I've hunted with recurves and longbows since 1974, and I know there's a lot of opinions and likes and dis-likes among archers.
But, my question is this: Is there folks that tend to be an ok shot at targets but when it comes to taking a live animal they are deadly?
I know accuracy is accuracy and that some archers utilize a target style of shooting for hunting.....I believe whatever works for you go for it.
Bobby Lofton, who was a nice gentleman bowyer from Mississippi, told me once that there are folks that will tear you up on the target range but may not be that great at taking a live animal. Though, there are those that can do both. Mr. Bobby is no longer with us but he was a knowledgeable bowyer and hunter. I dont do so great at targets [I do ok], but when it comes to stump shooting I tend to do a lot better. Just curious as to what some of your opinions are on this....I know they will vary.

Being a great shot will never hurt you hunting.
Being a poor one may.

I've seen this discussed back and forth, and been involved with it myself. One fellow in particular I can think of is Steve Hohensee--he used to make White Bison longbows. Steve will tell you he stinks on targets, especially in front of people--but his hunting record is amazing. He's killed gobs of big game/dangerous game.

I forget who it was, but there was a fellow on television some years ago who was an Olympic archer, and he missed a "gimme" shot on a deer--nerves got him.

I have a good friend who is one of the best shots you'll ever meet, when he's shooting with friends on familiar territory. Get him to a big tournament, he blows up. Another guy I used to shoot with a lot was the same way. I literally watched him out-shoot factory sponsored compound shooters using an old Bear "Black Bear" recurve--but when the heat was on in a big tournament, he generally fell apart. He'd start out like a house on fire, but around half-way through he'd start adding up scored and blow it.

I agree that accuracy is accuracy--fur or foam--but nerves are a totally different story. Also, one of the things about hunting is taking the shot you are comfortable and confident with, vs. someone else telling you where and when to shoot at a tournament.

Like most everything else in this sport, there's a ton of variables to consider. It sure doesn't hurt anything to be a good tournament shooter, and there's nothing that says you can't be good at both.

Chad

There is a big difference between a target shooter and a hunter. I know countless people who can nail a skoal can at 50 yards with a compound and miss deer after deer. I know mediocre compound folks, that are deer killing machines.

Same with trad, I suppose. Its about confidense, controlling yourself, staying cool, picking a spot.

There can be (mainly nerves, I think), but it's not always the case.

For instance, Rod Jenkins. Two or three time IBO World Champion. Goes all over the world coaching, been the main player in all of the "Masters of the Barebow" videos. Rod is an amazing target archer--and he's also a deer-killing machine. Another myth that Rod will bust is "a gap shooter can't hit moving targets". Rod is an admitted gap shooter, and he's one of if not THE best aerial target shooter I've ever seen. Rod doesn't go into different "modes" depending on what he's shooting at.

There are folks that are better at shooting animals, there are folks that are better at shooting targets....and there are folks that are dang good at both.

I agree Chad, some folks can do good a both.

Rod could be the exception to the rule. I never said it was the rule. What I usually notice is target shooters, worry too much about target skills to be good woodsmen/hunters. I mean some wheel shooters looks like they are carrying a contraption in the woods that looks like they are going to take on the klenonns (however you spell it from star trek). They got the tinyest peep sites, the smallest target pins, just not huntworthy bow.

I admit I know this for a reason. I love to long range shoot, but love more tinkering with my rifles. Building up loads. I spend 5X more tinkering than I do actually picking a load and practicing. I notice many target shooters can't leave thier equipment alone. Non-stop tinkering. Trad shooters including. Changing arrows, bh's, changing releases. I understand it and respect it.

I am not saying all target shooters, or most, just from what I have seen, target and hunting are two totally different skills. I talked to Byron Fergonson at the Baltimore trad classic. I asked him if he ever misses a deer. He looked me, grinned and nodded, "it happens".

Some folks get too crazy about targets, and others get wrapped up with hunting skills. A nice balance I believe can go far.

Ok--I think I understand what you mean. It can be two different sports, with totally different types of equipment even--i.e. Olympic/F.I.T.A. set-ups vs. hunting set-ups. Guess that's why I like 3-D so much--I use the same bows and arrows (sans broadheads) for 3-D that I use for hunting. I tinker and experiment and try things. I love to hunt anything from rabbits to moose, and plan to one day hunt water buffalo....and I love to shoot 3-D tournaments. I've even gotten lucky at a few big ones--but that doesn't replace hunting.

Larry Yein is another World Champion that hunts (sucessfully), as is Rick Welch. Bill Leslie is a heck of a target archer also, who kills critters.

Heck, all the better target archers I know also kill animals with a bow and arrow. Some of the less skilled target archers I know also kill critters--they are better hunters than they are archers, and get within their range.

Admittedly, I don't know hardly any field archers/long range target archers. That just isn't popular around here--but that is probaly more the type BC is referring to.