some peoples nerve...

[Mike Mecredy]

Did you ask him what kind of bow his husband shots?

[ChuckC]

I like RC's response.

No sense looking equally like an AH.  There are those sorts in every walk of life.  They buy a hot rod car and are instantly NASCAR material.  They buy a high end bow and feel that makes them a pro.  What they need to do is add an attachment port, one to each side so he can hang two GoPro's  onb long arms and take video of his greatness.
ChuckC

[nineworlds9]

Originally posted by Mike Mecredy:
Did you ask him what kind of bow his husband shots?

LMAO!!!    

[Michael Arnette]

If I were a dealer I wouldn't sell crossbows period...I tell people to get a real bow (compound or traditional)

Some folks just have not seen the light.........and have no clue!

Bisch

[Whitetail Addict]

I always thought WE shot the big boy bows. No let off, generally no release, sights, etc. That's not to even mention Xbows. Oh well, there are a lot of morons in the world, we're bound to run into one from time to time.

Bob

[fnshtr]

I had the reverse to happen to me once. Went into a bow shop in North Carolina in the '70s and when the shop owner ask me what sight I used, and I told him "none", he came unglued!

I was with my two older brothers that also hunted "bare bow". I figure the guy is still upset!!!

[tomsm44]

My dad had this happen at an archery shop once.  He was actually shooting a compound, but it was one of the old wood riser ones around 15 years old at the time with no sights.  He took it in to get the string replaced and a couple of guys started criticizing the bow, and him for shooting such a dinosaur.  He walked back to his truck and got a picture album with 15 years worth of nice bucks with that bow propped up on them.  That pretty well ended the laughing.  The shop tech was grinning the whole time since he sold the bow to my dad originally and knew what it was capable of in the right hands. I know it's not really traditional, but it's a similar scenario.

Matt

[Mr. fingers]

You can only hunt with an X bow if your handicapped or over 60 during bow season or you can use one during the rifle season here in MN. Every year when the regs come out I cringe thinking they will make them legal for,everyone during the archery season as I see more and more store selling them.

So,you could of said enjoy you handicap elderly bow.

Or even better you could have reminded him of the fall of the Roman Empire and that there crossbows were no match for the English archers with there longbows!!
Tim

[Brock]

you should collect pictures from here of all the 45# bows killing hogs, deer, bear and more...and then educate them.  Ignorance is no excuse and the media and pro shops do nothing to downplay it as they make money on accessories and upgrades and trade ins every year or two as the newest and best comes out.

Every year I run into perfectly healthy men with crossbows in Iowa, all claiming to be disabled because their shoulder hurts. When one of them was shooting his kids bow, I pointed out that he did not look disabled, He said, "Not with that bow it's only set at 50 pounds, I can shoot that all day.  Besides, a couple of years ago I did hurt my shoulder with a 75 pound bow."  Apparently, once you get your foot in the crossbow door you have a free pass for life.

[LoneWolf73]

poor guy, more money than common sense.

[fnshtr]

This year, for the first time, crossbows are allowed in West Virginia, during archery season. It started out for disabled hunters only.

I would have no problem allowing them during gun season or in a short special season, but do not think they should be allowed during archery season. With muzzleloading season and several different firearm "antlerless" seasons now... Real archers are losing more and more of our hunting time.

$$$$$
Sorry to rant.

[Knotter]

I once has a guy scoff at my 65# longbow (which is pretty stout compared to a 45).  He was shooting a cranked up speed wheeler and i offered him an opportunity to shoot it.  He got about halfway into the draw and started to wobble and grunt. I told him you start light and move up.

he kept it zipped and was very nice to me after that.  

...as for your "friend"... only the willing can be cured of ignorance and will is not easily maneuvered. Don't worry.  You know what you know.

[bruinman]

Yep, I had it happen one time. Only once though. A shop owner told me I was unethical. He said the animals deserved better. We owe them better than that he said. We should shoot equipment that gets complete penetration, so the animal will die quickly. In 47 years of doing this, there has never been a big game animal that I have not shot completely through. There have of course been a couple less than stellar hits.

[Bowwild]

I've read about these interactions such as here but I have never, in my 45 years in archery have had such a thing happen in my presence.

34 of those archery years I shot a compound. I was just as much an archer then as before and now.

An owner/salesperson must bite their tongue or hurt their bottom line which can do financial harm for their family.  

I agree with most that you did well to tolerate the misinformed customer.

However, no one would get by with suggesting that I'm unethical without a lecture. That person would be a bit less ignorant after the exchange.  Some people go through life unchallenged and therefore remain ignorant of certain things.

[Jon Stewart]

My dad said it best one day, the compound will be the ruination (one of his made up words) of archery.  Look where archery has come from and where it is going to.  Now the crossbow! What is next for our sport?

Keep in mind that many  who post on traditional web sites go to the compound to hunt and some go to the crossbow.  Go to a trad shoot and just listen to folks talk about hunting and you will realize that the traditional hunter is in the minority in this sport.

About the only place a traditional archer/hunter can buy supplies are at shoots.  We are lucky to have a very faithful group of businesses to attend shoots so we can pick up the things we need.  The mom and pop archery shop, like my dad had back in the 60's is long gone.

If it is legal then by all means use the equipment that meets your desires. Me I went from traditional to compound to traditional to primitive. I could care less anymore what folks use but I will not be preached to.

[Panzer]

I honestly think that a lot of guys feel intimidated when they see some of us using equipment that requires more skill and effort than there's. I have had guys tell me that they couldn't do what I do. When I joined the Marines I knew guys that flat out said that they couldn't do it and they treated me differently after knowing I was a former Marine, some became very jealous especially those from other branches. Sorry but it's true.

[reddogge]

You, as a salesman, handled it perfectly. Keep your mouth shut and make the sale silently realizing your customer is a jerk.

I had the exact opposite happen when the cable guy showed up to do some work and spied my "Traditional Bowhunter" license tags holder. He wowed me with how fast his compound was, how far away he could hit a deer and through very small openings too. I asked him if he'd like to see a bow (ILF with carbon limbs and arrows) and me take a few shots and he jumped at the chance since he'd never seen a traditional bow shot before.

Luckily I put 4 arrows into a softball sized group around the spot from 25 yards and he was greatly impressed with the quietness of the bow, the perceived speed and accuracy and the solid impact the arrows made in the target. Needless to say he was impressed and enjoyed the little demonstration.

He wanted to know about aiming and I explained gap shooting to him which made perfect sense to him. He went away happy.

[J. Cook]

I've never gotten a bad reaction before - in fact, most of the time they are amazed at "it" and when I ask if they'd like to try it, they usually light up like a kid at a candy store.