Sitting out in the woods for long periods lends to ones mind wandering at times. Not a bad thing. This question occurred to me the other evening. What IS traditional archery?? Obviously a bow without training wheels is a requirement. But what other requirements are truly required? Do you have to shoot "instinctively", can you use some or any aiming system? Do you have to shoot woodies or can you sling precisely weighted perfectly straight carbons? Are you still traditional if you use a release?
Or is it ALL in the mental attitude of the individual? To me attitude is the MOST important aspect. As a traditional archer/hunter I choose to use a "primitive" weapon, including home made wood arrows, but I also use a sighting system to help me make the most accurate/ethical shot I can make. I keep shots close and accept that this makes for a more difficult hunting experience.
I would love to read some of y'alls personal definitions of Traditional.
Hope everyone has a successful hunting season!!!
I grew up when there was no such thing as "traditional" archery, it was just archery as it should be now, regardless of what bow you choose to shoot. I choose to shoot a longbow or recurve now but I have killed lots of animals with a compound bow over the years. I also own a crossbow. It's all good so why judge the other guy? Also I think the derogatory term "training wheels" should be banned from ANY archery site.
James
Well I believe attitude is on top of the list. Just for example look at tradgang. There are people here that have never met or even know one another. They are willing to help and share knowledge. You see the generosity all the time. To me respect for mother nature and ethics play a big role also.
Old recurve bows, my bear type 1 takedown, footed cedar arrows hand crested with real barred feathers burned to shape that I make myself and old mycro nocks on them, old bear razorheads, an old Jones style hat with an original camo pattern, and a lot of time in the woods thinking about the old times.
Well, the word compound and bow should never be used in the same sentence, regardless of what the various DNR's and archery associations say to the contrary.
If it wasn't about the money it wouldn't be.
Getting back to the OP's question, I too never had to wonder about it when I started therefore as long as you hunt with a bow that looks and functions like a bow it's traditional.
I would add the caveat that bows and arrows that have electronics on or in them diminishes that definition.
For me, traditional is the mindset - the attitude, the approach and, the positive impact that has upon me. I don't use an aiming system, but I do use carbon arrows, as much for durability and time saving, because I also use wood arrows of my own making. I hunt from the ground only, and I don't feed/bait although it is legal. Others are definitely more traditional, or primitive, than I am. I guess for me, it is just getting back to a more simple, basic time and frame of mind.
The way it was back in the 70's... When I was just a kid bowhunting...
JamesV, I was not using the term training wheels in a derogatory sense. I have and still use a compound bow at times. The group of guys I hunt and shoot with( more compound shooters than stick bow) using this term in a joking manner. I had NO intention of offending anyone. I enjoy all types of archery.
With me being unable to hunt this season due to impinged shoulders everyone says "Get a crossbow" to which I reply "No thanks, I've been at it too long to switch, I'll just wait until next season"
The first "archery seasons" I believe were set based upon shooting recurves or Longbows. It cared with it the restrictions of effective range that those bows required to effectively kill game. Then "improvements" to the bow came about with the addition of the compound and then the modern day crossbow. These two weapons were added to what was called the archery season weapons. The effective range was extended to double or longer the distance because of many factors. There are other innovations still yet to come I'm sure. I don't put down those that choose to shoot a more modern weapon. I just don't believe they are to be put in the season that archery was designated for. Often muzzleloaders have their own season. Then why not modern day crossbows and compounds?
The length of seasons is partially set by how effective the weapon being used is. Out West we get one deer tag for the general season. We need the full month of our archery season to be effective with longbow or recurve or selfbow. If the numbers of animals harvested goes up because of the effectiveness of the weapon increases our archery seasons will be shortened or go to a draw.
I believe the historic definition of Traditional was and should remain hunting with a recurve, Longbow or selfbow of appropriate draw weight.
What we now think of as traditional equipment was evolving at the time the compound bow was invented, and had been evolving for thousands of years before that. If the compound bow had not been invented, bows and arrows would have continued to evolve anyway, and there would not be one point in time where anyone could say, "before this point, equipment was traditional, and anything invented after this point is not traditional."
So I think any effort to make a distinction between traditional and non traditional archery equipment is based on a false assumption, except perhaps for compound bows themselves, which might be considered an entirely new weapon, qualitatively different from what came before, in the same sense that the machine gun is qualitatively different from a rifle.
So without being able to draw a clear line for definitional purposes, what we are left with is "to thine own self be true." What kind of equipment will bring you the most satisfaction when you hunt or compete? It is not unreasonable to ask to compete against others using the same type of equipment; otherwise, it would not be a fair competition. Clearly, many people would like similar distinctions applied to hunting seasons, but due to the practical impossibility of setting up separate hunting seasons to suit everyone's choice of equipment, you take what you can get.
What Brother McDave said...
I normaly try & stay out of these debates, but believe this needs saying? As far as "Game Laws & Seasons" go...
Many times these are put into place by state legislatures, that know little about equipment. Basically, if it fires a bullet, it's a gun. If it launches an arrow, it's a bow. An "arrow" has feathers (natural, plastic, or?) and a broadhead (fixed, interchangable, expandable, mechanical) We can debate the differances between arrows & "bolts" but I can remember years ago, compounds equipped with "over-draws" to allow the use of shorter & faster "arrows" that were about the same length, as today's crossbow bolts.
Early bow seasons, were actually fought, because the bow was seen as TOO effective, and a Poacher's weapon! (Silent & Deadly) Bows & Arrows have continued to evolve since the beginning of time. Since early Man attached a stone point to a shaft... Added feathers to stabilize it... Or backed a bow, to make it more powerful & durable...
I think we have become overwhelmed with technology... Going "back" is our way of separating ourselves, from this ever faster developing technoligy. Just one Old Fart's opinion.....
Are you looking for a strict definition of traditional archery or the personal value system often associated with people who use traditional archery equipment? They are not the same.
Traditional archery is that system of archery that predates the compound bow. In other words, before wheels. Any of you guys old enough to be an archer prior to the compound ever hear "traditional" archer used before then?
Now when you get to the discussion of traditional as a personal value system, then you get into a very wide discussion of beliefs, feelings, choices, and biases that have sparked so many lively discussions on this and other forums. I predict nobody's opinion will be changed by this discussion, either.
I don't label myself a modern or traditional archer. I simply like recurves in addition to other equipment.
For example, because of a finger issue (visited surgeon a week ago), I'm unable to shoot with fingers this year. Killed a nice buck first time out but can't post it here and I'm cool with that.
Just relax and don't worry about a word or it's meaning. Go shoot the bow you want to shoot and allow others to do the same. Pretty simple I think!
Longbow, self bow or recurve......no sights.
I think it's a little more than just a word maybe a mindset or a way of life in general but one can't deny that there is something truly special about a longbow or recurve I never got that feeling from a compound that's why I sold them all
The traditional way provides me with a coveted peaceful freedom for excellence.
The disciplining of desire so as to make the achievement of the good first possible and then effortless.
For me it's shooting recurves and LB that's it. No restrictions shoot what you want on it, I don't but that's OK it's my bow and it's your bow. Remember have fun and enjoy.
I guess I never really thought about it. I guess shooting a bow that's classified as a longbow or recurve. Keep it simple.
Traditional is what was handed down to me as a kid.
I grew up in the 1960's with Ben Pearson and Fred Bear videos at school (16mm movies), hunting recurve bows hung in the dens of friend's fathers that I lusted after, the target recurves I shot with my Grandfather, Aunt and older brother (Dad wasn't an outdoors type), the wood target arrows in barrels for 69ยข at the local and only Dick's Sporting Goods store.
I have a longbow - but I never got so it was part of me. My hand just doesn't fit a Hill style longbow. The simplicity appealed to me. I tried. Still have it.
My much loved and sadly departed bowhunting mentor filled in for me between the target archery my relatives taught me and the hunting I wanted to do - with recurves and wood arrows.
That is what I do and will always use.
Tradition is what is given and passed on to you. Not what you pick up for yourself.
"Traditional" to ME simply means that YOU are holding all the draw weight be it primitive, recurve or longbow. I am NOT anti compound or crossbow. I'd be a hypocrite if I said I was because I've harvested many deer with a compound. I simply "choose" to hunt with a longbow. That is my preferred way to bowhunt. I stand in support of all hunters who "choose" to use different methods because we have way too many enemies with the "anti's" to fight amoungst ourselves !
QuoteOriginally posted by Cyclic-Rivers:
I guess I never really thought about it. I guess shooting a bow that's classified as a longbow or recurve. Keep it simple.
I'll go with this as well.
I prefer a grey suit with white shirt and maroon tie. Top it off with black socks and shoes and you are set.
I think we all agree that recurves and longbows define traditional bow hunting.
I would add non-mechanical broadheads to that list.
OH boy.... Now I gotta sell my mechanical heads.. :)
Legalistic definition: longbow, selfbow, recurve, etc. Keep it simple.
Gear aside, if the intent is to force the hunter to operate within the advantage of the quarry (say a deer at less than 60 yards), then it's traditional in my book. Whether with a rifle, musket, compound, crossbow or any other piece of equipment, the tool is just a tool. It's too tempting to push the limits of the tool when we're in pursuit. So a very limiting tool, like a traditional bow, is a great way to keep things in check.
I have a neighbor who had to give up the recurve due to some shoulder problems. He now hunts with a single shot rifle and, according to him, usually takes his deer at less than 30 yards. To me, that's way more traditional than the local archery shop owner who brags about his 80-yard shot on a deer (compound guy). Traditional tools are fairly easy to define. Traditional hunting is more qualitative and harder to legislate.
I don't let others define "traditional" for me. I just consider myself a "bowhunter" and try to avoid the use of labels. Think about this...for a young, neophyte archer the compound bow is "traditional" to them as it is all they know and see.
I accept that there are many different definitions of "traditional," but I know what it means to me - the kind of equipment that got me interested in archery back in the early 70s. I guess the compound bow "existed" then, but I sure didn't know anything about it. It was Bear, Pearson, Browning, or Herters recurves, wood or glass arrows (then those new-fangled aluminums came out - wow! High-tech!) Bear Razorheads, a glove, an armguard, and some woods to walk and stalk in. Now I'm not sure if I've advanced or regressed - now it's Hill-style longbows, POC shafts, natural greybars, Zwickeys, a back quiver, a tab, and a bracer. Still need some woods and fields to roam. That'll get it for me. You do you, I'll do me, we'll get along fine. :)
I think we are all hypocrites!!!! With our man made epoxies and fiberglasses! Tisk tisk
Lol
I don't see such bows as "traditional". I see them as classic! ;)
The 1950's are classic!
To be really trad I think we should be shooting Indian style selfbows and cane or sapling arrows and stone heads!
(As I sit here playing with my aluminum risered bow with Korean limbs).
Seriously though I think it has to due with the burden of skill we chose to carry. A compound has most of the skill built into it. A semi competent and coordinated person could pickup a compound and be deer capable to 30 yds within 10 minutes with a bit of coaching.
We as recurve/longbow/selfbow/horsebow/horn bow/and whatever else shooters...tend to choose the harder option. The gear we choose puts the majority of the burden of skill on our own shoulders.
I haven't used a compound in 30 years. Recurve only. To me, "traditional archery" is a very real concept that involves laminated wood bows, non-carbon arrows, steel COC heads, leather bracer and shooting glove and clothing not made in the modern camo patterns with scent loc etc. It's also more than just the equipment but having a mindset of doing things without having to rely on modern gadgetry and electronics to do things and using older "traditional" type gear and methods. I enjoy it that way and that's what I do.
I dunno man. This thread is a repeat of about 500 threads before it. TG is a decent place to post it though. Most other forums and this thread has degenerated in a pure nastiness! My 2 cents it's just bow hunting. Nothing traditional for me. As far as I know I am the first bow hunter in my family. No one passed it down to me. Never really took to compounds but, got my pops shooting one. It's just what I like. Also to the poster talking about effective ranges of compounds vs recurves you should read up on some of the old school hunters of the day. 30 yards was often considered a close range affair by many. Anyway I hope it becomes traditional in my family though as I plan to pass bow hunting down to my son and (if I live long enough) my grandsons/daughters.
I still think it is a mindset more than equipment. I've been told that I am not traditional for hunting with a glass backed recurve/longbow with carbon arrows by an archer with a selfbow and cane arrows. I'm good with that though. I hunt with the most effective equipment during archery season and get close. Enjoy your hunting and the equipment you choose, experience nature and be an ethical custodian of resources. That is traditional. Dino
Traditional is a vague term, as most posts here have eluded to. Like others say, recurves, longbows, feathers...no wheels etc. Yep, modern glues, fiberglass and all that, so I call it "traditional style"...thats about how I think of it.
Mark
To me , it's just a simpler way to hunt. No gizmos .
As others have already written...longbow, selfbow or recurve. A selfbow is all wood, but traditional or classic (as one poster put it) bows should have at least some wood in them.
I may start another thread on what I'm going to write next. I've been thinking because of foam, carbon, fiberglass, sythentic strings, vanes etc., that today we have recurves/longbows and arrows that we could throw in a creek for a year.
Then pull them out and immediately shoot them. There will literally be no damage done to the bow or arrows. Still traditional?
For me, if the time comes I can't pull a recurve or longbow back and launch and arrow I will bypass the compound completely and just hunt with one of my old leverguns.
Traditional to me is a longbow, recurve or self bow hunted by someone who loves the sport and is diligent in doing all hunting by the laws of the land and ethically to the animals he/she hunts. I have went the compound route years ago but did not like all the changes constantly to keep up with. No sights or gimmicks really appeal to me and love a set of good wood arrows.