A few days ago, I was engaged in a email conversation with one of our esteemed members here. Among the things we were discussing was this young man's knowledge of, and experience with, trad archery equipment, bowyers, etc. Below is an excerpt from my part of that conversation. It sums up my general opinion of the members here,

"Based on some of your posts I’ve read and our own dialogue over the past couple years, I picture you having the benefit of gaining a lot of life experience – and that is meant to be a compliment. You give the impression of having a good amount of wisdom at 38. Something you don’t see much anymore – and it’s significantly worse in the half-generation (8 or 10 years) younger than you. But I guess that’s to be expected. Freaking cell phones and video games replaced doing anything outdoors that might work up an actual sweat.

As you allude to, you were lucky to acquaint yourself with guys that shoot trad bows. One of the common characteristics shared by guys who prefer to hunt with a stick and a string is that we are generally a good group of folks who like to share, and listen to, our experiences. Not to brag or taunt or anything like that, but because we like to learn, and teach, if we can. We don’t want others to have to learn life lessons the hard way if we can help by sharing. And we’re not too proud to say, “Can you show me how?” or, “Man, I’ve been through something like that; let me know if you think there’s something I can do to help”. Just find any collection of trad guys gathered together and hang out with them. You can’t help but learn something! I grew up on a farm, in a farming community. I think there were fewer than 20,000 residents in our county, including kids, mules and dogs (well, huntin’ dogs, at least), lol. Sharing and helping my neighbors, my fellow man, is part of my very nature. It’s literally a core value. I find a great many, if not most, trad archery guys relate to that.

Honestly, doesn’t seem like most of us just have a better head on our shoulders?"

Have a great day!

Rick