From the President:

For whatever reason, writing this column is always a struggle for me. Every time I sit down to write I try to come up with something intelligent, practical and amusing. Those of you that actually read the newsletter know that I’ve had little success.  No matter, really, as Joy insists that I must keep doing it.

I hope you all had an enjoyable holiday this year. As one year expires and another begins, it seems like an opportune time to look ahead, and likewise, to peek over our back trail. It seems to me that it is just as important to know where you’ve been as it is to know where you’re going. OSTA had a fantastic year in 2007, as far as I’m concerned.  Last year brought a much needed streamlining of our shooter registration and record keeping by means of a laptop computer. We had the first ever arrow making party for the kids arrows.  Shooting for “scalps” was resurrected after several years in hibernation.  Attendance at our shoots was up measurably.  I think we’re going in the right direction.

In my first contribution to the OSTA Newsletter I challenged the membership to bring some new faces to OSTA, particularly kids, and the membership responded. I’m happy to report that I saw many new faces this past summer. This trend needs to continue in 2008. Indeed, it is our purpose as stated in OSTA’s Constitution.  This is the first line of our stated purpose:

To foster, expand, and perpetuate the practice of bowhunting

with traditional equipment in the state of Ohio;

We are not just an archery organization, but rather an archery hunting organization. Today there is a whole generation of young hunters who know next to nothing about archery hunting as it existed for thousands of years. They are instead bedazzled by the latest and greatest innovations put forth by an over-commercialized, profit driven archery industry that has no reverence for the classical archery that we hold so close to our hearts. It is our obligation as an organization and as individuals to spread the joy of the simple bow and arrow, now more than ever. This isn’t just about the type of equipment we prefer, but more importantly the value system of woodsmanship and hardihood that is inextricably linked to the use of time honored archery equipment for hunting. Yes, we are a small minority, but that doesn’t matter in my mind. I’d rather be in the company of 200 wholly committed OSTA members than 20,000 sheep that just pay their dues, show up at a shoot or two and give nothing back.  Today, we carry the torch. We need to make sure that we will have someone to pass it to when the time comes. Take it upon yourself to introduce a young person to traditional archery.

I don’t think I could have come on board with a better group of officers. Brian, Marilyn and Joy have all shouldered their responsibilities (and then some) with great diligence and style. They all truly care about what they do for OSTA. I appreciate that more than I can say, and you should too. Take the time to thank them for their investment of time and effort in keeping OSTA moving forward. While I have a lengthy list of devoted OSTA members who deserve thanks for their ongoing contributions, I fear that the editor may run short on space if I continue. I think you all know who you are (if you aren’t sure just ask me).  We couldn’t do it without you.

It doesn’t seem possible that there are only four weeks of deer hunting left. The late season is one of my favorite times to hunt deer. The alluring peace and solitude of the deer woods in January is sharply contrasted by the shear difficulty of enduring the elements and arrowing a whitetail at close range. I guess that’s why I like it.

Jamie Miller, Pres.