I started in trad archery about 30 yrs ago with a also longbow ,leather back quiver and wood arrows I made myself.And most of my shooting was at stumps.It was so much fun!!!Then as the years went by I got heavy into competitive 3-d,carbon arrows for accuracy and flatter shooting bows.Now years later I have come back to my starting point and and stump shooting with the simple longbow ,back quiver and wood arrows again,and really enjoying archery again like I did in the beginning.I am just wondering if any other leather wallets have gotten back to basics? Every one have a great day!

I'm with you. Back to simplifying. It hasn't hurt my hunting success rate....in fact the opposite...and I enjoy everything much more.

Yes, I have also gotten back to the basics. Although I don't shoot a long bow, I shoot a Cravotta Bros. Black Hawk recurve circa 1966. I was away from archery for about 37 years.Just last spring got out my old bow and took off the sight and clicker and started shooting instinctively. Having lots of fun doing it.

I always carry a leather wallet.

leather wallets last a long time%)

I've gone full circle several times over the past 60 years. Leaning more toward one-piece mild r/d and straight longbows right now.

I have a Cravotta bow. Had no idea what it was, but it shoots. I have a variety of recurves and longbows as I rescue them from auctions and pawn shops. Started in the 50’s, shoot compounds for a few years and have been longbow bound for the last 22 years. Seems the arch of the arrow defines archery to me.

Yep! exactly the same thing

now back to my longbow back quiver and hunting knife attached to the leather quiver

made this transition about 20+ years ago and still happily trucking

Yep, the basics... selfbows and wooden arrows here too. It just plain works.

You have to stop chasing the moon sometime ! There's a lot of people that will promise you the moon with whatever you buy from them.

After having enough shoulder problems, I stepped out of traditional archery for five years, sold all my bows and quivers. When I came back to this time, I thought to myself " I will keep to the basics " slow, purposeful, disciplined.

I did my research, hated the cost, I knew it was the best from all the research. I purchased a bow,from Dan Toelke " Pika " 56" 38# @ 28. Smoothest most accurate bow I have had and quiet. It shoots as smooth as a 62" longbow. I also picked up a book " Guide to traditional longbow " really some good basic stuff. I discipline myself to stick to the book. I wanted to get rid of old habits, and do it right this time.

Best choice I've made so far as far bows are concerned. The book is by Brian sorrells. It's good book, discipline discipline discipline.

Carl

One bow, a lot of fun ! And that's the way it's supposed to be.

Basically !

DS

I started in archery long before there were wheels on bows, my last recurve during my first trad phase was a Bear Kodak Hunter, then I went to the dark side for 18 years. I never felt like I was shooting a "bow" while I was shooting wheels.

I had two wheel bows break on me while drawing on deer, one was a monster buck I called in to 7 yards, I was done with wheels.

I sold my wheel bow and bought another Bear Kodak Hunter in 89, then a Howatt hunter followed by a custom Bighorn.

In 96 I started making selfbows but kept drifting back to the Bighorn. I knew I wouldn't commit to selfbows as long as I owned the Bighorn so I sold it.

It has been selfbows ever since.

I have been much more successful on deer since I swapped back to traditional bows than I ever was with wheels.

Never left for very long....from 1976 through 1980 I used a compound, but still had my recurve for most of my hunting. I've been a stump shooter/rover for all of my years pretty much. You tend to gravitate to what makes you happy, and that's a good thing. It's not always as we see it for everyone, but as long as folks are enjoying that time in the woods and fields, more power to them. By the time I started in 1965, fiberglass and aluminum were the picks of arrows for most, although I started with wood. Now I have several different kinds I use for fun.

I have been shooting on and off for close to 50 years. Always "Traditional". Never got into long bows. Then about a year ago I bought a Bear Montana Long Bow just because I never owned a long bow. Also I never went stump shooting in my life. Well to make a long story short, a friend invited me stump shooting and I took my long bow. To this date, I have no greater joy then going out stump shooting with my long bow. I have many bows and I am always turning to the simple form of long bow and stump shooting.

Good for you Thor. I'm like George and transitioned to a compound and shot fingers and no sights. Bow was too heavy, aluminum arrows weren't the same, and life again became good again when I went back to a longbow and woodies. It is all good, but some are a lot better and certainly a lot more fun.

I was always a hunter and trapper.... When 3d shoots came about, I went to several, to drink beer, and have some fun,,,,, never shot competition, or had any interest in that........

Never shot heavy bow, and always liked to shoot in the woods, or around the cabin, year round, just something I did in my routine.....

Come fall I went out hunting,,,,,,, it was that simple.... Never belonged to a Trad organization, but do go to their shoots, so I can sell stuff.................

Went to Compton once, had a great time, but more people there than live in my county, and I do not do well in crowds......

currently shoot a Black Hunter longbow, 40 @ 28........ I do like carbons though....................

sold 5 bows last year

Another one gone full circle here. Started with a lemon wood bow way before CP's were invented. Went to a good wood glass bow. Went through a period with sights. Then a full blown CP with fall away rest, lighted sights,stabilizers,and release. Back to recurves and longbows. Now one of my favorites is an Osage self bow, bamboo arrows with self nocks. It was all fun and I would not take for the experience. >>>----> ken

I can see myself getting there in few years. glad you are having fun! -ted

Been thirty five years with a recurve, yep back where I started.

Welcome back, Thor. Enjoy.

With me it has been ebbs and flows.

I started shooting as a child back in 1956. I was 8 years old.

I made my own by stringing saplings and using even smaller saplings to fletch with chicken feathers and use nails as points. I grew up on a farm.

Ma and Dad bought me bows a 10 and 12 y/o. Definitely fun stuff. I still have that Bear Fox recurve...25-30#.

High school years involved some archery hunting

College years involved a lot of work both academic and otherwise so no time for archery.

Military time (USAR 70-76) didn't leave much time for shooting.

My bother of eternal memory and I bought Darton Ranger recurves 1975. We had so much fun. I sure do miss him.

Later my wife and I started a family, I worked 2 jobs (teaching, pro magic shows).

My brother and I found a little time to shoot.

I started making selfbows 89/90 right after my dad died and thank God I still do.

I am working on a red oak board bow for my youngest daughter. Both daughters shoot.

I love shooting with my daughters. My oldest (40 y/o) has shot since she was 10 y/o. My youngest (36 y/0) started last year.

...and so I have returned to my roots.

Jawge

I started with a used Bear Super Kodiak recurve (a long time ago) and then shot compounds for several years. A guy I work with knew that I liked archery and brought an old Black Widow recurve to work one day and asked if I would be interested in buying it. I did and it was more trad. bows then compounds from that day on until I sold my compound. I shoot longbows these days but I must confess that every time I see a guy shooting a self bow at a shoot it makes me want to try building one myself. Same with wood arrows, although I did try my hand at them once and they warped on me so I kind of gave up on them. I always say to my wife that I had more fun hunting with a recurve and wood arrows and no tree stand and getting less deer when I was young then when I hunted with all the gadgets and got more deer. Simpler is definitely more fun!

I've been shooting stickbow since May 1994. Never had an interest in cbow and associated gadgetry. In fact my interest had veered towards the paleo side. When I retire I just might start making selfbows and real cane arrows like a few of the members here.

Thanks for all your replies to my topic.Your a great bunch of guys and are proud to consider you friends and fellow archers!! I hope you all have many more years of bending the bow and the arc of the arrow!!

Longbow,recurves,and wood arrows since 1958.

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