Well,when it comes to archery I would have to say pro on some days but usually expert.Hunting,I would be considered above average.I can easily get a deer just about anywhere I hunt but that big one still aludes me.I do let a lot walk each year and have seen and passed on some not so good shots on 160 class deer.I have seen much larger where I hunted but now I have to start over.Lost my hunting ground.I have more but am not familiar with the deer and their patterns.<img src=icon_smile_dissapprove.gif border=0 align=middle>

well if i got to shoot more i would rate my self highter like i did in the last 8 years but right now i have to say hunter because i don't get the time like i did in the past 8 years ,,,



nybowhunter

if i had more time like i did in the last 8 years i'd say higher but sents i don't i say hunter ...




nybowhunter

A couple years ago, I'd say Expert. I knew every piece I land I bowhunted as good as my backyard, and I practiced almost every day. Even got bumped out of bowhunter category and up to Pro category at a few 3-D shoots. But now that I'm in college, I don't get the practicing in as much as I need to. Even though I'll still have good shots, they're not always fist sized groups at 40yards anymore, more like lung sized groups. But I still know the land as good and know the products I use a lot better and use some better products for bowhunting that I didn't used to use. So I'd say I'm a strong &quot;above average hunter&quot;. College and college life have bad influences, especially when it comes to hunting.It all just takes too much time from it.<img src=icon_smile_dissapprove.gif border=0 align=middle>
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Edited by - kshunter on 08/22/2002 01:35:23

This is tough because I took up bowhunting because it adds a level of difficulty to the mix. Just because you get close dosn'r mean you harvest an animal and that dosn't mean it was unsucessful!
I hunt mostly public land and because of the changing conditions and pressure I can't call myself an expert due to the &quot;.. know the woods like the back of your hand...&quot; Above Average due to &quot;... know your favorites...&quot; so I guess I am a lowly hunter.

I ground hunt mostly also because of public land and that makes things tougher yet.

Most important to me is just being in the woods watching wildlife.... If I bring something home.... Wonderful .... If not .... Wonderful!





Greg

&quot;Getting close to the game is the joy of Bowhunting for me, the harvest is a bonus.&quot;

Live 15 ft Python after eating a small Antelope!

I am finding it interesting seeing how people rate themselves. I have seen a number of people rate themselves below what they probably are (modesty is a good thing) and some are rated around where I expected, and others have overrated themselves IMO. Like I said before the categories are just a jumping point to be expanded on.
kshunter, I know what you mean about college. Girls, beer, parties definitely take a toll on hunting time. When I was in school, opening day of archery was after bid acceptance night at my fraternity the year I pledged. I woke up an hour and a half after passing out reaking of booze and headed for the woods. Luckily there was a downpour so I got to go back to bed.
Greg, there is nothing lowly about being a hunter. Bowhunting isn't about being crazy about getting perfect arrow flight. Some guys are so fanatical about it that they forget that they need to scout so they can see a deer to shoot that finely tuned arrow at. Pros are guys that not only have their equipment tuned perfectly, but have their shooting form perfected, have excellent property to hunt with trophy potential, know every deer on that property, and know every trail that the deer use. People like that aren't common and they usually have jobs that afford them the opportunity to spend more time than the normal guy working on their equipment and scouting.
Nobody should be ashamed of any of the rankings.

As far as knowing and understanding my equipment I would rate myself as significantly above average.

As a shooter I would consider myself slightly above average but not by much.

As a hunter I think of myself as average. I enjoy scouting starting in July but I don't go out of my way to locate one big buck to hunt exclusively. I have at least one stand location in each of the sections of woods that I hunt and yet I am always willing to look for new locations.

All in all I have fun with both friends and family while being moderately successful in harvesting at least one or two deer each year.


















Edited by - PABowhntr on 08/22/2002 11:44:23

I would rate myself as an above average archer, but a novice when it comes to hunting. I'm fairly handy with a bow and with today's modern equipment, accuracy and stealth are easily achieved. The aspects of hunting that I am not experienced in is deer habits, seasons changes, and going to a location I haven't hunted before and being able to predict the best location, simply by watching and listening. These are the skills I need to work on, but couldn't think of anything more enjoyable.

I would also rate myself as an above average hunter/archer.

If guns kill people...

Pencils cause spelling errors...
Cars cause people to drive drunk...
And spoons made Rosie O'Donnell fat.

Above average/expert archer, bow tuner. Average hunter.