Lemond, You lost me dude...there is no competition in bowhunting! It is (or at least should be!) a personal endeavor!! Since I have nothing to lose, nor no-one to loose to, how does the Tour de France scenario serve any point?

I'm already certain we are in the same sport for different reasons. My goals must certaily be as unrecognizable to you as yours are to me. Mine is simple....get as CLOSE as humanly possible, make a good killing shot on the deer of my choice! To do anything less will taint my satisfaction. I also enjoy knowing I've tipped the scales of the chase in as far favor to the deer as I can and still have a reasonable chance for success. I like to minimize my reliance on gadgets and increase my own personal skills (woodmanship and accuracy) to compansate.

My most rewarding hunt to date sent me home with nothing more that a spike. A runt by most anyone's standards. But I took him in the heat of the day, still hunting through a standing corn field. Shot distance...a little over 5 feet (that's less than two corn rows away)! No gadgets, no cover scent, no carbon clothing, NOTHING! Me, a beat up old recurve and a deer! Haven't topped the experience yet!!!

Now before I get a chewing out for being anti-modern equipment...I assure you I am not....only anti-modern philosophy! The philosophy that rewards the kill at any cost and settle for nothing less mentality that goes with it. That's was gets on my nerves! There should be no short cuts in bowhunting! Too many folks are trying to re-invent gun season...SAD!!!! This is a short range sport...25 yards give or take a few!!! To shoot father only increases the risk of making a unsatisfactory shot! At short range, equipment is irrelevant!!!

To each his own and there (for now) is room for everyone! Good luck!!!