Taking pride in bowhunting

[rybohunter]

With all the bow vs gun talk going on"¦.I"™m just curious about one question.

Why isn"™t it ok to be proud to be a bowhunter? For the most part, those who bowhunt do so for the challenge and up-close nature of the sport. In my opinion, that is something to be proud of. Can you view bow hunting (especially if it is your true passion), as something to take pride in, and feel good about, without feeling guilty that you are putting down other forms of hunting?

Maybe it is more of a matter of when pride crosses the line to elitism? But where is that line drawn? Does one have to speak their mind to cross it, or merely think it? Blatant and undeserved derogatory comments are obviously uncalled for. But what about, the insincere "œnice buck"� to a gun hunter, when if you met that same person with a bow kill you"™d spend 20 minutes talking about their prize.

In closing I suppose the same parallel can be drawn to society and those who are proud "œItalian-Americans"� or "œPolish-Americans"� or "œAfrican-Americans"� or "œGerman-Americans"� when we are all just "œAmericans"�.

Is it the same as being a "œbow"� hunter, or "œduck"� hunter, or "œtraditional"� hunter, or "œpredator"� hunter, when we all are "œhunters"�?

[Gundeck]

I think for the most part I view the majority of hunters the same as me. It is the "jerk" hunters that I can't stand. I know some gun hunters who really know their game and hunting. By nature, many people who onlly gun hunt, only hunt a week or two out of the year. I don't hold that against them. I know many can't make more time than that. They are not in the same category (in my mind) as the guys who devote a major portion of the year to hunting in some aspect, BUT it doesn't matter to me if they are gun hunters, bow hunters, trad hunters or fishermen. They are all sportsmen in my book and usually devote time to helping the cause of hunting as well as participating in the sport.

[mobow]

I mostly agree. I think the "elitist" attitude, also commonly called arrogance, is a fence between us. I will no longer hunt deer w/ a rifle, but I in no means think I am any better than the guy that hunts strictly w/ a rifle. To each there own.

I don't think we can just lump everyone into one generic "hunter" category though. It's just too....basic. Being a bowhunter is more of a definition really. It defines who that person IS....Well I'm a duck hunter....see, it adds more clarification.

Why isn"™t it ok to be proud to be a bowhunter?

It is, and it BETTER be. But, why isn't it ok to be a rifle hunter? Is is, and it BETTER be. Be proud of your hunting style, I mean, it's all you rifle hunters have, cause everyone knows that bowhunters are THE GREATEST!

I say that because sometimes I think the friendly ribbing that goes on w/ the rivalry is misinterpreted. The ribbing is what makes it fun. It's just friendly competition that goes on virtually everywhere. Bottom line though? We're all the same, and we need to stick together. Well, except for those wanna be's.....commonly called CROSSbow hunters....

[GMMAT]

I think it's OK to be proud of what you do. I think it's DEFINITELY OK to be proud to be a bowhunter in THIS FORUM. We should be able to sing the praises of how we've all chosen (at least "some" of the time.....since we're in this forum to begin with) to pursue these animals (bow and arrow).....without worrying about if we're stepping on the pride of people who choose to pursue them via other methods. There's a difference between a lighthearted ribbing and an insult. BUT.....if something is thrown out as "ribbing"....and Perceived as an insult.....maybe we'd better just remember where we are.......which is the BOWHUNTING FORUM.

Here's a good example.......I said this yesterday.

"I would rather floss my neighbors cat's teeth.....than hunt with a rifle. How's that disparaging to gun hunters? It's a personal opinion. Nothing agaisnt gun hunting.....nor cat teeth flossing."

We're in a BOWHUNTING FORUM

I have nothing but respect for anyone who hunts ethically and legally....REGARDLESS of their choice of weapon.....but I think it gets old we have to keep saying that every time we mention that we don't gun hunt.

Just my opinion.

[JoeRE]

rybow and mobow nailed it, elitism is a fence that could use some significant reduction on all of our part, as is apparent in an above post. Be proud of being a bowhunter but of course the line between elitism and pride is not excusionary and happens to be blurry and very grey.

I am proud to hunt with a bow, and I am proud to hunt with a gun. They are inherently different, so my pride stems from different sources, but overall, I am proud to be a hunter. People spend a varying amount of time preparing and/or in the woods but I do not feel the need to judge them by it unless there is a clear lapse of ethics and/or law. The end of the matter is, we need every ethical law abiding hunter we can get.

[Vabowman]

As far as being proud goes, we all should be proud to do our part. Whether it be gun or bow or both. I will say, I am a bowhunter first, that is, if I had to make a choice between the 2, I go with a bow and P&Y kill over anything, however, I also gun hunt just as much and I am proud of that too. Yes, there is something that gun hunters may miss out on.. the closeness of the kill, the quiet kill, the woods to yourself.. etc.. bowhunters are a different breed, Im proud to be in that fraternal order of brotherhood, but my gun kills are some of my most memorable ones, so I can say that I join that group too.

[GMMAT]

The end of the matter is, we need every ethical law abiding hunter we can get.

I agree, Joe. And every law abiding trapper, spear hunter and general citizen. I in NO WAY put down gun hunting in that statement. Some people like redheads....some prefer brunettes. It was made (in jest) and was simply stated asa matter of preference. The ONLY way you can be offended by such a statement....is if you choose to be. It was not meant in that light.

There are PLENTY of people in this world that think th way we hunt (bow) is barbaric, "idiotic", etc... . As long as they're being factual in their assessments of what we REALLY do.....their opinion on bowhunting (to me) doesn't offend me.

"To each his own". My son hunts with a gun. I have. I just have no interest in it any more. I'd fight with my $$ and my voicefor your right to do it, though.

[Vabowman]

I prefer Droptines new girlfri...... I mean bow!!

[BowHuntingFool]

ORIGINAL: GMMAT

There are PLENTY of people in this world that think th way we hunt (bow) is barbaric, "idiotic", etc... .Â*

Those people could care less what weapon that you have in your hand, they want us hunters to be divided! They are against hunting period, think about it! Just my opinion!

[Schultzy]

ORIGINAL: Vabowman

I prefer Droptines new girlfri......

I'll second that one!