RE: Compound or recurve?
 

Was it stated that the squirrel was out of season? Is it your assumption that no state hasa year-round season for squirrels as a pest species? Don't know either way. Just asking you objectively.

RE: Compound or recurve?
 

I don't completely agree with that. I would not consider myself a failure or that I failed in the hunt if I let an animal walk because say he is too far from me or at a bad angle. Failure (or unsuccessful) has a negative connotation implied with it, and in cases mentioned above (which will happen more often then not with the type of weapons we are choosing), I would considerit positive that I let the animal walk. My hunting skills and preparation has brought me to this situation, however factors outside of my control are now at work.Now if an animal is within my range, I took my shot, missed, or wounded the animal, I would consider this a failed hunt. I would even go as far as saying a failed hunt could occur if my arrow did not go where I intended it to go (not deflected) but I was still able to recover the animal. I have had this happen in the past and did feel like a failure.

RE: Compound or recurve?
 

Again, you're looking at one event rather than the hunting experience asa whole. In that one event you did not complete the end objective but you did complete many secondary objectives. But you did intend to complete the end objective ( I don't say primary because for many it isn't the highest priority objective but it is the final objective, unless you include meat or cape preparation ) but other criteria were not met at that instance to warrant you to take the shot.

RE: Compound or recurve?
 

Now you guys are getting deeper and deeper into semantics.....

The point was, we choose the weapon based on the dedication it takes and what it stands for..... We are willing to give up some kills that could have been made with a compound.... We accept that fact and we embrace it.... It's actually the same mindset that compound hunters have for rifle hunters...... Most consider rifle hunting too easy and choose to miss out on kills in order to challenge themselves with the compound.... The method and "journey" means more to them than the kill....... It's EXACTLY the same with traditional, except we've gone a few steps further....... Think about how much more a compound hunt means to you compared to a rifle hunt..... The kill is SO much more meaningful....... Now multiply that times 10 fold, and you will understand where we are coming from.....

RE: Compound or recurve?
 

Did you ever notice older hunters seem more likely to do that ? Or at least carry cameras that allow them to photograph along with the hunt ? Do you wonder why that is ?


davidmil - if success in hunting hinges on the kill, and you don't kill after a day of hunting, how can you say it was a successful hunt then ?

I say it doesn't hinge on the kill, it hinges on the hunt itsself, and therefore I can have many a successful hunt without filling a tag.


I misspoke when I said

not literally the other day, it was late winter, in season.

RE: Compound or recurve?
 

For any of youthat need even more of a challenge be it with traiditionalor compoundtry coming out west and killing a antelope buck without a blind or better yet a big muley buck. I am leaving out elk because they can be called into close range or patterned like whitetails so you set up tree stands over wallowsand hunt them that way. I willadd thoughthat elk hunting is not a sure thing, in Idaho the success for archery elkhuntersruns between 12 to18 percent at best. You can bet that the majorityof those kills are small bulls and cows. Not the big bulls that Wilber Primos and his crew kill each year on film.They (Primos)do make it look easy but I promise you it aint. If you don't believe me, well, I chalenge you topick up your bow andcome out west on a public land do it yourself bow hunt, with a over the counter elk tag.After tell me how you did? A few each year are indeed sucessful but most 80% or more eat tag soup. Back to my point,a big muleybuck is a true bowhuntes trophythat very few bowhunters achieve.They cannot be patterned like a whitetail, or called in like a elkand once spoked they can dissapear for the rest of the season. The shots tend to be long and that makes hunting them with a traditional bow even harder. If we could hunt them in the rut each and every yearthat would also of help. But unless you are inluck and draw a late season tag in a area where there are some big muleys, chances be most bowhunters will never kill one in their lifetime. Bowhunters (myself included) do kill muley bucks butmost are dump and young with small antlers, they are a totalydifferent critter then theirold wise mentors. Now I do want to try hunting elk with a traditional bow only because I know I can call them in close. There has notbeen a season in the last10 years that I didn't either kill a elk with my bow under 20 yards or had the chance to,but choose to pass in hopes of finding a bigger bull. But a big muley buck I have not even had a crack at one yet. Like I said before they are a true bowhunters trophy! I have seen a few within rifle range during archery seaons but the smart things knew I was their and their was zero chance of getting close enough for a shot.Traditional or Compound who cares? But if you want a challenge, well you all know my opinion andthats saying a lot from a guy who has elk blood running through his veins and mind.:D

RE: Compound or recurve?
 

I've done it. Took horses in and stayed in tents way back in the Flat Tops Wilderness. It was a terrific experience and adventure. We came to hunt, and that we did. Bagging an Elk would have been a bonus. We came close a few times, but didn't manage to get a bull within range. I'd do it again in a second. But we have two hunts lined up already on Whitetails in Buffalo County and Moose in New Foundland in the upcoming years.

Couple picks (yes I did carry a camera), First is a sunrise, second is my partner and myself (right), and the third is a view outside of the tent:

RE: Compound or recurve?
 

Its all about the beerback at camp. When there is no beer, the hunt was a failure.,:D

RE: Compound or recurve?
 

Nice pics BobCo;).

RE: Compound or recurve?
 

Thanks Matthew, the hunt in Colorado was life altering. I look at things maybe in a little different perspective. My wife claims that I have not been the same since I went hunting there. I'm not sure if that is bad or good. :)In any event, if you ever get a chance to go there, even if it is not for hunting, make sure you go.

And BTW, this thread kind of took a life of it's own. Hope itwasat least some help in your original topic question.

Bob