I too have devolved from my compound days having sold my last one about a month ago. The only one that still hangs in my garage is an older model Martin single cam bow that will be handed down to one of my nephews when they get big enough to use it. I started out as a compound hunter, cut my archery teeth on it, and killed a truckload of deer, squirrel, rabbits, and other critters with it so I don't mind giving it to a young fella who needs some game under his young belt before plunging him head first into traditional archery as I now enjoy it. Mainly because you need to develop a
"Respect" for traditional archery before you can master it. There's no instant gratification that society seems to be so caught up in nowadays.
The transition or
degression as it is took half a lifetime for me to finally sink my teeth into it, and I've given up the wheel and cables for a more simple style that suits my older mentality mindset and slower paced hunting style now. Although I got into trad archery for the simplicity of a bent stick and string, I have only devolved back to the iron age cause I still like my steel points.
Afterall, how long ago was the steel age of trocar tipped spears used by the Trojans? That's still quite a ways back, yet not as far as stone points, but still many centuries none the less and that's what I feel confident using at my skill level. See my point? Pun intended.
The article was well written with the exception of just a couple parts that kinda made me cringe, but nothing I would consider offensive. When they used the word
"Crude" I think it was only directed toward the weapons used and not the hunters themselves or us for that matter. Because the methods or hunting style used by the hunters is anything but crude. It takes years to develop the skill of stalking an animal and making the kill, a skill that some may never perfect. Yet no matter what weapon you have in your hands those skills of stalking game are still the same only difference is that when you choose to use what we like to use you just need to get a bit closer. That's the part that gets my blood pumping, cause I love getting as close to critters as possible!
In reality that's the main connection to giving up the long range bow and picking up the short range weapon. I think alot (if not all)of that experience of getting close to game is lost when using a compound or a rifle. Don't get me wrong though, I love my guns but don't feel near the connection to nature as I do with my BBO I made myself in my hands.
At least that's how I feel about it.
Thanks for finding that article, it's nice to know that people are taking notice of what we do even if they don't understand the
"Why" we do it.
You all know as well as I do that it's impossible to explain to someone who has never experienced it, what it feels like to put yourself in a position to take an animal at point blank range and fill your freezer with it for some of the best table fare a human can get.
There's just nothing else like that feeling of accomplishment. America would be a better place if everyone got to experience that a few times and just get their hands bloody for a change.
