I think sometimes people take enthusiasm by an affiliated person as being "misleading" or biased info, when in reality that simply isn't the case. Sometimes personality conflicts compound this it seems. 99.999999999% of the time, these guys choose to become affiliated because they trulybelieve in the product.

I also think there are a lot of people that are fanatical supporters of certain products that are not affiliated in anyway but subscribe to the "it's better because I use it" mentality. I'm just sayin.........

I'm not currently sponsored or affiliated with anyone other than Gold Tip in case I'm one of the people in question. If I'm shooting or using something, it's because I want to........affiliated or not. If I end up affiliated with anyone elsein the future it's because I'm convinced they are best of breed.

Nor would I.

I find it interesting that we are quick (as a community) to put down TV shows for their affiliations, though (sponsorships). What makes them any different than the ones we see in here?

I think it's hilarious sometimes. Like when I posted pics of "My new Dream Season" I got a couple of nice bow comments and the thread fell off the face of the earth. No one ask me how it shot, pros and cons, anything. If I'd got a new Allegenience or General or Bowtech anything it would have went to 4+pages worth of back pats.

I wish I had a dollar for everytime somebody:

Received a free string suppressor from the manufacturer . . . then . . .

RECOMMENDED

that samestring suppressor to somebodyelse! LMAO



Thank god most bows now come stock with a factory suppressor - so I don't have to hear about it anymore.

Fran:

When did you recieve your Iron Mace on their "Average Joe" affiliation/sponsorship program?

When did you start posting informative data filled threads about High Country?

Well I would probably like to know everything my wife thinks too, but I would never kick her to the curb because I don't know.

Affiliation does not have to be whoredom. That is where I draw the line.

LT

Not at all.

The problem with the archery industry is twofold........it's a very small community in general, and one that hands out "Pro-staff", "Field Staff","Hunting Staff" etc affiliations like they are $.99 Wal Mart Blue Light Specials.

Between the Unearned "Where do I sign up" staff positions, Shop shooters, Shop workers, True Pro Staffs, even employees it seems like 1/2 of the archery community has some sort of affiliation........There's even a joke called the "Archers Handshake" which is generally depicted as 2 hands held out palms up.

There CAN be real BS to wade through on forums........guys touting a broadhead as a "staff" member who have never killed anything with it. (I've actually seen this MULTIPLE times), Shop shooters who tout their favorite bows can be some of the most rabid. Heck we don't even know how OLD and what experience level many of these "experts" possess, and the real anonymous ones can be the most misleading.

I would sure like to know that the advice I'm getting on a new Hoyt bow isn't from a dealer who lost his dealership because he didn't pay his bills.

Generally if that information and level of affiliation was up front and in the openwe arefor the most part smart enough to identify shiz from shinola........then we can decide if it should be filed away or flushed.

This will never happen though so take everything you read with a grain of salt, ask questions and use common sense.

I think this is a good paragraph. But LOTS of times we DON'T know the levels of affiliation and how deep they run.

I meant (and stated so VERY early) no disrepsect to the "staffers" on board. What I can't explain is how we look at the TV shows as (many do) pure "pitch men", though. I actually don't make the different distinctions. They're simply "staffers" on a different level.

On this forum its because Bowtech and Rage users like to talk.