I don' tknow that the gear is that much better at all ........ wasn't we talking about how we've " grown " as a whole, bowhunters being influenced by ARA's etc now have to do much more in the way of "ethics" that we use to ? Thats not gear related LBR, thats personal choice and how we choose to be in the woods.
That was in response to your comment about how much gearcould advance in the future. I don't see that much room for improvement. If it gets to the point where the shot is a guaranteed kill, it's not hunting anymore, and our sport is doomed.
The end does not justity the means, at least not to me, as long as I'm not relying on the meat to survive.
Anymore I wonder if thats true. I was in Colorado when bear hunting was banned (spring & dogs). How as it done ? It was a huge lie, propoganda running sows with cubs as being the ones killed. It had nothing to do with the truth behind hunting. You can do everything right ..... and the ARA's will lie, and the stupid public will vote agianst hunting anyway.
You make my point again. Of course the ARA's will do whatever it takes. It's our responsibility to prove them wrong, not prove them right or give them more fuel to add to the fire. Not much chance of changing an ARA's mind, but we're both trying to influence those who don't fall intoeither category,hunter or ARA, to vote with us.
What happens on the back 40 when you shoot a buck isn't in the limelight though, is it ?
Ask some of the well known hunters and celebrities who have been caught up in hunting scandals in the last few years, or even the unknowns who have made the papers. Our ethics shouldn't be determined by who is watching,and these days you don't know who might be watching.
Whats it matter what KIND of shots that were taken ?
You know better. You know the difference in taking a 15 yd shot at a relaxed animal and a 60 yd shot, or a running shot, etc. You also know that there are archers that are comfortable and confident taking shots that you or I wouldn't even consider--and they can make them.
It's not up to me to tell the next guy what is or is not an ethical shot. Some are no-brainer's, but I don't see me setting the rules by skill and comfort level when the next guy may be much better, or much worse.