Are you a Compton Member? Why or Why Not?

[Whip]

At the recent Compton board meeting one of the lively topics of discussion was how we can increase awareness and membership in Compton Traditional Bowhunters.  

I'm just curious how many of you already belong, and more importantly for those that don't, what might make it more attractive for you?  

One area we hope to improve on is people who attend the rendezvous in June.  It amazed me to find out how many attend this great event yet don't support it by joining as a member.  We're looking into trying to change that in a positive way.

Compton Traditional Bowhunters is much more than just the rendezvous though, and we also want to work on increasing awareness of the group in other parts of the country.  You certainly don't need to attend the rendezvous in order to become a member, and we will definately be working on promoting membership to people throughout the country.

Your comments and suggestions are sure apprecited, either here or by PM if you prefer.

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

Whip,
I don't mean to sound like a selfish type, but what is in it for someone that lives in Western Washington State and currently couldn't attend a Compton event, even if he was a member.

[bayhunter]

Hey as long as they dont support high fences and crossbows im all for them   . What do they do are just a club of trad hunters kinda like tradgang, or are they something more, btw how old do you have to be to join and what do you have to do to join. Thanks

[Terry Lightle]

I am a member because they stand for what I believe in.a stick and a string hunting.Have never been to the yearly gathering but am going to try next year.Also feel like I have something in common with the other members.

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

Let me explain, I am a member of the Traditional Bowhunters of Washington (or at least I should be), I just wasn't sure if Compton was something different then that or another local organization.

[hunt it]

Great Organization that stands for everything we are about in our Traditional sport. Compton spends majority of it's money outfitting youngsters with archery equipment. Great club and everyone should belong. I've been a member for 7 yrs now.

[Bowmania]

Here's the best reason I can think of - there the only true bowhunting organization out there.  In fact I'd call them the only one.

Maybe Compton needs another camping shooting weekend some where in the west.

Bowmania

[centaur]

I would like to attend the Compton event, but even if I can't, I am a member. They believe how I believe traditional archery should be. The newsletter/magazine is worth the price of admission.

[bayhunter]

what exactly is the price of admission?

[Shedrock]

Originally posted by Bowmania:
Here's the best reason I can think of - there the only true bowhunting organization out there.  In fact I'd call them the only one.

Maybe Compton needs another camping shooting weekend some where in the west.

Bowmania

I agree 100%

[Rick Butler]

Been a member for 5 years now.

[Tater]

Charter Member / Life Member

   It stands for what I believe in about Archery/Bowhunting and Ethics, Traditional Values.

[Hatrick]

I joined about 3 years ago. I read up on the organization and decided they stood for the same values as me. Seemed like a no brainer. I attended the rendezvous two years ago with 3 of my buddies. It was a pretty long ride from where we live in Maryland. I really enjoyed it despite the nasty storm that blew down the vendors tent. The next day you could see what this group was made of as no on really complained but pitched in to get things back and rolling as best they could.

Thanks, Joe, for your service to the organization. I hope I can make another rendezvous again some day soon.

[ron w]

Memeber...yes,       why..... because it's a good thing!  

[BOWMARKS]

I am a member 5 years. They are looking out for Traditional Archery and helping the youngsters!!

[Swamp Yankee]

New member this year, don't know why I waited so long.  Compton supports and promotes ethical hunting with a simple stick and string and passing it on to the next generations.  "Technology creep" is everywhere.  The idea that all "bowhunters" should band together as one went out the window for me when crossguns were accepted in former archery only seasons.  Time to draw the line and Comptons seems to agree with that thinking.

[Slasher]

No I am not... why? I don't know why... I guess i haven't had much exposure to them... I had looked at the PBS... Another good organization.

But in the end... I hunt how I hunt and for the reasons I hunt... I haven't hunted whitetails with a gun for over 4 years... However, if the feeling hits me, I'll go to the safe uncase a pistol or take out my old mauser and go hunting... I know for one PBS is one that doesn't allow that of its membership. I am free to do so if I so choose.

I love trad archery, however, I hunt how I do, because I enjoy to. I don't look down on someone who uses a firearm, a mechanical arrow launching device (whether it be a crossbow or compound.) As long as they hunt legally and with a modicum of ethics. I am no better and no worse than any other hunter out there. I am responsible to myself, the game, the hunting community, and the community for my actions in the field. Because I use trad equipment does not make me special.

I think that most folks who hunt trad do so because they want a greater challenge. That the thrill of the hunt has became more important than filling a tag or winning the local big buck contest.

I do not know anyone (to my knowledge) who is a member of comptons who has exhibited this attitude. I just focus on myself and how I hunt. Maybe it is the Libertarian in me. I would enjoy the camaraderie of others and do so... I just don't feel compelled to be part of an organization.

I think most folks in trad archery are great. However, there are the trad police who feel that trad should be done the way they do, only. Metal risers, warf bows, carbon, even aluminum, plastic fletchings, carbon shafts, sights, ILF bows, release aids, and such are verboten!!!  I would prefer someone use whatever they need to to keep hunting even if it means a release aid and sight if it keeps them hunting in a manner that they enjoy...

I guess I shun the elitism that I have seen exhibited by some in the trad community, that I feel that I should not be part of any organization.

I see hunting as the endangered sport. I just choose to hunt how I do because of the enjoyment. I have a goal of a primitive season. But when I do so, it will be for myself, I will still be a hunter and not any different from a hunter who carrys his Weatherby rifle into the woods...

I hope I could help explain, because I see enough judgement and criticism amongst trad hunters that I in no way want to be part of an organization that would condemn another ethical hunter much less another trad hunter....

As in most things in life, we the people can be our own worst enemy

[Butch L]

Whip- Actually, I've been to their site and agree with the mission statement, the about us tab, they put forth. I can only say that the reason for not joining by now- shear laziness. It's a problem I have and am trying to cure. I have had this problem my whole life, so far, but still working on it. I will try to rectify this situation by the end of the week. Thank you for posting this, as it will help me remember. I probably not be able to attend their Yearly Rendezvous, but membership is support and that is what these organizations need.

Butch L

[KSdan]

I have been shooting trad for almost 25 years and really do it simply because of the romance and ease of it.  I grew up in Northern MI. around Grayling, so there are "roots" that mean a lot.  I also really love to hunt. I am not sure it is about "challenge" to me (good grief- setting up a compound and maintaining it seems like a nightmare to me!) I attended the Compton event last summer and have many many friends and vendor/bowyer friends part of it.  

I agree with Slasher on two points:  1) I am first a conservationist and hunter.  Legal weapon is not much an issue to me. We can promote trad without being exclusive in our own methods. 2) Not that I am aware of Comptons eliciting an "elitist" attitude, but this does show up some times in the trad world (the archery world in general as well). In Comptons case- the only question mark I have had was why the record book "decided" that a deer taken with a certain methodology was "more" of a trophy than another.  I applaud the idea of a record book for recurve/longbows- but why ground versus tree, etc. etc. .  Who determines that?  Sounds a little like trad-police to me.  This did keep me from joining and submitting a number of animals.

I have been thinking about joining though. Is it a good investment of my $$.  Not sure yet.  Good reminder though. Thanks for asking. I am still watching. . .      

Dan

[Whip]

I'm very happy to see a bunch of you already know all about Compton and what it stands for as an organization.  And glad to see many members respond so possitively.

As I suspected, there might be some confusion with some on just what Compton is all about.  What has always impressed me about this group is the attitude that the best way to promote traditional archery and bowhunting is simply to share it with others.  

We have no agenda to knock down others - only to try to demonstrate  what a joy the traditional style can bring. The best way to promote our sport is not to criticize another persons choice of gear, but rather to show him or her ours, and give them a chance to try for themselves.

As has been mentioned, Compton devotes funds specifically to youth programs both at the rendezvous in Berrien Springs, and also through financial assistance to a variety of groups around the country.  We have purchased and donated hundreds of bows, arrows, arm guards, tabs, etc. for a wide variety of different groups.  

Certainly it would be great if every Compton member were able to attend a rendezvous once in awhile, but of course that is not possible for everyone.  One of the thing we hope to get accomplished is to expand the reach of Compton beyond the June event.  

There are ideas afloat and plans being made to attempt to partner with other groups in various parts of the country.  This is still in the early planning stages, and I don't know exactly what direction it will end up taking, but we do recognize the need and desire to have more events and make attendance at one of them a possiblity for many more people.  The more members we have, the more viable ideas like that become.
Stay tuned for more details on that one....