LAST UPDATED: May 1st, 2015
I am fortunate to have been introduced into archery and bowhunting at an early age. I remember as a youngster visiting archery shops and being mesmerized by the bows hanging on the walls and the rich aroma of cedar arrow shafts filling the inside of the store. After what seemed an eternity, I finally saved enough money to purchase my first bow, a beautiful Jack Howard Gamemaster. I became consumed with the beauty of the bow and the flight of the arrow. Every day after school I made my way home, completed my daily chores, did my homework, and then I was off shooting my bow. It became a ritual for me.
After four years of military service I returned home, again shooting my bows almost daily. During the mid-seventies I was constantly reminded by friends of a new bow on the market; a bow called a compound bow. I was certain the new bow would never appeal to the masses and I assured my friends that there was no way I would ever shoot a bow with “training wheels.” Within a few years, I ate my words. While going to college I began shooting a compound bow and enjoyed it. I gave little thought to shooting my recurve bows because I felt I was able to shoot so much more accurately and consistent with the compound bow. I had many successes with my compounds, both in tournament and in hunting. Although I had a few recurve bows at home, I seldom shot them. In my mind, it was almost as though these old traditional bows were now from the dark side.
Shooting a traditional bow can be a cool experience if you take the time to give it a try.
A couple of years ago I attended an archery trade show in Indianapolis, Indiana. One night I had dinner with my good friend, South Cox. The night’s conversation was focused on his purchase of a bow manufacturing company, Stalker Custom Recurve Bows, now Stalker Stickbows. I’ve known South for many years and he is one of the most consistent, successful bowhunters I’ve ever known. He is a freelance writer, a contributor to a major bowhunting publication, and an open minded archer. He is also a real perfectionist in the wood working trade. As owner of one of most recognized custom bow manufacturing companies in the world, one of his greatest assets is that he doesn’t restrict himself to just hunting with his traditional bows. He also hunts from time to time with a compound bow.
After our dinner and discussion in Indianapolis, my mind began to reflect back to my younger days. It didn’t take long before I realized how much I had missed shooting traditional bows. Within a couple of weeks of the trade show I called South and ordered one of his custom recurve bows. Having known South as well as I have, it was no surprise to me when the bow arrived; it looked almost too beautiful to shoot. The Stalker bow was everything I had expected and more. The beautiful lines of the recurve limbs, the handsome colored laminations, and the warm feel of the exotic wood riser and grip, gave me real pride in being an archer. Days later I was shooting the Stalker Custom Recurve and enjoying shooting as I had in years past.
Bowhunting success can be found with traditional equipment and the felling of having done it “old school” can be very rewarding.
It has been a new learning experience shooting a simple traditional bow, something I hadn’t done in years. Now, months later, I have learned a new shooting form and I am enjoying the simplicity of shooting a traditional bow once again. After the countless hours of truly enjoyable practice, I now feel a certain confidence in hunting with a traditional bow. Let there be no mistake, I am not giving up my compound bows and I would never suggest putting them away. I enjoy shooting them, but I have a new found love for shooting traditional bows once again. There is a certain challenge and pride in shooting a traditional bow, albeit a long bow or a recurve, you must become a part of the bow. It takes a little more time and devotion to shoot a traditional bow well, but the enjoyment of the experience will be like no other you’ll have in bowhunting. I’m certain that anyone’s sense of accomplishment will be huge with each success whenever he or she uses a traditional bow.
Now recognized as Stalker Stickbows, South Cox continues to manufacture some of the most beautiful, smooth shooting, custom recurve and longbows in the industry. If you want to know more about shooting traditional bows, visit your local archery dealer, or go to the Stalker Stickbows’ web site, stalkerstickbows.com. If you’re like me and just enjoy shooting or hunting with a bow, you’ll love the experience of shooting a traditional bow.
