Hello vermonster,
Why do we feel the need to define our equipment and define ourselves by what we use? Why do folks feel the need to further divide the hunting community when our opposition is so united? What will it take to finally get all hunters/archers to pull together and work for what's best for hunting/archery?
The day we get others to understand that "Ego" and "Materialistic" is not about Archery. Unfortunately, there are so many "I am better than you, because my bow is a stick bow, Rose thorn Rest, tied on by Horse tail hair. And since you shoot paper, you have no idea how to place an arrow to kill an animal.
Stop worrying about the tackle others choose to use and spend the time mastering your own. Celebrate others success like you would your own and hunting/archery would be in a much better place.
Bingo! Thats it in a nutshell. Well said. Mastering your tackle means that there may be times you must retrace your steps to relearn or profect your present or future tackle. Swallowing pride is too hard for some, so they go to other sites that allows them not to swallow that pride.
Lets put it this way...I whip out my 29# Sky Medalist all the time...And I shoot it right along with the biggies. I once had a biggie come up and say (because I was definitely the best shot there by a long shot) you shoot better because that is a light bow. Well, I said "lets trade". We did. And I still outshot *every one of them* (there was about 5 in all) using their "biggie" bow. They were amazed and asked how I learned to shoot so well.
I told them: They were all over bowed (because they were snap shooting, collapsing on release, and becoming rubbery arms after about 30 shots), and needed to completely redo their form...it sucked. They did not like my choice of words, but I told it bluntly and honest.
Six months later (about) one of those guys came up to me and politely said something in the nature of this:
Dwayne, when you first vocalized your opinion to use on the range while you were shooting, you were honest and hard. None of us guys like it, but after a while, I finally began to understand where you were coming from.
He then asked me to teach him how to shoot. And that I did. His paper score went from a 180 - 220 to 260 - 265 in a couple of months. His buddies? Well, they harassed him a little and said shooting paper is worthless. It doesn't teach you how to kill the animal. I can now place my bet on my student for the proper kill. And guess what? We STILL hunt together after all these years.
The better shot we become, the better Archery will progress. It is not about the equipment we shoot, but it is about being able to use that equipment to the best of *ITS* ability. (Notice I did not say *our* ability). Our abilty will NEVER be as good as the BOWS ability. Thus when we strive to shoot beyond *our* ability to push a "bows" ability to the max, we have accomplished a unique and wonderful goal.
Dwayne
See what you went and started Dwayne!?!
I have a habit of doing such things... and getting myself into trouble.
Let me say one thing ok? This goes for all of AT (especially here in the traditional section where my comments have touched some sensitive buttons.)
I want to thank each and everyone one of you for helping me out, understanding that what I say is not a personal attack or something made to be malice of any kind. I have spoken out many times, and just "said the truth". You know where I stand, and I have not hidden anything back. This has touched some sore buttons with some, and I apologize to those people. I am only trying to be honest and upfront... I guess it is my personality. But I do want all to enjoy the sport, become the best shots they can, and *best of all* hope to shake hands with many of you as I can as great friends. (whether we agree on things or not). Thanks for those who "stuck their neck out" for me, in some really hot and uncomfortable situations. If I can do the same, I will.
To each and all... God Bless! and lets keep Archery alive, strong, and fun for all.
Dwayne
