Talked me right out of it.

[b4uqzme]

My panties are a little bunched tonight...

The holidays and the January business trips are over so it's time to sit down and start one of those overdue new hobbies. My first choice is/was archery. I haven't shot a bow since a kid. So I figured I go down to the local archery range, get fitted, rent some equipment, then take some lessons. Well much to my surprise they don't do that. You gotta buy the equipment first "so you'll stick with it"...and they don't stock recurves...and they only give lessons on compounds anyways.

So I guess I might just order that reloading equipment I was thinking about. This is a gun forum afterall.

And how do I know what to buy before I try it out?

And why the heck do they care whether or not I "stick with it?"

And I'm not recommending this guy for any sales jobs.

[Hawkeye911]

Longbows and recurves are a blast, and they represent the one part of my "former life" I've been able to hold on to after I came down with what seems to be a lifetime illness. It is a fun, rewarding, and versatile hobby. There are some great guys in your area that are "traditional" archery enthusiasts, and are as experienced, helpful, and "warped" as our friends on this board are with firearms! It is worthy of pursuit.

If you need any leads, PM me, and I can give you a couple websites and contacts to research.

Nothing better than the flight of an arrow...

[AJBert]

If you want to check out archery without having to buy anything up front, check out some of the big box outdoor stores like Cabela's or Bass Pro. They have archery ranges in the store and will let you shoot a number of different bows, even recurves and long bows, and usually have some competent folks to help you out.

[b4uqzme]

Thanks. I won't give up. I just needed to blow off a little steam. Having been in sales my whole life, I really don't know what some salesmen are thinking.

Thanks.

[Bill K]

I belong to an archery club here in CT (Algonquin Archers of Woodbury, CT) and to my knowledge we have never turned anyone away who expressed interest in the sport whether or not they had equipment. Someone (probably the first member you meet) will take you under their tutelage (or find someone who will) to get you started. We've got members who shoot modern, traditional and even primitive. If you're anywhere close to an active archery club I suggest you visit and see if someone at the club can get you started. Good luck!

[JohnR]

When Hunger Games came out, my daughter wanted to try archery. I thought, "Awesome!, me too!" I hadn't done it since Jr. High, and I remember being kind of decent at it. So we bought some inexpensive equipment and set it up in the back yard. Neither she nor I could hit diddly squat at 10 yards. Youtube videos didn't help. So the equipment is buried in the storage shed.

[340pd]

Be careful what you wish for.

A couple of years ago I,

Bought bow #1 A cheap compound for my grandson.

I thought I would join him so--------

Bought bow #2. He rapidly needed an upgrade so I gave him mine. so--------

Bought bow #3 and hung around a popular archery forum. New cooler bows came out in 2014 so-----------

Bought bow #4 a Mathews Chill X justifying it by telling myself I can give bow #3 to second grandson.

And so it goes.

[berettabone]

Unless your really determined, a bow is like a boat......................the second happiest day is when you buy it, the first is when you sell it............................get a reloader:p

[Bawanna]

The thing I liked about archery was I could shoot in the backyard without bothering nobody.

I'd still be doing it but it started to aggravate my neck and shoulder blades. Probably should go to a lighter girly man weight.

I enjoyed it and when hunting I saw animals every trip, not that I got shots, you almost have to pet them first but I saw them, very unlike rifle season where they get the memo, lay low, snipers about ya know?

[b4uqzme]

When Hunger Games came out, my daughter wanted to try archery. I thought, "Awesome!, me too!" I hadn't done it since Jr. High, and I remember being kind of decent at it. So we bought some inexpensive equipment and set it up in the back yard. Neither she nor I could hit diddly squat at 10 yards. Youtube videos didn't help. So the equipment is buried in the storage shed.

Exactly what I wish to avoid...only it my case it would probably be some really expensive equipment rotting away in that shed. ;)

[b4uqzme]

...

If you need any leads, PM me, and I can give you a couple websites and contacts to research.

Nothing better than the flight of an arrow...

PM sent -- thanks!