Trad from the start

[vtmtnman]

Was curious out of our gang here...who has been all trad since thier start in archery.

I started out trad but drifted for a bit,now I'm back.  :D

[Danny Rowan]

Always since I was 15 years old. I am now pushing 60.

Danny

[trashwood]

vt - in 1957 you were not a traditional archer.  we kinda had bowhunters and target shooters.  toward the mid 60's there was some strain between the sight/peep shooters vs the barebow shooters vs bowhunters.  it was pretty clear even before the compounds that target shooters and bowhunters would be somewhat seperate ways sooner or later.  Then the compounds came along and shortly 3D ruled.  IN the 80's trad bowhunters started clawing out of the closets and here we are today.

I tried out a lot of different compounds but never found one that did the trick of me.  when the compounds came on strong I was hooked on HH longbows and never switched.  

rusty

[Grey Taylor]

I've never loosed the string on a compound. Drawn a couple in a shop out of curiosity but never put an arrow to any.

Guy

[weezy]

I'm 57 years old and been recurves and longbows for 40 plus years.I did try a wheel bow once, I think it was a Jennings Model T. It just wasn't any fun for me. If things aren't challenging , I lose interest pretty quick, That's just me though, I have no problem with people who love the wheels.
Bob

[Paul/KS]

Always been a barebow kinda guy... since I was about 10-11 years old.
I'm 55 now.  :eek:

[dpowers311]

I started compound then switched to trad. went back now I am starting to get back into trad.. I switched from trad because I didn't have a place to shoot because of where I moved to and need to shoot atleast every other day to shoot very good.

Dave

[LKH]

Let's see, I bought my first bow in 1957 (Bear Panda) when I was 10.  Was made with the best modern materials Fred could find.  So I guess that made me more of a modern archer.

Now my bows are made with bamboo, fiberglass, carbon, unbelievable hit tech glues and some animal horn.

I'm not sure what I am???????

[unregistered]

Wanted to try bowhunting so I picked up a recurve three years ago. Haven't shot a compound yet.

[hayslope]

Started with a used Bear bow in the early sixties...........sometime in the early 80s someone or something used the "Force" on me and I ended up lured to the "dark side".  But you know what they say...."you never stray too far from your roots".  It certainly feels great to be back in a comfort zone.  I know one thing for sure....I'm certainly in the minority now, especially around where I live.  Doesn't matter much.....it's great to be part of such a close-knit community like this.

[sweeney3]

Started with a compound (mind you, that compound frame was laminated wood, and it still works!!!), but even then at eight or ten years old always wanted a "longbow".  Finally got into it after fifteen or so years.  Love it now.

[Tatersalad]

I'll confess...I started out "real" traditional...at about 5...freshly cut tree limb, string and some cane for arrows.  I eventually progressed to a nice bear recurve in my teens.

Than the dark years....starting in my early 20s i decided i need some training wheels.  That lasted unitl my early 30s when i found the stick and string again.  I fell off the wagon for a few years in my late 30s (not enough time to practice with the kids and job...I could always pick up my compound and punch golf ball size holes out to 50 yards).  I eventually got back to traditional archery in my early 40s.  

Ok I can admit it i am a recovering compound shooter....now i'll never get my "Trad Bowhunter" status!!!

If your wondering...I'm nearing 45 now and God willing...wont have to pick up my training wheels agian.

Michael

[Flt Rck Shtr]

I started when I was about 8yrs old with a Bear Kodiak my Dad bought at a local pawn shop. Really got back into it big about 12 years ago. I'm 39 now and have never shot or have any desire to shoot a wheelie bow !!!
                       James

[limbow]

Started at the age of 5 with a red fiberglass Bear Bow. I am now 39, what an appreciation I have developed for this sport over the years--Certainly consumes most of my free time and $$$  

[BAK]

60 years old now and been shooting this way since I was a kid.

[Chuck Hoopes]

Since I could walk-- got my 1st when about 4yrs old --it was a dime store kids toy.  SUCKER tiped arrow--which shot thru a hole in the center of the bow.  My younger bro. provided lots of moving shots. --- Iam 63 so I guess you could say 59 yrs- w/ the exception 1 yr. in the early 70's,  I got myself an earlier Bear Compound, turned my back on Cedars, and made me some Fiberglass arrows, from raw shafts sold in the old Herters catalog, and thought man, I got me some bad a$$ equipment. WRONG-BORING-SOUL LESS.  Must must have been a brief bout of insanity---apparently it turned out it was not bone deep.-- though others may differ.

[moebow]

Made my first bow in 1953 out of Mom's lilac bush.  Shot pretty good for a first try 6 year old.  Never did get any credit for ingenuity but DID get a pretty good hide tanning credit :>)
Never have shot a wheeled bow but do instruct wheel shooters.  63 now and hope to be a good shot real soon:>))

[Westy]

Don't know if I count but I've been soley trad archery (for 2 months now). Finally took the leap into archery and I'm loving it!

[GingivitisKahn]

Not me.  First bow was an old Browning compound.  Shot it for a season or two - didn't practice much because it wasn't fun.  Traded the thing for an old DH Hunter and have been shooting trad since.

[Jim Jackson]

My first bow was a takedown browning wasp in the mid 90's.  Way too heavy for me, but I loved that old bow.  I ended up giving it to my brother and then it ended up in the garage after we discovered sunbears and zippers.   Recently I found it and stripped it all down, reworked the grip, and am currently refinishing it for some turkey and bowfishing action.  Full circle!