Quotes from the article.. "If you’re a master with the old gear, recurves or longbows, that’s fine. But if you’re not so hot with truly traditional equipment, you might consider moving on to compounds or crossbows. We’re hunting deer, not the past, right?" I am "moving on" by using a recurve. Part of me loves the past and the simplicity and skill involved in hunting with a trad bow. So yes, I am hunting the past I guess. There is nothing about hunting with a compound that involves "moving on". You can either hit your target at a given distance or you cannot, regardless of weapon. "I’m as sentimental as the next guy about my old archery gear, but I’m more deadly with the modern stuff. And that’s how I’ve come to view old gear vs. new gear: Even though sentimentality gives me warm feelings, those thoughts wouldn’t outweigh the guilt I’d feel if my old gear wounded a deer unnecessarily." There are lots of guys on this very website (myself included) that wounded deer "unnecessarily" with our compound bows over the years. It is part of hunting unfortunately. I do not get the impression that trad guys wound deer at any higher rate than compound hunters. What is cool about this article is that I was about to make a post today about how I think some of you guys should try out hunting with a trad bow and the reasons why. But I don't like to push my views on other people really so I didn't post.
I don't really usually comment on these threads, but you could, in theory, make the argument that advances in technology have given birth to "idea" that compound bows are "ready to hunt" straight from the pro shop. I think the potential for accuracy that can be attained with a compound is often perceived as automatic, giving hunters the false sense of confidence that they only need to fire a few arrows, and they're ready to go into the woods. In fact, from the group here (the only traditional/recurve hunters I know of well), I would say they practice and prepare MORE than the AVERAGE compound bow shooter, and are very aware of their effective range (I read countless times with Brett and/or Steve passed deer because they were simply out of their effective range (even if only a mere 5yds). Now, with that being said, the bowhunters on this site are only a small sampling of the bowhunting community, but I would say they are also the minority when it comes to the prep work, so when I make these points, consider how much practice and/or effort many bowhunters put in before the season starts. Lack of practice and familiarity with your equipment will result in far more deer lost/wounded than your choice of equipment. All the technology in the world isn't a substitute for practice.
I started shooting about November of last year. I wanted to try traditional so i borrowed a recurve off my grandpa. After shooting for 3 days at 10 yards i had lost all hope of being able to hit a target bag let alone the small target area to kill a deer. After that disappointment i didn't quit. I bought a compound and started practicing with it. In early October I finally got my hunting license and thought i was ready. I sat out through the rest of fall and most of winter only seeing 2 doe that i spooked and had no prayer of hitting. After spooking those 2 doe i target shot the next day and found my arrows all far left. ended up i hadn't taken into account my heavy winter clothing when aiming. After discovering this oversight i was happy i hadn't been given a shot on anything because of the thought of wounding a deer instead of killing it. This spring i have already been working on form holding my pin more steady on my target and working my way back to distances that i don't ever plan on shooting to increase accuracy at closer ones. The new equipment has made shooting easier for me but I made the switch for the game i hunt. I am in awe with deer and i would personally hate to injury one because of a lack of my skill. That is the reason i chose compound over trad. Who knows as i get older i might try traditional equipment again and see how it turns out.
I believe that we hunt because we enjoy hunting. It makes no difference to me what kind of equipment people choose to use. What IS important to me is that each person evaluates themselves appropriately. Everyone needs to determine what distances they would shoot various game at. No doubt that modern equipment extends that range at which shots can be taken...this is why so many of us spend hundreds of dollars updating our gear. What ever equipment you choose, the range can be extended by practicing. I like practicing and shoot 2000+ arrows a year - this has extended my range. Right now I love the new bows, sights, and rests. I can totally see myself picking up a longbow and getting a huge thrill out of crushing a deer at 15 yards. If you enjoy what you're hunting with...you're already a winner in my book.
