If you would indulge me for a moment, I'd like to point out some obvious things that just can't be metnioned enough about primitive archers.
It has come to my attention over the past few months just how much old ways of thinking have influenced the general opinion of arcehrs (all of them) today while on the "Young Archer's Forum" on Archerytalk.com. Most people think of compounders when they think of elitists, with the idea that they need the best performers and anything less is junk. Not so. recently I have been speaking on message boards that have a variety of archers- with compounders being the most prevelent, but not the only type. They have been quite open minded, with many of them not only appreciating the work that goes into a slefbow, but would like to try it themselves someday. Now, this is only a few archers, but I would like to think it is not the bow dictates the mentality of the archer.
Now, there are some who beleive speed and a "good bow" is important. They will argue with each other over which brand is best and this can become quite heated- but not once has it ever come about when speaking of selfbows. They will only mention how they wisht they had the time to do it, or how it would be cool to stalk with a wooden bow in hand. They want their speed, but they can understand the difference between the types of bows, and they accept it.
Which comes to anther point. There seems to be a new mentality amongst "Traditional" archers. They will claim that compounders are lazy but later state that a selfbow would have no place for a "real" hunter. The also have narrow minds when it comes to how to shoot and what to shoot. Now, this isn't all but it seems to be a new phenomena. Perhaps it is only a few- I don't know. But it seems that, being in between, they don;t have a full appreciation for the other sides weaapons.
Then there are primitive archers. True, there are a few elitest amongst us, but they are few and usualy will stick to themselves instead of telling others off. But for the most part, primitive archers are aikind and understanding bunch- being so varied, so close to the history, and so expsoed to the multitude of styles that they don;t seem to have contempt for any other kind of bowhunting. You can use a bandsax and belt sander to produce a fine Osage bow, or use stones to chip them out of a hornbeam tree- either way it is the same sport. It doesn't matter because it is accepted that this group IS so varied, and that seems to make them quite happy people, happy with what they or anyone else shoots.
These are jstu a coulpla things I have noticed recently, and I in no way want to step on anyone's toes. Prehaps I am just imagining things. All I know is that I enjoy talking with people who appreciate what others are shooting. It might have something to do with what they shoot. Maybe age? I don;t know. I just enjoy a mutual respect, and I know where to go if i wish to see it. Maybe it's that anyone who has an inkling towards wooden bows has a respect for other ways of doing things, at least it would seem so.
Maybe the Old Ways have stuck around for so long because of how they make people act- and the joy that comes with such. Well, thanks for letting me rant. If I offended anyone I am deeply sorry. It just seems wooden bows make people happy
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