Now days we read, and hear a lot of questions, and statements concerning our weapons, and other tools of choice in archery, and bow hunting. Questions about our hunting styles, and practices. Questions about whether we qualify, or not to call ourselves "Traditional". It is mind boggling that many of these questions would even be of concern to us as archers/bow hunters, yet we seem bombarded with them on a daily basis, and some of the answers given borderline on complete (for lack of a better description) insanity.
I've thought about this for a while now, and decided I would set down, take as many of those questions as I could remember, and answer them in complete honesty as they apply to me.
As always in discussions of this type there will be those who agree, those who disagree, and those who will get totally bent out of shape over my views. My intentions are not to point fingers, or step on toes. These are simply a portrayal of my views, my thinking, my "Traditional State Of Mind", so if you get upset with me you need to know going in, that I won't lose any sleep over it.
What is "Traditional Archery"?
I used to think I didn't like the word "Traditional" as it applies to my sport of archery, and my joy in bow hunting, but lately I have come to grips with it, and find myself at peace with the description.
When shooting with any variation of a finger hold on the string, traditional archery encompasses many types of bows - Longbows, Recurve Bows, the Hybrid mix of the two afore mentioned, Flat Bows, Primitive Self Bows, Horse Bows, etc, etc, etc. There are many makes, models, and variations of each, but they all have three things in common.
(A) - They are all simply a bow with a string on them with no added mechanics to aid in drawing, and holding draw. I'll refer to them as "The Stick and String" from this point on.
(B) - They all have basic characteristics, and requirements of arrow selection, and tuning to achieve good arrow flight.
(C) - They all require considerable dedication to learning how to shoot them accurately, and proficiently.
Over many years I've owned, and have extensively shot all of the above mentioned except the horse bow, and can tell you from my experience, that with exception to performance variations they all shoot pretty much the same, with the only real differences coming in the tuning specifications, but then in retrospect you can have two bows of identical proportions in appearance, draw weights, and lengths, etc, etc, and they may (very likely will) have some differences in how they tune for optimal performance, especially when passed from one shooters hand to another. The bottom line is, you need a good working knowledge of how the bow works, and know how to recognize it's quirks to be able to set it up, and shoot it with any proficiency, and that includes those who choose to shoot them with sights, stabilizers, and elevated rests. Anyone who thinks using sights is a piece of cake needs to give it a serious try out. Without good form (dare I say great form) sights will do you no real good.
Although I love all forms of "The Stick and String" my preference is the recurve, non sighted, and shot from the shelf where applicable.
Foot note about arrows: It makes no difference what material they are, what type of fletching you use, or how pretty they are. Arrows is arrows is arrows, and all that matters is that you know how to build them to function their best.
So here goes - Who do I consider "Traditional Archers"?
Answer:
Regardless of your level of ability, and given my above interpretations of views - If you are one who dedicates him/herself to the learning of how to shoot "The Stick and String" in any one, or all of it's many variations, and you have the ability to keep an open mind to the reality that the learning never stops, and one style does not fit, or compliment all, then, and only then are you considered by me to be a "Traditional Archer".
Kindest Regards
Rick Barbee
I've thought about this for a while now, and decided I would set down, take as many of those questions as I could remember, and answer them in complete honesty as they apply to me.
As always in discussions of this type there will be those who agree, those who disagree, and those who will get totally bent out of shape over my views. My intentions are not to point fingers, or step on toes. These are simply a portrayal of my views, my thinking, my "Traditional State Of Mind", so if you get upset with me you need to know going in, that I won't lose any sleep over it.
What is "Traditional Archery"?
I used to think I didn't like the word "Traditional" as it applies to my sport of archery, and my joy in bow hunting, but lately I have come to grips with it, and find myself at peace with the description.
When shooting with any variation of a finger hold on the string, traditional archery encompasses many types of bows - Longbows, Recurve Bows, the Hybrid mix of the two afore mentioned, Flat Bows, Primitive Self Bows, Horse Bows, etc, etc, etc. There are many makes, models, and variations of each, but they all have three things in common.
(A) - They are all simply a bow with a string on them with no added mechanics to aid in drawing, and holding draw. I'll refer to them as "The Stick and String" from this point on.
(B) - They all have basic characteristics, and requirements of arrow selection, and tuning to achieve good arrow flight.
(C) - They all require considerable dedication to learning how to shoot them accurately, and proficiently.
Over many years I've owned, and have extensively shot all of the above mentioned except the horse bow, and can tell you from my experience, that with exception to performance variations they all shoot pretty much the same, with the only real differences coming in the tuning specifications, but then in retrospect you can have two bows of identical proportions in appearance, draw weights, and lengths, etc, etc, and they may (very likely will) have some differences in how they tune for optimal performance, especially when passed from one shooters hand to another. The bottom line is, you need a good working knowledge of how the bow works, and know how to recognize it's quirks to be able to set it up, and shoot it with any proficiency, and that includes those who choose to shoot them with sights, stabilizers, and elevated rests. Anyone who thinks using sights is a piece of cake needs to give it a serious try out. Without good form (dare I say great form) sights will do you no real good.
Although I love all forms of "The Stick and String" my preference is the recurve, non sighted, and shot from the shelf where applicable.
Foot note about arrows: It makes no difference what material they are, what type of fletching you use, or how pretty they are. Arrows is arrows is arrows, and all that matters is that you know how to build them to function their best.
So here goes - Who do I consider "Traditional Archers"?
Answer:
Regardless of your level of ability, and given my above interpretations of views - If you are one who dedicates him/herself to the learning of how to shoot "The Stick and String" in any one, or all of it's many variations, and you have the ability to keep an open mind to the reality that the learning never stops, and one style does not fit, or compliment all, then, and only then are you considered by me to be a "Traditional Archer".
Kindest Regards
Rick Barbee
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