What Exactly IS Bowhunting??

[Swamp Pygmy]

yeah I'm glad I found this place. i didn't join many hunting sites after reading alot of the things posted and how people react.

Not only is trad gang pretty easy going with good moderation. It's also not mod'd to the point that you get emails like "Hello, some people find the word Pygmy offensive so you should really..."

But I agree with your topic. Too many rube goldberg machines out there. So much technology to make a string launch a stick. They've put an awful lot of technology into a supposedly "primitive" weapon and it defeats the purpose of it being a bow. If you're going to use that much technology use a gun.

[Wednesday Caste]

Do you remember any event that was easy to overcome?  You just don't enjoy it as much when it comes easy...I like challenges in life: marriage (to an Italian/Irish wife), children, honest work, fly fishing and trad bow hunting.  You may grow gray hairs quicker but you learn patience and wisdom at a faster pace too. Just me and my $.018
Quinn

[ozy clint]

i'm using a borrowed recurve at the moment till my newbie gets here. yesterday i was out pig hunting, i nocked an arrow for a stalk and saw that the flipper rest arm had broken off. i cursed and said to myself, i cant wait till i'm shooting off the shelf again. no mechanical letdowns! any way i shot off my knuckle and got the boar. compounds (arrow flinging machines), no thanks! the challenge of bowhunting is getting as close as you can, then two paces closer. there is way more skill envolved in doing this. bump a coumpound and instantly you have doubts about where the next shot will go. you could drop a trad bow ten times, pick it up and know it will shoot as well as you can. thats confidence building.

[Steve B.]

Regarless of the subject; you will rarely change someone's mind through debate unless they are seeking the truth to begin with.

[pdk25]

You mean "what exactly is bowhunting to you"?  Otherwise, it is hunting with a bow.

[baretraks]

Bowhunting is what happens when I stick a deer and lean my bow against a tree to follow the blood trail....

sux when you spend more time looking for your bow than you did lookin for the deer!!!

[overbo]

I saw the post at Bowsite and also read the article posted that Judd Cooney wrote.Judd is totally correct w/ his thoughts on some traditional archers.I've been to enough shoots and shared camps w/ trad. archers IMO that need to dedicate more time w/ their equiptment.This crap of hiding ones inability to shoot their equiptment accurately behind the challenge to get closer needs to stop!
I know some compound shooters I have the utmost respect for because I know the time they put into their equiptment and yes they are very effecient w/ their bows at very long ranges.It makes no difference what one choices to hunt w/ but makes a big difference in how dedicated one is to shooting thier equiptment.2 cents

[BLACK WOLF]

Originally posted by Steve B.:
Regarless of the subject; you will rarely change someone's mind through debate unless they are seeking the truth to begin with.

I like that! If most of us would just stick to the facts without clouding issues up with emotions...it would be alot easier to see and accept the simple truth.

Fact is...Bowhunting is simply hunting with a bow...whether the bowhunter is taking 5yrds. shots or shots of 50yrds. or more.

A bow and arrow is generally accepted as a close range weapon when compared to a gun...so the equipment itself puts limitations on the hunter.

Some hunters are drawn to the bow and arrow because it forces them to get closer...while others like the longer seasons, time of year, the tradition...you name it...it can be a number of different things.

Fact is...what it means for one person doesn't necessarily mean the same for the next...but we should take time to acknowledge that...while accepting the fact...that bowhunting is basically just hunting with a bow and arrow.

Ray  

[Weekend Warrior]

This Quote's how I feel about bowhunting!

 

Found this on stickbow..

("Bowhunting is, or should be, a pure competition. Not between the man and the game he seeks, nor between the man and a fellow hunter, but between the man and himself. Between him and his personal limitations, both physical and mental." -- Doug Borland )  

[Brian Krebs]

tip of the hat Gary.

 

  For thousands and thousands of years bowhunting was not only a way to get meat; but it was something that if you wanted to do: it had requirements.

 My dictionary says the applicable part of 'conquer' is to be victorious; to win. It also says 'to overcome or surmount by physical, mental, or moral force.

 I know that when I shoot I have to overcome physical; mental; and moral forces.

 Perhaps that is why terms like 'sin' and 'evil' ( which are archery terms) felt at home in the bible.

 Now with traditional equipment; I try to overcome the physical part of bowhunting; the mental part of bowhuting - and very much the moral part of bowhunting.

 To some winning is everything; and with bowhunting- it is not overcoming the physical; mental and moral part of bowhunting; it is more: overcoming them... in the easiest way possible to reach their goal.
  Anything that makes the taking of game with an arrow easier... is the thing you should seek.

 I think we are all seeing where this leads us with compound or traditional bowhunting.

 When I see a person shoot a deer bigger than any the average bowhunter will ever in their life shoot; and say " I shot this buck because it is a management buck" : is losing sight of what a simple treasure bowhunting can be.

 I think there are those that seek to be closer to their inner good; and closer to that which is called 'God': in their hunting with any bow.

 I do think though that the relationship with nature is closer- with bows that have a history: older than our average life span.

 I do not seek to conquer bowhunting; I seek to have it conquer me; because that which keeps me from being a good bowhunter; and a good person: are one and the same.

 Bowhunting is a relationship with nature- through the use of a simple tool; that is of itself: a thing that does not interfere with a person- being part of nature.

 Traditional bowhunting is a part of mans relationship with nature for thousands of years.

 The fact we honor Ishi - the last wild Indian- proves that relationship: is still alive and here...

[Gary Logsdon]

You guys go ahead and have at it:^)  I've got to pack for a 3+ week DIY trip to Colorado and won't be back in here until Oct. 1.  The post was intended to get guys talking about ethics as it relates to hunting with a bow, personal philosphy, etc. . . a little slight of hand . . . and guys here picked up on that right away(Can't say the same about the fellows on the Bowsite and ***********) . . . heck, I even smoked ol Tink Nathan out of the woods over there.

[Widowbender]

Good Job, Gary and Good Luck...

David

[Brian Krebs]

bowhunting is starting a conversation and then leaving on a hunting trip....   :p

[Gary Logsdon]

Good one Brian!!  That's IT!!!