Any traditional archers?

[VOR]

I've been studying up on medieval archery for the past several months and just ordered my first "D" style English longbow.

http://www.woodbows.com/lelb.html

I'm an inexperienced archer, so this is going to be a hard way to start, which is why I chose a very inexpensive bow to begin with. (Some of the yew, lemonwood, etc bows can be very expensive!)

Anyway, to get to the point, there is an organisation in the UK called the British Longbow Society, the purpose of which is to educate/train/compete using the same weapons and traditions from the middle ages. Unfortunately, there does not appear to be a US chapter. If anyone out there knows otherwise or is aware of a similar organisation, please let me know.

Here in the US we have a few renaissance groups with similar interests, but by and large they seem to encourage wearing tights, hose, and feathered hats. No thanks.

Edit: my particular bow is 72" and draws 53lb at 28".

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Actually VOR, I shoot a compound bow. But there are some places close to you that are devout longbow clubs. At one time there were several, the number may be lower now. Look around the small hardcore sporting goods stores as opposed to the places like Bass Pro Shops in Nashville.

You might try calling Norbert Daughtry at a place called Murfreesboro Outdoors, he's there Tuesday through Saturday.

Try calling the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency in Nashville as well. They used to keep lists of the clubs.

Also, on either Cookeville or Crossville, there is a shop run by a guy named Odell Braswell. This is the guy in the picture in the dictionary next to the entry "hardcore hunter". I used to know Odell fairly well, but when I went drag racing on tour I lost track of him.

Hope you find what you need. And if you get down to Murfreesboro, give me a day or two notice, I might just buy your lunch if I can get away.

[eskimo2]

That's a pretty manly bow!

I just noticed that you are in Clarksville.  I have a friend there, Cindy Hemingson, have you ever met her?  She is one of two female firefighters with the CFD (at least as of a few years ago).

eskimo

[PanzerII]

i shot a bow at a renassaince fair once, it was really difficult

[VOR]

Virgil: thanks for the info, might be just the thing I'm looking for! Might take you up on your lunch offer too!

Eskimo: nope, don't know anyone on the local FD.

[Jester]

Try SILVER ARROW ARCHERY. That is all they deal with is traditional archery supplies, bows and bow making materials. They have their own line plus carry many others.

Website:  http://www.silverarrowarchery.com
E-Mail:   Silverarrow@gsinet.net

I have a VIPER longbow made by AIM that pulls 55# & 28"