We went from stick and string, to better stick and string, to compound stick (oops laminated stick) and string, to compound (no wood?) stick and string. Then we went to shorter sticks with higher performance. Now the sticks kick the little sticks faster, today's benchmark is 300+ fps.

Only the little sticks are no longer sticks. Cedar doesn't have the ability to handle the higher stresses. We went to aluminum sticks. They were too heavy and bent easily so we went to graphite sticks. These lighter, graphite sticks are pushed faster and flatter through the air. New materials will come about to make a lighter yet better spined arrow. This is a key limiting factor in our current situation.

There is some kinetic energy tradeoff to this but not much. The question must be asked. "Does it matter?" You can only shoot so far through a deer! Why do we want faster bows? Yes we could cut bigger holes and will have to adjust the broadhead size and weight as the physics change.

I think the secret reason so many hunters want faster bows is to push the effective range of the bow! So many technologies advanced to bring us to this point. Whats next? Well, I do see a plateau in the immediate future. After that we will start pushing the next magic number. What will it be? Will it be 350 fps? 375 or even 400 fps? Whatever it will surely be there. There are limitations to the physics given current setups. Some will be overcome through innovation and improving materials that will lower vibration and energy loss.

In order for these to be economically viable the technology on ancillary but necessary equipment will need to advance. There was a time when the military peep sight was the best thing going. Now for accuracy in rifles we use scopes. Will archery go this way as well? I don't think so but do not yet see the "next generation" in sights. It must advance beyond the kisser and/or peep site.

Other ancillary but necessary products will be improvements in release technologies and materials to dampen the vibration caused by energy loss. Still others may possibly be changes in veins, nocks and string technologies.

Man what a rambling subject. I confess to being ready to trade in my "old" Golden Eagle which puts out a "screamin'" 210 fps pushing an 85 grain broadhead on a graphite shaft. I welcome the opportunity to catch up and shoot 65% letoff 280+ fps products. The GE does get the job done. It kills 'em as dead as my abilities allow. I am ready to change because I see the plateau for the next 3-5 years which allows me to change without wishing I had waited.