shot trad. you may not understand the change I am talking about.If you switch from a compound you probally understand.The trad. guys had it all along.

[TheFatboy]

The whole thing about bowhunting that fascinates me, is...

1. Perfection requires practice.
2. Nothing is given to you for free, you have to work hard for every single bit of it.
3. Peace. A silent whistle in your ear before your arrow finds your target.

Furthermore... hunting - for me - is about respect. I take the lives of living creatures, and where i feel fascination, i also feel sadness. There are so many true emotions involved. If you don't realize how lucky you are, to have the priviledge of taking the life of another creature, knowing that this is not wrong nor right, but in a strange way necessary, you are not as thankful as you should be, and you are not paying life the respect it deserves.

[PAPA BEAR]

cool

[shade seeker]

tantalizin thread, for me it's just whenever, however, and whatever it takes to get out into the peace of the temple... Nature, or whatever you want to call it.... where there is nothing louder than a rare arrow flyin and the sounds of scurrying underbrush... I'll do my best to get there. With my choice of all that's out there, engineering or not, I'll take a stick and string. I doubt I'll see ya there.

[Hawkeye]

RC,

Your post fit my way of explaining this to those who ask perfectly.  Well, put, my friend, well put!

Daryl

[GRINCH]

RC could not have said it better,good friends and a stick bow is what it's all about.