This interview was conducted with David Weiss, Secretary of the Iowa Traditional Bowhunters Society
Our club puts on an annual rendezous on Memorial Weekend were we offer free camping, clinics to teach young archers things like how to fletch arrows, how spine effects the arrows flight form different bows, a 3d target range that anyone can shoot at with plenty of helpful people more than willing to help a novice archer, and lots of vendors that allow people to try out different traditional bows on the practice range at no cost or pressure to buy. We set up a target range geared to young archers at the Deer Classic where we give lessons in shooting traditional bows and even coax some of the "modern archers" into trying it. From more than one of the modern archers I have heared the comment that the traditional archers seem to have more fun than the modern archers when they shoot there bows.
We put out a booth at the 'Deer Classic" giving demonstrations on how to shoot a traditional bow, we bring a wide assortment of hand made self bows that our members have made. We explain the process of making self bows, how to fletch arrows starting with the way to strip whole turkey feathers. How to cut them and why some one might use a 3" feather and another might use a 5" feather, the difference between left wing and right wing feathers. Each individual member is encouraged to promote the club in there own home area since we are a state wide organization.
I think traditional archery is making a come back. It will continue to do so as long as we can get the youths to give it a try and become involved with the traditional clubs.
I think joining non traditional clubs and introducing our way of shooting can go along way in getting more people to give traditional archery a try. The range Officer at the non traditional club I go to has recently bought a traditonal bow so that he can learn how to shoot instinctivly. he said we start all new young archers shooting instinctily and how can he teach it if he has not shot that way himself
My most memorable experience happened when I was in my back yard target practicing with my long bow.As I drew back on the bow string to shoot at the target at about 20 yds out walks a big tom turkey right in front of the target. he stopped looked at me and casually walked on through with out a care in the world. Oh if it had only been the right time of the year!!!
I would call it a long bow but it is reflex deflex design
We are looking for ideas to promote and grow traditional archery. Please Email Del Jolly if you have ideas or want to help.