 In 1994, after shooting a compound bow for just over 12 years, I became enchanted with the idea of shooting a bow without the aid of sights, the clatter of gadgets or the distinctive look of techno-mechanics. Thus, I happened upon my first recurve bow: a dazzling yet understated beauty of zebra wood and red elm with a smooth draw and wonderfully comfortable grip. I was sure that this would be a match made in heaven. As a result, I could hardly wait to take my newfound hunting companion for a walk in the woods. However, I still had one minor problem. How the heck do you shoot this thing?
To the seasoned traditional bow aficionado, it seems simple to pick up a recurve or longbow and efficiently propel arrow after arrow into a distant target. However, to the unacquainted among us, learning to shoot a traditional bow can be a bit like learning to ride a bike for the first time. Such a venture is not without its bumps and bruises along the way. And in my case, I can certainly attest that I jettisoned enough of my arrows into the unknown to prove it!
Often what makes the difference between the person who sticks with traditional archery and the person who does not is not a lack of either commitment or interest, but the absence of a mentor. For me, the quest on the road to hunting with traditional bows may have begun in 1994, however, it wasn't until the end of the 2001 calendar year that I finally made the switch from modern to exclusively traditional archery. What took so long? I simply did not have anyone to assist me in terms of proper form, how to select the right bow at the right poundage, how to locate written and web resources, etc. In effect, I was stumbling along under the mistaken impression that I might eventually fall upon the "right" combination of anchor point, stance, release, etc. and that everything would magically fall into place. Boy, was I wrong!
In frustration, I gave up my pursuit of the recurve and longbow for a few years. But after the Fall hunting season with my compound in 2000, I decided that it was time to get back into the traditional saddle and try again. By this time, I had added other stickbows to my stable and had begun to practice in earnest. Despite my best efforts, however, I was still having difficulty getting consistent arrow groups at hunting distances and was by this time, really looking for people who could give me some answers.
 In March of 2000, I booked a hunt on an all women's hog hunt in Oklahoma. The camp owners/outfitters were highly regarded as traditional bowhunters, so in addition to packing my compound hunting bow, I decided to take along a stickbow in the hopes I might learn something from these confirmed veterans.
During the mid-day break on the first full day of the hunt, one of the camp operators took time from building a new lodge to watch me shoot and give me a few pointers. This was my first lesson in traditional archery and I was anxious for any suggestions that could help me on my journey. The most significant of his recommendations was related to my stance. As a right-handed shooter, my left foot was forward toward the target in much the same manner as I had always shot my compound bow. After watching me shoot a few arrows, he simply suggested that I take my right foot and move it forward, thus opening my stance toward the target and improving my line of sight. All I can say is that this minor change was not just a step, but a step in the right direction. My shot consistency saw immediate improvement and with further practice and the adoption of the "gap" method of shooting, I was soon able to develop the confidence I needed to put away my compounds for good. Although I had been shooting a bow for nearly 20 years, at the age of almost 41, I was still in as much need of traditional bow remediation as any new comer was to archery. Had it not been for the few minutes of personal time that was shared with me, I might still be floundering for answers and wasting time struggling to overcome poor shooting habits.
 It has been said that practice does not make perfect, but perfect practice makes perfect. Relative to archery, and traditional archery in particular, nothing could be more accurate. As traditional archers and bowhunters, we can not forget that the chasm between practice and perfect practice is often best bridged by a mentor; someone who will take the time to help soften and shorten the learning curve for those who are new to shooting and hunting with this equipment.
The mentoring I received made all the difference for me in my quest to become a traditional bowhunter. Nearly one year after those initial archery lessons, I returned to that same camp in Oklahoma on another women's hog hunt and was fortunate to send a carbon arrow through both lungs of my first traditional big game animal... a fat 80 pound boar. I owe that thrill, as well as those that have followed, to a number of things including perseverance, practice, determination and patience. I also owe it to the spirit of mentorship that makes traditional archery not just a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors, but a wonderful way of life.
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