FEAR OF LOSS
 

FEAR OF LOSS

I try very hard to understand why some people are so incredibly vehement about the crossbow and those of us who support it. I believe that, for the most part, those of us who find no fault with the crossbow truly believe that helping to grow our hunting family is not only good and positive for our hunting heritage, but it is necessary if we are to keep ourselves from being driven into extinction by the animal rights fanatics (ARF’s). I am sure that many of us have a hard time understanding why anyone would not view the big picture in a similar manner.

Unfortunately, for some, the sport of archery is about killing the next world record buck that will make one an instant millionaire because of his or her extraordinary hunting skills. The truth of the matter is that most of us don’t give a rip about such meaningless objectives! For us, the bowhunting experience is about the camaraderie, introducing others to the sport, and just plain enjoying the wonder that God has created. If we get lucky and are able to put some healthy, nutritious meat in the freezer, we have collected a bonus.

For those that pursue the glory and recognition that accompanies a successful trophy hunter, there is an underlying fear that motivates their behavior. If too many people go into the woods during the bow season (which is always a month or two before the gun season) then someone else may kill that big buck and rob the trophy hunter of his fame, glory and ego. It wouldn’t be too terrible if it was one ofhis good buddies, but most likely it will probably be some dummy (like DJH, for instance) that just happens to be in the right place at the right time who couldn’t pour urine out of a boot if the instructions were written on the sole.

I could be wrong, but I do believe that this is part of the problem – THE FEAR OF LOSS! The more folks that are in the woods, the greater the chance of that big buck getting nailed. The truth of the matter is that I, personally, could give a rip about that big buck. In my neck of the woods, they call me "Doe Boy"! Now don’t get me wrong, my Friends! If a big buck happens to amble by, my bow will be on full automatic if you can do such a thing with a compound bow.

The bottom line is that I am notin the woods to kill the new world record. I am there to enjoy the experience, my beloved friends and all that God has made for us to enjoy in the wild. I believe that is all each of you folks expect from a hunt, too. And I ask you, what is so threatening about such a benign attitude and philosophy. I guess it just shows how little class we have.

If having class means that I have to go about tearing other hunters apart, hunters who are my brothers and sisters, and trying to prevent them from enjoying the thrill of the bowhunt, then I guess I am destined to be an classless guy! The fear of loss doesn’t plaque my life. Instead, I want to share the experience with everyone who will listen and all who are interested. I want to get as many new folks as I can out there to share the beauty, the excitement and the bounty of the hunt. And if that makes me a bad person, then I am in wonderful company, because I know that each and everyone of you share the same loving feelings for our sport, the wilderness and those who are our brothers and sisters.

I know some will read this and want to puke at the sentiment, but you know what? At fifty-seven years old, I don’t care. Puke away! What I do know in my heart is that if hunters don’t start working together and forgetting about their FEAR OF LOSS, we will all be screwed ROYALLY! And I have a great deal of concern about folks who will put their own selfish motives ahead of the overall good of the sport of hunting (and fishing, too). I don’t care what you hunt or what you hunt with,If you are a hunter, my friends and I will fight for your right to pursue and harvest natural resources to our dying breath.

RE: FEAR OF LOSS
 

Well said, and on St. Paddys day too!! I've never been to the "Blarney Stone" but suspect you'ld have been there first!! Actually, that's something interesting. You have to lay on your back, grab two hand-holds, lower the upper half of your body into a very un-natural, un-comfortable position just to get to it. No one can actually see if a person "kisses" it or not. Was there any taste?? Puleeze don't say you've never been there, you'll break a lot of Irish hearts!!! All joking aside, great job!!!

RE: FEAR OF LOSS
 

Me full of Blarney? I may be full of beer, but I am not full of blarnery! I still have room for a little more. And I refuse to be beaten into the ground. You see my friend, I know what your cute little Latin signature means and I believe that all crossbow shooters should adopt it as their personal motto. Leave it up to you, Brother Daniel to proudly display it as your battle cry. I don't care what the Red-Head says about you. You are a good man.

RE: FEAR OF LOSS
 

Hey that was good and nicely written. I support all of hunting and it should be users choice. I don't hunt waterfowl, but don't stand against it. Lots of game i don't hunt but i promote those who do and their legal weapon of choice.If we all could stand together and the each choose what they wanted to take to the field to hunt with. If i wanted to hunt with my ML for a few days, then my Bow and then my crossbow, it should be my decision. I use to do that during rifle season. I had lots of rifles and would take a different one each time i went, i still do it with my ML's. I don't do it with crossbow or Bow as i only have one of each.:D

RE: FEAR OF LOSS
 

I try hard to understand why some people are so against using a bow during bow season. I believe, that those of us that find bow hunting special, are more willing to help grow bowhunting and bowhunting opportunities.

Unfortunately for some archery season is about trying to get around the system, for some it’s about trying to shoot the biggest buck they can without actually having to do it with a bow. Most likely it’s because they want to be the x-bow Chuck Adams, and make millions. The truth of the matter is those of us that find bow hunting special could care less about “the book” or about making millions fooling people into believing x-bow hunting is the same as bow hunting. The truth is most of us, bow hunters, became bow hunters for the challenge, to get away from the madding crowds found in the gun season. to enjoy nature in a peaceful, mostly undisturbed state.

For those that pursue the easy path there is an underlying fear that they won’t be able to make the shot when that mega buck shows. They feel they need the comfort of the gun stock and 4x scope to have a chance to become a world renowned deer killer. The truth of the matter is I have killed deer that would qualify for P&Y but have not had them scored because I could care less.

If the only way I could make a name for myself was to publish a mag about how to lessen bow hunting then I will gladly remain nameless. If trying to fool people into believing x-bow hunting is even close to what I love (bow hunting) is called class then I will gladly remain classless. I want to get as many people as thrilled about bow hunting as I am, not thrilled about taking short cuts.

What I do know in my heart is, if the x-bow people hadn’t started pushing this expansion, we wouldn’t have the split in bow hunting we have today. And if the future of bow hunting has any chance to survive we need to start reaching out to the kids and showing them the rewards that can come from hard work and dedication, not how they can kill something without dues paid.

RE: FEAR OF LOSS
 

I don't speak fer others but i hunt with a bow and have shot them since 1958. Now i also use and hunt with a xbow. I still do everything i did when using a bow,nothing has changed! I bath, use clean clothing, put my nose into the wind, get into my tree stand. Enjoy the day as it starts and i am right there part of it. I don't have to kill a deer anymore,i have taken over 130 of them. I am not after any records and doubt if my name will ever be in some hunting book. I quit using rifles not enough room on my land, houses being built around area, better be safe. I did use rifles but no need on 88 acres my wife told me this. Said i should be ashamed of using them anymore as we can't see past 75 yds. fer a shot! She told me ML's were ok and xbow and bow! I can hardly wait til sept.:D

RE: FEAR OF LOSS
 

Let me just start by saying, I am VERY new to bow hunting. I only practiced with my crossbow 4 times before my hunt. I won't claim to know when the great bow vs. crossbow debate began. That being said, I can say that the controversy I have become aware of wasn't brought to my attention from crossbow shooters. It was from traditional bow shooters. In asking questions on various sites, I got good info, but there always seemed to be that one comment from somebody slamming crossbows. After this happened about a million times, it only strenghtened my resolve to hunt with a crossbow. I'm always up for a challenge.:) The one thing that did rub me the wrong way was how after telling people about my handicap, it seemed very OK for me to use a crossbow! So, I'm going to use every power I have to show people just what the crossbow can do. And along the way, if it changes one mind about crossbows, then I am happy. I let a few of the guys I went hunting with shoot my crossbow, and thier responce was....WOW!!!!! It wasn't anything like they expected. Out of 14 hunters, there was just two of us crossbow hunting. I earned a little respect from those hunters, and that makes me proud. Crossbows may not be for everybody, but it is for me!!!;)

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Can anyone spell.... lets see now....thesoure?.....Stace, I am not going to get caught up here. There are some things (good and bad) that if you ignore, will just go away! Lets just concentrate on enjoying each other's company and share experiences like this forum has allowed us to do. I am trying to be really mature....no comments please guys! I really try hard not to drag people out of there cars and beat them anymore because I figured out that here is no end to those types that ask for beatings. After having said that, I ask that you, Free Range or thesource or whatever you call yourself now, to go away. If you read the rules of this forum that was put together by our gracious host, you would understand that it was not made for a discussion about the validiity of crossbow hunting but it was made for us crossbow hunters to share and discuss things about crossbows and crossbow hunting. It was not created to debate crossbow hunting period. Why do you want to create hard feelings? Why do you want to entice an arguement? Why do you want to spoil it for people that just want to enjoy each other's company? Why? Why? Why? Why don't you chase after smokeless muzzle loaders? Why don't you devote your energies to some thing that contributes to society like campaining against child porn, spousal abuse, drunk driving, poverty, illeteracy? Why don't you leave us alone? You are obviously an energetic, intellegent human being thesource. Why do you continue like this?

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freerange and thesourse are different and they are both are hammering us over on Tn.Deer.com You got to love them and if we can get them to team up on somebad things that DNK pointed out. That would really put their talents to good use!:D

RE: FEAR OF LOSS
 

The range ain't free if its freer for you than me. Big bucks ain't near as good eatin as fat does, and it's my right as an American to use whatever arrow flinging device I choose. They can hunt w/ spears now in Pa. What are you afraid of?