What is an archery professional?
 

It seems like a pretty simple question. Define, for me, what an archery professional is in your mind.

Thank you.

RE: What is an archery professional?
 

i would say it is someone who make a living at archery , that could be , one would be a pro shop owner , the other would be a tornament archer , where there is cash involved if you have top score,and i would guess on a large scale level , then you have the pro bowhunters, writers ,etc. the main thing would be you support your self and your family doing it , but thats just what i think[:-]

RE: What is an archery professional?
 

Someone who makes money through the sport of Archery. Be it by shooting, selling, teaching ,designing etc.

Unlike people like me who SPEND money on the sport of archery:D

RE: What is an archery professional?
 

I would have to say it is some one that is sponsored and gets money for bowhunting.

RE: What is an archery professional?
 

me?[>:][:o][:o][:o]:D:D:D:D:D

RE: What is an archery professional?
 

I would say somebody who makes a living at archery, sort of. I' ve been to some shops where I wouldn' t consider them an archery professional really.

I believe Len started a thread on that idea a while back so I wont get into it again...

Somebody who earns money shooting and has a sponsor backing them also seems like a reasonable definition. They must be decent enough if a sponsor supports them...

RE: What is an archery professional?
 

[8D]NOT ME!

RE: What is an archery professional?
 

something I wish I was.

I would say someone who makes thier living shootin' thier bow.

RE: What is an archery professional?
 

It seems like the direction of the thread so far would indicate that anyone who gets paid to in some way participate in an aspect of the sport..whether it be to setup and maintain archery equipment or shoot competitively...is a professional. Though, New York Archery brings up a good point about knowledge. Does the fact that one gets paid to provide an archery service or participate in an archery event solely make them a " professional" ?

I do remember Len' s thread but I am not just referring to shop owners in my original question. This is more of an issue of perception that I am trying to pursue.

Thank you for the responses.

RE: What is an archery professional?
 

I would say an " archery professional" is anyone who DOESN' T claim to be one!:D


Actually....I would say a Professional is someone who has ' first-hand' knowledge of the equipment or procedures that define their area of expertise. A ' whitetail pro' would be anyone who studies deer and how to hunt them and is successful in implementing their knowledge.

A ' archery pro' would be someone who has knowledge of a lot of different products and shooting skills and someone who has the abilities to coach other archers to make them better.

These are my definitions.

RE: What is an archery professional?
 

Well a couple of things come my mind on this subject.

They are:

Len in Maryland
Pinwheel 12

I know there are a lot of others out there but these 2 guys do their best to help others have a wealth of knowledge and are not affraid to share that knowledge.

Both Len and Kevin have probably forgotten more about archery than most of us will ever know.

RE: What is an archery professional?
 

I pro is someone who can answer my questions.

A pro will have the knowledge to help me improve, and not just try to sell me gear.

To me a pro knows the whole picture when it comes to archery. Starting with equipment, and ending with shooter.

RE: What is an archery professional?
 

Depends opn usage of the word. Technically a " professional" bases income on said profession.Pretty cut and dry.

The word " pro" or " Professional" also can be used loosely, generally in a complimentry way, to mean someone that conducts themselves in a way that denotes a certain standard, or holds to a level above the norm.

As the chef/owner of a restaurant. I am a " proffesional" Chef. If a guset asks me for no chives in his Potato chowder and I tell him his mama wears combat boots....that would' t be very professional.

RE: What is an archery professional?
 

The problem with so many today is as Red Skelton once said, " Yesterday I didn' t know what one was, and today I am one" . Yup, we stamp them out every year it seems. Someone who just started hunting, knows someone, or looks like a model, the put them in a video, they hawk a couple products.... they' re billed as PROFESSIONALS. Just ask them. What' s wrong with this picture?

RE: What is an archery professional?
 

You are PABowhntr along with a few other,s on this site.

RE: What is an archery professional?
 

If refering to Professional as a noun- to a Name of someone as........


Professional;a : participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs <a professional golfer> b : having a particular profession as a permanent career <a professional soldier> c : engaged in by persons receiving financial return <professional football>



I think that anyone that totally depends on monies earned is a professional as they have chosen a profession It however does not make them a good one. I have seen on this board through-out the years things such as " Professional outdoor writer" and such. If that is how you earn your income then I guess you would be, even it you only get $10 a year but have no other income.



Now if used as and adjective... one would be describing someones actions,
I think if they do not earned a living at something, if they acted in a Professional manner, then they could be acting as a professional, but really would not be.

RE: What is an archery professional?
 

There' s a thread going on another board re: a pros only forum (tournament shooters). The pros seem to suggest people need only pay the money, and become a pro to participate in their forum. That' s not a pro, is it? I think being a real pro goes beyond getting paid, or paying. Giving something back to the sport and the people who support them, is what a real pro does. Donate some time helping kids. Maybe with something not archery related. Many shops do things for kids. I think the real archery pros are in the shops. This is not to say the pro shooters are not helpful. I just get the feeling that many of them don' t realize that they need the everyday archer more than he needs them. Without we amateurs buying archery related equipment, the manufacturers won' t need the pros showing it off. Some of the most helpful people I' ve become acquainted with are not pros by definition. And they don' t EXPECT to get paid, either.

By definition, a pro derives an income by way of their chosen profession. Be it flinging arrows or wrenching on bows and setting people up, the real pros are easily recognizable.

RE: What is an archery professional?
 

I would think that the very basic definition would be: not an amateur.

For a person to retain their amateur status they cannot accept any compensation or reward in any form, to do so would make them a professional.

I like the expanded version especially where you can' t tell someone their mother wears combat boots and be ' professional' .;):D;):D:D

RE: What is an archery professional?
 

The title of " professional," can often be had without having the expertise or the true expertise that the title implies. I believe the term; " expert," is a better term to delineate between just a title, and actual ability and knowledge.

I know excellent shooters who know little about the broad mechanics, and I know basic shooters who know much about the mechanics.

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RE: What is an archery professional?
 

c903, it doesn' t work well in print but a friend once told me, after I had been called an expert in my occupational field, that an ' ex' was a has been and a ' spurt' was a drip under pressure. This has nothing to do with your reply, it just brought that fondly back to my mind as that friend is now deceased.:D:D:D:(

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RE: What is an archery professional?
 

Thank you folks for expressing your thoughts on the subject (and thanks jag-mag for the vote of confidence though I definitely am not a professional ;)...at least by my definition of the term).

So, to further add to the discussion, whom would you place more faith in..... a " professional" with little desire to willingly pass on knowledge without some form of personal gain and a limited view of the subject material or an " amateur" who is just the opposite?

RE: What is an archery professional?
 

Frank

Just look here on the board there are a lot of people who have good knowledge on archery then you have the few who have expert knowledge on archery.

But to answer your question I would listen to both sides and then make my judgement.

Remember there is always 2 sides to a coin;):D

RE: What is an archery professional?
 

Thank you for your thoughts Ausie....and you are absolutely correct. There are two sides to every coin. I am not advocating either but rather just promoting discussion and creative thought on the subject.

RE: What is an archery professional?
 

As I kept reading these posts for the 1st time, I think Siskyou hit the key topics.

RE: What is an archery professional?
 

Back in the 70s when I owned 2 archery shops & lanes AND was a Pro in the PAA you could only become a " PRO" IF you met a minimum score in a tournament in the rounds at that time. I don' t remember them now but it was like a 290 average on the 300 round & 500 on the outdoor field-Possible 560, Chicago round & such. Remember-this was b/4 compounds & releases it was finger shooters & Recurve Bows. I managed to post a few Perfect 300 rounds-couple Perfect 560 field scores & 560 animal rounds (unmarked yardage back then) & won a few state championships & a great Lakes sectional. In 45 years of Archery & Bowhunting I have given talks, tips & wrote columns & a little BS to many a Archer, Bowhunter. I currently make informational bowhunting Videos (11 years now) & thou I was & am respected in my community as a Archer & Bowhunter I consider myself just another Bowhunter wanting to always promote the sport in a good maner.
you be the judge if I am a Pro-it is just a word-we are all Archers & Bowhunters doinf what we like in our FREE country. Good Luck to all-oh, If money makes you a pro I guess I am not... My last trophy March 29th-250# Boar with 5" cutters.

RE: What is an archery professional?
 

...and that is what trully makes you a professional in my opinion ahunter55.

RE: What is an archery professional?
 

Well I certainly have an opinion on this subject. First of all the what is a pro debate. I am a Golf Professional in central NY. There are a lot of great ideas and answers so far, here' s my opinion. I think most of becoming a pro at your particular field is based on knowledge and education. To me that' s where it really seperates the amatuers from the pros. In my profession for example. There are thousands of amatuer golfers that have the same or better ability than me. They don' t know what a cutworm or chinch bug will do to a bentgrass putting green though. Or do they know how to grow the sport. Or do they know how to host a tournament or fundraiser. Or do they know about Pro Shop margins. Or do they know public relations etc............. My point is this. " pro" is a loose term. Unless it is backed by a structured and rigid education program which is set forth by past commitees that sets the guidelines and deems you as a professional in they eyes of the community. Again in my profession, it took 3 years of an education process in the PGA of America to become certified to be a professional.
Certainly the athletic or ability side of it matters greatly as well. Sorry for sticking on the golf subject here (being this a bowhunting forum), but it' s the best way I can relate to the subject. After completing my education and earning credits by working in a Pro Shop under a class A pro, I then had to prove my abilities before getting my pro status. I had to pass a players ability test for the final stage, which luckily you only have to do once (which i disagree with) and i was young and full of piss and vinegar and did it with ease.
So I guess Education and Ability in the chosen field set forth by a commitee that makes the guidelines for the course you must take to become a pro are my criteria.
Anyone else I suppose could be called " really good" in that field or " experts" . But to lump them in with people that have gone through grueling education and qualifications, is probably not fair. However it is just a title!!
And it is NOT about money!!! It' s about having passion and promoting the sport you love. And most importantly the kids, they are our future and will be continuing our traditions when we' re all old farts. Like Arnold Palmer says : " all you need to be called a golf instructor is have someone that will give you money to listen to what you have to say about the golf swing."
After typing all this I finally get back to bowhunting. Is there a program of such a nature in archery?? Something you go through to become a " pro" ?

RE: What is an archery professional?
 

With a name like titleist who would have thought it?

;)

Some good points. Thank you.