" 1. That wasn't his question...was it? And you wonder why you don't know my position on crossguns in archery seasons? LOL!!!
That was MY question, in addition to his. But they are one in the same. His question was
So , then your opposition to crossbows is based on selfishness? , mine was a little sweeter and worded differently but the core meaning of the questions remain - ban them and keep them out not because they have a different look, construction or function, but because they would increase the numbers of hunters in archery season and perhaps even shorten it and the bag limit ?? If thats not an issue, then we're back to the old accessories and how they differ from compound to crossbow to recurve/longbow - something thats already be debunked.
I mentioned the guys missing to show that longbow/recurve hunting IS more difficult. Those two guys with compounds rarely if ever missed. I was much like that too. I see a lot of posts on guys missing, forgetting to pick a spot, with recurves/longbows. Because its a more difficult thing to do, to kill a deer with a longbow/recurve. Thats fact anyway you slice is, just like compounds are more difficult than rifles. Compound hunters miss too, however with so many more compound hunters you would expect to hear about as many or more. That does not indicate a percentage though, does it ?
I would have jumped on the guy missing so many deer a year ago too. Why ? Because its not a good example of how archery SHOULD go. However, I know the guy, like the guy and what should be asked of him ? He practices, his equipment is good, he's a fine shot, I don't know that he's shot anywhere over 22 yards, he's got compoud experience and KNOWS how to hunt and kill deer ... is that NOT the requirements needed to go bowhunting ? Killing a deer has been hard for him - hell I'm 0 for 2 this year myself and haven't even shot at a deer yet ! THAT guys is something I have learned. Counting misses does not neccessarily indicate the quality of the hunter or the skill of the archer. Something is missing (concentration I think)but thats something that cannot be measured.
JRW - You said
" As far as your buddies and their track records of misses and wounds... <u>If a person stays within their effective range, they don't go 0 for 5, or 1 for 12 with a couple of wounds.</u> Yes, animals jump the string, and "stuff" happens...but let's be serious. I've got a dollar waitin' on a dime that says their records of missing and wounding would only increase with a weapon that they felt they could shoot even further. My advice for them would be to learn, and stay within, their effective range, or take up a new hobby...like knitting.
Yet that is EXACTLY what has happened.
TxCowboy - You noticed that too ? He skirted BOWFANATIC's question yet again, as well as mine. Why is that ?
<font color=blue>I'll restate my case to clear any confusion.
A crossbow is not unlike a compound, the only difference really is the drawing of the bow which can be offset with the argument that crossbows are louder, heavier and more awkward, not as accurate at longer ranges and slower - theres a strong case for crossbows being LESS efficient than compounds as hunting weapons.
However a lot of people still want crossbows banned from archery season. Why ? IF its about equipment, then I submit that a compounds is MORE different than recurves/longbows as crossbows are to compounds. Maybe its because theres already enough archery hunters in the woods and more would result in a scaled back season and bag limits ? Or maybe crossbow hunters are slob hunters ? I have yet to see a good solid argument against crossbows in archery season. I know its not a popular stance, but it IS a stance of solid reasoning. I use to hate crossbows and crossbow hunters. After thinking it through I cannot think of a good reason to though. Yes, they choose equipment which is easier to use, not as challenging, but thats a choice.
My examples of people shooting and missing with a recurve/longbow were to show the difficulty. Both these guys are hunters, both are accomplished with compounds and rarely if ever missed with compounds. Both these guys know what they can do, know their equipment and practice. Both are fine shots, yet both have misseed quite a few deer. I am 0 for 2 this year, so its not just me - hunting with a recurve/longbow is much more challenging. I mention this because I am NOT bashing the hit/miss success of bowhunters. I've learned a different perspective and view in the past few months. Thats not to say that I don't think bowhunters should be the best at ethics, that we should work our hardest to shoot straight everytime and always make clean kills - thats EXACTLY what I believe, rather I see reality and the difficulties of bowhunting as it is in a better way I think.</font id=blue>
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