sticking up for pope&young!

792 Views 9 Replies 9 Participants Last post by RDH, Jul 14, 2003

speed-freak

Discussion Starter · Jul 11, 2003

First off Id like to give my apology to everyone about the crossbow tread im new to this form and I didnt know better.But it was fun watching from the side lines.And Im glad to see all of u have the same passion for bow hunting as I do but with different opinions.But my next question maybe will get the same results.so go grab some popcorn and a coke cause here we go.Why do I read so much bashing on the pope&young club.If it wasnt for Dr.Saxtonan & Aruther pope bow hunting would not be what it is today.By them forming the club and there exploits in 60s in brought back the forgotten sport of bow hunting.It showed how exciting and challenging it was and the birth of all the clubs-organization-hunters of today.Their conservation programs-game management programs-discover camp for kids-youth awareness-and grants(400.000 in the last 6yrs) has done more for the sport of bow hunting than any other organization-club or hunter out there. Its their club and have the right to set their rules and guide lines.I would be proud an honored to be in there record books and thats why I keep by bow pope & young legel and hunt ethically.

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AK in PA

· #2 · Jul 11, 2003

The original purpose of the Pope & Young Club was to demonstrate to game agencies and the public that bowhunting was an effective form of big game hunting. I'm all for them on that front and commend their promotional efforts.

The club's image seems to have unfortunately changed over the years, however, from what "can" be done with bows and arrows (focused on the sport) towards who's shooting what (focused on the individuals). That change seems not to stem from the organization so much as from the hunting public, though. Regarless, I'm glad to see the organization stand its ground.

Just a correction on the history... Saxton Pope and Art Young (along with companions, Yahi Indian survivor Ishi and Will Compton) were bowhunting pioneers in the early part of last century. In the early 1920's, they used their hand made longbows of osage orange and Pacific yew to take numerous species of dangerous game, from Brown Bears in Alaska to lions in Africa. They wrote of their accomlished forays which became legendary.

Glenn St. Charles later started the Pope & Young Club, naming it after these earlier bowhunting pioneers. Glenn St. Charles, having entered his 90's, will hopefully again visit The Eastern Traditional Archery Rendezvous (near Coudersport, PA) in two weeks to sign autographs. Here's an interesting link to an interview with him a few years ago.

http://www.bowsite.com/bowsite/features/interviews/stcharles/

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JAVI

· #3 · Jul 11, 2003

I think the Pope & Young Club, is deserving of respect for its efforts on behave of Archery Hunting. That said, I also think they are sometimes too steeped in tradition, not that tradition is wrong. I do agree that there must be some limit placed on the requirements to enter an animal into the Record Book. Are their requirements antiquated? That is for the board and full members of The Pope & Young Club to decide, it is after all “their club”.
If I am hunting a species considered for placement in “The Book” and I am hunting, where I might be lucky enough to harvest such an animal, I adhere to all P&Y criteria.
Even though there are those among the members here that maintain, I am not a hunter, because I believe that any legal method of hunting should be supported, I do truly respect the animals that I harvest. I do not jump around, laugh and yell when I shoot and animal, to me it is a moment of thankfulness, and I approach it with a feeling of my own frailties.

However, I believe this is a personal thing and each individual must experience their own feelings, so I do not look upon celebration of the kill as bad.
I simple said that to punctuate my feeling that to harvest an animal, which has obtained the stature necessary for inclusion in the record book, and not enter it would be disrespectful to hunting.

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NEWBIN

· #4 · Jul 11, 2003

HELLO, I THINK POPE & YOUNG NEEDS NO DIFENDING.. THEY ARE THE ONES THAT HAS DRIVEN ALOT OF HUTNER TO THE ONE THING MOST DREAM ABOUT AND THAT IS TO ACHIEVE SOMETHING OF PERSONAL SATISFACTION.. ITS WHAT KEEPS MOST HUNTERS OUT THERE THE LONGEST WAITING FOR THAT ONCE IN A LIFE TIME HUNT...

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willie

· #5 · Jul 12, 2003

FYI -

G. Fred Asbell speaking for the P & Y club - -

"The Pope and Young Club chose the 65% let-off as the maximum allowable for compound bows. The intent was to set a limit, beyond which a bow departed from being a hand-held, hand-drawn weapon that enjoyed primitive status. But, it also seemed foolish to attempt to turn back the clock, and to disallow what everyone was already shooting. At the time of the Pope and Young Club fair chase amendment, 65% let-off was the upper edge of what was being manufactured and sold on a large scale. A few bows were being offered above that level, although most were experimental. We became aware that some were experimenting with let-offs above 90% (which were felt at that time to be akin to a vertically held crossbow.) A majority of the compound bows being manufactured and sold at that time were below 65%. This is where the Pope and Young Club decided to draw a line."

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Jim C

· #6 · Jul 12, 2003

Its a club and like any private club they have the right to set what standards would be members have to obey. That is fine with me. IF or When they go around telling game commissions that Xbows ought to be banned or that 80% let off bows are unsporting then I take the gloves off and smack them around bit.

They should stick to being a club and refrain from being a lobbying arm of the PBS

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One eye

· #7 · Jul 13, 2003

P&Y does not have to tell F&G departments to keep crossbows out of ARCHERY seasons. Regular bow hunters can/should do that themselves. I doubt you have ever heard an archer say a crossbow should be "banned". They simply belong in the general weapons seasons with the rest of the "easy" weapons!

As for the club, I admire their willingness to defend ARCHERY, and not prostitute it for a few bucks and the whims of the pop-culture manufacturers who only care about their wallets.

Dan

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RDH

· #8 · Jul 14, 2003

Jim C

Correct me if I'm wrong.

I read your post as an inference that Pope & Young Club tries to set standards for hunters outside of thier club.

Please explain with hard facts as if this is the case, I may need to rethink my opinion of this organization.

I believe this is just another off handed bashing job. You may prove me wrong.

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DeerTexas

· #9 · Jul 14, 2003

willie said:
FYI -

G. Fred Asbell speaking for the P & Y club - -

"The Pope and Young Club chose the 65% let-off as the maximum allowable for compound bows. The intent was to set a limit, beyond which a bow departed from being a hand-held, hand-drawn weapon that enjoyed primitive status. But, it also seemed foolish to attempt to turn back the clock, and to disallow what everyone was already shooting. At the time of the Pope and Young Club fair chase amendment, 65% let-off was the upper edge of what was being manufactured and sold on a large scale. A few bows were being offered above that level, although most were experimental. We became aware that some were experimenting with let-offs above 90% (which were felt at that time to be akin to a vertically held crossbow.) A majority of the compound bows being manufactured and sold at that time were below 65%. This is where the Pope and Young Club decided to draw a line."

To keep up with the times and to keep the respect of modern bowhunters, the rule should be ammended. My current bow has a 75% let-off and is not out of the ordinary. To keep the 65% let-off rule in place only serves to create even further division in our ranks.

Get with it, P&Y. Try to keep up. K?

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RDH

· #10 · Jul 14, 2003

Changing the letoff rule almost passed the last convention. I feel certain it well the next time it is voted on.

The numbers were good at the time, not so now.

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