In the case of the McAlester study, the focus group was the U.S. Army, specifically the folks who are in charge of herd management at the depot. The ever increasing hunter success rate got to the point where too many deer were being taken during their annual draw archery hunts and many deer were being reported wounded and lost. Their agenda was to determine how to reduce the wound/loss ratio and decrease the overall harvest back to proper management levels. Nothing sinister.

As a result of the study, the hunt was made traditional-only and I think it still is. Traditional allowed them to keep drawing the same number of hunters and still meet their goals.

You can get a copy of the study from Oklahoma State University. You can get hunter success rates from most states' DNR websites. They keep statistics to help them set seasons and bag limits and it's all public information.

And this bit:

Bashed by lazy clods who didn't want to take the time and make the effort to be proficient, as I recall.

By the way, burnie... If you listed your DOB right on your profile, you were just a baby during the big anti-compound battles I'm referring too. I believe I'm remembering back just a tad further than you are.

You know my brother and I were discussing this. I remember when I was a kid, everybody in Ky was into squirrel hunting in Oct. and early Nov. Some old timers still are, but with the explosion of archery, I don't know anyone that doesn't go nuts over bowhunting in Oct/Nov.

I myself think people worry way too much what the other is doing. Lots of busybody sewing circles on forums.

Usually I post devils advocate posts on these forums and alot of ways agree with the "ethics police" poster, but can't stand their attitudes and want to run or distance myself from these clowns. And reason is, I get sick and tired of people using the words ethics. When they don't even know what the word means, and basically want to force people to hunt the way they hunt because they can't do better. I think part of the "ethics police" mentality on these forums, is a whole lot of insecurity of some on these forums.

Its like ArthurP on here or LBR or Burnie, bob, etc. I guarantee all these guys abilities exceeds mine by a good bit. I am only good up to 18 yards. I am only confident up to 18 yards. But I am sure thier limit or personal ethics are totally different. Like Chads crazy position shots. I can't do that. But if he took a shot at a deer like that, sure doesn't mean its unethical.

Absolutely! Case in point, I can't stand the continual QDM brow beating we had going on the bowhunting forum for so long. On the other hand, if we don't try to police our own ranks, then the gov't will step in and we'll all be screwed. Unfortunately, once they get past bowhunter education, peer pressure is the only tool we've got.

You got that right, bothbigcountry and Arthur P...

I couldn't agree more Art! I've helped alot of young fellars out when getting into bow huntingweather its compound or Traditional i've helped them the best i can. These same people i helped out did foolish things and shots when starting out. Its expected of them, they came to me andasked what there doing wrong?They were wounding animals by the way with takingbad shots. Iexplained it to them againabout taking high percentage respectable shots. I didn't use the word ethics bigcountry, does it sound better? Lol! Relax already!!!!! These certain people i helped out have really matured in the bow hunting part of it, it makes a guyfeel damn good and proud that he made a difference! My ways of shooting may not be quote on qoute the right wayfor everybody, butI gurantee they sure aren't the wrong way! Some of the stuff Bigcountry you have said has alot of truth to it, i beleive you have good morals!

D.O.B. was incorrect. I never set it. But you are right, I was very young and Ill admit, I was on the trad side. I did not shoot a compound until the late 70s. In a way, you said what I was trying to say. The clods, as you said, have their study group. The trad boys,have theirs. You did, though, point out the source of your study andappears legit, but im real curious about how they came upwiththere assesments. Either way, my point is; Why do hunters bash hunters fordoing what is legal. That is my whole point.

I don't blame you. Too much identity theft going on and no point in making it easier.

I wasn't much more than a kid, myself, senior in high school, when I started writing letters to TPWD about compounds and crossbows. Guess I've always been kind of a nutcase.

Has anyone by chance been following the thread on the bowhunting forum about who has broken game laws?? A whole bunch of people seem not to be doing it legally. I'll bash 'em for that, for sure. We ALL should. They deserve a royal bashing because they've earned it. Makes us all look bad by association.

Ethics are personal rules that a true sportsman follows, personal limitations over and beyond basic legalities . So, if people intentionally disobey game laws then, by definition, they cannot be ethical hunters.

Art.

I could not agree with more on that statement.

Its insecurity. Bottom line. If you have to tell people how long you been bowhunting or how many bows you had, your insecure. And to make themselves feel better they bash others.

Ill jump right on that band wagon. I have not seen that post, Id assume it will be pulled quick. And ill agree 100%. Break the laws, and you are not ethical.