what made you shoot start shooting traditional?

[808nate]

Pretty much as the title might suggest, what made you start shooting traditional archery?
personally I opted to shoot traditional becuase to me that how archery was meant to be, the graceful curve of my longbow and knowing how much history is behind it when I shoot it makes all the "well compunds are more powerful, accurate, better for hunting etc" comments I get worth putting up with.       and besides, I don't have the time, money or want to worry about cams, sights, fancy arrow rests, mechanical releases and all that jazz.

So how about the rest of you? what made you want to shoot traditional?

[Jerry Jeffer]

Started tradional as a kid. Thought the way to go as I grew up was follow technology. Well, I got sick of all the gadgets and the weight of it all. Went back to trad and there is no turning back to tech. I am having way too much fun.

[fflintlock]

My dad ! We were poor LOL!!!
It was what his dad did and it was passed down as what to use. Just like our guns, all single shot or black powder. They were, and still are, people of the "old ways". Yea, my brother and I experimented with compounds and such, but it just was'nt the same, kinda like mama's cook'n, just ain't the same. It's just a way of life. I put mine down for awhile, work and all, but I have felt the fire kindling again and it's time to stoke it some !

[SteveMcD]

It was 1969 BC (Before Compound). Nothing made me. I wanted too! Sorry couldn't resist!  

[Weekend Warrior]

It was AC (After Compound)  It started out as a challenge.. Then it got addictive, Been in my blood since.

[JBiorn]

I really grew tired of all the mechanical gizmos that can(and will)break or fall out of adjustment at just the wrong time. And when the compound IS working correctly, it just feels too much like a gun to me.

 Not to mention the trad bows are just plain ol' fun to shoot!

 Jeff

[Chuck Fawcett]

It seems the most accurate way to shoot a bow under actual hunting situations and scenario's. The compound was really heavy after lugging that around all day fully loaded, sore shoulders, and I started out that way as a boy, returned to it and have started making my own self-bows with the help of many on here and just love the simplicity.

[Over&Under]

Like JBiorn said just got tired all the complication and gadgets that compounds have. Also was tired of the constant desire to pe perfect, always adjusting the sight after each shot, just lost its appeal.  Not that you don't strive to be a better shot with a longbow, but it is just different, more about the mind and form than the equipment.  I can't explain it, but I know you guys know what I am talking about.

The last few years I shot a compound, I kept threatening to go trad, then had an oppertunity to trad one of my old compounds for a robetson stykbow purist.  from them on, havn't looked back.  Trad brought the fun and challange back into my shooting.

Good thread!

Jake

[bmfer]

I have worked at an archery shop about 5 yrs, because of my discount, I bought a new compound every year. 2 years ago, during late season, I bought a Hoyt Trykon. 20 hours later, I killed a fat doe with it.      This year's bows didn't seem like the improvements were worth the money, and I WHACKED two with the Hoyt.   :D  I had been thinking trad for a long time and just never persued it. I decided it was time since I wasn't getting a compound and recieved my Savannah 3 weeks ago    It's by no means over with my Trykon, but I think I'm likin' this!!

[The Vanilla Gorilla]

My old man gave me a BPearson recurve when I was 8 years old. Still use it for bowfishing. Never could afford a compound, so I stuck to the recurve and longbows.

 Too many bells and whistles on those compounds for me. Just means more stuff to rattle around and fall off in the woods.

[Izzy]

Had nothin but bad luck with compounds,I dont baby my gear.I gave archery up when my 1st son was born and couldnt find the time to shoot.This past summer when I bought a recurve for my 5 year old and started shooting it myself(sorry but I couldnt help myself)I remembered how much fun I had with that old red glass bear when I was a kid.I bought a curve last summer and wish Id never put them down in the first place.

[Howard S.]

I started out in the compound world.  I volunteered to handle my dog for a pheasant hunt put on by the state bow hunters organization. Since I shot a compound I didn't think I could manage to shoot a flying bird. After spending a day watching 6 guys with recurves and longbows having the time of their life I decided it was something I just had to try.  I kept my compound for 3 years after purchasing my first longbow.  I've never looked back since.  Like many have said above, it became a way of life.  And now I often combine my two passions, longbows and bird dogs.

Howard

[BobW]

My cousin made the jump a year or two ahead of me.  We were shooting in my back yard one afternoon and I was floored by the quiet and "graceful" image of a longbow being shot.  Just thought it was cool!  First experience resulted in exploding an old recurve when I drew it to 31" (sorry 'bout that one Brent).  Ordered a Checkmate Crusader, and I am now learning.....

[2-BIG]

I had started hunting with an old recurve in the mid 70's but a few years later I was given a compound by my moms cousin because I hadn't killed anything with my recurve.
The compound only allowed me to miss faster and after hunting with it for a few years the guy that gave me the compound started hunting with a longbow and after shooting his bow I went back.
He took me over to a little archery shop in Potterville Michigan and I bought a 68" LaClair Hunter longbow. Can't remember the fella that ran the bow shop but he looked like a big ol mountain man!  

[nc recurveman]

My father and grand father, got me into it....in a different way. They thought bowhunting was insane wheels or not....so that meant I had to do it to prove to them I could. I gave up wheels later to impose more diffculty.

[ishiwannabe]

I blame my buddy Damon and his father-in-law Shawn! What a wonderful addiction they got me hooked on...
I too started out with a recurve, then thought compounds were the way to go. Im back now...and my wheelie bow is geting real dusty.

[Bowspirit]

From the day I first wanted to start bowhunting/shooting a bow at age 10, I wanted to shoot trad equipment. I shot compounds for a few years, mostly cause dad bought my first bow and thought that a compound was the only way to go. But there was never a day that I shot a bow that I didn't want it to be a recurve or longbow...

[Onestringer]

I just wanted a change.  My dad has always shot a recurve.  For me it was time to try something harder.  It was either trophy hunt or try some other way to take a critter.  I have two problems with trophy hunting.  One - I don't hunt where I have a good chance of seeing a trophy buck, let alone killing one.  Two - I like to fling arrows too much.  So I went with a recurve.  I have to say, it is definately more fun to shoot.

Scott

[Tox Collector]

John Lee used to live and work close by where I live now.  We were both archery collectors and somehow we got together.  I remember John traveled extensively in his job and looked up a number of old timers including Howard Hill as well as John Schulz (American Longbow).  I also remember being over to his home and seeing his collection of Hill bows and other traditional bows and became very interested in this style of bow and traditional shooting.  From those encounters, I got hooked on the Hill type longbow.  John recommended that I contact John Schulz and the rest as they say is history.

[Tox Collector]

John Lee used to live and work close by where I live now.  We were both archery collectors and somehow we got together.  I remember John traveled extensively in his job and looked up a number of old timers including Howard Hill as well as John Schulz (American Longbow).  I also remember being over to his home and seeing his collection of Hill bows and other traditional bows and became very interested in this style of bow and traditional shooting.  From those encounters, I got hooked on the Hill type longbow.  John recommended that I contact John Schulz and the rest as they say is history.