Am I addicted??

[DHOWARD]

"Traditional Adiction"
I think I might have a problem.  It all started back in November of 2015 just a few short months ago.  I came home from work to find my 14 year old son Hunter and his friend in the back yard shooting our 3D targets with my childhood bow a Bear 20# Little Bear and my dads 45# Red Wing Pro Slim Line.  This really made me smile as it brought back so many memories. As a child I grew up deeply involved in the traditional archery community with my family.  I honestly think we spent about every weekend outside of hunting season at Vulcan Archery Club in Leeds, Al.  I was surrounded as a kid by some excellent archers, the names Charlie Beavers, Clarence Yate, Tom Powers and of course my dad Charlie Howard always allowed me to walk the course and shoot with them.  Not many kids are as fortunate as I was and able to learn from what I considered the best.  It's unfortunate that later in my childhood one thing led to another and our family left the traditional archery community.  After spending many years of shooting with what the traditionalists call training wheels I am proud to say that I'm back.  Now let's jump back to what might be called an Addiction.  Only a week after seeing my son shooting I found myself assisting him with purchasing his own bow a 45# Samick Phantom.  I decided a week later that I needed a bow to shoot with him, this happened to be Thanksgiving week and Bob Lee had a special Black Friday discount.  After discussing options with J.J. At Bob Lee I decided on an in stock 45# BobLee Heavy Weight.  This bow is a true work of art and is a joy to shoot.  Now that Hunter and I both had a bow and were shooting as much as the Alabama weather would allow I wanted to get consistent enough to shoot 3D again but without embarrassment.  I began watching traditional archery videos on YouTube and very quickly began to remember how to shoot with the assistance of the videos.  By late December I started searching the web for a tournament we could attend and was able to find an indoor shoot that was going to be held at a local range.  The shoot was put on by Terry Harris and was a great re-introduction to the traditional community.  Hunter and I both shot what we felt were respectable scores and were exited to make plans to attend the upcoming Pre Spring Arrow Fling held at the Historical Tannehill State Park. Due to Hunter's school baseball season starting we would only be able to shoot on Sunday and miss the special events on Saturday.  This past Sunday we awoke bright and early and headed to Tannehill to attend the shoot and sling some arrows.  We shot a couple arrows on the practice range and then headed straight to the course.  My wife Julie was kind enough to to follow us thru the course and video the day's events.  Hunter started of slow due to being tired from a double header the night before but finished the day with score of 202.  I was able to start the day off like a champ but then faded as I fatigued and shot a score of 241.  The best thing that came out of the day is that my family enjoyed the time together and found a new/old way to enjoy the outdoors.  By the way we didn't hit the tree.  Oh yeah about that addiction, at the end of the day I came home with a new Big Jim's 58" Thunder Child 48# @ 28" and my wife now owns a 25# Bear Montana. Thanks Big Jim for taking the time with us and being so friendly and thank you Terry Harris for being kind to my family and hosting a great event.  We can't wait for the next shoot.

Two beautiful bows:
 

Yes, this is now what my back yard looks like.
 

We missed the tree.
 

[carbonflyr]

the short answer is YES!!!  
and it looks pretty hopeless

[SKITCH]

Yep!  You're done.  Good luck with that.   Welcome to Tradgang and have fun with your wife and son. Pretty special times.  By the way...when do we get to play in your backyard???

[Chad Orde]

welcome and look forward to a great adventure with the best group of guys on the web!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

It's both uphill and downhill from here. Enjoy the ride.

I think its great you are getting back to archery, and as a family to boot.

Big Jim is a pleasure to deal with and his Thunderchild is an excellent bow.

Welcome to Trad Gang! Oh, i want a back yard like yours....

           

No bad side effects from this addiction though!!!

Bisch

[Tajue17]

that's your back yard huh??  well I think a big traditional archery cook out is in order maybe a potluck style and everyone brings something,,,maybe even head down into the back for squirrels and stumps, hee hee

are you near Lilian, AL by any chance?

[Thumper Dunker]

I need a bigger back yard.  That's a cool set up you have.

[Sam McMichael]

If you are asking the question, the answer is obvious - Yes! But it is more a great calling than an addiction. Maybe we will cross paths if you make the Howard Hill shoot at Tannehill in June. Welcome back to the group.

[atatarpm]

Your done it's all over for you now.

[DHOWARD]

"Tajue17" I'm located 30min north of Birmingham.

[Terry Lightle]

Welcome to Stickbow Anonymous
Terry

[KentuckyTJ]

Enjoy it Brother and welcome home.

[Steve Jr]

Awesome!

[mark Willoughby]

O I want your back yard lol n yea looks like your in it to win it brother       welcome to the gang and we all look forward to sitting around the       with ya

[ARriverdog]

Yes you are!

Wish we had seen you at the Pre spring arrow fling.
My son was there as well big baseball player as well
If you are ever our was look us up.

[styksnstryngs]

If you have to ask...

[dirtguy]

Best kind of addiction!