RE: What's the difference!!??
 

The hunt Is what makes the hunt, no matter what weapon In hand. The weapon used though can and will at times have a huge effect on getting that animal even at 10 yards. Here's a few things I can't do with my recurve that I could do with my compound- Holding my bow back for a good period of time, drawing my bow well before the animal gets to the spot, drawing my bow back at sharp angles with lots of clothes on, 20 yard shots are not always In the cards. The things I high lighted are huge. The one thing I feel I have an advantage with using my recurve Is quick thinking and quick shots. Traditional bows are nothing close to a guarantee when shooting them no matter how good you are. You can hit targets all you want, shooting at a live animal Is a completely different story with all the stuff going through your head knowing your not using pins but Instead your using your Instincts or however you do It. Getting one deer Isn't going to tell you how hunting with a Traditional bow Is. Hunting many years with them will tell you how frustrating It can be at times. Greg, when you pick up a recurve again I know success will follow being your an excellent deer hunter but I can guarantee It's not going to be quite as easy as little things will get In the way that you never realized before. You'll understand what I'm talking about If you try It again. I've never taking anything away from you with all the success you've had with shooting monster bucks with your compound and I never will, your an excellent hunter!

I agree Rybo.

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

I actually wait until the last second before I draw my compound bow at a deer.


I know one thing for certain.......... with a recurve I will acquire my sight much faster than with my compound and low light won't be as much of a factor as well! [8D]

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

True that one, but don't these pins gather light these days?;)

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

The pins do gather light but it's hard to see the animal through the peep and around the pin. Plus I don't like real big peeps.

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

Greg, I could care less, just giving you ****!!!

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

I guess if I hunted with lots of weapons....I wouldn't think the weapon defined the hunter, either. Makes sense.

But...I have no problems withbeing labeled a"bowhunter". It DOES define me as a hunter (how I hunt). I was also looking at it a little (or a lot....don't know) more philosophically than some it seems.

Good thread, for sure.

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

BigJ71,

While I understand your point and agree with 95% of your post, I find some difference in opinion in regard to the above paragraph.

This perceived "elitism" is a two way street and in many cases it is those who shoot a more "technically advantaged" weapon who can't face reality, and try to turn this "reality" into some type of "elitist attitude" of those who use other weapons and just state facts.

I have already stated that I am not proficient enough to use a recurve,and I have no problem in admitting that.

What is this "reality" that I am referring to?

A rifle with a scope provides more shot opportunities than one without.
An open sighted rifle provides more shot opportunities than a muzzleloader.
A muzzleloader provides more shot opportunities than a compound bow.
A compound bow provides more shot opportunities than a recurve.

If one "chooses" not to use his weapon of choice to its full potential, that is okay and that is his "choice", but it is a choice, whereas if he is hunting with a lesser weapon, his choices are more limited.

I don't care what weapon one chooses to use or how they enjoy hunting, but facts are facts.

If believing the above makes me an "elitist", then so be it, butI must not be a very good one since I can'tmove up the chain beyondthe compound.:)

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

Its all about the hunt. I agree greg.

I grew up killing deer in my teens with recurves and longbows. And even deer with flint heads and osage stick bows with arrow headswrapped in sinew...Yes...I killed with flint.....

I too...carry a compound. WHY? It's fun. I enjoy shooting them as much as the trad. bows. I also like the ability to take animals out passed 30 yards with it. I won't lie. I like the added distance. With a range finder I'm confident and I just like that feeling... personally,



Last year I shot a doe with my 55 pound longbow with Zwickey heads...I said I was going to get a kill on video this year with my longbow..but I never put forth the task.

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

Jackflap,

I have no problem with what you wrote and I agree (for the most part) with it. Believing your choices are limited with the lesser weapon is not being an elitist. It's looking down on those who don't use the same weapon you do and "assuming" that just because you use a certain weapon makes you, by default a better hunter or a more avid hunter is where the elitism is formed. Whether it be trad hunters belittling compound hunters or compound hunters belittling gun hunters through their actions or words. It's an attempt to prove that since their form of hunting is perceived harder, they must love it more or are better hunters because of it.....that's elitism.


GMMAT,

This is where my train of thought differs,I don't look at my self as a "bow hunter" even though I probably spend more time in the woods hunting with a bow in my hand than any other weapon. mainly due to the generous season here in Illinois. I do however take time during the bow season to hunt Upland Birds, Ducks, Coyotes, Fox, etc...

I just don't see my self as a bow hunter, it's way too constrictive, It's too narrow a moniker, in fact I don't like any moniker attached to me other than just plain old "hunter" because that's what I am....that's what we ALL are. The sooner we drop the "labels" the better off we all will be.

I look at it this way..... The bow hunting forum should not be where "bow hunters" go to talk about hunting rather is should be where "hunters" go to talk about hunting with a bow.;)

Same thing can be said for all the other forms as well. I will always considered myself a hunter......no other labels need be applied.

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

John....I don't hunt any other way (anymore). Thats why I'm OK with it.

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

So......you're still a "hunter" to me.

Jeff, some labels are good but some aren't so good and all they tend to do is cause a divide. It's that whole "bow hunter" mentality that irks me.... You see it everywhere, stickers on the back window of pickups that say "bow hunter" along with a little picture of a dude at full draw......When's the last time you saw a window sticker that read "gun hunter" with a guy standing there aiming a rifle??

Why do you think that is??? It's because bow hunters want the world to know they bow hunt...and why do they want the world to know it?? Because they feel it will somehow elevate themselves above the fray of "normal" hunters into an elite group of hunter.

Now I know there are exceptions and not everyone thinks that way, but you can take it to the bank that many,feel that because they bow hunt, they deserve recognition or want to be looked uponas an elite hunter.It's why they point out the differences between gun and bow hunting by only citing the obvious advantages the gun has over the bow, it's to give the appearance of this vast step up in skill that is needed to hunt with a bow. Thissame "tug of war" happens between the trad shooters and the compound shooters albeit at a lesser extent than bow/gunbut make no mistake about it.....it's there.

As long as we continue to label ourselves and show the stars on our bellies, this will never end.........

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

I don't see this being any different than me having a Boston Red Sox sticker on my Yukon. I'm still a baseball fan, yeah.....but I've narrowed that down a little (or a lot).

And No....Gun hunters don't = Yankee fans.;) Orioles, ......maybe.

So you multiple weapons guys wanna beAmerican League fans.

Cool.

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

John I think your accusation's are getting way blown out of proportion. I hear this same thing from you all the time and never have I got that Impression from the bow hunters that I've been around. I've been around a ton of them to! I'm a bow hunter and I'm damn proud of It! Sue me for not gun hunting.;)

This word "Elitism" gets used way to much IMO!! Actually I've seen It used more on here the last year then I've ever seen It used anywhere else my whole life.

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

Schultzy,

Don't get me wrong, I'm around a lot of hunters who hunt with bows too and none of them are elitist, I suppose it's the company we keep eh?? No reason not to be proud of bow hunting, I'm proud of it too! If everyone had your outlookbud we wouldn't have any problems but alas not everyone has their head screwed on straight like you do and if you allow yourself to look beyond your circle of friends you will surely see what I'm talking about......I see it almost every time I go to my local pro shops and hunting is brought up. Am I blowing it out of proportion?? perhaps a little (to make my point) but elitism in the bow hunting ranks is alive and well.......alive and well.

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

There's a big difference between showing anyone who will look what team you're a fan of and showing anyone who will look what weapon you choose to hunt with. By using your reasoning folks should simply put "Deer Hunter" on their trucks, yeah, they're still hunters....but they've narrowed it down a little.;)

When I played in the NFL I never introduced or labeled myself as a "pro football player" rather I was simply a "football player". I guess I just look at things different than most...doesn't make it wrong or right I suppose, just different. It's all good though, I'm just conversing and sharing thoughts with my cyber friends.....and trying to get some work done in the process.:)

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

why is it when someone kills a 75/105 inch buck with a bow you always here "its not the biggest in the woods"
Then you hear "any buck with a bow is a trophy"?:eek:

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

Nothing wrong with that, either. Isn't that what we're doing when we put a white outline of a deer or a deer with a rack on our vehicles (professing our love of deer hunting)? As long as one hunter isn't prejudicial towards another.....I see no issue with it. I'm betting you BobCo, Schultzy, et. al. have NO problems referring to themselves as traditional bowhunters. My bet is they're proud of the monniker.....because it defines their approach to hunting.

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

The blood on my tailgate proves that im a hunter, thats all they need to know...

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

My normal stands are not higher then 15 feet platform height. We bought a few 15ft ladders (to the seat) this year that are pretty much a perfect height. I also use heavy cover, you really can't see more then about 30 yards out inmost of the stands. None ofmy stands are really in any type of open hardwoods. We also use natural ground blinds (again in heavy cover).There is something special shooting a deer at ground level from a natural blind.

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

I think its about the hunt and animal more than the weapon. I would rather kill a big buck with my bow, but if he comes by me during muzzleloader season I am shooting him and going to be happy about it also.

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

Sums it up well, IMO.

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

Serious question....

But doesn't the weapon of choice dictate HOW you hunt? Would you hunt the same way with a scoped riflev. a longbow?

I'm not uderstanding that line above. I don't think it's wrong.....just think it's too much of a broad stroke. Again....for you guys who use mulitple weapons....I think that line fits YOU well. It doesn't fit everyone, though. How I hunt defines me as a hunter. The weapon I choose to hunt with dfines how I hunt. I'm a bowhunter. Nothing elitist about that. Purist? Guilty.

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

Yeah, thats what got me making 90yd shots over trees into the next clover patch with a half stick of dynomite :D;)

But call me an arsehole, and in no way am I knocking the traditional guys....as most are more humble and less of a prick than most compound hunters.......I love the fact that they can harvest an animal with stick and string....but where does it end......cheif knock'm'dead may not appreciate the 'traditional' guys today because of their use of camo, or binocs, or scent elimination products...what about stalking in your buck skins and no modern day conveniences such as camo or anything......I think all deer harvests that involved flinging an arrow are great accomplishments, but there is no end to who's the 'man' when it comes to hunting. there is always a harder way to do it.....we look at ourselves as more refined than the rifle only guys....as do some of the trad shooters look at us compound hunters that way. My hat's off to anyone that harvests a deer in a quick, efficient (or atleast trying to) manner.

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

I think you will get varying answers on this as well. For the most part, I bow hunt and rifle hunt with the same approach.I don't hunt over ag fields where I can take a 100-200 yard shot. I'm in the timber in the same areas I sat during bow season.I've shot one deer over 10 years with a gun that was out of my bow range.

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

For the most part I hunt the same.I hunt the deer where I think they are going to be and whereI think I can get the closest shot.

My last 2 rifle kills were 12 and 18 yards(last season)my BP kills this season were 24 and 65 yards. So admittedly I have a little morerange but Ifind I usually don't need it. I do know this, I see less deer during firearm season than bow and blackpowder, that is one huge advantage that as a bowhunter I exploit but many don't even acknowledge. Less people hunting more lightly pressured deer is a recipe for success.

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

I do respect guys that are successful bowhunting during gun seasson or after gun season as I know how hard that can be especially on heavily hunted lands or ands you don't have sole access.

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

NEW....Wall....good points. I see them crystal clear.

NEW....we need to get together and hunt. Open invitation, here....and you can bring any weapon you want.

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

Posed to anyone...

Do you think people's attitudes towards weapon of choice would be different if the gun seasons in most states weren't such a crazy circus, as they typically are?

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

Or to take it a step further, post up pics of those same bucks and see how many responses you get ona thread saying congrats. Add 40 inches of antler to that and there is back slapping all around.

As far as weapon of choice. I like bowhunting and hunt with a compound. I tried trad,for awhile, but was never satisfied that my accuracy was good enough to consistently get the job done, so I shelved it.

I like to gun hunt too. It's definately not the same as bowhunting, but I take it for what it is and get after it. To me, the gun season is a way to wind down from the rigors and preparation that I put into bow hunting.

My gun hunting is very low key. I don't get allcaught up in scent control, my pack is half as full, I don't need a treestand, safety rope or a pee bottle. All I need to do is put my nose into the wind, sit and wait for a spell. When the view gets old I move. To me, this is also an excellent time to scout for next season. I like to take my gun for a walk.

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

Years ago, I used to gun hunt a 1200 acre property in Tennessee where moreoften than not, I was the only guy out there. Deer were very relaxed. Think bowhunting except with a gun. Good times man...

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

Jeff
I'm currently hunting lots of Christmas gifts for the small fries:D(this is at our farm about a month ago, I'm the bigger one cheesing out):


Unfortunately I didn't purchase a NC license this season (first time in 10 years) and this late in the game and so close to the holidays I doubt I'll get one. I appreciate the offer and hopefully with some better planning and organizing the '09 season will provide me with some more time to hunt and I'd be thrilledtake you up on it.

And vice-versa, in addition to our farm I've got accesstosome fairly prime VA land from the Eastern Shore to thefoothills of the Blue Ridge MountainsandI can always use a hand trying to pinpoint one of those VA monsters[8D](or a doe I'm not picky).I've yet to hunt with a fellow HNI member but I'm hoping next season to get the chance.

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

Its a good post Greg. Total agreement with you. Hunting is hunting. People that needs to stop another and tell them they only bowhunt, are insecure. Lots of that on this page.

I see these longbows and recurves shooting 190-200 fps. With fiberglass backs, severe R/D designs, 450+ synthetic8 strand strings,nothing is primitive about them. I am almost finished with a sinewed back yew longbow drawing 60lbs. Only shoots a 500gr arrow 155fps. And I am told on primitive forums that I am not a purist, because I used a bandsaw to cut out my shape. And used a mouse sander to finish it. And lastly because I am not using a sinew string but B500. Some insecure person always has to one up you.

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

Stop another hunter???

People who are insecure about HOW they take animals (by seemingly feeling they took an easier road) are abundant, too.......or so it seems.

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

Sounds like a personal problem to me. You ought to make an appointment with the dr. on this. Sure there is a pill they could give ya.

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Certainly not my problem. My undies aren't in a bunch;)

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Stop wearing thongs:D

What the heck is this thread about, LOL let me catch up

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I don't understand what you mean?

I don't think that I've seen an insecure post from anyone in any forum on the animals they've taken?

Except maybe my7pointmonster?

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Well, I guess some people know who they are at a young age, or some it takes some a lifetime. Hence your case.;)

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

YEah.....I realized early on that there would be people in my life that were insecure about certain things. It's taken me to 44 to learn the petty lengths they'll stoop to though. And for what? Because I'm proud to be a bowhunter?

:D

I don't belittle the accomplishments of animals taken by others via ANY methods....as long as they're legal. It seems today .....you can't be PROUD to be a bow only hunter without being labeled an "elitist". I'm saing what MANY others are thinking but won't say.

We're not making a bad name for ourselves. You're applying the negative, inflammatory monniker without cause or provocation. NOW whos "insecure"?

RE: What's the difference!!??
 

Well, I wasn't replying to you, I was replying to Greg. I would say Greg is a very secure hunter/man.

Keep hunting a few more years, you will learn. So hold that thought.