The future of archery in film

[Michael Arnette]

I am looking for both partners and input on an idea I have for a quality short film project that I have wanted to get started on for a while now. The goal would be to promote traditional archery and the limitation of equipment for greater hunting opportunity.  I would love your opinions on the details of the issue when it comes to modern archery equipment and crossbows and the impact of modern equipment on archery seasons.

Obviously we have some folks who are already putting out great film projects here so i would be interested in assisting if there is already a project like this.

I can see some real changes possibly taking place in the near future with the mounting interest in bow/crossbow hunting the decreasing interest in firearms/muzzle loading seasons. My concern is mostly that there is not enough significant evidence for the limitation of archery equipment in the minds of most hunters and state game managers. It is there but not in one place and hard to find when it comes to hard numbers in regards to technologies impact.

I don't want to come against modern equipment but to set it apart from traditional equipment and show how it has and will effect bowhunting. It would be somewhat controversial and would need to be done with the proper spirit but my goal is to demonstrate the effectiveness of modern equipment in film...ie shots at various long range hunting situations with inexperienced archers/crossgun shooters to debunk the general opinion that the extension in shot distance and other factors don't impact harvest/seasons. In general the goal would be to give traditional archery a chance to avoid being lumped into the equation with compounds and especially crossbows as they attract more and more hunters and raise success.

So, what would you like to see in a film like this? Do you think it is necessary? What could be the pitfalls? I have seen some really good short films recently that show the passion behind traditional archery but not as much when it comes to crunching numbers and making an argument to game managers in finding a place for limiting equipment.

Also, would anyone with film experience and those who have a greater experience in archery's past be interested in being involved?

[Mark Baker]

Michael...I might have some interesting info for your project.   Email me at [email protected]