Are you an ARCHER or a BOWMAN?

[Blackhawk]

At a recent gathering of traditional folks        shooting their stickbows and arrows, an interesting topic of conversation was introduced by a very well-know writer/bowyer/hunter.  

He went into a rather long explanation of the terms ARCHER and BOWMAN in an attempt to convince his audience that those of us who shoot recurves and longbows at 3-D events and for hunting are “BOWMEN”. These were the men of Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest, or in other words hunters, bandits, or fun-loving scoundrels.  

He went on to say that the term "ARCHER" should be used only for the finely-dressed paper target shooters or for those who compete in the Olympic style of competition.

As for me, I had never considered the “proper” terminology for my hobby, and I see that my dictionary uses the terms interchangeably.  

But now I suppose I must refer to myself as a "BOWMAN".    

[SouthMDShooter]

Well i guess that makes me a Bowman, and i dont think it will be much of a stretch to say most of the people on here are Bowman too

[straitera]

Bowman has a nice ring to it.

[Berube]

Bowman, I feel confortable with that, this what I am

[HATCHCHASER]

BOWMAN!

[Lefty]

I would disagree with his definition of the two.  I have always considered myself an archer rather than a bowman or bowhunter, although I rarely shoot at paper and have been called alot of things, but "finely dressed" hasn't been one of them.  For me using the term archer to describe myself boils down to one thing and that is, even if I never hunted another day in my life, I would still shoot my bow every chance I have.  Don't get me wrong, I love to hunt, but I don't shoot a bow just to hunt.  I shoot bow for the pure enjoyment of it and I beleive I have an archer's heart.

[Dave Bulla]

Neither.... both?  :D  

First and foremost I think of myself as a bowhunter.  Well, maybe I should just say I'm a hunter as I'm not good enough with my bow to achieve "minute of squirrel head" accuracy needed to truely be a complete bowhunter.  Therefore, I'm not presumptive enough to limit my methods and hunt with only a bow.  I love a good shotgun or rifle and still enjoy hunting with them especially when taking my kids.  Since I'll likely never be as good as I want to be, I'll probably always hunt with other methods until I'm an old fart and no longer care as much about the hunting as I do about just being in the woods.

I enjoy shooting targets but I'm a "fun loving scoundrel" at times too.  Once in a while I evern get dressed up so.....

[Gene Roberts]

I am a bowman probably,although many have pointed out that they would still shoot their bows even if they never hunted again.Did you read it completely?It says Fun-loving scoundrels and bandits.I fall into that catagory,and lket me tell you rihgt now that I haven't hunted with my bow.I plan to,but I haven't yet(only tounaments for me.)  Hoorah

[frassettor]

Bowman for sure!

[Precurve]

With all due respect that everyone is entitled to their opinions, including this "expert", this kind of categorization is unnecessary, inaccurate and somewhat demeaning.  Who is he or I or anyone else to judge who an individual is by how he/she chooses to exercise their love of this sport?  If today I shoot a 3-d range does that make me a bowman, and tomorrow when I shoot paper targets am I an archer?  But then only if properly attired, right?  Rubbish.  Ever since reading "The Witchery of Archery" by Maurice Thompson I've considered myself an Archer (who really prefers to stumpshoot wearing some kind of clothes I'm not allowed to M-F).

Dave

[rtherber]

What Lefty said--I just like being in the woods with a bow in hand....decided that in 1978 when  guns didn't excite me anymore and other than military armament and police weaponry, necessary tools of those trades,its been bow in hand only for me since that time.Pure "funnery"----and a dead stump,cow pattie, or sprig of poke  is a worthy target in my world.

[DeerSpotter]

If I had an opinion, and chose one or the other, someone else with a bigger computer, more definitions, and some refined calculations of what my opinion was, they would probably change it for me !

I do have to say that I cannot put those that are friends here on this site into one word, there are many things that describe a lot of people here.  Choosing one word to fit them into, would discredit them.

The world we live in, has a way of pigeonholing everybody.  And it also has a way of thinking less of them if they cannot fit them in that pigeonhole.

As for me, I'll be an Archer, by choice not by force.  But most definitely, keep those fancy clothes away from me, and I only shoot at paper when I have to.

Pastor Carl

[Killdeer]

I love words, I really do. I love delving into their origins and parsing out the deep-down human emotions and experiences that they are meant to convey from one lonely soul to another. I love the nuance that one supposed synonym holds apart from another.

This, however, seems to be much ado about nothing.    

Killdeer    (Uh, the name of this icon is "archer". I gotta go tweak my hunting bow now.  :rolleyes:  )

[nybowman]

personally i like bowman. to be called either is acompliment, for we are all into such a great sport and life style.

[Ray Hammond]

why just yesterday, I put on my plus fours, knee socks, broughans, Kangol cap worn backwards, four in hand and starched white shirt and cardigan sleeveless sweater, took my longbow and quiver in hand, and ventured forth into the woods for a fine afternoon of stumping.

I don't care what anyone calls me, as long as they don't forget to call me for supper!

[Blackhawk]

Killdeer, the "much ado about nothing" was pretty much my thoughts at the time, but his passion to differentiate the two terms was hard to ignore.

Thus far, I'm surprised that more have not stated they were "BOWHUNTERS".

[joe skipp]

C'mon Killy....stop sounding like a philospher. Call it like you see.... it....  :rolleyes:    :eek:    :confused:  

We are Hunters...eaters of meat....Bowman or Archer...our goal is the same...animal on the ground!! (or Rabbit)

 

[JEFF B]

who gives a fat rats ass as long as ya have fun doing it      

[Killdeer]

I am reminded of Bill Clinton's passion to delineate all the separate definitions of what "is" is.

 

[joe skipp]