To answer the original question, never would having a faster bow have made a difference for me.

In thinking about that, how many times in anyones bowhutning career have you had an experiece that left you saying, "If only I had been shooting 30fps slower I would have had the animal."

How about when you're trying to slide an arrow right over the top of a log or boulder that's covering right up to the point you want to aim at on the animal, but the arrow kisses it instead and glances off into never-never land. 30 fps slower would have arched right over the obstruction and nailed the animal instead.

In the olden days (mid-80's are olden days?? LOL) we used to set up several shots in our 3D shoots specifically to make shooters deal with obstructions and practice such scenarios. Now everyone seems to want manicured shooting lanes between the stakes and the targets because their little rocket launcher bows must have a straight shot at the kill.

They've taken the 'arch' out of archery, so now I guess we have to call it 'flattery.' [8D]

Arthur,

I don't know man. Personally, I think I'm going for that half step forward or sidewaysto clear the obstruction in front of me. I do not like guess work. I want to see the animal's vitals 100% or I'm not shooting. It goes hand in hand with "know your backstop". Who's to say a fawn isn't standing right in front of its mother. You'll never know until it's too late if you encourage shots like that. Flattery suits me fine.

Schultzy,

I totally respect your hunting stlye and your opinion. I am sure, like me, you wish you had $10 for everytime someone told you "you can't".More than likely, you would have a ton of dough in your hands! Can I ask you a question though? Why do you shoot a 73# bow and not a 35# bow? If nothing seems to matter, then both should be equally effective on wildlife.

The point I'm trying to make is simply this: (we are beating a dead horse) 1) Each of us has an obligation to do our very best while in the feild. 2) Each of us has an obligation to use that equipmentwhich is most suited for item #1. 3) Each of must must practice to become proficient with Item #2 so that we can fulfill item #1. 4) If we take Items 1, 2, and 3 seriously, then our freezers tend to stay full. 5) There's a lot that goes into Items 1, 2, and 3. Much of which will have an individual basis the rest of us cannot control.

Find your own solutions, have fun, and let us hear the stories andsee the pictures!

More speed would not have increased or decreased my sucess rate one bit.

You're right--there's no comparison for these examples.But all through the history of mankind,every game animal on this planet has been taken with recurves,longbows,& primitive self bows that shoot well under 200fps.Speed kills?No,skill kills

Actually Jim,

Speed kills, skill kills, projectiles kill,knives kill, bats kill, poisons kill, courage kills, broadheads kill, feild tips kill, and the list goes on and on...

Some thingsare still components of the other...

Are you telling me you're willing to shoot an elephant with a ten pound recurve and arrows tipped with rubber suction cups? I'm sure you have the skill to do it. But do you have the courage to get close enough to pull off this incrediablefeat?

If the question is: "Is speed an advantage"

The answer is undoubtedly yes. Whether you shoot 200 fps or 300fps. More speed is a plus as long as you can shoot your setup just as good.

Shoot what you want! Just because you could kill a Whitetail with a .22 Don't tell somebody a 30.06 is no advantage.

Like I said before, I don't set my bows up on full race like I used to, but I do know controlled speed is an advantage. Flatter trajectory, and more KE for less than an ideal shot. I am sure none of us has never made less than an ideal shot[8D]

Dan

Now that example is a little far-fetched,dontcha' think? If I was inclined to hunt elephant,I'd use an appropriate weapon--whether it's an 85# recurve(or whatever)or a .500 nitro.
A 50yd shot is a 50yd regardless if your bow shoots 220fps or 320fps.If you're sighted in at 50yds,speed makes no differance at all,you should make the shot.If you rely on speed as a crutch because of range estimation--get closer

Yeah it matters. I had this exact scenario occur. I thought the deer was 24-27yds.....and he ended up being 33yds. He's dead. Speed was a contributor.

But I've had a BIG, HUGE change of heart.....as far as bow speed is concerned.......

That's the way I want to be, as well. In my future hunting of deer......the speed of my bow will become less and less important.

Good posts in here, Rybo.

Flatter trajectory is a definitive advantage - beyond a shadow of a doubt.

However, a brutal draw cycle or a bow that you can't hold back is a definitive disadvantage.

Now... If somebody was to create a system that gave you the speed, without compromising draw cycle - now THAT would be the cat's meow. Just saying.


...and I think somebody mentioned that a flat trajectory shouldn't be used as a crutch for people who can't judge distance . . . suggesting that "practice" is in order. Well, it should be noted that some people just CAN'T judge yardage. Specifically, anyone (like myself) who is one-eye-dominant, is practically robbed of any ability to perceive depth, because we can't triangulate in on the target due to poor vision in the subdominant eye.These problems are more common than a lot of us realize.