Re-locating to San Diego

[huntwithastick]

So, a week after I learned that my request for retirement from the Army has been approved I find out my wife might get us transferred to San Diego, Ca. with her employer!  

Are any of you aware of archery clubs, traditional bow shops, and anything else to keep me tuned in to traditional archery if we end up there?

Thanks for any help!

[Larry L]

Balboa Park has a extremely nice range with standard ranged targets and a walking course.  $2 lets you shoot all day.  Parking can be a pain, especially if you get there towards the later part of lunch.  Not many Trad guys shooting there but then again there was hardly anyone there during the week.  I would usually have the range to myself from 1100-1300 Mon-Fri.  Saturday/Sunday can be pretty booked, but no one ever gave a hard time about shooting a stick.  Just archers hanging out.  The "other" Larry (Can't find his TradGang name) sometimes shows up there as well as a handful of other guys.  The range is sponsored by San Diego Archers (http://www.sandiegoarchers.com/).  There's two ranges that they run, Balboa Park and Morley Field.  If you don't see any traditional guys at the Balboa Range, try stopping by Morley Field.

As for shops, you're pretty much limited to "Bow and Arrow" or "Performance Archery".  I went to both, can't say anything bad about either.  Performance is geared mostly towards compounds but they do carry a decent selection of traditional gear.  Bow and Arrow I only went to once and they were pretty much gutted for inventory as it was right after Christmas.  But they had excellent customer service and I got a fling a few arrows with the "other" Larry while I was there.

Enjoy the retirement and good luck adjusting to civilian life.  I know I'm both looking forward to and dreading my retirement in 3yrs.

[Larry m]

There is also Bear State Archers which used to be in Escondido but has relocated to Lake Henshaw in San Diego County. Great group with a Nice Field Course and put on a nice Traditional Shoot in October. The other Larry from down there can fill you in when he comes on!!!!  Don't know how long you'll be in Texas but there is also Tradgang's Desert Dude (Larry's sidekick Mark) who recently located to Texas. Both very Nice guy's and Good Traditional Archers.

[motorhead7963]

There's a few of us here in San Diego. I have shot both ranges quite a bit. Biggest drawback is most of the shops around focus on compound equipment.If you have never hunted Mulies it is altogether different than Whitetails.

[Grey Taylor]

One good things is that California has some great traditional only 3d shoots.
Chamberlin Ranch up near Solvang is coming up in April, Conejo Valley Archers in Simi Valley, Pasadena Roving Archers in Pasadena, and the Bear State Archery shoot. Probably a couple more that I can't remember right now.

Guy

[hvyhitter]

I hated my years in SO. Cali. but loved hunting mulies and bear in the Big Bear area for a week or so at a time. (2-3 hrs away) Once you get off the main service roads you can wilderness camp and see alot of animals (usually just their tails).And take a compass.

[redant 60/65]

I,m the other Larry, all said above is about it. there is another archery shop, Willow Creek some trad stuff. The best thing about living here is the weather, looking forward to meeting you.  

[PrarrieDog]

I lived in El Cajon, (east county) in the 50's to 70's. It's been so long since I've been there I haven't a clue any more but you can't beat the weather.

[huntwithastick]

Guys,

Thanks a bunch for the replies.  Motorhead, I've hunted mulies alot in SE Oregon, so it's good to here they're not so far away.  Growing up in W. Oregon, I would drive ten hours to get to good mulie country!  Thanks again, guys and I look forward to meeting you as well "other Larry"!!

[beachbowhunter]

Let us know when you get here.