I know this is probably a stupid question but I have to ask...are all you who shoot traditional as successful as a compound shooter would be/is? I'm sure thats a yes but just wanted some feed back. Thanks!!

Well, that depends on what you consider "successful". If you mean do we kill as much game, probably not. Most folks have a shorter range with a traditional bow, so not as many shots are taken. That is one reason I took up traditional archery--for the challenge. The rush is very intense, the anticipation almost unbearable, waiting for that perfect shot. One exception might be game birds and small game--I think we are more apt to hunt them with a bow. Don't hear of many folks hunting squirrell, rabbit, grouse, pheasant, etc. with a compound.

Can you take the same animals with a trad bow as a compound? Definately. Check out different bow sites "trophy pages" for an example.

Chad

Hoyt,

Traditional shooters don't have as much success on deer for most of the reasons Chad already explained.
The sights, mechanical release, and speed is a big plus.
I shoot both Recurve and Compound and love both.
I hunt with both.
Shoot 3-D competition with my Compounds.
But shooting my Recurves is more fun and exciting.


Sag.

The answer to your question is obvious if looking only at the distance at which a deer (or similar large game) can be taken with confidence. The average trad hunter will limit his shooting range to around 20 yards. Most average compound hunters can extend that to 30 yards and maybe a bit more.

There is another factor that is relative to your question. The end result of success (if that means tagging an animal) is somewhat individualized. A compound hunter can go many weeks and not take deer, while a trad hunter could take several deer and vise versa. Heck, the way some gun hunters go at it, a bowhunter can be more "successful".

It all comes down to the prowess of each hunter and also the commital of time spent afield. Chad talked about the challenge. Because of this challenge, trad hunters must pay more attention to "setting up" on deer as the limited range requires a certain level of adjustment. Not to say that compound hunters do not pay attention to details, only that a trad hunter MUST keep these things in mind to assure the best odds for a deer to be in range.

Back in the years when we were all hunting the farm with the "brown is down" mentality, the trad guy was tagging just as many, if not more deer than his compound buddies. Accuracy in target shooting does not always assure payday in real hunting situations.

i usally get my limit every year, but it takes a little more work. but if you learn to shoot your bow, and shoot it well. i dont really see much of a difference. i've took alot more critters with my trad gear than i ever did with a compound, but back then i was much younger. i think thats the biggest difference.

Since bowhunting success is only partially determined by shooting, the answer is probably no difference. Some have suggested in other venues that compounders are taking more game but they never seem to be able to back the assertions up with meaningful harvest figures. Much depends as well on the methods.

For still hunting, stalking or jumpshooting, compounders can't compete with competent traditionalists because their tackle limits them to slow deliberately aimed shooting at relatively known ranges. Thus, if they excel at all it would pretty much be in the stand hunting area and I believe that was the original purpose of the compound bow. It was intended to do what short recurves couldn't do without string pinch in the confines of a blind or tree stand.

I suspect however that the question really implies some concern about practical hunting accuracy and the fact is on the first shot, the shot that counts most of the time, the traditional practitioner will get just as many good hits as the freestyle compound shooter if not more because he can do it faster. I'm not talking about arrow speed either but the speed at which the shot can be set up and executed.

This might rarely be seen on a 3D course in terms of scores because there the last shot is just as important as the first in establishing the score and there too the letoff especially means compounders have an advantage traditionalists have difficulty overcoming.

However, 3D courses are not very good simulations of actual bowhunting. They are, first and foremost, competitive activities, often geared to the gear of the people who participate. They're fun for sure but not very predictive of hunting success because there's no real hunting involved and some of the shots are just plain stupid because the scoring rings frequently don't reflect the underlying anatomy for all practical angles. Unlimited times are often allowed for executing a shot and tackle that would never be used in the field is allowed. Go figure.

In any event, I don't think one need worry about competing with compounders in the hunting field. Most of the advantages they have on the range disappear or are irrelevant when they enter the field.

People have been hunting for thousands of years successfully with traditional tackle. It's only been in recent years that other people have questioned whether that success was plausible and that I fear merely evidences ignorance as well as a lack of common sense.

So stop worrying and just get out and do it. You'll be glad you did I suspect.

Its' gonna be hard to limit myself to about 20yds in the field...have any of you taken a longer shot than 20?? I've heard a lot that most shots are on average 20 yds ne wayz...I really appreciate all your help thanks a bunch guys!!

I would think that regardless of equipment used, the most ethical shot is 25 yards and in (less chance of things going wrong). I don't usually talk about such things and as the saying goes - if I have to explain, you wouldn't understand... but here goes anyway...

I've hunted whitetail with a recurve for 15 years and have taken somewhere around 20 deer. My longest shot to date is around 18 yds. My average shot has been in the 12-15 yd range. You can be a shooter or you can be a hunter. In most cases, when it comes to trad equipment, the hunter part plays a larger role.

My apologies for spouting off, but I have much respect for the animal I hunt and strongly believe it is my responsibilty as a hunter to be as confident as possible before releasing my arrow that the animal WILL go down.

I don't find the 20 yd. limit a problem. That's why we wear camouflage. The buck I got this year was at 22 yd.'s. I've taken a couple over 20. But I just normally set up closer to the trail. 10 -15 yd.'s is about right. After about 24 yd.s, my arrow drop increases to the point that I'd have to compensate. Out to that range I generally just aim for the middle of the chest.

I agree with LBR "success" is a personal thing.If your definition of sucess is filling your tags then think hard before switching.Or just realize your limitations.There is a reason most everyone shoots a compound these days.It's easier.I thing 80% let off and the mechanical advantage of a compound can't be underestimated.I remember looking at some harvest figures on another board and in Ohio the success rate went from around 15% to 30% once compounds became the norm.That being said,many guys routinely kill lots of deer with trad. tackle.There will be a learning curve.You may have to pass on some shots.But when you do harvest a deer you will find it very rewarding.I bowhunt for enjoyment.I can always whip out the rifle and put meat in the freezer.I enjoy shooting traditional.I am willing to accept the limitaions of my equipment for the reward when it all works out.I think you will find that to the average traditional archer the overall experience is just as important as the kill.Now if you wanna talk fun ,grab a couple dozen arrows and go squirrel hunting,that is a blast.Good luck.


CB