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 ARCHERY:
United We Stand
There's room for everyone!
I have been on the archery show circuit now for 18 years and do most
of my exhibitions with traditional equipment. On stage I use a Mathews
Heritage Longbow and Mathews SKY recurve. When I bowhunt I use a
Mathews Conquest III. I have shot a bow and arrow
33 years this year and have always shot instinctively although I switch
from compound to recurve to longbow and back. Often times I switch
in one stage show!
In 2004 I have been speaking on stage about uniting the sport of archery
and have had the message be very well received in various shows across
the country. We must be united if we are to survive and grow.
Fred Bear was a fan of traditional archery but knew that the "boom"
in archery in the late seventies had as much to do with the compound as
the "Two Season Hunter" campaign he ran. He was smart enough to know
a good thing when he saw it. It let archery grow! Isn't that our goal?
Rev. Stacy Groscup also uses all types of bows in his performances.
I've seen Stacy shoot a compound, recurve and other style bows in one show.
He also speaks of uniting the sport. You'll never hear him
say instinctively is the only way and he's the best shot with a bow that's
ever drawn a string. He has the Guinness Record to prove it.
Yet I've seen him bowhunt with all types of bows. He preaches
(literally) a message of unity.
Why we let a handful of misguided folks lead the sport for a while is
beyond me. An elitist attitude about being a "traditionalist" does
nothing but drive people away from the sport. Equipment junkies that
feel the same way do likewise. Neither side is right.
There is no set way to enjoy our sport. If you draw a string you
are an archer. Period. Welcome to what Howard Hill called, "The King of
Sports".
This is a sport where you can have a great traditional shooter like
Stacy Groscup, a loud and proud bowhunter like Ted Nugent, and an Olympic
Archer all in one sport. That's the great thing---there is room for
us all!
My friend Bill Weisner at Renegade Archery owns a compound company.
He makes the new Ted Nugent "Nuge" bow. However, Bill prefers
traditional equipment and shoots a recurve or longbow. Yet in his
seminar, Choosing the right bow for you, he makes it clear that it is all
personal preference.
A few years ago I invited West Virginia Governor Bob Wise to try archery
for the first time. He'd never drawn a bow in his life. He
was in office and took up the sport of archery. My father set him
up with a Mathews bow and within one hour he was shooting bullseyes at
20 yards.
He fell in love with the sport and returned two weeks later to film
a bowhunting Public Service Announcement on wearing a safety belt while
bowhunting. He was in a treestand, wearing camo, holding a bow and
the ads ran on local West Virginia TV stations. Now folks that's
what it's all about. Getting people INTO the sport---not driving
them away.
It would have taken a few years to get the Governor shooting that well
instinctively with traditional equipment. With his schedule he would
not have the time to become efficient. I know for a fact that a few
months after getting his bow the Governor was in a treestand in December
in 18 degree weather bowhunting. If he gets a chance at a deer under
30 yards he is ready. Isn't that our goal?
In my Instinctive Archery Exhibitions I always stress the pros and cons
of instinctive shooting. However, I am smart enough to
know this isn't the only way to shoot a bow. I bowhunt instinctively
with a solo cam bow. In my shows I explain that when you shoot
instinctively you must be ready to pass up game that a good sight shooter
could easily bag. Facts are facts.
Why preach that a recurve or longbow or even a solocam bow without sights
is the only way to shoot? It's not true. The wounding rates
would sky rocket, people would loose interest and our sport would fade
away. Neither is preaching that the latest compound with all the
gadgets is the only way to go. Instead why not preach a message of
"try archery"? The sport offers a variety of methods and a huge assortment
of equipment. Shoot what you shoot best. That my friends is
the key--to shoot the method and the equipment that lets you hit what you
shoot at. Period.
My mother has harvested 15 bear and various other game with her
bow. She was in the sport when recurves were the only thing we had
and now she shoots a modern solo cam bow. Her game rarely travels
15 yards after her shot. This means that at 45# she is able to do
the job on big game. Several of her bear have been huge bruins and
they expire after less than 20 yards. Ask Mom her preference
of equipment and style of shooting and I know what she'd say. She
loves her Mathews Ultra II and carbon arrows tipped with Muzzy broadheads.
That is her personal choice. I'd like someone to dare say she isn't
a real bowhunter.
They'd be wrong and her trophy room attests to her skills. Pop
and I are both very proud of her.
Our sport is the greatest sport in the world. It is a year round
family sport and one that can be enjoyed by young and old alike, rich and
poor. Today's sport of archery offers something for everyone.
There are great compound and solocam bows, recurves, and longbows on
the market. Today's arrows are the same way---we have choices from
aluminum to carbon to cedar. The advances in technology and
materials have improved all types of bows and arrows
The National Archery In Schools program is another very exciting movement
that is getting lots of publicity for good reason. Having bows and
arrows in schools and getting kids a lifetime sport is a great way to promote
archery to a new generation. That is exciting to see these kids shooting
their first arrows. I know Papa Bear would have loved to witness
the kid's first arrows and their smiles.
Instead of wasting time and energy in a negative way we should all strive
to spend our time helping the sport grow. Volunteer to teach archery
at a 4-H Camp or Scout camp, donate money to the Archery In Schools program,
or introduce a friend to archery. If we all worry more about promoting
the sport and less about what type of equipment others use, the sport will
continue to grow and expand.
It's not about what you use but what you do FOR the sport of archery
that counts. Don't divide---multiply!
Until Next Time, Shoot Straight.
Frank Addington, Jr.
www.frankaddingtonjr.com
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