I'm Guilty...

[mcgroundstalker]

... Guilty of thinking myself more "in tune" with archery than the wheelie bow or cross bow shooters... Then I Woke Up! Who am I to judge?


Many of you have got it right... We are all on the same team! You can bet I'll be out there with my .243 and in-line during those seasons... But for now I'll enjoy the thrill of trad archery for all its' worth!

... mike ...     ...

[Sam McMichael]

We try not to be judgemental, but at times we all fall into it. That is why we need to periodically remind ourselves not regard our preferences too highly. We feel, and justifiably so, that our way is the best - FOR US. We only are truly out of line when we reach the point of not allowing another point of view to be considered.

[Archer1977]

Me too. I love trad archery...compound bows...crossbows...muzzleloaders...centerfire rifles... I especially like wild game meat too. They are all effective at putting meat on the table and fun, why limit yourself?

[mcgroundstalker]

I got to thinking about what I posted in another thread on this site about a customer being out of line with a salssman... Anyway, those that don't understand about trad archery just, well, don't get it... No Big Deal!

Remember the first time you put on a back quiver full of arrows? What did you say to your self then?

... mike ...    ...

[Michael Arnette]

I don't think anyone is bashing anyone in particular, rather this is a discussion on hunting ethics and the theory of limited effectiveness for greater experience... It's the foundation that our archery seasons were originally founded on.

[Whitetail Addict]

Originally posted by Michael Arnette:
I don't think anyone is bashing anyone in particular, rather this is a discussion on hunting ethics and the theory of limited effectiveness for greater experience... It's the foundation that our archery seasons were originally founded on.

Bob

[TenkaraGrasshopper]

It is about time outdoors doing what we love with what we have and not letting anything get in the way of our enjoyment. Experience is number one and with that experience comes the knowledge of when to shoot or not shoot as the case may be.

My archery foundation is the love of the outdoors and the people I meet along the way who share the same way.

[Izzy]

You don't have anything to apologize for, you're Mr. Ciccone, a legendary bowman and I am honored to be your acquaintance.    :p

    These days, no one bothers me for what choices they make. We all have our own lives to live and looking after mine is difficult enough.

[trubltrubl]

I am in the same thought..hunt with what you want. However I don't think crossbows should be in the archery season. I am selfish and like the bow seasons as long as possible and as archery equipment gets more technical and harvest numbers increase because of it ..it will shorten the season for archers...I know it is selfish but I like the archery seasons as long as possible...

[Cavscout9753]

Yep, as long as its ethical and legal, to each their own. But the entire issue is why I'm grateful that of all the T.V. Shows out there, Fred Eichler is holding his own. If folks don't like trad for any number of reasons thats fine by me, there's a lot of time and effort involved in becoming (and staying) proficient. I just hate when people say or act like it isn't doable, been done, or being done still. Seeing Fred on regular shows getting after it with his recurve is, at very least, getting the message out there.

I got friends who hunt with trad, compounds, and even crossbows. They are still all my friends. I don't care what a guy uses, as long as he is out there and doing it legally.

That being said, I'm pretty sure I have the most fun!              

Bisch

[Cyclic-Rivers]

The unexamined life is not worth living

Socrates.

Good for you Mike, Life is worth living.... Don't be too hard on yourself, we all need to check our brakes once in a while.

[woodchucker]

I'm a HUNTER first!!!!! My ancestors were hunters...

Many hundred years ago... The idea of "how to build a better trap" is what kept people ALIVE!!!

We call it "technology" today... But, it still serves the same purpose, it puts food in family's bellys. Many folks today, are overcome by technology and choose to "step back" (such as us) However, we must never forget where we came from!!! "Hunting" is a tradition"!!!!! This is what I teach.....

[Tradcat]

I have to fight the "purist" mentality demon all the time. We are all hunters and should support each other completely. Lord knows we have enough enemies with the "anti" groups

[DanielB89]

Originally posted by Sam McMichael:
We try not to be judgemental, but at times we all fall into it. That is why we need to periodically remind ourselves not regard our preferences too highly. We feel, and justifiably so, that our way is the best - FOR US. We only are truly out of line when we reach the point of not allowing another point of view to be considered.

I think this was worded...PERFECTLY!  I do joke with my buddies who shoot compounds, as they do with me.  But in the end, we share a campfire and are always pumped when the other connects.

[Jim Wright]

I have never judged anyone who shot compounds, crossbows or whatever. That said, I do not consider myself on any "team" and it is my personal opinion that a compound is a mechanical device that launches an arrow and crossbows are even further removed from archery. They don't even shoot an arrow but rather a bolt. I do have a problem with the fact that here as in many other states we no longer have an archery season, it has been replaced with a crossbow season. I can still hunt with my bow during it the same as during general rifle season but there is no archery season anymore.

[DanielB89]

Originally posted by trubltrubl:
I am in the same thought..hunt with what you want. However I don't think crossbows should be in the archery season. I am selfish and like the bow seasons as long as possible and as archery equipment gets more technical and harvest numbers increase because of it ..it will shorten the season for archers...I know it is selfish but I like the archery seasons as long as possible...

I agree and disagree.  I personally don't think anyone should be able to use a cross bow unless they have a reason(old age, handicap, etc).  Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries has been discussing shortening our season and more specifically, the gun season.  I think we need as many people fighting for archery in LA as possible, whether it be compound, crossbow, or traditional equipment.  

Last season here there were some 140,000 deer harvested, roughly 9,000 of those with bow and crossbow.  

And, those are only claimed tags.  I'd bet there were another 20,000 who never called in a tag.

[JamesV]

If the projectile has feathers/vanes it's archery.

[Bowwild]

I will be sharing the field (hopefully) with my son, grandson, and best friend this season. There will be recurve, compound, and crossbow used among us four. The equipment we choose to use will be invisible. The hunt and the company is the important thing.

This doesn't mean I'm lukewarm about my chosen equipment. In fact, I'm anything but.  Because of a shoulder issue I'm  having I may very well not be able to use a KY cow archery elk tag that took me 9 years to draw. I could legally use a crossbow but I'd rather frame the tag if I can't shoot my recurve.

I wish I could give the tag to my son or grandson but that isn't allowed. (I support the reasons for not allowing the transfer of the tag.)

[newhouse114]

For me, the decision to go traditional was a very personal decision. I hunted with both bow and rifle for years. I was a registered hunting guide in Alaska for 11 years and had a lifetime of experiences while doing that. I competed in 3D in Alaska with the wheel bow and harvested numerous moose, caribou, and one dall sheep with it. Hunting had lost its allure, it was simply harvesting. When I picked up the ancient recurve that had been gathering dust for nearly 30 years I was transported back to when hunting was FUN. Three recurves and a long bow later I still feel like a newby on his first hunt when I carry the stick bow. The anticipation and joy cannot be compared to any other hunting method. At least for me.