I have made cracks about that very thing on this website before, on a few ocasions over the years (traditional not being ethical). I am always using it as a what if type thing and going to the extremes of an attitude someone may have. Usually in reply to someone that has problems with things getting to advanced. I have never implied that is my personal feelings, just that some may see it that way.

I would like to get a recurve bow as well some day. I doubt I will ever hunt with it, but I would like to learn to shoot one just the same. I have seen some pretty amazing things done with traditional equipment and instinctive shooting. I would assume it takes LOTS of practice, and maybe even some training to get it right. I have tried it a few times and couldn't hit a the broad side of a barn, from inside the barn! I just flat out suck, but I am sure I could learn if I messed with it enough.

I think your buddy has probably tried it as well and found out how hard it is and thinks it would be near impossible to hunt that way. I think if you got proficient enough at it and could prove to him you were good enough he might change his mind. If not, I don't know what to tell you, maybe he isn't as good of a friend as you think. Unless he knows you well enough to know that you don't have the commitment to do it right or something?

I know if I told my hunting buddies I wanted to try and hunt with traditional equipment they would not chastize me for it. They might look at me a bit odd because it's against my personal nature, but they would back me up on it. Probably even offer to loan me a bow or something and help me get started. They know that I would spend hours a day every chance I got practicing and researching my new toy. That's just the way I am. And that I wouldn't even consider hunting with it unless I was really confident using it.

Of course I wouldn't catch any grief if I decieded to use a crossbow either. I might get ribbed a little, but no one would refuse to hunt with me.

Hunting is a very individual endeavor, with room for many different types of people. If it's legal and your profecient with it, use what ever weapon makes it most enjoyable for you. If you feel your hunting skills are good enough that you want to make it all that much more challenging, go traditional. You will probably love it. Just make sure you know what you are doing before step into the woods with it. I can't imagine anyone going to traditional that would not do that though.

Good luck,
Paul