the older I Get.................

[Littlebigman]

I don't pretend to know anything or speak for anyone except myself, but the older I get the more important archery and hunting with traditional archery equipment has become . It seems to be the one thing in life i can count on. I get out of it what I put in to it. Its hard work, as it should be. Being accurate with my weapon doesnt happen over night and once accurate you can't just hang up the weapon until opening day. But then I love to shoot as much as i love to hunt. This might not be bemaking any sense. But opening day is a meer month away for me, ( less for some of you others lucky enough to be hunting out west). I have over 30 trad seasons behind me and i hope to have plenty more. i am counting the days........

[cyberscout]

LilBigman --
I feel the same way. I started with the Trad Bow, many years ago. Shot it and Firearms together- than just firearms. Now I am going back to the Bow. It truly is fun [and Hard work], but I love shooting the bow and luckily can do it in my back yard anytime I like! I enjoy the physicality and the spirituality of it! To be really good {consistant} at least for me, requires a lot of Range Time. A labor of Love--haha. I believe I owe it to the Game to shoot my Best, so more shooting --great- enhancing the anticipation of soon to be in the field in pursuit of the wily deer -elk -pig etc . 11 day's to go for me: AZ Mule Deer
Scout

[dhill1520]

I gotta agree with you guys fully. I shot both compound and Trad when I was in my early 20's. Then when my kids where born, I went all compound due to mainly peer pressure as that is what my hunting partners did. Then as the kids got older and into sports and activities themselves, I actually didn't shoot anything for about 6 years. Now that they are both in high school and Dad just isn't cool any more, I started shooting Trad again. I sold my compound and bought a nice Blacktail Elite recurve and even started building wood arrows again. Its been better stress release and therapy than anything else I can think of. I will never give it up again. Glad to hear I am in good company.

[wood]

I agree. Our state's archery season lasts from 10/1 to 1/15 of the next year. It gives me a good reason to be out in the field. I am a not a good hunter but I enjoy the time I get to spend trying to outsmart whitetails. My children are grown. I have one son serving in an infantry unit in Afghanistan so it helps occupy my mind instead of constant worry. I envy you Northern state hunters. I was in Idaho last September and was totally smitten with the country up there. I can retire from this job in March of next year. I don't know if I will but if I do I'm looking to move north by northwest.

[Bowferd]

I don't hunt as much as I could or should, but when I do, it is now with traditional gear. My sons both hunt my property using rifle. When they are succesful we process it ourselves and they fill my small freezer. For me personally the time spent with the kids and outdoors with mother nature fulfills my desires. There's a magnificent buck out here that I'm in awe of that I wouldn't take. This old boy is fulfilled just watching and taking a mature doe for the freezer. My how times have changed!

[RD]

I know the feeling, this will be my 48th year in the field with a recurve or longbow. The first f time in, I don't remember, when I'm not hunting on labor day weekend. Will be by the 10th of Sept. Have been shooting my Hill style longbow a lot lately, just plain enjoy it! Makes my recurve seem just that much faster. My hunting buddy told me this summer we have more trips behind us than ahead of us and I told him we'll just have to enjoy the ones in front of us more. Wish everyone a GOOD year.

[Littlebigman]

i knew i was in good company when I joined this forum. Thanks all. may your adventures in the field with stick and string never end.