If we all try hard enough....we can figure out a way todiscern why someone "ISN'T" "accomplished". I know that. Personally.....I don't think it has anything to do with shooting different animals. We have people in this forum that likely only hunt whitetails with the bow.....and I'd hazard a guess that many of them are worthy of being called "accomplished". I don't think it has anything to do with hunting "quality" animals. What is a "quality" animal? That definition's in the eyes of the bowholder. How many years he's been hunting? Why is this a criteria? If Bill "accomplishes" in one year what it took Sam 10yrs to achieve.....who's more "accomplished"?

If you asked me.....A HUGE determining factor in this whole thing is where one lives....and the access one has to the animals he's pursuing. It's a pretty good bet I wouldn't have the chance to shoot the number of deer I do if I hunted where many of you hunt. Ditto the guys who consistently shoot large racked deer. They live or hunt where those deer are. Is a guy who goes to an outfitter in TX ....and takes a 180" deer every year more "accomplished" than a guy who takes the top % of deer from his available woods? What about the guys from the big buck states? Are they more "accomplished" ...based solely on geography?

Look around when you're at your local bow shop......at your peers. If it's important to you......think about whehter or not you feel like an "accomplished" bow hunter when compared to them.

Am I an "accomplished" bowhunter? I don't know....nor do I care (and I don't mean that sound bad....I just don't care if anyone thinks I'm 'accomplished'). I want them to see me as an ethical hunter. If they feel I'm "Accomplished"......so be it. If they don't....again...I sleep just fine. If you're hunting legally....ethically....and you're doing what you set out to do.......all the while maintaining a balance with your work/family.....

...then congratulations on your accomplishment.