[wstrayer]

It seems that looking at classifieds, interest in traditional archery is in a slump.
Do you think it is a trend or seasonal and will pick up with better weather?

 

[Draven O]

Not true from what I know. If I look on AT FITA classified with same mindset I would think people want to give up on target archery too. Which is wrong.

 

[mamba]

Judging by the turn out at EATAR I think trad is doing well.
Because of dwindling numbers of archers in general two of our local clubs dropped 3D completely for 2023.
Classifieds, spring is in the air.I think folks keep what works and shop for something new hoping to up there game.

 

[TwistedHollow]

If anything I think archery has went up alot in numbers especially when it comes to hunting in my area

 

[Sam Dunham]

Depends on the definition. Single string no eccentrics or let off.
Nothing wrong with shooting Compounds and Trad bows. Trad bows offer simplicity and ease of use.

 

[Tracker1]

I have been amazed at the number of threads on different forums that start out with someone beginning their Trad journey and asking questions. I think many like me become bored with compounds and move to traditional archery. The transition from compounds becomes easy with ILF bows.

 

[Matt flint]

The classifieds seem to ebb and wane.
Being fairly new to it all myself. I seem to see a lot of growth. In my personal opinion, all growth is not good growth. Especially when hunting is concerned. But I am pretty hard headed and naive

 

[Remote]

Depends where. In Europe it has been undergoing a sustained boom. Two shop owners I know, one in Berlin the other in Paris, have cited huge growth in trad sales since post covid lockdowns. The owner in Berlin believes it's because folk want to get away from cities and spend more time outdoors. Where I am now it is growing but with archery in general (not losing to compound, nor Oly).

I think it's largely would-be hunters that first reach for the pulley bows. Most others when they think about getting into archery think stick and string, preferably wood. At least that is my exp of the many I have helped to the sport. Later compound archers get bored and Oly archers curious. Trad's in a great place IMO.

 

[Phil]

I'd echo what Remote has said.
Here in the UK, single string bows, especially historic styles of bows are seeing a boom in popularity.
PS ... I'm a member of a NFAS field archery club, I haven't seen a club member with a compound bow for at least 3 years

 

[Tracker1]

The classifieds seem to ebb and wane.
Being fairly new to it all myself. I seem to see a lot of growth. In my personal opinion, all growth is not good growth. Especially when hunting is concerned. But I am pretty hard headed and naive

Kind of not sure about the hunting reference?

 

[Vaquero 45]

I would not want Trad to fade , even if it meant bringing trad equipment prices down .

 

[Tom M]

I see a lot of newbies on the face book group but their interest seemed to be confined to the backyard more than attending any type of shoot.

 

[GilV]

I belong to a large bow club. We sponsor shoots during the year and get approximately 200 shooters at a shoot. I work the kitchen next to the registration booth. We set up 2 3D 28 target courses. Compound shooters start on one course and Trad shooters on the other.

There are many trad shooters and it seems to be growing. I started shooting when the only thing was Trad. Then the majority of people shot compounds. There were few people shooting trad and not many trad bowyers. If you wanted to buy archery equipment you had to find a gun store that had a limited supply.

Today we are lucky to have so many very good Trad bowyers and suppliers. If there weren't many Trad shooters they would be out of business. We also have an endless supply of equipment.

These days are the golden years of Trad.

 

[Tracker1]

I would not want Trad to fade , even if it meant bringing trad equipment prices down .

I think most traditional gear is well priced, especially starter bows. If I knew how cheap it was to get into traditional years ago I would have done it then.

 

[Matt flint]

Kind of not sure about the hunting reference?

Probably not related other than in my head, but I see many flat brimmed youtube/sponsered types coming around. Speaking out and acting in a manner that misrepresents the whole of what I was raised up to believe and the values I believe the majority of the community upholds.
All press not being good press was the intent of my statement.
The correlation there I guess is that a bow is a weapon in my line of thinking and I picked it up to pursue game. While that lead to other forms of archery, the bow and arrow is a hunting tool in my head. I know that is not the case for many.

 

[Tracker1]

I see a lot of newbies on the face book group but their interest seemed to be confined to the backyard more than attending any type of shoot.

I think that makes sense as attending shoots would be something newbies farther down the road.

 

[Remote]

Probably not related other than in my head, but I see many flat brimmed youtube/sponsered types coming around. Speaking out and acting in a manner that misrepresents the whole of what I was raised up to believe and the values I believe the majority of the community upholds.
All press not being good press was the intent of my statement.
The correlation there I guess is that a bow is a weapon in my line of thinking and I picked it up to pursue game. While that lead to other forms of archery, the bow and arrow is a hunting tool in my head. I know that is not the case for many.

I know the kinds you mean. I worry most about those that come to trad and just want to get their kill selfie, but don't want to do any of the hard work. They want to buy a heavy bow from zero and be hunting a few months later, getting glory on a website. All those wounded animals for ego.

 

[Matt flint]

I know the kinds you mean. I worry most about those that come to trad and just want to get their kill selfie, but don't want to do any of the hard work. They want to buy a heavy bow from zero and be hunting a few months later, getting glory on a website. All those wounded animals for ego.

This is exactly my sentiment, along with the voice theyve been given with social media and the light that paints us as a whole.
Though I think my thinking here is not quite aligned with the topic of the thread so I will bow out now.
Please forgive any de railing I may have caused. Not my intent at all.

 

[pavan]

Archery has always had a certain amount of mechanical push in one way or another, it is what it is. I think the Satanic powers that be are pushing much of society into a downwards spiral. 'Adventure ' and challenge has become anathema. The world is turning into a bunch of 'Karens'.

 

[Hungry4Wood]

Here in AZ it is pretty much unheard of shooting trad. Some older folks are into it and that’s that. No one dares try it for legitimate hunting, most folks are under the impression you need a 70+ yard archery shot on all game.