Trad only season

[OkKeith]

Hey Ronnie-

I looked into the Arrow Gun thing a little more. It seems that they are legal to use during the Texas gun season but are not defined as Archery equipment. Air Rifles and Arrow Guns are at this time still considered firearms.

Along with you, I don't see the attraction of hunting game animals with either an air rifle or an arrow gun. Maybe it's just the novelty of a new hunting tool? It can't really be a matter of "bigger and better" since neither hunting tool is an improvement on anything else. From what I have read, neither are really any quieter. I enjoy my recurves and longbows! It's the only type of archery equipment I have ever used.

As to your initial question about a Traditional Only Archery Season... I think every bowhunter that uses a single string bow would love to have a time set aside just for us. This would only really impact public lands. Private lands are under the control of those who hunt them, so if they want a Trad Only situation, they could do that.

My understanding of your other posts is that the concern was less about having a Traditional Archery only opportunity than it is about not having other means of taking in the field along with you... a valid concern. Unfortunately State Game and Fish Agencies do not have the resources or the political capitol to make this happen. Even if they did, it would probably cause more problems than it would solve, as exampled by lots of other comments.

Hunting with a single string bow (I don't know what "Traditional Archery" really means) isn't easy but it is certainly fun! Some folks talk about the "limitations" of single string bowhunting but I have never felt restricted or limited. Quite the contrary, I think it is an experience of freedom from complications. Either way it is a fulfilling way to hunt and I enjoy every moment I am in the field with a bow in my hand.

OkKeith

[gregg dudley]

Late to this party, but I've read the comments with interest.  Everybody can find something to grouse about in their own location or circumstances (me too), but if you move to a global view, we have rarely had it so good as hunters.  On a national scale, there is more game and more opportunity than ever before.

A lot of the people posting here have obviously served on stakeholder groups at the local or state level.  When you do that for a minute or two, you realize all of the politics involved in the process.  Once you get past the desire to scream about that, you can't help but marvel at the fact that despite the myriad factors working against them, state DNR offices actually do a pretty good job of protecting the resource and offering opportunities to sportsmen. 

Most people here would push for resources to be managed along scientific principles.  The fact is that a large scale traditional archery season doesn't do much to promote opportunity for any significant part of the hunting community.  It also doesn't do much to achieve management objectives.  Additional seasons also stretch the resources of agencies charged with enforcement and monitoring.  However, smaller scale designated traditional archery hunting areas could be a great compromise and be beneficial for a smaller stakeholder group and a smaller wildlife population.

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

Sigh...…………

the understanding of what our archer hunting forefathers were trying to do has long since passed from the memory of the hunting industry. We have no one to blame but our selves. $$$ and laziness . I've quit preaching to the choir.  One of my compound friends suggested I trim a branch on a stand so he would be able to shoot 60 yards.

i'll just be happy in my own pursuit using a primitive weapon  as there is no going back to the old days for sure.