respect for the animal

[amar911]

Originally posted by Claymore:

So you are saying and others that I at 60 having had cancer 8 years ago and breaking my bow arm one year ago Jan3. should just hang it up. As for not trying I have shot almost daily since they let me after my arm healed and have not been able to get to a point that I can shot more than 35-38 lbs. Thanks for your post RC

I sure don't want to draw the line on what the minimum set up is for hunting any particular animal, but at some point we need to be realistic about our capabilities. I am just about a year and a half from 60, nearly died from stage 4 cancer, have had my right shoulder rebuilt, shattered my left collar bone and injured my left shoulder in a big fall, just had knee surgery two weeks ago, and have problems in both my elbows that make it difficult and painful for me to shoot my bows. Even so, I am doing well in many respects and have been blessed by God to still be here and currently be able to continue to shoot my bows to some extent. But at some time in life, everyone reaches a point where physical limitations prevent us from engaging in certain physical activities. If we live long enough, that means all of us will have to eventually "hang it up". I don't know when that time will come, but when it does with bow hunting, I hope to be able to accept that fact and deal with it. I expect I will be able to participate in target and stump shooting long after I have had to give up bow hunting, and I think I will be able to hunt with a gun or crossbow for longer too; however, there is a time to accept reality -- whenever that day arrives. Keep working at it Claymore. With your determination I believe you have many more years left to be out hunting with your trad bows!        

Allan

[Claymore]

Thanks Allen. Seems we have both had our share. I agree with everything you have said. All I have done for the past year is target shoot. And I too want to be able to say enough when the time comes, just don't want anyone else to tell me. I hope this year does not bring you anymore issues. God bless. Clyde

[pitbull]

I think a lot of the misunderstanding with light weight bows and the fact of just how effective they are on deer size game is the lack of experience using them. In my younger days all my bows were between 65 and 85 pounds. Due to a multitude of surgeries and injuries I was forced to go to lighter weight. Now all my bows are 41-43 pounds that I hunt with. With the proper set-up I am every bit as sucessful as I ever was and even more because I am more accurate due to the fact that I am in total control of the bow. Pass thru's are the norm on shots of 20 yds. and in, I have no need to shoot any further than that. I wish I had known earlier what I know now, I could have saved some of the scars I have. I do shoot high performance bows that are more efficient than some heavier bows that I have owned in the past. Bottom line shoot what you are comfortable with and use some common sense. Happy Hunting  

[ChuckC]

This post is rapidly taking on an evil twist. .  testing and allowing only accomplished shooters to hunt.  

I suggest that if you can't hit the bullseye 10 out of 10 at 100 yards, you shouldn't be in the woods.   You owe it to. .  something,  not sure what.

Yes this is being very facitious, but the fact is. .  who the heck are you to tell me I have to be able at YOUR set distance, and why shouldn't that open the door for someone else to pick THEIR distance ?

And if I CAN hit 10 out of 10 at 100 yards. .  who is policing me to make sure I don't take 150 yard shots ?

This is where that brain thing comes in.

Watch out what you wish for cause those making rules shoot guns and compounds and the rules are different for them.
ChuckC

[Covey]

How can one encourage a kid when some folks are telling them they "have" to shoot 60# bows to be affective. I sure wouldnt' want some of you mentoring my son. Leave the ego's at home!! Jason

[Covey]

Originally posted by Shawn Leonard:
Wow, sorry but I disagree with Rob 100%. I know people who have killed bears and deer with bow weights in the high 30s and low 40# weights! If someones bow is properly tuned and they shoot razor sharp heads and limit their shot to no more than 20 yards and 15 is better no reason they should not hunt a lot of big game!! Moose have been taken with 45# bow weights. I bet there are alot more deer hit and lost with a lot heavier bows, because more people shoot heavy weights and make poor shots than with people who shoot 35 to 40# bows because most of those folks know their limits and are more careful than th others!! Sorry, but for an Admin. of a traditional site to post those comments is odd to me. Wait til your 75 and want to stay in the Trad game and can only shoot 35 to 40#s and than tell us how ya feel!! Shawn

I agree 100%, Thanks' Shawn!  Jason

[bad arrow]

A traditional site where its members are vehemently opposed to low poundage bows? Sounds like some of us want even more laws. What a joke! Isn't the low poundage argument what the antis and compounders use against us trad guys in the first place? Come on....Phil

[bad arrow]

Heck, if ya want to kill a deer with an atlatl I say go for it!....Phil

[Bob Macioch]

Originally posted by Shawn Leonard:
Wow, sorry but I disagree with Rob 100%. I know people who have killed bears and deer with bow weights in the high 30s and low 40# weights! If someones bow is properly tuned and they shoot razor sharp heads and limit their shot to no more than 20 yards and 15 is better no reason they should not hunt a lot of big game!! Moose have been taken with 45# bow weights. I bet there are alot more deer hit and lost with a lot heavier bows, because more people shoot heavy weights and make poor shots than with people who shoot 35 to 40# bows because most of those folks know their limits and are more careful than th others!! Sorry, but for an Admin. of a traditional site to post those comments is odd to me. Wait til your 75 and want to stay in the Trad game and can only shoot 35 to 40#s and than tell us how ya feel!! Shawn

Agree with you 100% Shawn

[jacobsladder]

Shawn and R.C....I agree totally with your posts..... R.C., looking forward to seeing you this week in G.A.....

[Karebru]

 This post is rapidly taking on an evil twist. . testing and allowing only accomplished shooters to hunt.

I suggest that if you can't hit the bullseye 10 out of 10 at 100 yards, you shouldn't be in the woods. You owe it to. . something, not sure what.

Yes this is being very facitious, but the fact is. . who the heck are you to tell me I have to be able at YOUR set distance, and why shouldn't that open the door for someone else to pick THEIR distance ?

And if I CAN hit 10 out of 10 at 100 yards. . who is policing me to make sure I don't take 150 yard shots ?

This is where that brain thing comes in.

Watch out what you wish for cause those making rules shoot guns and compounds and the rules are different for them.
ChuckC  

Rush couldn't have said it better.  
 
I'm just starting out, and I can tell you that I won't let that first arrow loose on an animal before I feel that I've developed the skills and everything is right for making a clean, respectful kill. I hope, when the time comes, I’m able to rise to the occasion.
I’ve seen enough to know that Trad archery isn't the most effective way to make a kill. What attracts me is that it presents a more level predator/prey playing field. A cannon ball to the vitals at 300 yards may be more efficient, but where's the respect in that?

[bigugly1]

I believe we should all strive to respect whatever animal we are hunting. I also believe not everyones ethics are the same , so regretfully if shooting under 40# bows are legal and even if it goes against my ethics I will stand up for that hunters legal rights as we can't and shouldn't be fighting each other. Now break a game law and you are no longer a hunter but a poacher.

[dick sable]

I don't think this thread has developed an "evil twist" at all.  Everyone's comments have been seemingly heartfelt, equally valid, and good food for thought.

The comments in the original thread were not to try to shove anything down anyone's throat regarding right or wrong. Initially, the reference was to questions involving whether 36# or 38# would kill large type deer. Nobody suggested everyone had to shoot 50-60 bows. As the thread progressed, it was noted that many individuals have been very successful with low 40's pound bows.  For example, Bob Morrison has been on the cutting edge (no pun intended)with regard to tuning heavy FOC for extreme penetration efficiency at lower bow weights, and like others, has had proven success. It was suggested that it would be worthwhile to heed and experiment with those ideas.  While it is not inexpensive relative to $$ or time, I do believe it is worth the effort.

I do second what Tracy (bigugly1)said about ethics.  Other members' comments about the use of common sense and using your conscience as your guide also make sense to me.

Funny how conversations like this one can begin so well and become mercilessly twisted.

I hope all "tradgangers" continue to enjoy shooting and have a safe and good new year!

Dick

[Turkeys Fear Me]

There is a uniquely American belief which suggests that bigger is always better.  If "A" does well, then "AA" will do even better.  If 40 lbs is good, 80 lbs will be REALLY good.  If a .270 is sufficient, then a .300 mag is better.  If 110 mph on your snowmobile is awesome, then 130 mph would be even awesomer.  

For many, this is true for anything from truck tires, to bass boats, to hamburgers, to big screen TV's.  It is part of their psyche. I'm not saying it's good or bad, it just is.

I'm sure some people could make an argument for for commuting to work in a Humvee.  After all, it might snow, or there might be a mudslide, or there might be a riot, or, or, or...

There are even times when a Humvee is the only vehicle for the job. Like in war zones and natural disaster sites.  Even then, sometimes it's not enough.

At the end of the day though, 99% of the time, your Chevy Malibu is all that's needed for commuting.

Same holds true with bows.  If you're hunting elephants or water buffalo, you probably better use something more than 40 lbs.  On the other hand If you're hunting whitetails, you don't really need a Humvee.

[champ38]

ttt

[straitera]

Guaranteed, an experienced hunter can get away w/things a novice can't. You nailed it however. Just respect the life of the animal & do your BEST to insure a quick clean kill. Be accountable of & to yourself.

[ti-guy]

Once you master your SHOT AND PRECISION CONSTANTLY,your bow,the set up is ACCURATE,LEATHAL,SHARP AND TOUGH BH,ARROW WEIGHT AND SPEED ETC.ETC... Don't be a shame because uncontrolable,unpredictable act of god happen as you shoot your prey.I know a woman who's in love with the bow and arrow but does not hunt with it because her draw weight is to low,she use black powder gun.

[gregg dudley]

My son, Reed didn't bowhunt at all this year.  He said to me, "Dad, with football and all I just haven't practiced enough."  He gun hunted with me and we had a big time of it.  I was proud of him for knowing his limits and respecting the animals we love to hunt enough to stick to them.  It really brought tears to my eyes when he said it because I knew that he "got it."  The problem is that there are a lot of people out there that don't.  

I think you can consistently take game with modern traditional bows in the 40 pound range, but you have to know and respect the limitations of that equipment.  There is a huge difference between someone who has worked hard to build up to 40 pounds and shoot it effectively and someone who picks up a 40 pund bow the day before the season because that is all they can pull back.  How are you planning to police that?  Does the second person have the "right" to hunt with a bow?

[straitera]

Apples don't fall far from the tree. Great stuff w/your son & knowing limits. You taught him well.