Why Independent?
 

I read about many people doing their own fletching, their own string replacements, etc. I also see that people are pushing to become "independent" from their local archery shop(s).

For those who fit this scenario...why?

For me, becoming "independent" brings a whole new satisfaction to the sport that I love. Tonight is my first night fletching an arrow ever. My mind keeps wandering to what it is going to be like to take a deer for the first time with one of my creations. It will no doubt be a fine day.

RE: Why Independent?
 

If you want it done exactly the way you want it, you have to do it yourself.

If you really want to be independent of the archery shop though, you need to go primitive. Nothing is more satisfying than making every scrap of your gear yourself. Cut and season the wood for the bow and arrows. Make your own fletches out of feathers you've collected and hand split. Broadheads you've cut from old sawblades and ground to shape. String you made from either plant cordage, sinew or rawhide. Put it all together and then make meat with it.

Now that's independence. :D

RE: Why Independent?
 

for me its not to be independent from my pro shop, but to have the satisfaction of doing it on my own, and learning a new skill.

I still support my proshop, but w/ the closest good one over an hr away its nice not to have to go there for new fletchings...

I also learned how to tune a bow, which has been a huge help.

RE: Why Independent?
 

Fletching and replacing servings etcis just not that hard of stuff. And it is fun. You will enjoy it. Better than dropping off arrows and picking them upa weeklater. But some guys do not want to mess with it. I understand that also. Just fletch before you get too loaded.

There are a couple ofguys on here that make custom wraps. Check them out in the classifieds.

RE: Why Independent?
 

When you learn how to serve a string correctly, you'll think "well, how cool is that!!!"

RE: Why Independent?
 

It makes me proud to know that i fletched the arrows i shoot or i served the string i use.

I like knowing that I DID IT!

RE: Why Independent?
 

I'm just the type of person who likes to doit myself and not rely on others. If it gets messed up I only have myself to blame.

RE: Why Independent?
 

I never learned how to switch out a transmission.......or replace the heating element in a dryer. I don' know what to do when the compressor goes out of my home HVAC unit......and if the TV goes on the blink......it's quite possibly time for another one.

Little things on my bow.....I like to tinker with them. I know my limits, though. I live 2 miles from my bow shop.

RE: Why Independent?
 

After trying to deal with numerous Shops ( I refuse to use the term "Pro")in my area and being convinced that well over half of them actually have NO business running a Shop, doing the work myself and buying my own Shop equipment wasn't really something I feel I had much of a choice in. Now, many years later, having acquired much of the needed gear and know-how from some great sources, I'm very thankful that there realy isn't much that could ever happen to my rig or my buddies rigs, that I couldn't fix.

RE: Why Independent?
 

I'll agree with you on the "pro" title not being applicable for all archery shops.

I have certainly had my problems with a few. My biggest pet pieve is when they replace something on your rig without asking or when they replace something on your rig and put a different item on instead.

Serving material and String loops come to mind.

RE: Why Independent?
 

Professional
2 a : participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs <a professional golfer>

I think I know what you are talking about IL. Local shop, the guy bow hunted for three years and decided one day to open a shop and go to work.He is learning on other folks bows! geesh. He was and still isan "amateur". He wonders why his cash flow suffers.

We have another Pro Shop where Ted knows his stuff! 35yrs doing it. My Ross will come from Ted.

I admire atrue Professional. But some things are better left done yourself. Conveniece for me. And it can come in handy on a hunting trip.

RE: Why Independent?
 

MDBUCKHNTR....I like that avatar.

Anyways...I want to become totally self-reliant when it comes to archery. Not only do I enjoy shooting the bow...I like the mechanics and the tuning too. I just enjoy tinkering. Eventually...I'll have my own shop in my basement someday. It'll be a long while but eventually....

Not against the local shop...just want to be able to learn and do it on my own.

RE: Why Independent?
 

To me it is the doing it yourself feeling. Transmission went out in my truck, I bought two books on how to rebuild transmissions. To my surprise it really is not that hard, truck shifts fine to my relief! Anyone that can dig into a motor can do a transmission IMO. But to me it was very satisfying. I also have a short fuse when it comes to bad info or price gouging. If a shop gives me a bad answer when I feel he did not know but just wanted to help so he tried and just pulled something off the top of his head, rubs me wrong real bad. I like people alot more when they say "sorry I do not know" so usually when someone gives me bad info I never go back.

RE: Why Independent?
 

Thanks MidwestJ. My avatar came from one of the many times I have gone shooting with Davepjr.

Right now I am fletching arrows for the very first time. (actually, I did one arrow yesterday as a test) I certainly don't have anything against any of my local shops but I am more or less a perfectionist when it comes to archery. It might take me 5 hours to re-fletch 7 arrows but I can guarantee you that they will come out perfect. :D

RE: Why Independent?
 

I will always give a shop a second chance.

1st time shame on you....second time it happens, shame on me.

RE: Why Independent?
 

If I am 10 miles in and my bow has something happen, I would like to be able to get back into the game instead of having a full days journey in and out just to get back to hunting.

Just ask stealthman about backcountry bow repairs......1 hour later we were back in the game......

Outside of that, it is very satisfying to do your own repairs. I started small and now can do more than any pro shop I know around here, AND I don't have to wait..

RE: Why Independent?
 

Time factor with me and I just let pro shop give me a tune up every year.
I am not mechanically inclined and I owe it to the animal to have it right and my pro shop hasnt failed me yet.

RE: Why Independent?
 

You do make a good point I need to learn loop replacement.

RE: Why Independent?
 

Hot ... that is the case with EVERYTHING in life, I've found out. From gutting my house and doing everything myself, to working on my vehicles, I have found that NOTHING is really that difficult .....that's why I am getting a fletching jig and bow press as well ......

RE: Why Independent?
 

You should have the basic equipment and know how to do all the basic stuff for when you can't get to a pro shop and it makes you knowledgable on how a modern bow works.

RE: Why Independent?
 

peakrut, Here is a little tip for back country hunting,- nothing beats a pair of shoe laces better than string loop material. String loop will outlast any shoe lace 10-1. If your need material in the woods, you always can shorten your shoe laces a bit. I have done it.

I have found a way to remove the string from my bow with 2 screwdrivers or metal rods when in the back country also. I won't put it on here as it is not a good practice, but it can be done.

Understanding your equipment and paying attention to detail, can make disaster into a great hunt.

If you hunt withone guy all the time. switch bows in practice. That too can be handy. My partner had bow issues and knew how to shoot my bow, later that day he was kneeling over a bull elk that he took with my bow. Again, being prepared sure had its benifits as we were 7-8 hours from the nearest bowshop.

Learning even the simplest tasks can and will come in handy at some point.

RE: Why Independent?
 

I think it has to do with a persons self confidence. I grew up with my dad always telling me I could do anything if I just thought long enough and tried. There is only two things people can't do and that takes a special person. Brain surgeons and rocket scientist! I think most jobs and task people can do if they would just have confidence in there self and give it a try! The average person is smarter then he thinks, but is always to scared to fail and never takes the plunge!

RE: Why Independent?
 

Hooked on foniks werkt 4 me