I must be gettin' old.......

[Mike Bolin]

I love to hunt and I can't go for more than a week without shooting a few arrows. I guess it is the fact that I am getting older, but so much of what I read in magazines and see on t.v. just makes me ill. I grew up having my older brothers let me tag along on squirrel and rabbit hunts. Started trapping at age 8. Didn't get bit by the "bow bug" until in my late twenties and trad bows shortly thereafter.
As a boy, I was taught that woodsmanship is the most important part of hunting....know the trees and plants, the animals in general and the one you are hunting in particular. Respect the animals, don't worship them. Any animal taken ethically is a trophy. Use what you kill.
Practice with your gear and keep it in top shape. Razor sharp broadheads mounted true. Pretty simple stuff really. The most important element here is time. And time is the one thing that there never seems to be enough of. We need to find/take/make time to do what is necessary to be the best hunter we can be.  Find the arrow/broadhead combo that works best from the bow that YOU prefer and tune and practice until you are confident in your ability to kill an animal at the range that YOU are comfortable with.
Sure we all need to glean information from others. Starting out, I was fortunate to have a close friend at my church that guided me along. But ultimately, hunting in general and with a traditional bow in particular is a personal thing. Don't let others make the decision as to what bow, arrow, broadhead, camo, ect. that is right for you. Figuring out what is best for you is part of the journey. The preparation is part of the of the journey and sometimes it is as exciting and fulfilling as the destination itself. Take time to try things out and find out what works for you. Take the advise of others, but don't let all the differing opinions confuse you. If you don't feel confident hunting with your new longbow this season, don't. Hunting with a traditional bow should be a personal decision. There is no magic bow, arrow or camo for everyone. Shooting a light bow? 2 blade head. Heavier bow? Stick with the 2 blade unless you want to try 3 blade! Shoot a recurve better than a longbow? Pratice harder with the longbow or stick with the recurve. Like wood arrows? Make up some straight ones that are of hunting weight and fly well from your bow and have at it! Want to try plaid instead of camo? Cool! Practice hard, have fun and learn something new everytime you go to the woods.
This stuff in FUN, don't make it harder than it needs to be. I have found myself reading different reports/reviews and doubting the equipment I am using!...."I'd better change to this head, 'cause of...." or "so and so uses that XX brand of camo and he killed a big buck so...". Don't complicate the simplicity of traditional archery/hunting. Take the time to take your time and enjoy the trip.
Sorry if I rambled on, but I need to vent a bit and you all were handy! God Bless>--------> Mike

[Quill Flinger]

Hey Mike, yep, I agree. I love to fling quills. Any bow will do. Kiss - keep it simple stu...

[JohnB]

Thanks Mike. Best thread I have read in a while......JohnB

[trapperDave]

well said

[lilbobby]

Well said, kinda the way I've been thinking for awhile.

[Flatstick]

Very well done Mike!

   Learning HOW to hunt and YOUR effective range is most important. If you learn as much as you can about the game you are after, it will not matter what particular piece of equipment or type of "camo" you are wearing.You learn to get the game into your effective range and become a more successful hunter based on YOUR individual goals.

   Oh,,and by the way Mike, the title of your topic,,,yes you are getting old GRANDPA!    

[katman]

Great job of venting Mike.

[BobT]

Thanks Mike, You are a wise man!

Bob

[bayoulongbowman]

Amen! Mike ya nailed it buddy, I feel the same way...but at 52 Im not getting old , just getting started, LOL...have great Mother Day!! God bless our Troops...never forget , never forget...

[shade seeker]

Thank you, as a newbie to the sport -- this is wisdom that is not only encouraging but well applied to the early stages of learning I find myself in at the present time. Indeed I am finding making arrows for the first time exciting, putting on my first cat wisker silencers (yesterday) was really a small endeavor which produced much satisfaction. I couldn't wait to shoot one of my own newly made arrows in my 6 yrd range in the laundry room just to see the difference...Wow, I was totally amazed at the silent instant fwhump -- the only sound was the arrow hitting the box target I made. I just finished making my first quiver out of scraps of leather and cord I had -- it holds 12 arrows nicely. I could go on even though my initiation into the world of archery has only been a few months... so I'll stop here lest I ramble (easily done on this topic).  

Thanks Mike

shade seeker

[HATCHCHASER]

That is very refreshing.  Sometimes I find myself getting caught up in the latest greatest only to be swallowed by the next latest greatest.  Do what you like like what you do!  Thanks for the insight and keeping it real.

[Bakes168]

Couldn't have said it better myself.
Thanks Mike

Bakes

[workin at it]

Well stated sir...

[WESTBROOK]

Right on Mike!!

[wisconsin wood butcher]

yeesss!!!!    thanks  

[Leland]

Well said Mike!Wisdom is just one of the perks of getting older.But ethics need to be taught from day one.  Leland

[Roger Moerke]

I agree well said its traditional not additional

[loco_cacahuate]

very well said, I couldn't agree more.

[The Whittler]

I agree, and thank you.

[BodarkOkie]

FINALLY!!!!            

Thanks, Mike.

From another "ancient" one.

Gene