Well a couple of things come my mind on this subject.

They are:

Len in Maryland
Pinwheel 12

I know there are a lot of others out there but these 2 guys do their best to help others have a wealth of knowledge and are not affraid to share that knowledge.

Both Len and Kevin have probably forgotten more about archery than most of us will ever know.

I pro is someone who can answer my questions.

A pro will have the knowledge to help me improve, and not just try to sell me gear.

To me a pro knows the whole picture when it comes to archery. Starting with equipment, and ending with shooter.

Depends opn usage of the word. Technically a " professional" bases income on said profession.Pretty cut and dry.

The word " pro" or " Professional" also can be used loosely, generally in a complimentry way, to mean someone that conducts themselves in a way that denotes a certain standard, or holds to a level above the norm.

As the chef/owner of a restaurant. I am a " proffesional" Chef. If a guset asks me for no chives in his Potato chowder and I tell him his mama wears combat boots....that would' t be very professional.

The problem with so many today is as Red Skelton once said, " Yesterday I didn' t know what one was, and today I am one" . Yup, we stamp them out every year it seems. Someone who just started hunting, knows someone, or looks like a model, the put them in a video, they hawk a couple products.... they' re billed as PROFESSIONALS. Just ask them. What' s wrong with this picture?

You are PABowhntr along with a few other,s on this site.

If refering to Professional as a noun- to a Name of someone as........


Professional;a : participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs <a professional golfer> b : having a particular profession as a permanent career <a professional soldier> c : engaged in by persons receiving financial return <professional football>



I think that anyone that totally depends on monies earned is a professional as they have chosen a profession It however does not make them a good one. I have seen on this board through-out the years things such as " Professional outdoor writer" and such. If that is how you earn your income then I guess you would be, even it you only get $10 a year but have no other income.



Now if used as and adjective... one would be describing someones actions,
I think if they do not earned a living at something, if they acted in a Professional manner, then they could be acting as a professional, but really would not be.

There' s a thread going on another board re: a pros only forum (tournament shooters). The pros seem to suggest people need only pay the money, and become a pro to participate in their forum. That' s not a pro, is it? I think being a real pro goes beyond getting paid, or paying. Giving something back to the sport and the people who support them, is what a real pro does. Donate some time helping kids. Maybe with something not archery related. Many shops do things for kids. I think the real archery pros are in the shops. This is not to say the pro shooters are not helpful. I just get the feeling that many of them don' t realize that they need the everyday archer more than he needs them. Without we amateurs buying archery related equipment, the manufacturers won' t need the pros showing it off. Some of the most helpful people I' ve become acquainted with are not pros by definition. And they don' t EXPECT to get paid, either.

By definition, a pro derives an income by way of their chosen profession. Be it flinging arrows or wrenching on bows and setting people up, the real pros are easily recognizable.

I would think that the very basic definition would be: not an amateur.

For a person to retain their amateur status they cannot accept any compensation or reward in any form, to do so would make them a professional.

I like the expanded version especially where you can' t tell someone their mother wears combat boots and be ' professional' .

The title of " professional," can often be had without having the expertise or the true expertise that the title implies. I believe the term; " expert," is a better term to delineate between just a title, and actual ability and knowledge.

I know excellent shooters who know little about the broad mechanics, and I know basic shooters who know much about the mechanics.

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