What Is Archery To You

[Desert Archer]

This thread has two purposes: one is to start a discussion about individual philosophy; and the other is to help end the "Dumbing Down" thread (smile).

To me archery is not just shooting arrows. If that were the case then crossbows would be archery. I can't say for sure what they are but at least in my mind it ain't archery. By the same token I don't consider compounds "real" archery. I know, I know, we're all in this together and divided we fall, etc. I understand all that. I'm talking about philosophy here, not banning anything. To me the 20,000 year history of archery is holding the full weight of the bow on your fingers, or at least with your own strength. The compound is a marvel of engineering that has brought shooting arrows to the masses but that's my point, it's just shooting arrows. I personally just don't think it's archery.

I'd like to hear what some of the rest of you think, so...let the flaming begin! (LOL)

Dave

[Scooter]

Since I don't golf I guess it is a place to spend all that money I should be saving? :)

[Rednef]

I'm with Scooter. That, and it keeps me off the streets.

[Warped Arrow]

For me archery is a place. It is a place to get away. A place to allow myself to reflect. It is also a place that I can critisise myself without getting beaten down by others. It is a peaceful, serene place. I akin it to flyfishing.

Both of them, for me, are places that only my equipment, God, and myself dwell. They are my retreats, my shelters. In both of them I find peace. With archery its the bow, the arrow, its path, myself, and God. When I am shooting, only those five things exist in my heart and mind. With fly fishing it is the same, but different. On the stream there is only my rod, my line, the cast, God, and myself. Nothing else.

Weather it is the gracefull arc of an arrow on its way to the target, or a double hauled single spey cast, these things bring me peace to me in a world gone astray. I see beauty in both, a sort of mystical mystery. I can look an arrow being shot or a fly being cast and see the beauty of the ages in it. There are few constinants in live, both archery and flyfishing have stood the test of time. Both have evolved, but both still have roots firmly embedded in the past.

Yes, to me, archery is a place.

[Martin Farrent]

First and foremost, it's part of being outside.

It took me about 30 years (from my early teens) to realise that a worthwhile lifestyle needn't exclusively consist of cultural and hedonistic pursuits. The fresh air now seems more profound to me, though I can't put words to it. I enjoy my bow, my mountain bike and my skis more than any book, movie, wine or meal nowadays. Each activity is different and each involves the body and intellect from a unique angle. Skiing is for speed of mind and muscle, while the bike gives me a robust sensation of fitness - along with time to think in any direction. Both also reward me with enjoyable scenery. Archery's main attraction is a quest for self control, I think.

Best,

Martin

[foamkiller]

Archery to me is shooting a bow and arrow. It does not matter whether it is a compound, recurve, longbow, or self bow. We are all archers and we need to remember that.........if any one of us loses anything we all lose.:2cents:

[steve morley]

Archery allows me to find myself :)

[rbroybal@hotmail.com]

Archery allows me to find myself :)
Archery is the connection of my esence with the spirit that moves all things, the earth, time, life, earths creature and the existance of men past, present and future. In my hands I culminate the power to achieve excellance in physical performance, and the power to use judgement with the power of death. There is beauty in the performance of the bow, the arrow, the weather, the target, and myself. These words seem inadaquate: I become humble by life as I know that there is a greater spirit that allows me to share eternity for a moment. Simply "Walking in Beauty".

[tuffshot]

This thread has two purposes: one is to start a discussion about individual philosophy; and the other is to help end the "Dumbing Down" thread (smile).

To me archery is not just shooting arrows. If that were the case then crossbows would be archery. I can't say for sure what they are but at least in my mind it ain't archery. By the same token I don't consider compounds "real" archery. I know, I know, we're all in this together and divided we fall, etc. I understand all that. I'm talking about philosophy here, not banning anything. To me the 20,000 year history of archery is holding the full weight of the bow on your fingers, or at least with your own strength. The compound is a marvel of engineering that has brought shooting arrows to the masses but that's my point, it's just shooting arrows. I personally just don't think it's archery.

I'd like to hear what some of the rest of you think, so...let the flaming begin! (LOL)

Dave

Archery is an individual sport. The thought that shooting a compound is just shooting arrows is a misconception. There are those who make one precieve this notion but there are also those who excel at shooting a compound way above the average shooter. It is all in what one wants out of his chosen weapon. Archery is also a development sport. One has to allow for development and growth the same as wih any other sport, it is just the time frame of developemnt that is different

Archery is an individual sport. For the most part it is not a team sport, it can be but still one man and one bow is the key factor. Archery is as individual as the person wielding the bow, to fail or excell is up to the individual.

Being an individual I shoot archery for pleasure whether it be for competition, hunting or for self improvement. From there the next thing is to realize the limitations of the individual.:)

[Bowcephalus]

A satifying, leisurely escape.

[rusty craine]

I don't think it is that easy. I think it is genetic imperative for those that have it in their DNA. I think there is an archery gene. :) Everybody ain't lucky enough to have it but for those that do....they know it

rusty

[rusty craine]

I think I will apply for a 1.2 million dollar fedral grant to study the arcerhy gene.

rusty

[Martin Farrent]

Rusty,

You have already spent it. :)

Best,

Martin

[Free Range]

Archery, is my childhood, it’s the smell of Texas in the spring, a misty fall day in a tree stand, the soft, wet, leaf cluttered forest floor under my feet, a crisp mountain morning. The sting of sleet on my face during a late winter hunt, and the burn of the sun while the season is young. The October buzz of insects, and the deathly quiet of December. It’s the honking of southward racing geese, and the limb to limb flitting of the nuthatch. It’s squirrels rushing to cache that last acorn, beavers cutting one more twig.

It’s ribbing a friend over missed shots, and slapping the same buddy on the back for a good one. Archery has brought me my best of friends, and weeded out those that never really were.

Archery taught me life’s lessons, how to stand on my own merits, how to accept praise and advise with the same modesty. It taught me about life and death, respect of nature and the truth about the circle of life. It has lead me to places most will never see or understand.

Archery to me is the first man to bend a stick, the Thompson brothers, Pope and Young (the men not the organization), Fred Bear, Ben Pearson, Earl Hoyt, Paul Shaffer, Fred Ashbell, and those to come.

Archery is the beauty of exotic woods, and the practicality of a metal riser, the graceful curves of a recurve bow and the moon like arc of a longbow. The smell of cedar arrows and the cold of aluminum.

[Larry Hatfield]

since my job is building bows and my home life requires me to be outside on a horse or equipment every day, archery is a way to disconnect from everything but the moment. and it is the same to me whether i'm killing an animal or shooting at my 100 yd. target. when i put the bow down i forget about it. it's not a lifestyle or religious experience or anything of that kind. it's simply a tool that gives me enjoyment while i'm using it. but then i feel that way about my horses and dogs too.

[Steve]

A way to get chicks.

Not working so well.

Steve

[bradd7]

It's a deep passion that began when I was around 6, I left when girls and sports became intertwined, and came back too because I couldn't ignore the passion any longer.

It is frustration at times. It is demanding at others. It is a continuous cycle of learning and sharing. It is 'togetherness'. It is a commitment that I have made to my Self, destined to last for as long as I can still hold the bow.

It STILL is the passion I re-membered!

And yes, it does get chicks...my girlie girl sweetheart had never shot a bow before but archery it is one of the many passions we share together now!

[recurve1]

To me it's a time to wind down, and enjoy God's creation. It seems the older i get it's more about the experience and the challenge, although i do want to kill an animal when i go, if i dont that's ok too. But i also want to be a better shooter and not a bow-hopper.

[hogtamer]

Archery to me is the means to the end of a great hunt. I hope you guys that don't hunt won't take that to mean any more than what is stated. The satisfaction of a sucessful stalk combined with a well placed arrow yielding the bounty of the earth is deeply gratifying on a level I have a hard time explaining. In my OWN heart and mind that is archery, pure and undefiled. "If I could only shoot one more arrow in my life"....well, I guess how finish that statement would state your case pretty well. Guys,,,you don't want to hear this but mine would be through the airbags of a hundred pound shoat, a long way from anywhere....

[NJWoodsman]

Archery is a martial art, in a way. A shooting sport, a personal challenge, a means of self-expression, and a creative craft if you're inclined to tinker or make your own gear.

[Desert Archer]

I hope you guys that don't hunt won't take that to mean any more than what is stated.

and

...you don't want to hear this but mine would be through the airbags of a hundred pound shoat, a long way from anywhere....

You seem very defensive. Why would anyone here object to what you think is archery?

Dave

[Dartwick]

Yes to me its a martial art; a sharp point on my existence, which I endeavor to control with more precision and expand to a degree of more total self control.

Of course its more complicated because there are a variety reasons I choose archery as opposed to karate or wingshooting.

[Toxophilite]

IMO it is the purest and freest form of hunting. one in which you need to learn your query and nearly become one with it. Oh yeah and it's alot of fun...

[DanaC]

To me archery is a sport and exercise in itself, as well as preparation for bow hunting.

Just shooting, alone, is a great way to relax, work on focus and technique, sometimes just to enjoy the flight of a good arrow.

And working on bows, arrows etc. adds the 'hobby' dimension to it all.

So it's a lot of different things that add up to a satisfying whole.

[Sam Dunham]

I am a hunter first, archer second. Now I blend the two together and have many very satifying moments afield and in the yard drawing and releasing my Booowwwwwsss and enjoying the flight and delite of the arrow. No noise, nobody else doing it for me, just me and the day and sometimes my prey.Yep, Corny but true:)

[englishlongbowguy]

100% agree

Would like to know who others share that ant this principles

1. I never shoot to a living being with these exeptions

a. to feed my self or my family/friends
b. to defend my own life or family members/friends life
c. to defend my house or country

2.See the bow as a source of wisdom

3 Dont judge others that use to hunt as a sporting activity, but try to convince that theres no fun in harming other beings that are not messing with us.

Alfredo " englishlongbowguy" Arbe Jr

If you agree these principles plese contact!

[LostHawg]

To me its the difference between being a spectator and a participant.

[Sam Dunham]

It has inspired me to: Travel and see Colorado, Texas, and many other states. It has made me a better Woodsman, and offered up chances for me to praise in thankfulness. It keeps me mystified as to how perfect a Bow and Arrow is such a simple and reliable survival tool. I am in the perfect realm of relaxation and enjoyment when I draw it back and strive for the proper Form and anchor and >>>>----------> to the target. Arrows and Rainbows have similarities for me, both are beutiful!Blood on the ground is best when inflicted by a razor sharp broadhead. The trail leads me in anticipation of the prize that it leads me to. Quiet, and individualistic in the woods and deserts when you shoot it, and easily maintained. Well thought out it must be, for each and every killing shot. A perishable skill by physical demands, but pick it up and it comes back quickly. Many thousands by repitition has been ingrained in the mind favorably, no bad memory. Favorable and honest is the Bow!

[big_grizz]

Archery to me is more than a passion, its an obsession.... Its a very spiritual thing to be connected to the outdoors and through archery I feel as connected to nature as my string is to my bow... What I mean by that is that you can take me out of the outdoors and I will still be me just as if you take the string off a bow it is still a bow, however like the stringless bow I am somewhat incomplete, not quite the whole package. This is only part of what archery means to me....the rest is to complicated to explain with words it can only be expressed in my never-ending love of the bow, the hunt, and the outdoors.

[DanaC]

To me archery usually IS "just shooting arrows." And if I can do that with a $100 used bow from E-bay, why buy a $900 compound and then accessorize it with $100 sights and $100 release and then use $100 worth of rubber doohickeys to quiet it down? This is supposed to be simple and fun!

[SteveGabriel]

Archery to me is the means to the end of a great hunt. I hope you guys that don't hunt won't take that to mean any more than what is stated. The satisfaction of a sucessful stalk combined with a well placed arrow yielding the bounty of the earth is deeply gratifying on a level I have a hard time explaining. In my OWN heart and mind that is archery, pure and undefiled. "If I could only shoot one more arrow in my life"....well, I guess how finish that statement would state your case pretty well. Guys,,,you don't want to hear this but mine would be through the airbags of a hundred pound shoat, a long way from anywhere....

Hogtamer,
I've never hunted game animals in my life and the way people in my area practice it, I don't really care if I do. That said "the satisfaction of a successful stalk" and "but mine would be through the airbags of a hundred pound shoat, a long way from anywhere" are things I can relate to and I agree with you whole-heartedly.
I used to be a surfcasting fanartic, but in the end my favorite technique was moving along a quiet beach in the middle of the night listening/smelling for signs of gamefish and tossing homemade plugs to them. I was "stalking" gamefish. I had friends who caught more trophy fish in 1 season than I did in my career, but they used live bait and/or chum or worse yet a boat! Fortunately, I never needed a fish that badly.
You're "satisfaction of a successful stalk" and "...a hundred pound shoat, a long way from anywhere" are great goals. Don't apologize, be proud.

[Bowcephalus]

Fun.

[raisins]

Source of frustration?

[pondscum2]

more fun & less frustrating than golf. cheaper too, unless you have to have a (insert brand here) bow to shoot. i aint able to make my own golf clubs & balls, but i whittle a pretty good tee... it is my "quiet time" that enables me to get thru the year without relieving the stress by choking the living @#$% out of some brain dead jerk that really has it coming... :^) pondscum

[crooketarrow]

It's to take the less traveled path.To do and do good what few others can do.To pitt yourself against nature the animal.The getting prepared the total exsperance.From the winter scouting to the fall hunting and everything in between.The getting ready for hunting means as much as the hunting.
This is why I build and hunt with only selfbows.Or you just as well golf.

DEAD IS DEAD NO MATTER HOW FAST YOUR ARROW GETS THERE

[Comfortably Dumb]

To paraphrase McManus -
"Tis a fine and pleasant misery".

[traditionalman]

To me archery is the greatest sport God Gave Man. It is relaxing, exciting, and takes self control. I find in the winter here in Ohio when it is so bad I can not get out to shoot I get very short tempered. I love to shoot 3D, stump shooting is a blast with friend, bowfishing is the best, deer hunting is a gift from God, and just holding a bow and admiring its beauty is pleasant and calming to the soul. Archery is in the blood and all archers feel the Love of this sport and we can not get enough shooting or own too many bows.

[chuck172]

I have always been a hunter. I took up bowhunting as another way to hunt. To have a longer hunting season, kill more deer.
Then I grew up. I gave up the compound. I'm an archer first now, a hunter second. If I were to quit hunting tomorrow, I'd still shoot. I shoot just about everyday. I'd rather shoot.

[DanaC]

"If you want to stay interested for the rest of your life, take up something that can never quite be reduced to a science." John Gierach in "The View From Rat Lake"

You can shoot and hunt all your life, but you'll never eliminate all the variables. Sometimes you miss. Sometimes the deer zag instead of zig.

Imagine how boring it would be if you shot 300's every round and killed a deer every time you sat in a stand. Most of us enjoy something that keeps us working to improve. Archery and bowhunting fit the bill really well ;-)

[DonNatale]

Archery is an escape for me.


My Archery is both eyes open staring at... into... through a target. My archery is simplicity.

Archery gets me out of my head and into my body. Archery is quiet, uncomplicated, meditative, a moment.

I release everything in the world with my arrow.

-Don

[cabinboy16]

Archery to me is a way to get away from everyday life. It releases my anger that is built up over the day.

[gurn]

It's the most fun way I ever found ta get meat and have fun with family and freinds. Plus sometimes I like bickerin an stirin the pot. Talkin bout ways of shootin is ah dern good spoon. But most times I just like ta listen and learn.
Heck I didnt even know what ah warf was till Jeff told me. :)

[Ironsmak]

Next best thing to a martal art as I have found if its not classed as one in its own rite. Timing, spacial awareness, control over your body, instantanious judgement and correction, perfection acheived by repetition and hard work ( kung-fu ).
Turns out my family crest has an arrow as its predominant feature, could be something to that archery gene after all.

[Bowjack]

Archery is life! It is a journey that mimics life in so many ways.

[Matt_Potter]

It is were I go to get away for an hour or 2 every day.

Matt

[CarolinaBob]

To steal from John Gierach, when a group of archers together they talk about "Sex, death, and Archery". Archery is the awe of the flight of the arrow,

[chapnelson]

Archery is a newly rediscovered pastime for me. Its time with my son in the short time I have left before he leaves the house and goes on his own. Its a fan to the flames that used to burn brightly when I shot competitively with firearms ... they've lost their magic. It satisfies my innate desire for simplicity, and for a skill to master that cannot be tamed by money or technology, just practice. One day I will build my own bow and arrows, and hunt with them, and have a new satisfaction.

[JCS-Bowhunter]

3D Archery and Bowhunting are my hobbies.

1) They are what I do to relax and get away from the grind of corporate America and the endless needs of day to day life.

2) Quality time spent with good friends and family members. Many great memories and laughs are shared.

3) I love to experiment and doodle with different types of tackle and techniques whether they be different bow and/or arrow setups or different scouting and hunting approaches.

[BowB...]

Archery to me is the elegent simplicity of the string, the bow the stretch between my shoulderblades and the scent of beeswax on my string. Its that moment, that quiet space before release when the world fades away that half second of tension where nothing else exists.

And then I do it again.

[wallydoodle]

I agree w/ Rusty. There is a reason why some of us can pick up a stick,string and arrow see the target and the arrow flight and path before the shaft is released. "Become the arrow" I think Byron Ferguson said it best. If you ever get a chance to meet him, take the time to chat with him. Byron has exellent advise and stories. I met Byron at Ft. Washington Outdoor Show. I also believe our roots run deeper than the now we live in, I believe in past lives. Think about it.................................

[KodiakMag]

To me it's a way of life and what makes me, me. I'll say it right now I hate crossbows and compounds. That is just my opinion, I have shot a compund and when it rolled over I thought why the &^%$ do you need all this? To me archery is a way of simplifying life. We all know how complicated life can be and to just be able to go in the woods with my bow or shoot in my backyard is a way to simplify it. I don't need to shoot 300+ FPS or all the other fancy stuff I started shooting a recurve when I was 6. For the past 15 years it has become second nature to me. I don't mind what someone hunts with. It's your tag, your money and your philosophy just don't go bragging because I only shoot 8" groups at 35 yds and yours is 1/4 of that. I do, however, feel like I have a closer connection to nature and my surroundings than others who hunt with rifles, and such. It seems people put to much of an emphasis on tagging out than enjoying your time doing what you love. I think today people are so focused on the antlers and that is many thanks to the ridiculous hunting shows on TV. That is where I also believe compound and crossbows have made their breakthrough. Someone who is watching that show and hasn't hunted thinks that the only way to hunt is a big fancy bow, gadgets, and they will be able to go shoot a 150"+ buck everytime. I grew up being taught that everything is a trophy and if you put the hours in shooting instinctively and are accurate any animal you take is trophy. /rant off.

[Åshild]

When my life feels like I'm swimming under water, archery is lifting my head up and taking a deep breath of fresh air

[NaturalFork]

Archery has always been with me, as far back as I can remember. I took a break from it and recently dove back in. I remembered how much fun it was. When I came back to archery I had only a desire to shoot traditional although most of my youth I shot compounds. I don't know what it is. I recently tried shooting compounds and it isnt the same. To shoot traditionally is SHOOTING and it feels so much better to hit that bullseye or 10 with a traditional bow. Plus I am blown away at the quality of recurve bows these days. I love it.

[Cyrille]

I have shot archery off and on since I was 15 years of age my first bow was a Ben Pearson recurve target bow. Since that time I have had various other makes my third bow was and is a Ben Pearson "Colt" my forth a "horse bow" my fifth a PSE target bow, my sixth a Lord Mercury Ben Pearson target bow my latest and probably my last bow is a Black Widow recurve. Archery to me is an escape a relaxsation like none other I love quiet. Firearms are noisey and dirty after a session with them bows are clean, quiet and add much enjoyment to my life. I enjoy to the fullest just being outside in the woods or on the archery butts It is my quiet time, my comtemplation time, my fantasy time. To put it simply next to women archery is the best thing the Lord has given to man. Plus the arrow doesn't argue back.

[BOHNTR]

Archery to me is the elegent simplicity of the string, the bow the stretch between my shoulderblades and the scent of beeswax on my string. Its that moment, that quiet space before release when the world fades away that half second of tension where nothing else exists.

And then I do it again.

Bow B

Love it.

I went to a recurve from shooting compounds for different companies. Lost sponsors and people think I'm crazy. I've shot a lot and killed a lot. Now shooting a bow for me is much different. It's the simplicity and everything you mentioned. Life is hard, shooting a bow shouldn't be.

[zdogk9]

It's another form of shooting, regardless of the weapon I choose, be it rifle, pistol, cross bow, or bow, the self discipline to become proficient is the same, I'm shooting against the last round I shot. archery is a hell of a lot cheaper than high power or small bore though. AND i can practice in my back yard without my neighbors calling the cops.

[puppyHEAD]

When my life feels like I'm swimming under water, archery is lifting my head up and taking a deep breath of fresh air

Aptly stated; this pertains to me as well.

I'm very new to trad archery (as in still waiting to get a trad bow), and to be honest, a absolute novice to archery in general.

But if it is even remotely like shooting a slingshot (which is to me what archery is to Åshild), I'll find the same same solace in this art.