PRIORITIES HOW THEY R CHANGING

[chuckbow]

Just wanted to take a minute to say first of all thanks to everyone that is involved with this sight .second just wondered if priorities have changed for others as they have me? i am a 30 plus year competitive archer (Mostly wheels)including a three year run with bear jennings out of gaisnville fla.91,92,93.several large game animals,some competitive bass fishing , some competitive shotgunning ,and( wow  )now , i just love the outdoors my recurve or longbow a trad shoot fellow trad archers ,a fly rod,family,jesus crist, a camp fire, fellowship, a deer, is a deer to me, sure im proud of the trophys i took with my wheel bow but now just as ,or more proud of the last doe i shot with my long bow ,competition now for me is just fun for the first time i dont mind not winning at whatever, but just wondering,and thanks! chuck.

[Shakes.602]

I try Never to take Life, or Myself, too seriously. Stuff that doesnt Concern Jesus Christ or My Family, I figure a Hundred Years From Now, its Not Going To Mean A Thing Anyway.
 I am Happy to have what I have, and to still be Healthy enough to Wander the Woods at All. Thankful for My Good Friends and Relatives that seem to Follow My Thinking, although it SURE Honks off the Driver Behind Me!! When I Get There, I Get There!! Let The "Rat Race" Pass and Wave the Finger at Me, I Wave MY Whole Hand Back!!
   Trying to Live Everyday as if it Were My Last, and Learning what Jesus is Trying to Teach Me. I have My Bad Days, Like Everyone Else, but Since I have Adopted the MindSet that I Have, there are Many LESS Bad Days than Good Days!!

[JAG]

Been there and done that!
Changed over lots of years ago, haven't looked back.  Still shoot a few select tourneys, but not too many any more.  Rather be in the woods with my selfbow and friends!
Johnny/JAG

[White Oak]

Extemely well said Shakes!!I could not agree more.
Take care,
Ed

[BOWMARKS]

   

[Jmgcurve]

Part of traditional archery...

Love of the simple things.

Read my signature.

[Earthdog]

I think we all change as we grow and our outlook in life alters.
I love hunting and in my early years,the kill was very important.
Today I take a lot of picutres but not many animals.
I get a huge amount of pleasure from stalking as close as I can and then getting a good picture of the animal as it realises I'm there.
I've spend many hours just watching a mother and her off spring,without ever a thought to anything other than enjoying the moment.
Funny enough,it's made me a better hunter.
On the competition front,I never used to care how I shot or where I placed,,but today it's my main form of archery and I take great pride in seeing constant improvement and even winning the odd shoot.

[Mudd]

Shakes you pretty much nailed it for me too. Thanks!

God bless,Mudd

[Jethro21]

I don't do alot of posting on this site, just a lurker, but this thread really hit on a thought that has been going through my mind lately, and reminds me of a scripture that I used in a sermon yesterday which I feel is kind of indicative of the type of people on this site, and (this may sound silly) the typical trad bower I meet.

Philippians 4:11. Not that I speak in respect to want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and suffer need. 13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

I know that on this site are many types of people, in many different situations financially, physically etc., but I have seen here a generosity in all situations that the Gospel tells me is given of God. This is how would wish to be thought of, and I feel that way about so many of you. God bless,

Jethro

[NDTerminator]

Back in the 90's I was heavy into the 3D circuit, and have an attic full of Men's Unlimited trophies & medals to prove it.  I have to say that eventually chasing that elusive one or two points that are the difference between top three and going home empty handed got old...

However...

I guess I'm just not as evolved as some. I don't see limiting myself as proving anything and I don't find it spiritually fulfilling.  I'm Fred Eichler-like in that even though I'm primarily a recurve guy, I still own and thoroughly enjoy hunting & shooting compounds, both sights/release, sights/fingers, and fingers/barebow.  It's not at all unusual for me to tag deer with both compound & recurve in the same season.  Like-wise, I have a safe full of rifles & shotguns, all of which get used often to hunt many types of critters.

I thoroughly enjoy all hunting, but big bucks are near & dear to my heart. To me does are not a pursuit in & of themselves, except the years I draw a doe rifle tag rather than a buck. I take my share of does with extra herd reuction tags, but my bow tag is for a 4 point/125 class or better.  Same with my rifle tag except when I draw a doe, I bump it off with a bow (legal in ND)...

A guy has to keep it in perspective.  When I bump something off, I don't get excited and just quietly give thanks to the Spirit Of The Wild.
The folks I see on the hunting shows that go bonkers, practically have heart attacks, and generally act like they won a 100 million dollar lottery, puzzle me...

[Chris Shelton]

 I too am very VERY competitive, I am always competing to see who has the most fun    !  I am just as proud of my rabbits as I am of my deer!!!  And even though I would love to kill that monster, or go to worlds in IBO, I would much rather not and have fun!

[mrpenguin]

I have to admit, I am less enamored with my compound as I used to be.  In fact, not too long ago, I posted something to the effect that I was so impressed by the brotherhood and character of tradbow hunters, exemplified on this site, that I was leaving the compound shooting community entirely... I even put my Elite Archery GT500 arrow launching device (That's for you Dave!) up for sale... it didn't sell, well, let's just say there are alotta low-ballers out there... but I would rather go into the woods with my recurve any day!  

I never did any 3D circuits, would love to try, but that takes too much time and my family is more important.  I spend enough time doing a few triathlons, backyard shooting, local 3D, and hiking/scouting (I'm ALWAYS scouting).

But yeah, once I had a little boy in my life, some things really changed...

[chuckbow]

jethro , chris thanks a million for all of the replys i was saved and quit drinking and tobacco 5 years ago this month (LOST ALLL MY SO CALLED FRIENDS TOO) but a after a while i ve realized its not about me and them .plus ive made alot of new ones that are actually pure and honest and i have found that to be especially true with trad bowman.thanks for the replys .chuck.

[jacobsladder]

I like sharing time in the woods with my 14yr old son.  tradgear is by far the most fun to shoot, the most challenging. Just today he said cmon dad we have a few minutes before dark to sling some arrows.....the campfires, the hunts together, and the smirk he has when he makes a good shot stumping....... we both literally cant wait to shoot another arrow.

[Arkansaslongbow]

One may ask when life's journey here on earth is done...

Which one is more important, the titles or the testamonies?

For me, it used to be the titles, now all I care about is the testamonies....  

[Stiks-n-Strings]

Yep, I'm a fun lovin keep it simple Jesus Freak who enjoys sitting in the woods and watching the wind blow by just about as much as anything.
   

[JEFF B]

i gave up trying to be like  everyone else and now i just have fun and thats what trad shooting is all about fun  and if ya aint having fun ya must be doing something wrong.  

[rascal]

Yup priorities have led me from bending green sticks into bows as a kid to compounds and back to carrying a bent stick into the woods.  The priority for me as always been the fun, now I have my wife and my boys out there with me in the woods carrying trad gear and I cant imagine how I could improve on that!

[Covey]

Picking up the traditional gear was the best thing I've done in years. I've been doing this now for about 6 years and I have to say it has changed my whole outlook on life! The traditional community is a totally differant set of people and I'm glad to have had the oppertunity to know ya!!  Jason

[Gray Buffalo]

Over the years my priorities have changed a bunch. At first the kill was the reason for all parts of the hunt. As the years have passed and I’ve become older my priorities have changed. I’m now in love with the process. Making arrows, tinkering with bows, and doing some leather work for friends. I do check all maps and study the area I’m hunting, set up ground stands, and such, to ready myself for the hunt. The big difference is when a deer is in range I am satisfied  and most times just watch it as it moves by. I’m the only one in the family that loves to eat venison and I can get as much as I need from friends. Besides if I shoot it I have to clean and drag it out. Maybe I’m just getting lazy