I think it goes both ways to an extent...

Myself, I don't buy top of the line because I think it will make me better, I buy it because I enjoy using the higher quality gear.

A great shooter or hunter will still be great no matter the gear they use, a piss poor hunter or shooter will still be, well, piss poor even with top of the line gear....

It's not you. We all know you suck at it.[8D][8D] OK, so that wasn't what you were looking for. It's always the shooter, but better equipment(and more practice)can help you reach your potential. Also, it may be a case of you just got the right set up with this bow...arrows, rest and all that stuff right for you. It may very well be your middle of the road equipment was not set up or would not perform at your best. For most of us, any of the equipment out performs US if we have it set up and tuned properly. Your sudden found expertise is probably a combination of all the above. Unless you go all out, middle of the road and a few bucks more will or should put you at or should I say NEARthe same place if it's all tuned. But sometimes a boy just has to splurge you know. You basically get what you pay for unless it starts with MMmmmmmmmmmmm..... MMMmmmmmmmmmmmmm.... MMMMmmmmmm well, you know.[8D][8D][8D][8D]

Yes and no since a great archer can shoot 300s with a $400 bow or a $800 bow. But now when it comes to arrows and releases your better off with the higher priced equiptment.

jason

It's just like the little ol' blue-haired granny lady whoputts around town in a brand new Vette and doesn't ever go over 25 mph. Top end, high performanceequipment is wasted on people who don't have the skill to take advantage of it's capabilities. But it's their money they're spending. Maybe having 'the best' equipment makes them think they'rebetter shooters.

If I was betting, I'd put my money on the guy whohas the abilityto tweak his bow into perfect tune, knows his equipment inside out andmakes time for regular practiceinstead of the guy who's best attribute is having a fat wallet.

its the person

Two years ago I shot my deer with a Pretty old, and cheap 92 browning. Last year I took my deer with my brand new Switchback. Sooo.... my vote goes to...... It's definately the shooter! you can make anything work with what you've got!

Have to agree with oneshot7, it is mostly the person. I do however, believe that some things are better then others, and it can improve what you are already doing. My example, and it is only me, I put a Dusk Devil II on my bow two years ago, the groups got tight and I split my first arrow. That told me that the other sight was not right for me. Not as good as, but better for me. So I think it is the shooter and like patterning a shotgun or something, sights, stablizers, etc, bow, help to improve what you are already doing, just better for you, if that makes sense!

New equipment usually helps somone shoot better, for about a month. You excited now and are probably practicing more and paying more attention, so of course you are shooting better. Also the boost in confidence is great help.

I think a mistake many archers make is trying to shoot better than they really can. Like longer distances and small groups than are realistic. This kills your confidence and just makes it all that harder.

So I would say it's mostly you, but hey if it works it works.

Paul

I buy only the best at yard sales

Everything is sooooo overpriced anyway so I beleive it's the person if everything is set up right in the first place.