While at the annual pre-4th of July gathering with my immediate and extended family, several (8 members) of us who are avid bowhunters exchanged hunting and gear related stories as we always do. This time, a nephew who has been living away for the last 4 years and took up bowhunting only 2 years ago, was present.

All but one of us shoot older compound bows (8-13 years old), and simple but reliable and durable gear. One shooter changes bows and accessories each time the wind changes direction. Each time he changes a piece of gear, what was previously the best piece of gear he had ever used, now takes a back seat to his new " stuff," the best he (now) has ever used. Additionally, he is a " zoomy" and is always striving to get an arrow to reach supersonic speeds, and is heavy into talking about his new trick gear. He also shoots a high draw-weight

The nephew that just took up bowhunting two years ago (he has hunted big game mostly a high-powered rifle) was not sure if he would like hunting with a bow, or could learn to use a bow. Therefore, he bought an older used " High Country" double-cam 55-70 lb bow. The bow came with a dozen 2317 aluminum telephone poles (arrows) that matched his draw length and were mounted with unused Muzzys, a simple " TM" bullhorn rest, and an in-line pin sight. Although the seller had previously tried to get $150.00 for the set, my nephew paid $50.00 for the set.

Nephew took the bow to a shop, had it checked for flaws. Shop said bow had hardly been shot. Shop only changed the string and installed a new peep. Nephew had the shafts revaned and purchased a " Cobra" mech release. Altogether, he has $85.00 invested in the bow and gear. He had the bow chronoed and found he was shooting 230 to 240 fps, depending on draw-weight he was using He then practiced and read and asked and practiced until he felt he could accurately shoot from varied heights and forms and make a killing hit out to 50 yards..

Most of us bowhunters in the " family" are good bowhunters and have average to better than average success. However, one extended family member, whom is a better than average shooter in 3D competition, is always having to tweak his gear, often has gear failure or bad gear performance in and out of the field, and misses shots in the field more than any of the rest of us.

Another family member regularly kills black bear, caribou, and moose in Alaska. In fact, just a few hours ago, he gave me a large moose steak and a roll of moose sausage. In addition, I have also watched a video of one of his black bear hunts. The bear was 25 yards away when the bear was hit. The big arrow hit the bear like he had been hit with a slug and took his lungs and heart out. He was recovered 50 yards from where he was hit. On one occasion, he (family member) took a caribou on a 50-yard shot.

Can anyone guess which shooter using what gear is killing black bear, caribou, and moose? What is the moral of this story?

Good post c903. I assume it is your nephew since he enjoys hunting big game and is willing to take the time to practice and learn the proper techniques of bowhunting. If people would just practice with their existing equipment, instead spending an abundant amount of time trying to acquire latest and greatest equipment thinking it will help them shot better without practicing.

I love hearing stories like the one you just told. Tell your nephew to keep up the good work and send his video to the new Cabela' s outdoor show.

Thanks and good hunting!!
jt

Understand your story, but that is not how it always ends. Many people, myself included, use different bows/acc. regularly and never skip a beat in shooting skill level.

Big difference between people who like to use different stuff, and people who think they can buy accuracy.


If you didn`t bring it with you, you ain`t gonna find it here!

good story c, it' s the nephew right? 50.00 to start then another 35.00 he got himself a real good deal!!

I think the first person we can elliminate is you. I' ve never heard you say you have killed bears, moose, or bou. Now then, You state your nephew has been living away for 4 years. You also state the mystery person regularly kills said bears, bou, and moose in Alaska. Can a 2 year newbie accomplish that? I don' t think I' d bet for or against him doing that. I suppose it is possible if one had lots of free time and lived in Alaska.

I' m gonna say the shooter was ABM [] and the moral of the story is. I need to move to Alaska![:-]

Good answer![8D]

Cool post, interesting story. Know a few just like the guys you' ve mentioned. Speed isn' t everything, and having the lastest & greatest doesn' t always turn out to be true. What counts is having equipment that you feel comfortable, and reliable with. Whether its new or a older relic. I personnally bought a new bow last yr. But thats after using each of my past bows for 5-10yrs. So far I feel more comfortable, confident, and shooting better with my latest one, then any of my past. Its no speedster either. 230fps. I know people that have speedster' s and are always telling me had to fix this or that, or change this or that. Speed has some advantage, but it causes problems also. More noise, vibrations, and things loosening up. What counts is what you can do in the woods at that moment of truth!!

The moral of the story is:

If you are not buying expensive crap every other week to put on your bow that aggravates the heck out of you until you run it over with your truck. Then you are missing out on half the fun of bowhunting

Just pointless rambling as far as I can tell!

The winner is the one that dies with the most stuff!!!!!