I know that I come to this board because there is a wealth of information at my fingertips. I like to help the newbies and get some tips from the pros. I'm fairly confident in the knowledge I have, but not so much that I'm too proud to take advice from others. I just wondered how everyone else feels about their own expertise. To make things easier, use the following general rating system and then add details about yourself.

Pro- You and your bow work together as a well oiled machine. Your arrows fly as if computer tuned with razor sharp precision and rarely miss their mark. Your equipment has been gone over and tuned like a piano before a big concert at Carnegie Hall. You walk into the woods and can almost instinctively find sign and if you do not take what is a trophy for your area every season, you consider it a failure.

Expert-Your bow is well tuned and you hit the mark just about every time. You have every confidence that your gear will perform flawlessly as long as you do the same. You know the woods you hunt like the back of your hand and feel that you will have an opportunity for a shot at a deer each time you go on stand.

Above Average-Your bow is tuned, but could use some micro tuning. You shoot very well and your gear follows your lead. You have scouted out your area and have a lot of good stand sites picked out and know that your favorites are likely to produce action.

Hunter-You sight your bow in and put on your broadheads then make the adjustments needed to get your gear ready for hunting. You have excellent woodmanship and this is exemplified by your ability to get within range to take deer with a bow. You are not an expert archer, but an excellent hunter.

Novice-You are new to the sport of archery/bowhunting and are soaking up as much as you can. You practice religiously with your gear in preparation for the hunt. You know the woods and trails that you will hunt and eagerly anticipate the upcoming season. (Note: you don't have to be a first year hunter to be a novice. I would say I was a novice my first 3 seasons of bowhunting.)

Woodsman-Your archery skills are adequate for hunting. You practice to make sure you can cleanly take game and have no interest in making a 60 yard shot on a bullseye. You know your hunting spots like you know your own home. You could practically name the deer you hunt and WILL have plent of meat in the freezer come this winter.

Weekend Warrior-You'll pull your bow out of the garage right around now or even in the coming weekends. You'll shoot it to make sure that everything still works. Come opening day you'll be sitting in the same old trusty stand that you've taken deer from for years, but you haven't seen since last hunting season.

I only listed positive attributes for each rating because I want everyone to be honest and there is no shame in any of these. We are all BOWHUNTERS and that is why we are all on this forum and that in itself brings us together. With that being said I would consider myself Above Average right now and working to become an Expert. Be honest this is just for fun.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>