*** What Happened? II ***

[Wilderlife]

Thanks mate.

I know the trend is towards lighter bows these days but that doesn't mean a heavier bow isn't good as long as you can handle it OK. As I've done a lot of rifle hunting I'm always connecting dots between the two worlds. Yes, a .243 is fine for most of the stuff I hunt down this way but that doesn't mean my .300WM isn't a better choice a lot of the time, provided I can shoot it OK.

Anyway, carry on everyone!

[Rob DiStefano]

It's all good, shoot the weight you can handle best and, be consistently accurate during the hunt under hunting weather conditions, not at the range in good weather.

As to "modern hunting gadgets", it's all subjective stuff, use what makes ya most happy, no judgements from me.

[TGbow]

I don't post on here that much but here is my opinion, not that my opinion means anything..lol

I think this site and any other has the right to run the show how they choose.
There are a lot of things I don't agree with in life but I value freedom ..freedom to run your site or business how you choose, whether I agree with it or not.

I have experienced some mighty nice folks on this site and many of them have helped me with information I've inquired about.

I started shooting recurves in 1975 at the ripe old age of 15. Never owned a compound.
Back then it was just archery..never heard the word "traditional".

Matter of fact a lot of the archers we encountered back then were shooting with sights mounted on their bows.

I just enjoy seeing people shoot their  bow of choice..metal riser, self bow, laminated wood bows, ECT.

I don't look down on anyone for their choice of weapon.

If we think about it, when laminated fiberglass bows and aluminum arras came on the scene well over 70 yrs ago, they would not be considered traditional in that aspect.
Archery for me is a passion, and Im thankful I have been blessed to be able to hunt and shoot my recurves n longbows for the past 46 yrs.

Seems like a few yrs ago I was 40 yrs old and here I am 61 yrs old..lol.

I'm thankful for Tradgang and sites like this.
I know they have helped a lot of folks getting into traditional archery.
In  1975 my Dad n Mom divorced so Dad got us 4 boys into archery to help keep us together more, that along with playing music, it has been a blessing.
We had nobody to show us anything to any large degree about shooting recurves..a place like Tradgang would have been very helpful back then.

[Wudstix]

I have been restricted in the amount of hunting I get involved with.(Texas)  Additionally, I try not to post just because.  If I find something that works for me or has become a valuable part of my kit, I'll pass that along.  I've been on here since before the crash.  Have met several fine gentleman and even had coffee with a couple on my travels.  Like most I have my opinions, but try to identify them, as such.  If I don't agree with yours it is easy to go to the next thread and move on.  If I post something that you don't agree with, please just move on.
 

[Russell Southerland]

I have certainly paid attention over the years and have seen the new members that have been posted and it simply amazes me that so many people are still registering.  Although they may not be posting as much as the longer time members, they are viewing and that shows up in the views column.  Like stated earlier, folks are just not living on here like they use to due to other platforms that came after Tradgang.

I like how Tradgang has not wavered and caved their principals like the majority of folks/businesses have.  Tradgang is still holding onto its original intent, and to that I say mega kudos.  People will come and go, like anything in life, but for those that have stayed, this place has been a consistent.

Broad bushes are all about, one size fits all mantra, yada yada yada.....  Most of these type of believers never kill anything, so they are easily dismissed by those that do. I remember the post that Michael Langahans posted a few years ago, the thread title was "What have you learned at Tradgang"? and Michael's reply was "I've learned who hunts and who don't".  Genius.

[Terry Green]

In reviewing this thread, I also left out another 'Hightlights' issue....

Once we updated to the new format, we could no longer 'copy' threads to another forum so some didn't want them moved as they would no longer be on the Powwow.

I might have Rob check on that for us....

[gregg dudley]

I remember the post that Michael Langahans posted a few years ago, the thread title was "What have you learned at Tradgang"? and Michael's reply was "I've learned who hunts and who don't".  Genius.

Hilarious.  And true.  I need to look Michael up.  It's been more than a minute since I talked to him.

I think that it is important to realize that while this site was developed for and is maintained to promote traditional bow hunting there is a wide range of experience, commitment, and interest among the membership.  There are people here who have never actually hunted and there are people here that tag out every year on public land in Georgia.  It would be impossible for a site to be all things to all of those people.

I think that the time that Terry and Rob have put into responding to member feedback here shows a willingness to help this site grow to fit member needs.  I also think that the conversations generated by this thread and the one before it have put into perspective the need for members to actively participate when they are here.  That is what grows the site and develops a deeper more meaningful experience for all. 

[Roy from Pa]

Well said Gregg..

 

[Skates 2]

I remember the post that Michael Langahans posted a few years ago, the thread title was "What have you learned at Tradgang"? and Michael's reply was "I've learned who hunts and who don't".  Genius.

Hilarious.  And true.

Yes, and I have quoted that many times over the years.  I have no idea who started that thread, but I'll never forget that quote!

[Rob DiStefano]

In reviewing this thread, I also left out another 'Hightlights' issue....

Once we updated to the new format, we could no longer 'copy' threads to another forum so some didn't want them moved as they would no longer be on the Powwow.

I might have Rob check on that for us....

That is correct, Sir. 

There were incredibly large software hurdles to jump just to get off the old and onto the new, and some things just could not be accommodated.

[Mike Malvaini]

I have certainly paid attention over the years and have seen the new members that have been posted and it simply amazes me that so many people are still registering.  Although they may not be posting as much as the longer time members, they are viewing and that shows up in the views column.  Like stated earlier, folks are just not living on here like they use to due to other platforms that came after Tradgang.

I like how Tradgang has not wavered and caved their principals like the majority of folks/businesses have.  Tradgang is still holding onto its original intent, and to that I say mega kudos.  People will come and go, like anything in life, but for those that have stayed, this place has been a consistent.

Broad bushes are all about, one size fits all mantra, yada yada yada.....  Most of these type of believers never kill anything, so they are easily dismissed by those that do. I remember the post that Michael Langahans posted a few years ago, the thread title was "What have you learned at Tradgang"? and Michael's reply was "I've learned who hunts and who don't".  Genius.

Times 2 to a *T*.  Well said and true.

[charles m]

Offended at the word tradbow?  By someone killing lots of animals with a tradbow?

Pansy's are us might be a better message board for those limp wristers.

This place has been pretty consistent since I've been here from what I've seen as far as 'staying on target', pun intended. 

Lots of folks that have only been here a few years have no idea at he history in general of Tradgang.  I do hate to see some of the old timers fade out here, some familiar names and faces will be missed. 

[JamesD]

I was a Tradgang forum stalker for years. It seems like yesterday since I joined, but it will be twelve years in less than a month. I had been shooting training wheels for twenty-two years, and needed information to help me plunge into traditional archery. Tradgang helped me find what I needed, including a member who was selling a bow and also let me try it out for a week before I committed to keeping it. Shortly after I sold my bow with training wheels and went all in. It was here that I posted my first big game kill with that bow four and half years later. I understand those who don't post often or at all. It took years before I felt that I had anything to offer to those I was learning from. Even now, I realize that I am surrounded by others who know so much more than me. Those who so share, I appreciate what you share and learn constantly. Thank you all.

[Terry Green]

Good stuff James, that's why we started this place to begin with.

[Jim Jackson]

Been here for 17 of the 18 years.  What happened?  Look around at the world today, its not Tradgang that has changed.  Those that realize it hasn't changed, or as stated earlier are clueless to the history, are the one's that are hollering. Carry on guys, much appreciated.

[Bamboozle]

The real question is what happened to the candy assets that bombarded the original 'what happened' thread.

 

[jhg]

This is a complicated subject. There is a generational gap happening. But that is not specific to trad bow hunting. I see very real examples all the time in my life where this gap is demonstrated either on my end or coming at me from youngers. I am almost 63.

All I can do is "try" not to be too crusty.

I try to model for youngers that there is value in connecting to what you do and knowing why you connect to that activity, in deeper ways than through what you buy or what you post on social media.

Our society has always been a largely selfish one (post WW II) in general. I see it everywhere and hunting is no exception. Many hunting stories are only really about the hunters themselves, not as journeymen learning, growing, evolving, but as mini celebrities with nice smiles, salt & pepper beards, savvy slang and 1000 dollar outfits.
So I switch them off or do not re-visit.
I enjoy and appreciate the other platforms and film content out there that include some humility and some mention either in action or in word that what we do is richer when we are connected to the activity in a soulful way beyond "stuff".

I do not care what gear you use and is then brand flashed across the screen.

 What I want to know about is how it FELT when you stalked that animal, failed, then succeeded. I want to hear about what you saw in the morning mist that made you gasp in awe. Tell us about beauty and loss, show us hardship and perseverance. Give us something real and deeper than another shallow grab on what it means to be alive and vibrant in a shrinking world. I can count on one hand the films I have seen where a guy mentions that what they are experiencing- a dawn, a sunset, a sweet pine scented breeze is special, let alone naming it as beautiful.

Trad bowhunting for me is....

You fill in the rest.

[McDave]

What I want to know about is how it FELT when you stalked that animal, failed, then succeeded. I want to hear about what you saw in the morning mist that made you gasp in awe. Tell us about beauty and loss, show us hardship and perseverance. Give us something real and deeper than another shallow grab on what it means to be alive and vibrant in a shrinking world. I can count on one hand the films I have seen where a guy mentions that what they are experiencing- a dawn, a sunset, a sweet pine scented breeze is special, let alone naming it as beautiful.

Trad bowhunting for me is....

You fill in the rest.

I think that is the most succinct explanation of what it means to write well, and not just bowhunting, that I have ever read.

[Bamboozle]

Yes  jhg, I read your thread on your hunt, well done sir, and we need more like it!

[Bobaru]

Hi Guys. 

I like Trad Gang a lot.  Best Traditional forum for hunters out there. 

In the more recent times, I'm on all my different devices and don't have access to my password ...  so I don't post.

But, also, I spend mega time elsewhere because my primary love is in learning more about big game hunting.  And, there are lots of gifted people who don't shoot trad that I will listen to.  For myself, it's the hunting knowledge.  Certainly, Trad-gang is good in that respect because, with Trad, one must get close to the game. 

Sure hope we don't ever lose Trad-Gang.  Great place.