I'll agree with what you are saying to a point. Also, If you noticeI never said hunter's are better shots.I said some average Joe shooter. And, I never said that Target shooters can't shoot odd angles.I stated thatI like to practice that way.

I am just stating that there are guys that are that good who do not compete and never thought people become rich from it. They are very serious about being accurate but only compete against themselves.

But you support whatI am saying about cost by your comment that the individual has to pay their own way. There are people that have insufficient funds to do so. I know that most amateurs and even professionals have to pay their own way. If you can not afford that you can not compete.

I agree, equipment have very little to do with how good of an archer a person is.However, you can not argue againstwith fact that better equipment will allow that same person to be a more accurate (not better) shooter and reach their potential.

Ihave no problem if someone wants to compete or not.I do have a problem with people ripping on my rig because it doesn't have bells and whistles on it and is not a target rig so it can't be accurate past 30 yds. Especially afterI just stepped off the 53 yd mark and put 1 in the X, the second on the ring for the X and the 3rd on the next ring out.

To me that's ignorant and shows little respect for a fellow shooter. Maybe that's what developed my small amount of animosity towards target shooters.It's a nose in the air mentality that shocked me. I'd never comment on someone else's rig in person no matter how bad it might look.[:@]

Good stuff Dave.

Wow never knew there was such a line drawn. I shoot Local Leagues with decent success. I am a Hunter 1st and foremost and shoot leagues to stay sharp in the off season. YES I am personally,F-A-R from the National Level of competition, but in the local shop I shoot next to guys who are Staff Shooters and shoot State and National Level Tournies. I shoot and get great advice from a guy who has won many levels of State and National Senior Division Trophies. I believe he has even won the Senior Olympic Title at least in Pa.
These guys are all stand-up guys willing to help out others be them Pro or Hunter. I guess I'm lucky to shoot in a small shop where putting an arrow in the X ring is everyones goal.

Who's a better shot?? Hands Down the Unlimited bunch. At least in that situation. We kid about thier stabilizers that are so long they could punch holes in the target. Or the sights that make the X look like it's at the arrow tip. While we struggle to try and center in the yellow cuz we can't even see the lines. But we are not there to compete with them. We compete in our own classes. We are successful at our venue (the woods) they are succesful at thier venue (competition).

It's like the guy who has the Corvette asking the Guy who has the Truck to race..The guy in the Truck says sure you name the time I'll name the place.. The Corvette guy says "3:00 PM"... the Truck guys says "ok We'll race up Suicide Hill and through the Mud Bog"

gr8 is making a good point.How many times has the target shooter been ripped on for using a long stablizer or slide bar sight?Usually it is all in fun but there are a few that take it personal for some rerason and feel that if you don't use the equipment they do,for some reason you are less of a hunter/shooter than they are.[:'(]


You won't ever see a true pro rip on you for your equipment.I have shot with many of them and the most you will usually get out of them is suggestions on how to get the most out of what you use.They will usually hold their opinions untill asked.

There are a bunch of wannabes that give tru pros and competitors a bad rap.


I got really upset once on a course 1 time when I was shooting and I hardly ever shot this course.It was an IBO course and I usually stuck to ASA at the time.That came up and one guy in the group said he didn't like the lower 12's because it just required LUCK to hit it.(it was the way he said it)This kinda pissed me off at the time.Eric griggs had just won an IBO tournament and an ASA tournament and I asked if it was skill when he won the IBO event and luck when he won the ASA event.


You run into them no matter whatbut they usually aren't pros.I have also witnessed the same out of the guys shooting the hunter class.That too is the individual and shouldn't reflect on the groups as a whole.


There is alot of good equipment that can be used at the top level and the most expensive doesn't always mean the best.No doubt,some is better than others.But form and ability takes the forefront when it comes to competition.The best know how to get the most from their equipment.


I do agree that there are alot of great shooters and even competitors that just can't afford to compete on a national level.BUT,untill you have stepped into the national arena,it would be very difficult,if not impossible to beat them at their game untill you have done it for a while.

Great post.I couldn't agree more that there are bad apples on both sides andI shouldn't let one comment establish my views.

The shooter makes the equipment. The equipment doesn't make the shooter. Too many times people buy expensive rigs thinking it will make them a better shot. The reality is that they do not practice enough, or right, for them to become better. So, better equipment will not help. it's like a guy buying expensive golf clubs who's a duffer. A duffer is still a duffer. He'll just look better doing it.

Better archery through aggressive spending.

I've been guilty ofthat a time or two........

Bill Winke even wrote an article about that very subject in this month's issue of Petersen's Bowhunting callled "Buy Better Shooting"...

I've been guilty of it myself. Thinking the brand new toys can fix basic problems that require either a change in form or more practice.

Greg,

I have that issue. He talks about things you can buy to improve performance. The article is probably meant for guys thatare responsible archers.

However, it easily can be misconstrued by someone as an instant fix for poor shooting ability.

A large peep
Using a spike to stop flinching and punching the trigger
Blazer Fletching
Compact broadheads
Kisser Button
ASD
straight nocks
and finally an arm guard

There is some truth to buying points.


How many times have we spent money on the latest and greatest and saw a spike in our scores only to realize after a few shoots that we are right back where we were.


Confidence is so critical in shooting and new equipment is a quick fix for it.


We always come back down untill we address the problem and that is the mental and physical side.

how much? i'll take some!