As most of you know I just started shooting traditional this summer and I am addicted.Well, I decided to order a couple of bows for my two sons for their b-days this year, so they could get in on the fun.The bows came in the mail today. I got my youngest (12 yrs. old) a Elk Ridge longbow #26@22" and I got my oldest (14yrs. old) a Martin Rebel recurve #36@26". They are absolutely pumped! After I got off of work tonight the three of us spent a couple of hours in the back yard shooting and just plain having fun. Seeing how excited they are and how much fun they are having means the world to me. I have never tried to "force" my love of hunting on them, they have just come by it naturally and it makes me very proud.
In case some of you are wondering why I started them so late it is because they are my step sons. I have been married to their mom for almost three years now and I as far as I am concerned they are my kids. I started them both off with .22's then we moved to shotguns and last year they both started to get really interested in archery. I did everything I could to encourage it, I enrolled themin a "beginners" course at a local indoor range, we went and shot together at least two nights a week, etc. I was going to buy them both compounds this summer, but as soon as I got my recurve they both wanted trad. bows too. I let them choose what they wanted, longbow or recurve, and that is what I bought them. Sorry this is so long but I am just so excited that the three of us can now shoot together and hopefully after awhile hunt together.

That's great! Now what you need to do to hook them for sure is to make the shooting in the yard even more fun. Use balloons or clay pigeons to shoot at. They'll have a ball when they explode. Who am I kidding...so will you!

Sounds great.

I'm very happy for you!!!

Awesome!

Congrats...sounds like you have made just the beginning of a lifetime full of memories

Thanks for the kind words guys. We shot again tonight and my oldest put six out of six in a 8" bullseye from seven yards three times in a row. I know that it is not very far, but I was so excited, and he was very proud. My youngest is loving his longbow and shooting well for it only being his second day with his bow. I think they will both be out shooting me (wouldn't take much) in no time.
After we got done shooting tonight we came in a turned on the outdoor channel. We were watching a bow hunt with the hunter shooting a decked out compound when my youngest looks at me and says "I'm glad I have a longbow, I couldn't stand to have all of that stuff hanging off my bow." I thought to myself "Jeez, just two days into this and he is already working on being a trad. "snob".

That was wonderful reading your message, I am 48 years old my Dad died when I was 5 and my mom remarried. He did not care forthe outdoors or us for that matterand eventually they split up. I never had that relationship w/ a father.I do however have it w/ my 3 kids. I guess what I'm trying to say is thank you for sharing your self w/ 2 kids that may have never had chance to enjoy what so many take for granted.

silverbackpete,
I know what you mean. When my mom remarried I was unfortunate enough to end up with a step father much like the one you described. He drank too much and was honestly just plain mean. I always promised myself after that experience, that if I was ever to marry someone who already had children, I would love them and treat them as my own. It is not that I am without any faults but I am trying to raise them right and share what I enjoy with them. I am sure you learned from you experience as well and that helped make you agreat father. Do your three hunt with you?

No they don't hunt anymore they used to come with me when they were young. My daughter loves to fish with me though, I cherish our time together. She is getting married and I'm afraid my fishing w/ may be taking a back seat for a while and my boys are into cars and girls now. I may have to wait for the grand kids to come along.