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Some mumblings and musings

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Kegan:
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 :).

Justin Snyder:
I guess my idea of an elitist is slightly different.  I believe that more primitive archers are elitists.  Hit and recovery rate amongst hunters is higher in traditional archery than even rifle hunters.  This shows the respect for the quarry we persue, and integrity.  We, as a general rule will not accept a marginal shot as acceptable. Also the willingness to share the knowledge with others is a very important part of this.  This demonstrates a commitment to the love of archery not to ones self. True greatness is not what you have become, but what you can help others become.  One mans knowledge will die with him, the knowledge he passes on will live forever.  Justin

Kegan:
You're right- guess I didn't think of it in such a broad sense. When I think of elitists, I imagine someone who looks down upon anyone who uses an improper weapon.

DanaM:
In this age of PETA and anti-hunters I'm for any type of hunting, compounds, fiberglass recurves, modern muzzleloaders, dogs, trapping etc.
What ticks me off is those that look down their nose at my(our) way of doing things. And trophy hunters it doesn't take a big rack to make a memorable hunt!
The hunt makes the memories and if you work hard and manage to get a deer fantastic, if you work hard and come away empty handed but with graet memories then you were successful. We have decided to take a step back in time and I truly believe that we believe the experience outweighs the sucess ratio ;D

Happy Hunting

Dane:
I was at a 3D shoot yesterday. I had one guy who was shooting a fiberglass longbow who wanted to try my bow, and loved it, was very suprised by it. He seemed really surprise that there was no hand shock, and you had to shoot of the knuckle. After about 4 shots, he was in the 8 ring at 20 yards. My bow, the recently completed elm one, was the only primitive bow out there.

One guy said it was cool, but his eyes didn't reflect that, and it didn't much feel like a compliment. He was a borg shooter, of course. Aside from my two buddies from the club, just about no other archers said zip to me. As most of you have experienced, I felt a bit like a walking curiosity out there.

Which is fine, and I am not complaining at all. They have these machines that fire an arrow 330 fps, have those releases, the sites, the compensators, all that stuff, made out of high tech materials and so on. I've never shot one, but it doesn't look that challenging in any case, and that is thier thing.

There is a difference between elite and elitist, I think. One is results, the other is a negative attitude, at least to me. And the guy who gave me the hollow compliment seemed like the elitist among 70 guys with space age equipment.

Maybe, though, I changed some preceptions just a bit? And, I had a lot of fun out there, so who cares in the end?

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