ORIGINAL: nyorange
Accepting this, you also have to accept the simple fact that taking two identical hunters , the one who can hit targets at 10-40 yds reliably is a much deadlier and efficient hunter than someone who can only hit targets at 10-20 yds. Likewise taking two identical hunters, the one with a compound is a much more dangerous hunter (to deer) than the other simply due to technological superiority. To pretend that there isn't aclear advantage to compounds and that experience alone will equalize the two isn't logical.Please remember I am not making a choice saying that its right or that someone shouldn't be allowed to hunt because of their choice of equipment, all I am saying is that testing target shooting ability does reveal the something about the shooter and all else being equal, a better shooter is a better hunter and someone more likely and able to kill a deer. Got to realize that all of those other qualities that make a a good hunter are also impossible for the land manager to quantify and the only thing he can rely upon is objective results like target shooting cuz thats all he has. Never said I approve of the test, merely trying to providea few possible reasons why they may be doing it. Take care.
I am not saying not to have a shooting skills test, just don't rate the shooters in the test who have passed. In other words, you either pass or you do not. Should a hunter be able to hit a 3d deer vitalsout to 20 yards with traditional equipment? You bet ya. Should a compound shooter be able to hit the vitals of a 3d deer at 30 yards? You bet ya.
But whatI see iswrong is scoring the people inside the "passing" criteria for a better chance at a tag.
Experience has told me, that I totally disagree with your better target shooters being better hunters. So I respectfully disagree. Some of the best/proficient hunters I know, and thats alot, are not crazy about super tuning thier bows. They hit the vitals, they are happy.
I am one of those shooters who are obsessed with super tuning a compound or traditional, and I will say I am much better target shooter than most of my friends. I mean I have everything at my house to tune a bow. But a few ofmy friendsare much better hunters and just take thier bows to a pro shop, and get it hitting the vitals at 30 yards, they are deadly.
There is much more to hunting than target shooting.