To all it may concern.....

[MP1SG]

Recently I have been chastised for posting an thread about my son's first archery deer. The thread contained a photo of my son with his deer and yes a compound bow. Now the original thread was removed because of that picture; got it, no showing bows other than trad bows. Now the responses to that original thread were very positive, there were many words of congratulations and more than a few wanting my son's version of the hunt which I promised and fulfilled.

Today in my email in box I have the following message:

"this is the SECOND time you posted about a COMPOUND kill.

NOT ALLOWED AT TRAD GANG - trad bows ONLY!"

from a site moderator. The updated post was a seperate thread, it did not mention any form of compound bow, and it contained no pictures; it was only a 14 year old hunters version of his first archery deer.

I must admit I am a bit disappointed. The threads in question were not about what gear was used but about the passing of the torch to another generation and love of a father. I have met some of the very best people in the world here but I am saddened that I cannot brag about my son's achievement and my pride in his accomplishments to my new found friends.

Good night, and may God bless you all with peace, happiness, and bountiful game.

Vern Pratt

[Oliverstacy]

Congrats to your son but this issue might be something you want to debate behind the scene with the moderators.

Josh

[chopx2]

While I feel for you (I had a photo of my kid pulled - not bowhunting related). I have torn emotions as I have seen how other sites have gotten so ridiculous without moderators that I scarcely go there anymore.

I certainly think moderators play an important part in the quality of the experience on here; however, when we talk about our kids it feels very personal when someone else disapproves.

After a few days of thought I realized that they were truly protecting TG from the potential snowballing it can create. Please don't let this incident ruin your experience here.

[joe ashton]

yes it is a slippery slope that could easily get out of hand in a heart beat... so... it needs to be protected..

Joe

tell your son congrats from me...

[Jeremy]

Congrats to your son!

You're in good company - many have had posts removed/edited for straying from the guidelines.

The thread was about a deer killed with a compound - even if it wasn't mentioned.  That's been off limits from day one around here.  In the past the mods have locked/removed threads if the equipment used wasn't mentioned and only returned them once/if the issue was cleared up.

The mods drew a line in the sand and stick to it.  Making exceptions causes more issues and headaches than anything else.

[MP1SG]

Good to know, I just put my thoughts out front like I would if we were all sitting around a campfire; I wouldn't pull you aside just to disagree. Healthy debate is how solutions are found and we grow..........."as one knife sharpens another".

[vermonster13]

There is nothing to debate. When you become a member you agree to the site rules. This is another violation. If one compound kill thread is allowed, then others will follow and it becomes increasingly difficult to keep Trad Gang what it is. This site is a Trad Archery Hunting site plain and simple. To keep consistent we need to stay within that framework. While I am glad your son was successful, this just isn't the place for his story. When he gets his first trad deer, post up!