I’ve been avoiding this, thoughts?

[Overspined]

I just got another new Trad guy going yesterday, made him a bow, figured out arrows and tab, off he goes...

I have been hesitant to tell the newbies about the social forums online though. I am worried that instead of just going strong and happy, they’ll get all caught up in the “techie” stuff we all discuss here. EFOC, single bevel, skinny strings and on and on. I’m afraid the simplicity will be gone quickly and they’ll overthink everything, fun could disappear.

So I’m thinking there’s a time frame to get em in on it, but that’s just my thought at this point..after they’re comfortable and have some experience...? I don’t know, thought I’d throw it out there. The old days of a dozen woodies/alum  with 125 GR head and a finger tab is still such a good way to go.

[Pine]

I really understand where you're coming from.
I always say, shoot like a 12 year old kid and have fun.

[McDave]

It really depends on the person.  Some of us really like solving puzzles, and so are drawn to the complexities of whatever it is that we are interested in. It's part of the fun for us.  From the time I was a little boy, my mother would always get fed up with the number of questions I asked, a personality trait that lasted until the day she died.  Well, at least for now she can get a break from all my questions.  Other people are attracted by the simplicity of things.  I would imagine that people who are annoyed by those of us who tend to over-complicate things always have the option of tuning us out?

I think that's a decision everyone has to make for himself, but you could just tell your friend that traditional archery can be as simple or as complicated as each person wants it to be, and let him make up his own mind. I think a good reason for anyone to tune in here is to read about other people's experiences in hunting with traditional gear, which is as interesting to us geeks as to the luddites out there.

[Wudstix]

I can relate.  As a more seasoned Trad guy I feel able to filter through things and see what is relevant to me.  There has been allot of change in the Traditional mindset over the years, and it does appear that "some" of the simplicity has faded.  As one with not allot of time or places to hunt I try to focus on the tried and true, what has worked for me and move on.

                    

[Orion]

I expect the person will find his own web sites if you don't suggest any. Everybody is on line nowadays.

[Sam McMichael]

I would tell him about the sites and let him figure out (with a bit of mentoring) how techie he wants to go.

[Silent footed]

I'd wait. The simplicity and the basics are more important. Get him tuned up, introduce him to Howard hill's book, Fred bear's book, asbell's book, Pope's book, etc. He needs a classical archery foundation and a return to simplicity and adventure.

Don't get him thinking about foc and carbon arrows:

You should get him 100% sold on the idea of stump shooting, obstacles, yardage estimation, alternate cants, leaning and twisted shots, half draw, aerial shots, laying down, behind back, etc and emphasize how a compound can do NONE of those things: with the reason being the simplicity of our equipment and the superiority of our technique.

I mean, Foc and single bevels are not new concepts. The Indians knew about them, but they are advanced concepts that require deep thought that a beginner should be devoting toward romanticizing about the philosophical underpinnings of traditional archery and exploring the golden age, the concept of technology not being a replacement for sound woodsmanship, etc.

I mean Foc, shaft diameter, and Ashby concepts are important but without the basics all you have is a well tuned arrow, nothing to shoot at, no passion, and sub-standard skills, and no game animals.

[shankspony]

It really depends on the person.  Some of us really like solving puzzles, and so are drawn to the complexities of whatever it is that we are interested in. It's part of the fun for us.  From the time I was a little boy, my mother would always get fed up with the number of questions I asked, a personality trait that lasted until the day she died.  Well, at least for now she can get a break from all my questions.  Other people are attracted by the simplicity of things.  I would imagine that people who are annoyed by those of us who tend to over-complicate things always have the option of tuning us out?

I think that's a decision everyone has to make for himself, but you could just tell your friend that traditional archery can be as simple or as complicated as each person wants it to be, and let him make up his own mind. I think a good reason for anyone to tune in here is to read about other people's experiences in hunting with traditional gear, which is as interesting to us geeks as to the luddites out there.

Agree! I think peoples personnel nature will sort that out for them. Either they are interested in the tech side and get stuck into it, like some of my companions. Or, they will keep it simple stupid like myself. I learnt alot for this site, but still pass over some of the more technical aspects going instead for learnt experience.
In the end the offering of knowledge is never a bad thing.

[Gdpolk]

I'd disagree with you.

TradGang offers ALL traditional shooters a good place to come and talk.  We see everything from primitive selfbows to techi ILF rigs.  Common practices range from haybales and stump shooting to really wild african game animal hunts with highly tuned modern setups.  I think they will find the level of involvement that they enjoy and their depth of knowledge will grow as they become more invested into the sport at a natural pace.

When I got my first bow I just wanted to plink cans and shoot stumps in the back yard.  I still do those things regularly, despite having some highly tuned setups.  And, although my arrows and bow are tuned like a precision rifle with precision handloads because it was fun for me to take it to that level of acedemics, I can truly state that my favorite thing about traditional archery is the simplistic, organic experience of shooting trad gear.  When I first got started I wouldn't have even had the skills as a shooter to know if my tuning was helping but now I do and I'm glad to have done it.  I still like flinging sticks at stumps with the best of them.  If the focus is on having fun, I bet they'll find whatever level of involvement that they are comfortable with and have fun.

[Zradix]

It really depends on the person.  Some of us really like solving puzzles, and so are drawn to the complexities of whatever it is that we are interested in. It's part of the fun for us.  From the time I was a little boy, my mother would always get fed up with the number of questions I asked, a personality trait that lasted until the day she died.  Well, at least for now she can get a break from all my questions.  Other people are attracted by the simplicity of things.  I would imagine that people who are annoyed by those of us who tend to over-complicate things always have the option of tuning us out?

I think that's a decision everyone has to make for himself, but you could just tell your friend that traditional archery can be as simple or as complicated as each person wants it to be, and let him make up his own mind. I think a good reason for anyone to tune in here is to read about other people's experiences in hunting with traditional gear, which is as interesting to us geeks as to the luddites out there.

I truly could not have said it better myself.
I am one of the curious/experimental sort.
To find or come up with a new idea in this sport is such a challenge as we humans have been only doing it for a few thousand years..
....it's a GREAT puzzle!
However, I love the underlying knowledge that I can go into the woods with almost any combo that is semi tuned and if I know what I'm doing I can bring home meat.
What wonderful fun!

[Trenton G.]

Personally, when I started shooting, I didn't read any of this stuff. I'd shot a compound for a long time so I knew what basic archery form was. I just kind of naturally canted the bow a bit more and kept shooting. I used to shoot really well and could hit a pop can at 20 yards pretty consistently. Then I discovered TradGang and my shooting went to pot. I got so overwhelmed with all the you need to shoot like this and do that and try this that I completely screwed up my shooting. It took me a couple of years to fix it.

I think arrow tuning is something that a new shooter should learn about, but I would refer them more towards Ken Beck's arrow tuning videos on YouTube. He explains everything very well and doesn't get super complicated. On here it can get a bit overwhelming with all the FOC, EFOC, what spine for what bow, etc. topics.

Now I'm not knocking TradGang at all, don't think that for a second. This is an amazing site and resource and I've learned a bunch on here. I just think when someone is starting out, give them some basic knowledge and let them go fling arrows and figure it out for themselves.

[Wudstix]

Trenton G;
When I was starting out, pre-internet (even pre-computer) the Easton arrow chart was a good source.  As the years have gone by, quickly I'll add, my arrow choices from experience match very closely to Easton.  Wood arrows (tapered) is a bit easier, for me, just add 15-20# of spine to bow weight for heavy broad heads.(160-250 gr)
It's all part of the journey and using the hair covered computer.  Personally, I just want more time to hunt.
                              

[Overspined]

I really enjoyed reading the responses, thanks. I think I like the idea of encouraging stump shooting and shooting  in general, and maybe reading some books before introducing them to the complexities online. What I’ve done so far is teach them and send them on their way to practice before helping to dial in broadheads for hunting. Simplicity seems like a good way to start.

I laughed when I read “my shooting went to pot” when you got online. Lol.

[Trumpkin the Dwarf]

Almost everything I know about shooting a trad bow was learned from the internet. I didn't have a mentor or coach, and I very quickly developed target panic. 10 yards was a long shot to me, and I wanted to get better but couldn't. I absolutely wish someone had taught me about good form, a good shot sequence, and that my aim shouldn't be the trigger for releasing an arrow. I was basically in the camp of 125 gr broadheads and a finger tab and have fun, but it wasn't fun for long!

Different personalities will have different results, I imagine. But the most fun thing about archery is making a calm, cool, collected, perfect shot at a long enough distance to see a well tuned arrow fly. Achieving consistency in that kind of shooting really requires some coaching and tuning resources or the journey will be a lot longer with a lot more steep hills. So I say introduce them to trad gang, but also to a good archery coach, or at least the Masters of the Barebow series.

[Wudstix]

THIS-------->
Your mileage may vary.
            

[NY Yankee]

Ya, they get on the forums on line and find out they have been doing everything WRONG. Pretty soon they have TP.

[trad_bowhunter1965]

When I started down this road back in 2005 there wasn't anything like what a newbie are looks at today, there a lot good and bad information but I am truly grateful Trad Gang, Masters of the bow series and bunch of good guys that took the time to answer my question and still to this day. Us Irish folks do it once and we are masters at it  .   

[woodchucker]

Maybe I'm just old.....
I've been shooting bows since I could walk. I shot my first 2 deer with an old Bear recurve, with wood arrows tipped with Razorheads. Played with compounds for a few years, working in an archery shop. I used to buy the guys recurves off of them when they were "upgrading" (???) to a compound. I gave up bowhunting for a few years for personal reasons.

When the bowhunting bug hit me again, I swore it would be the way I started...
I found an old Bear K-Mag, got some wood arrows, and I was off on the rest of my journey. Just keep it simple, and PRACTICE!

It seems (to me) that many of the new traditional shooters find something "missing" with traditional archery. The constant tinkering and fiddeling  with their gear. Some folks need to try and "fix" what may not be broken. Others such as myself, choose the "If it aint broke, don't fix it" option.

Introduce them to the Gang, and let THEM choose their path.... It's a journey to be enjoyed.

[Petrichor]

I just got another new Trad guy going yesterday, made him a bow, figured out arrows and tab, off he goes...

I have been hesitant to tell the newbies about the social forums online though. I am worried that instead of just going strong and happy, they’ll get all caught up in the “techie” stuff we all discuss here. EFOC, single bevel, skinny strings and on and on. I’m afraid the simplicity will be gone quickly and they’ll overthink everything, fun could disappear.

So I’m thinking there’s a time frame to get em in on it, but that’s just my thought at this point..after they’re comfortable and have some experience...? I don’t know, thought I’d throw it out there. The old days of a dozen woodies/alum  with 125 GR head and a finger tab is still such a good way to go.

I agree with this. I literally think nothing of all that tech stuff. My friend does though and he's just getting into it.... he worries me.  Changing form and bows every shot. I told him if he keeps it up he'll never be consistent. The last guy I got into it and got all techy went to wheels....dont know what to tell you as for time frame i dont know.

[TSP]

We seem to have three main types of traditional archery today.  One places special value on the old ways and focuses mainly on a hunting theme emphasizing simplicity in gear and approach ('hunting trad').  One promotes the most advanced versions of recurves and longbows to become as competitive or successful as possible via use of technological improvements (sights, gapping, face-walking, target style arrows and bow designs, sophisticated form ideologies, etc. ('target trad').  And lastly, one that hybridizes the first two into sort of a whatever-I-want-it-to-be style (the 'I hate the word trad' individual). 

The path one eventually falls into might depend more on upbringing, lifestyle, and entertainment preferences than conscious choice but in the end it's like wandering an invisible road that draws us in the direction we feel most comfortable going.  The one you choose won't be right for everyone, but you'll know it's right for you when you see it.