With apologies to Alvin Lee (if you remember who he was <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>) for using that title...

Couldn't figure out where to put this topic. Doesn't have anything to do with bowhunting, in particular. Doesn't have anything at all to do with the technical aspect of shooting bows. After you read it, I'll bet you can figure out why I chose to put it here, in the Traditional board.

I had a real treat last night at our club's weekly 3D fun shoot. Not one, but TWO old friends that I shot with, and against, in our local field archery and 3D leagues and tourmanents showed up to shoot. Hadn't shot with either of those guys in 10-12 years or so. I'd heard they had both given up on archery and never really expected to see either of them on the range, ever again. It would've been great if just one of them showed up. Seeing both of them getting excited to get back into shooting at the same exact time on the same exact night was incredible.

Of course, nowadays we're older and grayer, don't shoot quite as good or get around as well as we used to, shoot wheels instead of sticks now, but we picked up right where we left off over a decade ago.

We spent the evening shooting, reminiscing and catching up on our mutual friends. The kids I chaperoned on the cub range during tournaments are grown with careers and children of their own. Lots of our old buddies have quit shooting for various reasons. Too many great people are no longer with us, but left us with many fond (and hilarious) memories that will last until it's our turn to follow them.

Ya know, folks... Putting meat on the table or putting numbers on a scorecard or just being out of the house is probably what we think about most while we're shooting. But after the years have passed, you realize that what archery is REALLY all about is the friends you've made and the experiences you've had along the way. Thank goodness I've lived long enough to learn that.