Video by Traditional Bowhunters of MT

[lt-m-grow]

I appreciate the video and the conversation but I guess I may be the minority opinion on this thread as I am fairly neutral on this or maybe it is "I just don't know which technology is one too many".

My "triple carbon" longbow seems fairly high tech. Is that one too many technology advancements?  Or is 4 carbons with foam core with graphene too many?  I have no idea.

Neither do I know whether crossbows will ruin hunting or whether it gets more people involved in hunting?  I have no idea.  

What I do know is that it has not ruined my hunting.  

And I don't know about Montana but in WI, bowhunting -regardless of weapon - doesn't come close to the amount of animals killed with firearms.  So to infer that these advancements will end bowhunting seems a bit off.

I am not advocating crossbows either...it is just that I believe that if we render arguments that may not be true, we may lose before we know what the battle even is.

Thanks for listening...

[Michael Arnette]

I've been waiting for this to come out...looks great. I'd like to see some hard numbers though for instance statistics on OTC opportunity ect.

[Mark Baker]

Guys...the message here is the way in which the TBM has chosen to take the reins of our particular fight, by using video, and social media, and proactively educating with these tools, those that will be hit with decisions that will affect our seasons.  

As far as what is right or wrong, or is a waste of time to fight....that is our unique problem, and we choose to fight it.  Either way, for those that don't hold an opinion, we can feel like we did our part, and stood for our beliefs.  That is why we have a state organization.   And by the way....most folks would LOVE to come and hunt our state.  Our results speak for themselves.  And our problems are unique and very different than those that your state has...especially those east of the Mississippi.  

We are fighting to maintain our quality of opportunity during our bow-only season.   We already have a "general" season - 5 weeks long - where "anything goes"...crossbows, high-powered rifles, lighted nocks, whatever is legal to hunt with, you can use it anywhere in the state basically.   But during bow-season, we aim to keep it primitive in spirit and participation.

[Michael Arnette]

You are very right about western states being totally different than eastern and especially southern states. There is no comparison

[joe ashton]

Thanks for sharing.  

[John146]

Mark, I really appreciate the video and the premise of doing it. Providing solid, common sensical information to people who have to make decisions concerning these things is a necessary step in addressing issues at a governmental level.

No one who just thinks about this a little can argue the conclusion that more technology has increased the harvest rate on animals. We went from Recurves and Longbows to compounds. The ability to hold a bow at full draw certainly increased success. Then the holding weight percentage is now 80-85%. The fiber optic sights,  etc. etc. can only equate to higher harvest rates.

Along with all this technology then came the shots taken that shouldn't be taken at all because people think because they can hit their bullseye on a target they can sneak the arrow in there. We are going down a road that is and will change bow hunting as we know it.

I think deer management is the main reason that this has not reflected worse on that species. Elk and other animals don't really have that advantage.

Thanks to all who took the time to make the video.

[CoachBGriff]

Thanks to all those who are putting the effort in to get these messages out!

Unfortunately, the other side is fueled by corporations with unlimited resources to push their agendas, so it's increasingly important to get the truth to people.

[elkken]

Hats off to the TBM, very good production and message