Thanks for the replies fellas! My buddy is the type of guy who tends to think his way is the only or best way of doing things. I'm grateful to him for in the beginning it was him who helped me with my very first bow, in fact, he sold it to me. He introduced me to the awesome sport and passion of bowhunting and I'll never forget that. It's apparent that he likes for me to lean on him for advice and as I have evolved over the years and broken away from his manner or approach to bowhunting I have received criticism from him and in this case, harsh criticism. Not to be boastful but if you add it all up, over the years I've put up better numbers than he and I think he resents that as well. I think it would gnaw at his guts for eternity if I were able to bag a monster with traditional equipment.

I think that it is great that you want to try something new. I will someday also try to use traditional equipment, but that day is not here.

My personal opinion...If he don't want to support your decision, it is time to find a buddy that will. A true friend, hunting partner, whatever it is you would like to call him would support your personal growth of any kind. Personally, my hunting buddy wouldn't care at all. More than likely he would find his own bow so we could have at it together and see who can master it first. But that is just how we are...always got to one up the other

Now if you decided to only use a gun only to hunt, than that would be a different story all togther.

What kind of pal is that. Can't believe someone you've know for so long would even say something like that. Now if you told him you were going to do some poaching or something like that than I can see it, but otherwise its crazy. In my opinion, however, bowhunting is much more fun on your own.