On a different planet

[BAK]

While I agree that I don't feel I need them anymore than they need me it is a low point for anyone that might have an interest in moving towards traditional gear when they don't know where to find it.

[Pine]

[Sam McMichael]

Kevin Dill accurately described the marketing strategy of many of the big producers. From an economic perspective, that is probably a wise business decision. What bothers me, though, is that they want to give the consumer what they decide the consumer needs rather than what the consumer wants. Somewhere along the way these business models must accommodate the customer, or the business will decline. Like others, I used to really look forward to getting the big store catalogs, but now, not so much. I still go there for camping gear but not for my archery supplies.

 

[creekwood]

After reading these posts that lament how difficult it is to find a merchant dealing in traditional equipment, I think it is time to think about the connectivity we all enjoy today that is provided by the internet and try to imagine what our sport would be like without it.  Thanks Terry and Trad Gang for what you all have done.  It makes me feel fortunate indeed.

[Roy from Pa]

Lots of trad materials inside that little window box:)



And there is a ton of trad stuff for sale or trade in the classifieds.

http://tradgang.com/sponsors/cm.html

[dragonheart]

So ironic that technology allows us to connect with the traditional community.  Where would traditional archery be without the internet for supplies and the flow of knowledge...

[KentuckyWolf]

Very true.

There is very little traditional archery in mainstream media. A reboot of Robinhood every few years....a few trick shots from Byron Ferguson ...and one show with Fred Eichler on one of the outhouse channels, a few token articles in major hunting magazines (TBM is great, subscriber since way back but it’s not widely or readily available to most...unless you are already looking for it) and now with zero coverage in the most widely distributed outdoor/hunting/fishing catalog. Without the connectivity that the internet provides the future of traditional archery would be very small and bleak.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I guess I didn't miss anything when I directed mine straight to the recycle bin. Never opened a page don't have time to look at the dumb thing anyway. I still have 2 magazines I want to read but haven't found the time.

[kevsuperg]

I'm ok with the no trad stuff . like said before I'd rather support trad gang sponsors but BP/cabelas is sure nice when I need to run in for an elk bugle or a spinner bait..

[Kevin Dill]

Without most people realizing it.....

Consumers used to create the demand for products, and businesses responded.

Today, businesses create products and a demand for them. Consumers respond.

The big box sporting goods stores have flipped the script on us.

[KentuckyWolf]

Also, the point is not about supporting Cabelas/Bass-pro or not.  It’s about it being an “archery “ catalog with zero traditional archery equipment in it but 10 full pages of crossbows. By the way, you can bet if there is zero traditional archery options in there “archery” catalog .....there will be zero in the Spring Turkey, Fall Deer and probably not in their Master catalog either. That lack of inclusion will be a big loss in exposure. Think about some kid picking up and thumbing through those. Kid looks through their “archery” catalog and would think archery means compounds.... or worse (God help us) crossbows.

[blacktailbob]

Don't know why any of the big box hoys even print catalogs anymore.

It's ALL on line somewhere and they all show up on the search engines.
Including ebay

[Ghostman]

What Kevin said x3

[JakeD]

Yep, mine went straight to the trash.  No need to even look in it.  Probably the most disheartening about them not carrying any kind of trad equipment is that some young guys may miss out on the opportunity to start out with trad.  Since they cater to the masses, that is going to be the most visible thing when getting started.  I guess a guy can always become a convert though.

[GCook]

That's a good point.

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[KentuckyWolf]

Jake

That was my way of thinking too. We may have some people that never start down the traditional path....and that would be unfortunate.

[Markp]

11 yards,12 yards vs 100 yds and 100 plus yards; the difference between my my kill distance and a best friend's kill distance, last two harvests-me with homemade bows vs a Matthews-you know the deal.  I want to see the dern "white of their eyes" distance.  Close and real.

I spend time on Primitive Archer because I make my own stuff.  Yet, you guys are also the best.  Your galleries of photos of harvest motivate me.

I will not ever shoot a crossbow (anyone with construction injuries, I get it, btw), nor shoot a "string rifle."  wood, feathers, and the Struggle!

[GCook]

Not every compound shooter is that way.  There is a lot of negative rhetoric about that and even though most of the animals I've killed with a bow were with modern equipment, all but a few under 25 yards.   A large percentage under 20 yards.   You can wanna get close regardless of how far your equipment is effective.
I'm not for the long range archery kills at all.   Or long range rifle kills for that matter.  I think it shows a lack of respect for the game and for the challenge archery should be.   Hoping like heck you can get drawn and release without being seen or them hearing the quivering breathing from the adrenaline rush.  Bowhunting should be up close and personal.  Unfortunately with sights and release aides it has become too easy of a process to take game close.  The challenge becomes how far can I push it.
But that's why many of us go to the single string later in our bowhunting career.  For that renewal of the challenge.  The chance to be just as deadly the hard way.
But because of the fact that the industry, corporate neglect of our discipline, it is our responsibility not to alienate and belittle them.  Because when they tire of the heavily traveled road, they only have folks like you to guide them.  They will be lost, not have the sales and glitter of the corporate machine, and you are the only guides and mentors that can lead them down the road less traveled.   The only ones who can help them make the transition.
Guys from the Texasbowhunter traditional forum did that for me.  Without them I wouldn't have had any clue not only how to get through the tough parts but also other places to find folks who share this obsession.
Like y'all.   If not you then our discipline will be destined to a slow diminish until it disappears.


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[KentuckyWolf]

True. We would do well to be the ambassadors of our sport to all that we can.

[John Cholin]

I went to a local archery range last month and encountered a girl with her dad, shooting bows that looked like they came off the set of a Star Wars movie.  She had never seen a recurve bow and cedar arrows.  She told me about all the features of each little gizmo that festooned her bow, how each made the act of shooting/hitting easier.  When she was done she asked me what I thought.  I simply replied, "Since when is easier better?"

JMC