Trad Gang is not Popular Mechanics - UPDATE page 30

[Kenneth]

thanks for the reminder Terry.  I usually post concerns about arrow and broadhead set-up and tuning to maximize performance and have never cared about bow speed, which is best, etc.  The best to me is one with a grip that fits me well and I shoot well, and one that is quiet.  As of late though I've been sucked in myself and gotten caught up in some of the "Best Gear" threads instead of focusing more on my form and woodsman ship and how to control my nerves when I do finally get an animal within 20yds.  Thanks again for a reminder and keeping this train on the right track.      

[legends1]

Terry,Just saw your post and it really hit home with me and i know others.Last week had some guys in the shop.After hours it be comes a man cave.We solve all the worlds problems there.lol Anyway,i brought this very suject up.I had to know if it was just me.It wasnt everyone agreed.We all agreed that the reason for get'n into trad was the easy,no tuning this and tuning that world that compounders deal with.Some of the guys were compounders before trad and they said they dont miss the tuning thing at all.Mike did make a good point,maybe it is cabin fever.But not to pick on any body,but i think it is people new to trad and they need to tinker with there gear.Anyway thanks for posting alot of us agree.Thanks.

[superkodiak]

a very timely post, and much appreciated, that's the very reason I gave up on gadgets, to enjoy the hunt and sharpen my skills as a hunter! very well stated, Terry

[Goke]

Terry, Couldn't agree more. 3-4 more feet per second will not ensure the harvest but 3-4 yards on the ground or a stand/blind 3-4 yards closer to the right spot may. Its tough for some, including myself at times, not to get caught up in the gear, fps, etc. debate. Perhaps this reminder will cause everyone to take a little personal inventory and focus on those things that really matter and those things that brought each of us to traditional archery in the first place.  Thanks

[onewhohasfun]

Terry,You are exactly right!

[Jason R. Wesbrock]

Terry,

Kudos to you! I remember several years ago when Comptons came out with their big game archive program, a big discussion erupted on the ***********. Ron LaClair stated (and I’ll have to paraphrase) that the reason they found it necessary was that there would come a time when traditional bowhunters would again have to defend the lethality of their equipment. The original P&Y program was set up just for that purpose—to defend bowhunting to a skeptical public and resistant game commissions. While I didn’t doubt the validity of Ron’s prediction, I never envisioned that we’d end up having to defend our equipment among ourselves.

[Jerry Jeffer]

I do trad to challenge myself. I constantly get the old "you don't get as much game as you used to. Why not go back to guns and compounds?" from friends and family. I am always saying I do it for the challenge and the fun. I'm doing it my way. If filling your bag and numbers is what is important to you, that's fine. Take it to a place where people want that. I like it here because we talk about self improvement and answering the challenge, the call of the wild.

[joe skipp]

I guess I'm from the generation who focused more on taking game by learning my skills from family. We studied the land we hunted and scouted weekends. Our goal was to put meat in the freezer. Our simple recurves, wooden arrows and broadheads back in the late 60's were short range weapons.

You learned how to shoot, make your own arrows and sharpen your heads. Setting up on a deer and taking him back then we called it "woods savy". The newcomers who have decided to shoot traditional are a different breed. They are more tuned to "gadgets" and that is the norm for compound shooters.

We at times are not helping them. I get frustrated too like Badger Arrow. When I give a customer my advice on what arrow he should shoot and he hits me with "Dynamic Spine Calculator" states....I just shake my head. Reports on why single bevel is better than regular heads...why?
Which is better...a Snuffer or Woodsman...why?

These converts are used to asking these questions because every Compound shop is out there with the latest high tech gear and these are normal questions to be asked. Plus, your in the age of the Instant Bowhunter.

Finally...lets take this new bow waiting to hit the market that is being built to handle a specific arrow. How many questions do you think will be asked if anyone, especially a newcomer wants to shoot carbon or aluminum off this bow.
Length, FOC, Feather length etc...

Maybe because I decided to keep my bowhunting and gear very basic, I look at some of these threads and avoid them. Just me rambling before I head out to work.

[leatherneck]

Well said!!! ......and I totally agree.
     

[Robert Honaker]

I agree. You did good.

I got sucked into a thread the other day and realized that I was ranting a little even thogh I didn't mean to. I was confused as to why we are fiddling with gadgets in stead of shooting more to improve accuracy, so I bailed on that thread.

That being said. I think keeping the topics on "target" will help newcomers to trad and keep them in it. Tuning a bow and arrow aint that easy. It may be the biggest factor in retaining people in the trad ranks. If an arrow doesn't fly perfect to a newcomer they will more than likely lose interest and be a bad spokesman for our sport.
Lets keep it simple and help these guys out.

Good job Terry!    
Thanks for your dedication.

[Squirrel Bait]

AMEN BROTHER!

[SkottyBoy]

Ok here is a "newb" perspective. All the technology and mechanics discussions have scared me to the point that tuning a compound is easy! Why does trad gear need to be more complicated ?

[2treks]

Well now, If that don't put lead in your pencil, nothing will.
   I for one know that it is easy to get caught-up in the frenzy that is called "speed" or "???" what ever we think we NEED to talk about today. But when it comes down to it, what we need is to be a better hunter. This means practice, study animals, practice, scouting, practice, and I think this last one can apply to many aspects of life, Association. If we hang out with likeminded people we will be better for it and it will keep your mind right. Plus it's fun to practice with other trad shooters. I do not want to sound like I am sounding the elitest horn or suggesting separation, But we have a site(tradgang) for our own likeminded talks, and we can glean much from it. Terry has a good idea here.
my 2 cents
Chuck

[Arwin]

Knock it up and let it fly!!!!!!  

 One reason I gave up on the compound a nearly a decade ago: Too many worries!!  

[mongoose]

Well said:) Years ago, while in the military, I learned what most often works the best and I think it applys here as well.. KISS(keep it simple silly)  

[SERGIO VENNERI]

Thank you Terry , for getting everyone here back on course!! Very well said!  

[rightminded]

I agree, and i agree on the classifieds thing.  I found myself passing over the discussions and going to the sales items.

[HATCHCHASER]

[Biggie Hoffman]

Originally posted by Terry Green:
When is the last time you've seen a guy put up a pic of his property and ask for stand location advice based on the terrain?

Anybody have an idea on stand placement here?
 

 

[rascal]

Ive noticed the same thing lately and I just shake my head and move on when I see those posts.  Skinny strings, FOC, single bevel, etc... I see them and I think this is why I leave my compound in the case.  Dont get me wrong I like to evaluate my set up and know that what I am using will get the job done but I resist "the absolute best" mentality.  If I want more speed, more control over every variable etc. then the answer is quite simple its called a compound.  Lets keep it simple here, lets keep it trad.

Great post and great timing Im with ya on this all the way.