These frustrations are nothing new. About 10 years ago, a group got together and decided it was time for traditional bowhunters to form their own organization and begin to create an identity for ourselves seperate and distinct from modern bowhunters. I think the first group was Compton's Traditional Bowhunters, then after a short while, the Association of Traditional Hunting Archers spun off of it. Might have been the other way around though. Brain fog. [&:]

I don't remember now which it was, but one or the other was more radical in their goals. One just wanted a seperate identity - which is what Compton's states as their goal on their website. The other wanted to go so far as getting seperate seasons for traditional bowhunting. ATHA is still hanging on, but the one that has done best is Compton's. That is the reason I believe ATHA was the more radical group. There is nothing about ATHA's goals or their history on their website.

I never joined either one, thinking it would be better to try to close the gap between traditional and modern rather than drive the wedge a little deeper. But the gap keeps widening every passing year anyway. Frankly, judging by the outrageous things I've been seeing on the bowhunting forum here over the past couple of years, I'm beginning to rethink my position and am really thinking hard about joining Compton's.

I'm already a member of Denton County Archers, a local traditional archery club here, and Traditional Bowhunters of Texas. Might as well go for the hat trick and do all three.

http://www.comptontraditional.com/