Who has been your greatest archery mentor, and who is your Archery Idol?

[skip]

You know some times when we get together and talk about archery, we never really give due to the people that have helped us the most with our hobby. We all have Idols, People that we look up to, aspire to be, great archers and great hunters, Like Fred Bear and Howard Hill, Jeff Hopkins, Nathan Brooks, Just to name a few. My dad got me shooting a bow when I was a kid, I was the bane of every frog and chipmunk on our farm, and I remember how much fun it was to shoot in the back yard with my dad. I have been very fortunate to have had access to 2 outstanding shooters from my area that have always been there to help in my struggle to improve my game. I really dont think that I would be shooting National tournaments, be working at what I am doing (Web technologies for Archery companies) if they hadn't pushed me some... Chris Fletcher and Travis Boyd have certainly gone above and beyond "mentoring" and have become 2 great friends as well. I am also fortunate to be able to call many pro shooters my friend... Justin Martin, Eric Griggs, Darrin Christenberry, Tim Gillingham, Taz, Michael Braden, Kelly Ward, Connie Griffin, Sheri Forman, Roger Thibault, All great archers and great for our sport and never getting the recognition they deserve.... Thanks Guys (and gals) :)

So...

Who are yours?

[The Hood]

My wife, for leaving me alone :D

[clayking]

Actually, I agree with Hood. I have not had the privilege of being around any of the great archers, just guys at the club. None are mentors. Like Hood-a-Tunes, my wife leaves me along to shoot............. :shock:..................ck

[UPer]

ill have to say..... The Hood has been my insperation...thanks man, oh yeah...and my Army Recruiter, cant forget Mom and Dad too.

[jaydse]

I really don't know anyone that shots pro or semi ! I just having fun & try to improve everytime out!
BUT seen BIG COUNTRY today liked his setup . if he comes around more maybe I'll follow him & learn !

[PSI]

It would have to be Rube Powell. He was a many times National target champ in different disiplines.

When I was shooting for Palomar Collegein the early 70's, he helped me pick my first target recurve (a Hoyt TD) and correctly spined arrows (X7 1916). The arrows were silver..thay hadn't started color anodizing them, yet..

[PB30X]

I would have to say Larry Wise, and the Ragsdales while growing up. Beings we had no Pro's except Larry in the area that I knew of. I had the priviledge of being on my clubs Stag Archery Xi team, and they were some of the best shots in the state (State Champions). As for archery I would have to say my Uncles were diehard hunters, and hung with the best of them and that was my inspiration....... :D/

[Big Country]

I really don't know anyone that shots pro or semi !* I just having fun & try to improve everytime out!
BUT seen BIG COUNTRY today liked his setup . if he comes around more maybe I'll follow him & learn !


Hey Jay! It was good to meet you today man. 8)

Was it tough shooting in that wind today or what? I dropped 18 points in 30 targets out there. That wind tore me up.

It was a good course though....I`ll be back. :D

[jaydse]

three weeks after the holidays !!
I'll be in the back yard till then FREEZING :shock:
I'M ALWAYS WILLING TO LEARN I LEARN BY WATCHING .
this is my first year for 3-d BIG difference from hunting 10x harder! YARDAGE IS MY ENEMY :x BUT I'LL GET IT!!
SEE YA SOON !!

[Daniel]

My Father, Don Matthews is definately my mentor, he always was and will always be. My father is also my hero. Most Kids played baseball and football and even soccer. I played baseball till i was in high school, but it was nothing serious, the only serious sport in my life was archery. It is the only thing that i know, and the only sport that i love. I started shooting when i was 4, and have been going at it ever since. the whole family used to shoot together, but my brother quit, then my mother quit, and my father is slowly getting out of shooting (but he's still coaching me), now i have a three year old sister, so i will get her to shooting as well so i can hopefully keep the family sport going.

Daniel Matthews

[clayking]

I really don't know anyone that shots pro or semi !* I just having fun & try to improve everytime out!
BUT seen BIG COUNTRY today liked his setup . if he comes around more maybe I'll follow him & learn !


Please follow him and keep a detailed log (shot counter etc.) on what bow he is shooting and any abuse he gives it. One of his bows is my future bow, (promises made, at least in my mind....... :D.)...........I need someone to verify his future :^o about how little it has been used in order to get top dollar. I can heere it now, rarely shot the bow, hardly taken out of case, kept & stored in air controlled environment, yadda, yadda yadda.... =; ...heard it all before. Keep a eye on Big Country (as if that's his real name) for me............. =D>.................ck

[Big Country]

ck, I`ll tell ya now ol buddy.....I marked up the bottom limb on that Pro-Elite purdy good with a pro-pod! :shock:

I did not realize the felt liner came off, and I kept clamping it on there! Let me see how my new 2005 rig shoots before you get too excited. :lol:

If I let her go....the price will be right. 8)

Oh ya...she`s got 50-60lb. limbs......will that fit your game plan?

[Fletch]

This is a really good question Skip. I appreciate our friendship and enjoy helping really good people with big hearts and always a kind word. Of course my hero will always be my dad, my grand father who forgot more about what he nows about the deer woods than I could ever absorb in a life time of hunting. My real mentors are the amateurs that have taught me why I love this sport and the young hunters who have that twinkle in their eyes that I remember seeing in my eye when I was younger. I am reminded at every pro am and local shoot why I am fortunate to be involved in this sport and that we are surrounded by lots of wonderful characters. I appreciate all my friends who have shared this sport with me and especially my close buddies and family who have driven me to continue working hard at something that I love so dearly.

[dkoutdoors]

In the hunting aspect of this I would have to say my idols are Mark and Terry Drury, I have met them several times and they will give you the time and talk to you like an individual and not shrug you off like some. Mark and terry started out with nothing much but a dream and the sky was the limit and they are now in my opinion the best bowhunters and videographers alive today, along with all there sub contractors, they bring it to you just the way you would do it with no pens or fences. They truly give bowhunting a great name.

[4X-24 BOB]

Mine is the same as MOBUCKS :shock: :shock: :shock: ED :lol:

[SPECTRE]

Well.....


Me and.......

Me 8)

I taught myself how to shoot..... and learned strictly by trial and error everything that I know about bows and shooting. Never had any formal coaching, but have given plenty after over 20 years in the competition game.....

As far as archers who impress me ........ Jeff Hopkins, Michael Braden and Dan McCarthy because they keep their cool when things don't go their way. There are a lot of sore losers out there and those that mouth off when it goes bad give our sport a black eye. The guys above really do it right, regardless of the outcome :D

[3D dad]

like spectre, i taught myself how to shoot but a fellow by the name of PINKFLETCH took the time to show me the rules of the game and tell me little secrets he had learned over the years. also, a fellow by the name of SHOOTERMIKE gave me lots of encouragement and helped me out. also the other fine folks here on the internet who have helped me alot.( too many to list) and with alot of hard work i hope to get to the point i can shoot on the same level as OBT,DD, and this cat who calls himself SPECTRE. the pro's can flat shoot, but these fellows have GAME!!

[clayking]

Oh ya...she`s got 50-60lb. limbs......will that fit your game plan?

Perfect, I've been searching for a reason to give up time at the gym. :lol: ..............ck

[SPECTRE]

like spectre, i taught myself how to shoot but a fellow by the name of PINKFLETCH took the time to show me the rules of the game and tell me little secrets he had learned over the years. also, a fellow by the name of SHOOTERMIKE gave me lots of encouragement and helped me out. also the other fine folks here on the internet who have helped me alot.( too many to list) and with alot of hard work i hope to get to the point i can shoot on the same level as OBT,DD, and this cat who calls himself SPECTRE. the pro's can flat shoot, but these fellows have GAME!!


No smack talking allowed on the pro line...... :lol: :lol: :lol:

That's why they can't hang with us.... 8)

[Sagittarius]

Skip,

My favorite archers are Randy Ulmer and Shannon Caudle.
My favorite Traditional archer is Rick Welch.


Sag.

[skip]

I had the fortune to share a Room with Shannon 2 years ago at the Virginia ASA. He is truly a great guy. :)

Jackie and Kathy are awesome and represent archery well...

As far as Randy Ulmer... amn what CAN't you say about Randy Ulmer... He's done it ALL, and still isnt looking back.. :)

[canam]

I must say that I felt pretty good about myself and something happened and it caused me to totally lose all desire and self-esteem for myself and I was ready to give up archery all together. We'd been to a coach (which turned out to be a mistake) and then somebody suggested Curtis Beverly and he basically turned me around and gave me the self-confidence that I had lost. The funny thing was that he didn't have to do much, but it was his who demeanor that "fixed" my mental state and I will always be grateful for him. (Of course I think Jeff Hopkins feels the same way as me because that's his coach too) Curtis is an awesome man!

Secondly, I must say that Mike Carter (Crackers) has been great for me too. He built my special bow and showed me how to shoot it properly. I am excited about the '05 Pro Am season!

[SageCreek]

Well,

I got to shoot with Kelly Ward, Brett Hankins, Monte Jessee, Mike Hindmarsh, Sheri Forman, Noel (From downunder), "Boyd", Mike Barber, Grey Eagle (Dennis from up North), and a slew of others. It felt good to be in the company of such talented individuals. Not to mention Pinshooter (Todd Gammons) also.

Kward and TDA gave me a few pointers, and I appreciate that.

2004 was a good year for me.

[rangeplayer]

kward of course!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SageCreek]

Rangeplayer,

I knew you would say her! :lol:

Welcome to ASN.

[pinshooter]

I can't really say that I have a mentor I started shooting on my own and picked up what I could from different people and experience. The only pro shooter I ever shot or talked to was Kward and that was just one day. I can't attribute anything i have learned from a pro but I do admire Kelly Ward. I don't list any other pros just because I don't know them personally. I don't care how good you shoot if you are a jerk. As far as my respect for the amateurs I have shot with I will keep the list short since only one will be known on here. One is my dealer, Sagecreek and a handful of other local friends. I hope for that list to grow in 2005 by meeting more of the people on ASN. Of course Sagecreek is just a tick away from pro so he might count. :)

[SageCreek]

Pro-poster maybe,

Pro-shooter, got a ways to go yet! :?

I think I just need to practice a little more. :)

[pinshooter]

We'll I guess that makes two of us. :lol:

[CHAMPION2]

I think Fred Bear. *He helped pave the way and make archery what it is today. * *The guy was a class act, *very modest, soft spoken, *and a true sportsman. *I would have loved to had met him. *He loved the outdoors, and I like everything about what he represented, and still represents * Everytime I head to the stand I give thanks to guys like Fred Bear that I am able to enjoy this great sport of archery. *

Champion2
Full Draw Outdoors
Richwood/CSS

[Jerry]

Well, beins I went to the School Of Hardknoks, I never really had a mentor. And my father was a bum who was eventually murdered so I had to learn all by myself.
I wont say who my IDOL is , they know who they are. :wink: :D

[SageCreek]

Thanks Jerry, I didn't know you cared! :lol:

:lol:
:lol:
:P

[MOBUCK]

Mine is the same as MOBUCKS* :shock: :shock: :shock:* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *ED :lol:


Hey Bob(AKA Fingers).......sorry I'm going to have to put BowTech Ed second 8).......Right behind DUBBYA ARE :lol:.......WR has show me the Light the last 2 years :shock:
Really I'm self taught, which if you saw me shoot you would ask why I never went to a Coach :(
I'm to old to worry about improving now, just go and have fun.

I'll second that Sagecreek is almost a PRO now =;

[SageCreek]

Thanks Mobuck!

You and WR will always be Pro's in my book. Pro's at hosting Mo Smackdown's that is!

You guys are a great asset to the archery community. Can't wait UNTIL I meet and greet you fine gents!

[Buckster]

I'd have to vote Jesse and Ginger Moorehead.......they get my vote based upon two of the best people in the archery industry, they are supportive of each other as an Archery family.....showing that the whole family can be involved! (I'd also say the Caudles
but I don't know them)

I also think alot of Joella.......one heck of a lady! How many Ladies do you know ,let alone men, that have taken a cape buffalo with a bow!

Wish list of those I'd like to meet one day and speak to >>>>>>>Kelly Ward>>>>>
PDT_Armataz_01_37

[Jerry]

Thanks Jerry, I didn't know you cared!* :lol:

:lol:
:lol:
:P


LMAO, good one Sage !! touche !

[SageCreek]

Oooops!

I must be getting old. I left out my good friend Justin (Ivorytooth) by mistake.

He taught me the proper way to measure distance! :shock:

:lol:

[brinirmess]

I must say Ginger our ASA youth coordinator, she is the one person who no matter your size(prtite), gender, age or experience, knows what to say, and do to encourage anyone, and get the best from them. She's a great person, coach, and The ASA is blessed to have her. Thanks Ginger, we love ya!! :lol:

[Ivorytooth]

Sage,

You just saved your brownie points there! LOL! :lol: :shock: Well, maybe not with the tape comment. LOL!

Already a mentor after 11 months. I must be living right. :D

3d dad, I almost agree with you, they are gamey at least. Now if you put me in the group then I will retract that. 8)

Spectre....The pros can learn something from us. :D

Smacking will make you tough on the line or stake eh? :P

[Ivorytooth]

Well I am self taught, but recently have seen Yoda on ways of the force. :D

No idols, but lots of respect for the guys who shoot like machines. The idol thing may get in your way when you square off against them. :) Gotta keep them down on the ground. :p

[Daniel Boone]

So many

Fred Bear
Dean Pridgen
Burly Hall
Randy Ulmer
Nathan Brooks
Bobby Ketcher
Terry Wunderle

All of these guys have advised me at one time or another.* *They make archery the sport it is

[canam]

Hey brin,
I heard that Ginger Hopwood isn't coming back next year but is taking off for a spell. The kids will all be looking for Miss Ginger I'm sure.

WR I'm sorry I didn't put you on my list but you gotta be voted Most Talented Archer! Not everybody can hold a smoke in their mouth at FULL draw and not burn their string (and still hit the target!) WR- You'd my Idol :mrgreen:

[SageCreek]

DB,

I've advised you on occasion, but you don't listen to me. :lol:

Now, go take that TT off and shoot an Infinity rest. :shock:

:P

[awhit003]

My greatest archery mentor would have to be Panzer.
Without his help and guidance I never would have gotten to where I am today. I thank him profusely for teaching me something that will bring me joy and entertainment for years.

My archery idols are all of you who put forth the time, money, equipment, and support to get the equipment here to us troops in Baghdad.
Without your hard work and generosity, myself and many others would not have had this opportunity like we have. I would like to thank you all, but one person stands out in my mind: The Hood.

Thank you so much for giving me something to pass the time I have enjoyably, and to give me another reason to want to get back soon.

[TJ Mason]

Rick McKinney, because of his achievements in target archery and his generosity with knowledge and good advice. His book "The Simple Art of Winning" is (IMHO) the greatest written contribution to the sport of target archery.

[xring]

The two biggest mentors of mine would be my Dad and my late coach Tony Schneider. Both have helped me become the archer I am today. I don't have an archery idol...but if I did I think it would have to be one of those guys like Howard Hill or Fred Bear that were doing it with greatness without training wheels on their bows :lol:

[Steve hilliard]

Hmmm, I think there are alot of idols, I have the upmost respect for Randy Ulmer , mainly cause I run into him from time to time, really alot of guys have contributed to our sport and would hate to leave them out. As far as mentors , I am self thought as alot of others here, but I think the the closest would be the guys on this site, like Spectre, Sagecreek , and Mobuck. All are great guys and a inspiration to this sport. Oh yeah!! and Tim Gillingham and Goldtip.

[SageCreek]

Thanks Steve!

You have helped me leaps and bounds also. And you have also been a super great guy and a positive spokesperson for your sponsor. Truely a super person all around.

I'm glad to see you made it over to the coolest new archery site on planet earth. :afro:

[MOBUCK]

Wow Steve :shock:you sure your talking about the right MOBUCK :xn_cheesygrin: Thanks for the nice compliment. i think were all just a bunch of regular Joe's who have the same Burning Passion for this great sport. Everytime I read a thread, I always pick up something that helps and all contribute here.
My Buddy WR got me back into 3-D a couple of years ago and I have never enjoyed shooting like I do now. Thanks Wes.

My Sponsor :x_rolleyes:Sagecreek got me onto the Goldtip Pro's last year and Steve your PM's and help choosing the right components has really helped me greatly................so..Steve your one of my Mentors....whether you like it or Not :xn_redface:

Merry Christmas All

MOBUCK

[Panzer]

My greatest archery mentor would have to be Panzer.
Without his help and guidance I never would have gotten to where I am today. I thank him profusely for teaching me something that will bring me joy and entertainment for years.

My archery idols are all of you who put forth the time, money, equipment, and support to get the equipment here to us troops in Baghdad.
Without your hard work and generosity, myself and many others would not have had this opportunity like we have. I would like to thank you all, but one person stands out in my mind: The Hood.

Thank you so much for giving me something to pass the time I have enjoyably, and to give me another reason to want to get back soon.


LOL I never thought of myself as a mentor.

I will second his remarks on what the AT and ASN members have done for us.

I'll have to add to that if it weren't for your information and guidance I wouldn't be where I am today. Actually I'd have probably gotten frustrated by now and quit shooting all together.

[DUBBYA ARE]

WR I'm sorry I didn't put you on my list but you gotta be voted Most Talented Archer! Not everybody can hold a smoke in their mouth at FULL draw and not burn their string (and still hit the target!) WR- You'd my Idol* :mrgreen:


Pro SMOKER, one might say PDT_Armataz_01_25 PDT_Armataz_01_29

I've watched this thread by Skip from the start, I've never posted because I thought I never knew any Pro's??
But the Pro's I shoot with, make me laugh, enjoy my day out, Their not looking to win Vegas, but they intend on being at the top of the local shoots and they will be.
If you're ever lucky enough to shoot with some of these people, DON'T get to relaxed, or you'll be asking WHAT HAPPENED at the days end...
MOBUCK and I live in the same town, meet on the internet (A T) If you see one of us at a shoot, look around, the other is probably near by....and thanks to MOBUCK for pushing me to be a better archer.WR

P-People
R-reaching
O-out to help

[4X-24 BOB]

This is why I love Archery so much ! Almost evertyone on here could and probably is or soon will be a mentor to some young up and coming archer ! Only in archery have I seen people compete against one another then one of them have equipment problems and the other helps fix the bow. You think Shaq would stop during a game and help Kobe tye his shoe ! :afro: Or Gordan stop and help fix Ernhardts tire ! :x_evil: Its a great sport be it indoor.3D or field :xmrgreen: Thanks to everyone who has helped me become a much better archer than I was , be it in person or on an archery site . :xn_smile: WR and Mobuck even let me shoot with them some last year ! :x_exclaim: And I shoot a mathews :x_exclaim: :x_wink: I look forward to shootin and learnin with them next year too. May have to buy me a hoyt or get the old martin worthog out from under the bed and leave the mathews at home ! :xn_cry:

[Steve hilliard]

Thanks Guys, I apologize I haven't been on these sites much in the last month or so, but I have learned from you guys as well and love reading the stories. speaking of my last venture was DEC 5, a couple guys here and myself put on a benefit 3d shoot for a fellow archers son he is 4 years old and just had a operation on a cancerous brain tumor which hit close to home for my family, we lost a nephew 2 years ago with the same thing at 5 years old. well anyway it rained all day and was chilly 50 degrees (cold for Az) and we had 55 shooters that day and raised $2200. for the little guyand he showed up to hand out the door prizes (pretty emotional). this shoot made my year! so I guess he is a mentor of mine as well, he has so much strength and a long road ahead.

[IBO-Champ 2003]

ive not discussed too many things in this nature with too many people...to me my archery idiol would be someone who has helped me over the years with advice and pointers on playing the game..one of those is without a doubt randy chappel..he probably is alot of shooters heroe..another shooter who i looked up to in the past 5 years or so is jack wallace...i could not wait to get in the pro class so i could shoot with wallace..there are alot of guys in there now that could give you good advice on the game..guys like braden, mccarthy,,tazza,, hopkins,burly hall, just to name a few.

* *im not to hip on the pro hunters these days..they buy em,,bait em, or hunt em in a pin...hunting means long hours scouting,,sitting, days where their aint crap in the woods..you keep sitting there every spare minute of your work load, you are hunting that spot you scouted out..call me an ass but i look up to the guys that work very hard for that big one.pick out your favorite so called pro hunter and i will put guys like,,jerimah upp,, toby medley, chris fletcher, or jack wallace up against them on public land any day of the week..,(i guess you can tell im not a awesome hunter)those guys always come home with the "MEAT IN THE POT"...they are my hunting heroes..

my last archery hero is my coach, dan hart..hes not just my coach but he my best friend .when it comes to just talking archery...he is one of the great folks of archery.today .thats just a few of mine..merry christmas.hope i did not hurt any feelings on the hunting thing..just my opinion..good shooting..jeremy jarrett

[3-D Mountaineer]

Well I am new to this forum but old to archery.
Fred Bear-Hunting and archery in general
Randy Ulmer
Randy Hendrix
Jim Willard
Jesse Moorehead
Jackie Caudle
Kelly Ward
Randy Chappell
Sonny Chappell

[SageCreek]

What da ya say, 3D?

It was good meeting you the other day.

Glad you made it over here.

At least you can log on over here. :shock:

[3-D Mountaineer]

Hey Sage,
Happy holidays, good to be here new at this game but in time will learn more.