Was Wondering...Experience

[HOWITZER]

First I would like to say that this is a great forum and have learned so much from just reading the postings. I'm kinda new to this forum and have been reading for awhile and was curious, how much experience you guys have?  What I mean is...how many years have you been shooting Trad bows? Have you ever shot compund? and do you ever go back to the "training wheel" bow?  Just curious that's all!  Thanks!

[Over&Under]

I have only been shooting trad for about 6 years.  Stopped shooting my wheels about 5 yrs ago and sold it about 3 years ago.

Up to that point, I shot a compound.  Shot one since I could pull one, and shot competativly for a few years for Martin Bows.  Over all I shot a compound for approx 15 yrs or so.    

Not looking back now, really have no desire to.  Not that shooting a compound is not fun anymore, just not as fun as trad.  I will add...I would not be where I am with my form, knowledge, and all around trad knowledge and skill without this site.

[HOWITZER]

I only got into archery about 3 years ago shot a compound for one year and was introduced to trad and haven't looked back.  The trad bows blow my mind, how can a stick and string be so pretty and so unassuming, yet be deadly accurate and lethal!  It gets me excited just thinking about it...well got to go practice!

[FerretWYO]

I have been shooting trad for 24+- years. I have always shot traditional really.

[Uncle Buck]

I shot a compound for about 4 years, then I picked up a recurve on the cheap  at a GOB sale and took both bows to hunting camp that year I never used the compound and later gave it to my brother in law. have never been tempted by the dark side since.

[Near Miss]

I have been shooting traditional bows for over 15 years.  Before that, I shot a compound for almost 20.  A few years ago, I did go back to "wheels" for a season after getting into a bad slump shooting-wise.  Although it was easier putting meat in the freezer, it was no where near as much fun as shooting recurves and longbows.  I really don't miss all the gear and gadgets!

[far rider]

Started out shooting trad as a kid, then in my teen years I transitioned to wheels. Shot wheels until 5 years ago when I came back to trad. One day I just stepped back and took a long look at it. Then I sold ALL of my wheel stuff and didn't even have another bow yet, just knew I didn't want to hunt with wheels any more. I don't care if I ever kill anything, I just love the challenge, and the simplicity. I feel that no matter how long I shoot trad, it will never get boring, which is what my wheel bow had become.

[woodbender]

shot a compound for about 20 years went trad 8 years ago would not go back to wheel bows unless physicaly unable to shoot trad

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

I have only been shooting Trad for 5 years but I'm 31 and I have been shooting a bow for as long as I can remember, 3or 4 years old maybe.  I've been hunting since I was about 8 I think.  Been pretty forunate to live in an area where most people hunt and it's just common practice to get your younguns started early.  I don't think I would ever go back to a compound.  I was a ctually to the point that I was about to give up hunting all together until my uncle invited me to a trad shoot and one of his friends let me borrow a Bear Montana, which I ended up buying.  The rest as they say is history.

[hunterace]

i started shooting compounds 17ish years ago and shot my dads recurve in between that until i just got my own trad bow. i'm not too sure i'll give up the compound, because i love shooting it as well as my recurve, but time will tell

[Eric Sprick]

Started archery with a compound when I was about 11 or 12.  A couple of years later I went "wheelless" thanks to an older cousin and his friends.
That was 25 years and I have no intention of going back, this way is much more satisfying.

Eric.

[sweeney3]

Fifteen years or so with a compound.  Switched to trad two and half years ago and really enjoy it.  I like being able to do stuff myself.  I find it way more rewarding.  That being said, I still hunt with some compound friends with no trouble, but I don't use mine any more.  Got a nice, slightly used, Hoyt Intruder if anyone wants one.  

[Friends call me Pac]

Shot a compound for 27 years.  This is my 2nd year with trad.  I got 2 deer last year with my recurve and feel like I need a few more kills to really build my confidence in my abilities.  No plans on going back to the compound.

[2treks]

I got a recurve for 6th or 7th birthday and shot that till I out grew it. then was side tracked with school and the Navy for a few years. shot a compound for the 1990 season and bought a used Tim Miegs longbow in early 1991, went a little crazy after that. Have made all my bow kills with trad gear and have had a blast for 19+ years.(alot more than that if you want to count my childhood, and I do). I do something with a bow everyday. or so it seems.
OH! and I love every minute of it. Have fun.
Happy New Year.
Chuck

[sou-pawbowhunter]

I started off in full high tech mode about 19 yrs ago, and got my first longbow 5 yrs after that.  I haven't even flirted with that other kind of bow for about 12 yrs. now, and incidentally, I still use that first longbow. You probably won't find too many guys toting around a 12 or 13 yr. old compound, thats one thing I really like about using trad equipment.

[don kauss]

I've been shooting for 34 years...started out with recurves...in the eighties I went to compounds, and like most, I found the let-off/speed combo exciting. Around 1990, I was shooting with Bruce Barrie for the first time, and was a little stunned to find that he shot a recurve...he let me shoot it, and it was like I was a kid again. I LOVED it. after that I went to Alaska for a few years guiding for Moose, Sheep, Bears, and that experience left me spiritually exhausted; took me ten years to hunt again...when I walked into an archery shop after that, I couldn't believe the new compounds, not to mention all the gadgetry that goes with them...I bought an RER LX, and Brothers and Sisters, I am back with a fury, and I wouldn't want a wheel bow if someone GAVE it to me.

[vtmtnman]

I've been in archery for 20 years.I started trad,went to wheels,then back to trad mainly but I still enjoy shooting wheels.Archery is archery.

[Gumby]

Like alot of hunters, started with a compound for about 6 years, and then fell in love with the trad gear. I have been hunting and shooting trad only for over 20yrs.

[Hatrick]

They didn't have training wheels when I started. Probably haven't shot 10 arrows out of a wheel bow in my life. Just don't care for them myself. My youngest boy got frustrated with a recurve so I bought him some wheels. Just not for me.

When I can't pull the string to full draw anymore I'll probably just pick up a camera.

Now, if someone gave me a crossbow I'd incinerate it just so no one else could ever use it.

[dnovo]

I started shooting when I was 5 with a hickory stick my brother whittled out for a bow. My uncle gave me a little red fiberglass bow when I was 6 and I never looked back. I shot a compound from 1977 til '80. I started shooting a Hill longbow in 1980 and have shot a longbow since. Every big game kill has been with a longbow