Now the last idea you brought up Scott, im all for. Good idea!

Guys, some of these ideas are very innovative and IMO really good thoughts. The problem is we are thinking as individuals that care very deeply for our sport and take all the necessary steps to prepare. Heck, most of the major contributors to this thread are on here everyday.

The problem is there are guys out there that don't care about the sport, don't care about accuracy, all they care about is killing deer. They also don't care about how many they kill and don't find. No matter what we that care do we can't make them care like we do.

That is just the sad truth.

[quote]ORIGINAL: buckeyebuckhntr

No time to shoot, but time to go hunting..... I don't buy it.Everyone has time , its just how you choose to spend it!

Exactly, like with their family!?? A lot of people have to take time off of work just to fit those few hunting days in a year!

If someone does not have the time to become proficient at archery, then they should take up bowling or similar activity -- no one will care if you carry a big handicap.

-fsh

Good thread,

I agree with what mobow said on page 1.

That's the reason we have so many stupid laws. In this huge nation there are going to be people with sob stories, we can't have the government stepping in for every hard luck story and creating a new bureaucracy. In the same way, I don't want the government getting any more involved in hunting than they already are.

It's just one more thing to have to spend an extra day doing, more government crap, more chances for agents to write tickets, etc.

If someone gets lucky or practices a little bit and gets the proficiency card, what's to stop them the next year from picking up their untuned bow at the last minute?

The problem in a lot of states stems from the fact that you get to hunt earlier if you use a bow. That draws in people, as it did with me last year.
I admit that I wasn't as good a shot last year (I did practice for a month ahead - I know, not good, but I didn't just knock the dust off). I missed a doe (had to hold draw way too long) and passed on another. But it was exciting, heart-pounding, and it got me really into it this year.

You also see this in blackpowder. I was disgusted with my cousin last year, he shows up with his dirty, rusted, corroded, ancient muzzleloader. I asked if he shot it since last year and he said no. Same thing, its another opportunity to hunt and some lazy people will take advantage.

I just went toAT and saw a post just like this over there......

Had I known that I wouldn't have posted this. Sorry guys.

Without reading any of these posts, I will simply state that I am in favor of less government and less rules. Big brother needs to be in our lives less and not more. That goes for bowhunting too. So no, no need for proficency and accuracy tests.

Heck, Scott... don't let that keep you from capturing your good idea here; some of us (like me) rarely go over there (for good reason ), and if you didn't post up here, we'd never have had the chance to work through this...

I DON'T KNOW IF A TEST WOULD BE A GOOD THING OR NOT. I DO BELIVE THAT EVERY BOWHUNTER OWES IT TO HIMSELF AND THE GAME HE HUNTS TO BE ABLE AND HIT A PAPER PLATE AT WHAT EVER YARDAGE HE PLANS TO SHOOT. MY SON IS 8 AND IS SHOOTING OUT TO 15 YARDS. HE CAN PLACE 5 OUT OF 8 ARROWS IN A DESERT PLATE.
GOOD HUNTING.

Yeah Scott. I sold a release over there one time. Other than that.....I don't even lurk, there.