TRADITIONAL ARCHERS OF OREGON

Is composed of people with a strong interest in promoting and shooting the longbow and recurve bow.

Whereas we feel that in the proliferation of modern archery, traditional equipment is being forgotten, and

Whereas this mechanization is moving archers and bowhunters farther from the involvement in archery by not encouraging the making of equipment by the shooter, and

Whereas in speaking of traditional equipment, "Their constant use by man for untold ages has bred within him a love for their beauty, grace and power, appealing to the better qualities of his heart and mind,"*

Therefore in the tradition of Hill, Pope, Young, Ullrich and Stevenson and all those who have left us in Oregon a rich tradition of archery,

We then unite to form a traditional archery organization.

* Taken from the constitution of the POPE YOUNG ARCHERS OF OREGON,

written in1935 by Earl Ullrich.

These are the thoughts that galvanized a close knit group of traditional archers at the Green Valley Archers range in Dexter, under a yew tree May 12th in 1984.  This meeting was an outgrowth of a statewide survey that asked, among other items, "Is a traditional archery organization needed at this time?"  Although informal, the meeting or "gang of 17" was spearheaded by Dave Doran.  The main agenda and concern was that modern technology was being applied to archery gear at an alarming rate, making archery "easier" and ultimately increasing success. This, of course, resulting in game managers being forced to reduce recreational opportunities archers had come to enjoy.

The meeting lasted for several hours and the first officers were elected.  They were: President -Allen Boice, Vice President, Rourke Brown, Secretary-Treasurer, Dave Doran.  Several names for the group were proposed and discussed and the name we have now was chosen.  The logo was the result of several ideas, but Kirby Records submitted the best design.  A professional artist tweaked the design and it remains today as it has for over 18 years.  (Member George Trager submitted a picture of a longbow and quiver leaning against an old outhouse, with the slogan, "Getting Back to Basics", but it wasn?t chosen.  In fact, George and Bill Sweetland joined to keep track of this bunch of upstarts, not sure of where we were going.)

Thus, The Traditional Archers of Oregon was formed to represent the interests of traditional archers at the state level with Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Oregon State Police and International Bowhunter Education Program.

All members are encouraged to participate in informal business meetings concurrent with regular annual events.  Annual events include, but are not limited to:

Annual Banquet hosted by affiliate clubs in various locations throughout the state the third weekend in January each year.  Activities include displays, vendors, guest speakers, dinner and business meeting.

Members will be kept informed of club activities, traditional archery events, legislation and regulations affecting seasons using several tools.  Newsletters will be mailed on an as needed basis, generally following business meetings.  The Scroll, an opportunity for members to ?tell their story?, will be published based upon materials received.  For members that are on-line, we will use this website to keep members up to the minute with events and pertinent information.