PROS AND CONS OF BEING A TRAD. BOW HUNTER

[jacobsladder]

Well, after what i dealt with yesterday on opener of firearms season i've decided to make a list of why I like to bow hunt with trad gear. You guys feel free to add yours!

PROS

Every animal harvested is a trophy.
Shots are close and at stationary or walking targets.
Wood arrows are sooo purdy.
Wood bows are sooooo purdy
The animals harvested are used to the fullest extent.. (meat for food, fur for quivers, feathers for fletch, horn for knives, etc etc.
Great archers dont just happen, they must practice to tune their skill.
Animals are respected.
Lifelong friends are made.
The whole family can participate.
Traditions are handed down.
When my bud kills an animal i get as much joy out of it as if it was my own harvest.
Oh and i get to hunt the same rabbits all year long    

[Ian johnson]

cons
- you say this bow is the one, then another pops up and you have to HAVE IT

pros
- you can big game and small game hunt all with the same weapon

[snag]

You pretty well covered it for me.....but
Pros: More time out in His creation.
    Getting to spend time talking and sharing
    trad. info with fellow archers.
Cons: Too long between seasons!
     My bank account needs replenishing      
     frequently.

[jacobsladder]

Snag...you and i must have the same bank account  

 

[tradtusker]

you can make is as simple or as complex as you want.

[jacobsladder]

tradtusker...thats excellent!

[GRAYBEARD]

IF WE COULD EXPLAIN IT, THEY WOULD NEVER UNDERSTAND.
PRO: THINK ABOUT THAT LAST SUNRISE OR SUNSET.
    YOUR HEART RATE WHEN A DEER IS CLOSE.
CON: COMING HOME LATE CUZ YOU DIDN'T WANT TO SPOOK GAME ON THE WAY OUT AND NOW YOUR WIFE HAS "THAT" LOOK.

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

CONS ? WHAT ARE CONS?

[JAG]

Pros:
Teaching my best hunting parterner (my Bride of 27+yrs.) how to shoot a longbow.
Making a longbow and matching arrows for her!
Watching the look on her face, when her groups come together.
Sharing time in the woods with her.
Sharing time shooting trad with my son, when he was home on leave, before deployment.
Having a custom bow built for him, to be ready when he comes home.
Learning from some of the greatest trad hunters in the world. (Russ, Sterling, Krista)
Being friends with the same.
Having them to have faith in me to carry on the traditions.
Learning to build a selfbow and all my gear.
Having friends in TradGang.Com, and TGMM!
Enjoying all the Great Spirit's Creations!

Cons:
The only one I can think of is loosing old friends to the long sleep. (but knowing I'll see them at the Great Spirit's Camp, makes it a pro)

[jacobsladder]

Jag..outstanding!

[Rooselk]

Pro: Being at peace with the fact bowhunting and drag racing are not the same thing; therefore there is not the need to obsese with such things as speed and elapsed times.

Pro: Traditional bowhunting clubs and summer rendezvous; there's nothing like swappin' stories with like minded folks over a bowl of homemade chili or a delicious meal cooked in a dutch oven.

Pro: Traditional Bowhunter Magazine. Best publication around, including those with a centerfold.

Con: Grouse are tasty critters and I find fewer of them actually make it to my dinner plate with a bow than a shotgun.

[Tioga]

Pro- I missed a buck this year and laughed about it before he was out of sight. That's a first.  

[freefeet]

Con...  It's gonna be a fair while before i'm good enough to take a bow hunting.

Con...  It's illegal in the UK.

Pro...  I'm enjoying the learning process and i'm having such a lovely time learning that i'm not too bothered about the 1st con above.  When the journey is nice one doesn't care too much when one arrives at the destination.

Pro...  The challenge.  All my life i've shot guns and they're a doddle to use.  I zero the gun, the gun hits the target - simple.  Shooting a trad bow instinctively i'm having to zero myself, not simple at all, but it's an immensely interesting experience for me and i'm learning a lot about myself doing it.

Pro...  Keeping an ancient English tradition alive against our government's ridiculous oppression so future generations can enjoy it.  I've always loved fighting back against oppression.

[jacobsladder]

yep...one of the wenzels once said... "when i shoot a compound... the bow gos off...when i shoot  trad bows...i go off"...

[HATCHCHASER]

I just love it!

[vermonster13]

Pro: So many great bows and bowyers

Con: So many great bows and bowyers.

[jacobsladder]

Dave...so true!!

[HATCHCHASER]

I don't get it Dave....  :rolleyes:

[vermonster13]

Neither does my wife Wally.    :D

[caleb7mm]

pro: teaching my wife of 7 years how to shoot a recurve!

con: ????