1 percent of deer taken in Illinois

[jonsimoneau]

I saw a statistic that said that roughly 1 percent of deer taken in Illinois are taken by "traditional" bows.  I read this as 1 percent of deer taken in Illinois are taken by bowhunters. Shazam!

[jonsimoneau]

I guess we are the dreaded 1 percenters!

[Gun]

Good one! And you got that right!  Trad guys need to know how to HUNT. Not just be accurate with a weapon.

[Nathan Killen]

[Toad Frog]

In spite of our low numbers I think the United Bowhunters of Illinois is the most pro active bowhunting organization and advances ethical bowhunting issues with the IDNR. I'm just sorry more Illinois traditional archers are not members. I think in 2011 only a little over 800 deer were killed with traditional equipment out of over 64,000 deer killed with archery equipment.. Also crossbow numbers are growing. I suspect some compound hunters are switching over to crossbows as our State's law is changing to allow regular bowhunters (less than age 62 and without disability) more access to the bowhunting season. Great Buck John.

[Toad Frog]

Jon, not john.

[Bert Frelink]

Here is a scary statistic for you Illinois Traditional guys,
We have roughly 18000 bowhunters in Alberta of which very few are Trad guys, anyway our F&W has now put the Bowhunting for MuleDeer on draw pretty much troughout the province because the "Archery" hunters reached their 15% succes rate.
Here is the cruncher, to get drawn you have to compete in the draw with everyone, including the rifle hunters, looks like about a 5-6 year wait for a tag.
Fight that crossbow season with all you have, just sayin'
Regards.
Bert.

[Jerry Gille]

It's best not to look at stuff like that Jon.  Just depressing.

[Fletcher]

It's not depressing to me anymore.  When the "mainstream anythingers" get their way and mess up the current season, we being an insignificant impact on the resource will give us reason to retain our season.

[olderndirt]

Hunted Illinois this year with a group of "wheelie" guys.  Only trad guy in the group.  Well ... 4 shots taken by 3 in the group, 2 wounded and not recovered, 1 missed, 1 down within sight of the stand.
Was a long ride home for the "wheelie" guys:-)

[black velvet]

What is the ratio of trad to other archery methods? Been hunting Illinios now for 8 years and haven't met another trad hunter yet in the area I am hunting.

[Adirondack Bowman]

"dreaded" one percenters ?

[Joeabowhunter]

Originally posted by jonsimoneau:
I guess we are the dreaded 1 percenters!

So who will be first to sew a 1% patch on their plaid wool vest!!!    

[Gordon Jabben]

Years ago, I bought a used Arkansas wildlife magazine.  In it they did a survey of archery hunters to see what the crossbow success rate was compared to compounds. The findings were kind of surprising to me and probably would not  hold true now.
Crossbows---6% success
Compounds---12% success
Traditional bows---55% success

[Overspined]

1%

 

2%

 

Actually I am 100% in Illinois when I think about it.

0% Indiana and not for lack of opportunity, and way over 100% in MI.

0% in CO because apparently I am destined to miss every elk I shoot at, yet kill deer....hmmmm

[Walt Francis]

Gordon,
The "informal" surveys in Montana have the traditional success rate almost double that of the compound.  Who'd of thunk that?     Fortunately, we have managed to keep the crossgun out of our season.

[Gordon Jabben]

Walt, do you think it's the bows or are we just more dedicated?

[Walt Francis]

I believe it is, like everything in life, the person, behind the bow or equipment (A compound is not a bow. A mechanical arrow launching device, yes.  A bow? No.) that makes either one successful.  Because one uses a bow does not inherently make him/her a better hunter.  There are a heck of a lot of good, I mean really...really good ethical hunters, that use a compound.  Most who use the compound are ethical and I would, and do on occasion, share a camp with them, and I am dang proud to be there. What I have found is those who choose to hunt with a stick and string, as a ratio of the whole group, tend to be more persistent; they just hang in there longer and do whatever it takes to get it done, ethically.  Success has less to do with extreme shooting skills or bravado, rather it lies in ones tenacity and self-confidence.

[frassettor]

[frassettor]

Originally posted by Walt Francis:
I believe it is, like everything in life, the person, behind the bow or equipment (A compound is not a bow. A mechanical arrow launching device, yes.  A bow? No.) that makes either one successful.  Because one uses a bow does not inherently him/her a better hunter.  There are a heck of a lot of good, I mean really...really good ethical hunters, that use a compound.  Most who use the compound are ethical and I would, and do on occasion, share a camp with them, and I am dang proud to be there. What I have found is those who choose to hunt with a stick and string, as a ratio of the whole group, tend to be more persistent; they just hang in there longer and do whatever it takes to get it done, ethically.  Success has less to do with extreme shooting skills or bravado, rather it lies in ones tenacity and self-confidence.

Well said