After a bunch of soul-searching over the last few years I have come to the conclusion that I should just do what I enjoy within my small circle of friends. 3 years ago I switched to a trad bow. I really enjoy it and most of the people I' ve met as a consequence. A traditional rendezvous and the associated 3d shoot is a great time of fellowship.

My mindset on all the technical controversy is that I am just not interested. I don' t have anything against compound shooters. 3 out of the 4 guys I hunt with shoot a compound. They all have what would be known as ancient bows--one is an old Martin from the 1980s. They are hunters not technogeeks. I just don' t have anything in common with the technophiles. Quite frankly all that stuff is boring to me. The last time I went to a 3d shoot with compound folks it took 2+ hours to shoot 20 targets. This is fun?

I am 55 years old and don' t have any time on my dance card for the-end-of-bowhunting-as-we-know-it arguments either. Bowhunting is definately changing--not progressing to be sure--with the yearly air drop of technical advances. I would rather assemble with like-minded souls for hunting and the accompanying yarns and camaraderie than be a part of this or that movement. You are not going to repeal " progress," so why waste time on it. Enjoy yourself with your like-minded friends.

I used to belong to our state bowhunting organization, but I became disenchanted after 5 years because of the big tent mentality. Their political " understanding" (which no one has but them) has resulted in highpower rifles and muzzleloaders in the archery season with nary a whimper from them. They see a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but a lot of us don' t even see the rainbow.

So....just hunt. I am basically inept when it comes to making or fixing things. But dang if I can' t make wood arrows that fly so beautifully. They' re not beautiful, they just fly that way. And that brings me joy. And game.