RE: Native Americans...
 

Quite a few, though I much prefer feral hogs, varmints and small game to deer hunting. Can't hardly describe how it feels to make meat with equipment that you made yourself. It definitely makes a hunt a little extra special.

RE: Native Americans...
 

I bet. I can't imagine that feeling. Put some pics of your kills on here with your homemade stuff..

RE: Native Americans...
 

Can't add pics of the animals. I lost all my hunting memorabilia to a burglar some years ago and, like I never replaced the guns he stole, I never took any more pictures either. Don't get me started on thieves! [:@] At least he couldn't steal my good memories. :)

It's not Indian, or even traditional, but here while back I got a whim to make midieval style crossbows. I bought the steel prod (bow part), but made all the other parts myself. It hasn't shot anything but foam though.



This one has a wooden prod and it's all my work.

RE: Native Americans...
 

I think that it was difficult and yet, in some ways, easier. There were not many things pushing the deer. No traffic, no developments, no mechanized farming. The signs were still there, like they are today. The rubs, the scrapes, the trails. Deer used the same patterns for years, because there was nothing to drive them from their routine. Also, the hunter was a much better hunter than we are today. It was their life. It was how they fed their family. Even the most ardent hunter does not practice a fraction of what the Native Americans did. It was a part of their culture.

RE: Native Americans...
 

I have been hunting with my longbow most of the week. And can tell you, the difference is, I need to practice alot to be deadly with my longbow. In fact, most of the time, I like to evening hunt with my longbow, so I can practice before I go hunting. If I take off 3 weeks or so, it takes me days to get hitting again.

Also, I need deer to be 18 yards or so or less. Thats my personal limit.

But last night I was sitting in a thicket on the ground hunting, and notice alot of advantages to using trad, like position of shot, and speed of shot. Both eyes open, etc.