When I grew up we never took picture of our hogs when we butchered. The only reason I ever killed at all for several years was to put meat on the table.

I hardly cared what it was, Doe, small buck, whatever. I never really considered any of them trophies. I never was a Trophy hunter, and still don't consider myself one although I have become much more selective in what I will and will Not shoot. I think that is just a natural progression.

Steve, I am sure you will agree with me that most Bowhunting shots are less than 20 yards. I'd say my average over 40 years is probably closer to 15 yards. It is Not that hard to group arrows amazingly tight at those ranges with consistent practice. The Mulie I just tagged last month at 4 yards I could have shot with a recurve even without practice

I still remember the days when a Buddy and I would take a soda can out and knock that thing all over the woods with our recurves.

I have seen made and made a few amazing shots with a recurve. I agree with the guy that said it is like throwing rocks, you throw enough of them you get pretty good.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both types of bows, but I doubt if anyones choice of weapon makes them a better or a more dedicated Bowhunter. You can Not lump all compound users in a group and say they are Not dedicated, nor can you put all traditional guys in a group and say they are dedicated. It just doesn't work that way.

On average I spend more time scouting, shooting, and sitting in a stand or blind than many hunters spend in 5 or 10 years. I'm talking your average hunter, not most of the guys on the forums.

I think it's a shame when someone feels they are a superior or a more dedicated hunter just because of their weapon choice. I may hunt with a Crossbow before the day comes I have to quit, but I doubt that would make me any less dedicated. I started out shooting a Shakespeare recurve that was a birthday present when I was in grade school. I murdered a bunch of rabbits with that thing over the next couple of years.

Then I got a part time job and bought a Ben Pearson Recurve. It was a little shorter and I thought it was an awesome bow, as the jobs got better I bought a custom recurve, don't even remember who made it, but it was a work of art. I kept it for a long time and actually I wish I had never given it away, but as with a lot of guys in that time period I was bitten by the compound bug. I could talk about traditional for a long time and not tire of it. I remember once darn near cutting my thumb off while sharpening some Ol' Bear Razorheads. I just never had a desire to go back to traditional after making the switch.

I have probably owned 60 or more personal bows and will admit I am an equipment junkie. I think I was the 1st in the area to use mechanicals, decoys, rangefinders. I enjoy getting a New bow every year and putting it through it's paces.

Good Luck to all Bowhunters! May 2010 be your best season ever!

Dan