What defines a true bowhunter?.......It aint just camo

[moleman]

Having a 1 1/2 hr commute one way i have lots of time to think, and after hearing some of the so called ,hunting exploits of last weekend, from co- workers, i thought id pose this question.

[woodchucker]

A love for the simple "stick & string"... A fondness for plaid... and wool... Good Luck charms... a cherished hat.....

[wetfeathers]

A true Bowhunter is someone who not only accepts the added challenge of closing the distance to his quarry,  passing up less than perfect shot angles or obstructions,  making mistakes (often daily in the pursuit of his quarry) and often ends seasons with unfilled tags, but does it willingly with a smile.  

[Bill Carlsen]

A person's behavior tells the story. Sounds like you heard some stuff  that didn't sit well with  you.

[moleman]

Bill, you aint kidding, I was told of 90 yrd poke and hope shots, just the opposite of a deer drive, but in fact a deer chase! trying to shoot while running!, these guys told of things that any self respecting Bowhunter would be ashamed of!
Needless to say, that i pissed a few people off today, holding my tongue is a virtue i never received.

[jsweka]

Sorry guys, I like the literal definition...A bowhunter is one who hunts with a bow (both traditional and compound).

The rest of the stuff defines a hunter's ethics and could be characteristic any sort of hunter.

[Razorbak]

I like Bill's and wetfeathers definition as thats how I feel

[John Scifres]

I'd say you need a shorter commute     Thinkin' too hard hurts my head.  Maybe a new CD or somethin' would help.

[moleman]

John, i wish it was shorter, but you gotta go to where the money is.
Ive been lucky, being in the construction industry for 26 yrs, ive got to sleep in my own bed every night, and not in a motel on the road. Even with the long commute, i feel pretty Blessed.

[Bonebuster]

"Holding your tongue" is too common these days...I personally consider choosing necessary words wisely more of a virtue than not speaking what needs saying.

USUALLY, I favor of LESS regulation in most things, BUT...I am thinking that mandatory BOWHUNTER education is a concept who`s time has come.

I`ll second jsweka.

[BigBucksnTrucks]

I'll take an hour and half drive any day instead of my 20 hour drive to my hunting grounds!  This year I'm cheating and taking the plane.  Hats off to you mole man for calling those guys out, that I'd really a shame that they "hunt" like that.  I wouldn't want to be in the same vicinity as them in the woods.

[moleman]

jsweka, posted very well, good ethics are not just limited to bowhunting, but to all the hunting sports.

[KHALVERSON]

Originally posted by moleman:
Bill, you aint kidding, I was told of 90 yrd poke and hope shots, just the opposite of a deer drive, but in fact a deer chase! trying to shoot while running!, these guys told of things that any self respecting Bowhunter would be ashamed of!
Needless to say, that i pissed a few people off today, holding my tongue is a virtue i never received.

those dont sound like the actions of any true bowhunter to me
sounds like a batch of slobs for sure!

[moleman]

I guess one of the overwhelming things that prompted me to start this post was my Dad.
Being raised in a hunting family, and knowing that my ole man would have wore out a pair of boots kicking my butt all over the woods for actions like that, makes their lack of ethics hard to believe.
Though hes been gone for many yrs. the lessons and ethics that he taught will be with me forever.
Thanks Pop.

[SheltonCreeker]

I agree with what was said earlier a bow hunter as defind would be one who hunts with a bow and arrow. But 90 yard shots and the such sounds to me to be the action of immature, disrespecful people who give the rest of us a bad name. If spoke well on the behalf of the rest of us then good for you. Speaking up isn't a bad thing. If you don't stand up for yourself and what you believe then who will. Hopefully something you said will change some of there behavior.

[Gdpolk]

The use of archery equipment to hunt and harvest wild game and fish.

[RecurveRookie]

Maybe the question is "what defines a bowhunter with good judgement, integrity, and ethics?" Cheers Moleman!

[Roger Norris]

Not answering your question directly....but as I was getting ready for Idaho, a guy asked me what distance I was practicing at. I told him that I wasn't doing anything different....from very close out to maybe 30 yards. He said something like "Ohhhh no....you have to be shooting at least 50 yards out there".

"Huh" I said...

[reddogge]

If you hunt with a bow, modern or traditional, you are a bowhunter.

[toddster]

To me, ethics and the total enjoyment of the experiance.  so, far this year I have stalked several deer and one turkey and got busted right before the shot, those are right up there to some of the game i harvested.