Mind Set/ Need Therapy!

[PastorSteveHill]

I wish I could temper myself like some of you guys have.  I'm OCD +++   .... Everything in life apart from my Relationship with God / Salvation is a competition with me... How do you get past it and just enjoy archery? Seriously... I'm reaching out here. hahahaahah..

[koger]

I agree with Dave Bulla, dont limit yourself and burn out on trad archery, if season is about gone, need to fill the freezer, get her done. I ML and gun hunt a little every year just to be with some of my good friends, its about the fellowship we share. I bowhunt like its a second job, so havent had any trouble filling my tags the last 3 years, but if I didnt kill a deer with my trad gear, would still have the deep love for this tradition that i have for over 30 years. Dont want to see anyone quit trad, but dont lose sight of the big picture, which for me is making meat, and memories with my friends, we all wont be here forever.

[Steve B.]

One of the ways that you get past it, Steve, is to quit paying attention to the magazines, the videos, and even much of what you read here concerning what is considered success, and learn to force yourself to spend more time in the woods, enjoying the woods.
Hunt the way you like to hunt and use the gear you want to use and kill what you want to kill, and in the end walk way content.
Ask yourself how much of what you do is really done to appease your peers or fellow hunters, and what would you do different if peers and fellow hunters did not exist.
You must become a better hunter to consistently get close to animals and that in itself is success.  
I agree with Eric that your trad success will far out weigh any other kills, which is a result of the extra effort you will have to put forth to accomplish them....but you will grow because of it.

[jimmerc]

Steve, This the year i decided to hunt only with my long bow, i sold off all my guns! this decision was based on several things! one was of all the deer i have taken in 35 years only two i couldn't have shot with trad gear, several with trad gear! i prefer to hunt with my long bow,so this year with over 200 hrs logged hunting,both during our reg archery season and sitting in the woods with gun hunters and my only chance in all that time i passed because it was a doe who just peed in the scrape i was watching and i thought mr buck would follow her before the sun set on that day!! he never showed and 3 days later my nephew shot him with a gun!! this has been the greatest hunting season ever for me only because i'm hunting with my long bow! Just can't get enough!! but thats me and my decision! i took me five years to get to this point and i find myself not looking back! you need to do what feels right to You,as others have said there is nothing wrong with taking you game with other means!!  god bless and good luck!