This was years ago, I was shooting a round at the local archery range. I had my 45# longbow with wood arrows and was just having fun. 4 guys showed up, all armed with the latest compounds, sights, overdraws, peep sights and releases. They were shooting these little arrows that weighed nothing and shot like darts.

I could hear them shooting because it really sounded like they were dry firing their bows. In fact, two had PVC arm guards to protect their arms just in case. L knew them all, they were totally wrapped up in the speed hype and all that goes with it.

They kept talking about what the last chronograph reading had been with their bows and that's okay with me, they were doing something outside.

Because I was shooting by myself, I had made my way around and had caught up with them. Immediately I heard the snickers about how slow my stick bow was. Each one of them then repeated what I had already heard them say earlier about the speed of their bow.

Then one asked me about how fast my bow shot. I simply smiled and said fast enough. They all laughed and there was a little snickering as they watched the flight of my arrow.

So I added, the deer have never complained about dying by a slow arrow, neither the squirrels, rabbits, birds and other critters that I have taken with it. So then I took off my glove and shot the next target. I turned and asked could they do that if they forgot or lost their release.

Then I mentioned that it sounded like their bows were about to blow up from being dry fired. One guy chuckled and said one of them had done that very thing a couple of weeks before. I answered that it sounded expensive and then asked if one of them wanted to go out there and left me shoot once at them....no takers. So I nodded my head and moved on.

I'm not into arguing about what bow is best or what style, that is just a can of worms to me and not worth the time or effort. I do my best to have as quiet of a bow as possible and try to allow for the deer to possibly drop on my shot. When I do my part right, my arrow does my talking for me.

I had heard a couple of old timers years and years ago say something to the effect of this, "A slow kill is better than a fast miss." Trad bows are never going to be as fast as a compound or one of those crossbows but I don't care, they have been around for thousands of years because they work.

While my bow may have been too slow in their eyes, untold numbers of people and game have been taken with them over the years. You can't argue with that. Besides, they are just pure fun to shoot.

I started killing a lot more deer once I switched to traditional. Sounds wierd but it's true.

love my slow old recurves! was shooting 3-d with a church group once, one guy was shooting a c-bow , came up to an antelope target ,about a 60 yard shot according to his range finder, he shot and missed.. i said "you know on these long shots you got to kneel down and pray before you shoot" well thats what i did and then i shot and wouldn't you know my arrow hit dead center in the 10 spot! say what you want guys but prayer works!

you should have offered them to shoot the bow and try it out. i bet they would have liked it and at some point in their journey, at least one or two out of the bunch would have made the switch.

my last memorable bowhunt was for antelope. my buddy was using a crossbow and i had a recurve. we both killed antelope and enjoyed the hunt.

most of us have more things in common than differences. for some reason we like to emphasize the differences. i am not sure why that it is, but i am guilty of it at times myself.

imho, the guy behind the bow is more important than the bow itself, this holds true in all sports. Your God given instincts and computer mind is something to behold, when they work together. But the more trinkets you add to the picture the more you rely on them instead. Too many nowadays, take the easy path.

Very interesting the behavior they exhibited. I've never had that experience with compound shooters.

just enjoy your bow,, you can always get a compound if you want,,anyone can,, just be confident and polite,,. Fred Bear would not care about their thoughts on arrow speed,, arrow speed is all relative,, trad bows are not slow,, they are what they are,, primitive self bows can be a bit slower,, but for tarket and small game very fun to shoot,, with the right design,,,have very nice cast capable of taking the largest game,, enjoy your shooting and dont pay them any mind,,:)

My final Jeopardy answer is: "what was Frisky's reply when the used car salesman tried to hook him up with a Studebaker"?

Yah, they laugh at my slide rule too.

Another good story Jerry... thanks. I'm looking forward to your "tales (or tails) from the woods" stories when deer season begins.

I am with bowyer45 on this and have said it before "it is the person behind the bow not the bow."

If it was a Studebaker Avanti, he would have the fastest production car for 1963. bvd

I hunted with compounds for years and it became too easy for me, then I went back to what I started with, stick and string. After just a couple of years I got my biggest buck ever and 98 lbs in the freezer.

I hunted with a relatively fast compound and 2317 arrows at 205fps. I have had Trad bows that beat 200fps with 9gpp. Arrows do not kill with speed.

I have killed a lot more deer since going trad but I have no doubt I could have killed a lot more with a compound or crossbow. It is just easier plain and simple. I know guys that have never bowhunter that are killing their limit on archer deer with a crossbow every year.

If a self bow was not an effective weapon against wildlife, we would not be talking about it at this time.

MP

I've "shot through" slow compound groups... cuz I'm impatient, practically RAN past them, shooting instinctive(fast to them) (normal for me), shoot, pull, and go... and they say, "I don't know how the he// you guys do that". I do. Lol. Nothing but lung baby. See ya later at the clubhouse.

Hexx. lets see a pic of the buck.

I think it's important how we interact with other archers, especially when the equipment is different. I don't want them to walk away saying those trad guys are a bunch of a- holes. Besides if we want a good argument there's always the leather wall.

All the compound guys I've run into have all given me a lot of respect for shooting a longbow, especially out in the woods.

I may have even got a convert for next year on my last trip in the mountains this week.

When he said "I actually want to have shots up here" I asked him "how many shots at game have you actually taken over 25 yds?" When he said "None. They've all been 20 or less". I told him "I'm deadly to 30 so this bow won't hold you back." He said he might give it a shot next year. I told him to start practicing when season ends and you could be ready by next season. Hopefully he falls down the rabbit hole.

So if you talk to them, you might just sway a few. We are all archers out here.

What do slow=

The weapon used to harvest a deer is a personal choice these days, we have options. I have probably taken deer with most of them and fault no one for what they choose to use. There are a lot of people that started off with a compound and later switched to Trad. It is all better than a couch potato that only knows video games and never gets outside for any healthy activities. I knew a guy years ago, worked for the man, a gunsmith. He had gotten so bored with taking game with a rifle that he went to a pistol and then to black powder pistols. It was all about the challenge and the thrill of the hunt for him. I choose the trad, mainly a selfbow right now for self satisfaction of using something somewhat harder to use. If I was a lot younger and more able, I'd probably give a spear a try. I loved bow fishing and really loved spear fishing. I like it all to be truthful, but have settled on what I can still do decently and simply love to do. But I have met a few that looked down on trad as being an inferior weapon and yes, some have changed their mind and even began shooting one. Some simply think that trad is just too hard to get good with enough to take an animal. I have one grandson that uses a compound while another uses a recurve, I'm happy that they both archery hunt.

Doesn’t matter how long it takes the arrow to get there as long as they can’t hear it coming

140 fps with a 400 gr. arrow, and sharp broad head is not to slow at a moderate range of 15 yds. ,or less for white tail. That much I know for sure.

Funnier yet, last year ran into a couple xgun/single string gun hunters at a trail head. They saw my recurve and said "you actually kill anything with that" I said "it has not stopped me and my harvest rate is the same as compound" They kind of looked at each other and said "good luck" I killed a 9 point that evening and went back to unload and get a sled. They were there and I said your out already? They said "yes, nothing around" I said I just took a 9 point and am going back in to drag out. LOL, they looked disgusted and said congrats and jumped in there trucks and left. Oh well.

Cool. Let’s see some pics Live2hunt

Cool. Let’s see some pics Live2hunt

I have never gotten any snickering from compound guys- ever. I have seen trad guys poking fun of someone shooting a compound bow, “you like those training wheels ? “ all the while they are wanging away missing most everything past 20 yards. Then exclaiming that they never shoot past 15 yards. Shooting at the highest level with a compound is much harder because of the extreme level of prescion required. Anyone who wants to shoot that equipment for their own entertainment gets no negative comments from me and more than welcome to hunt with me.

I have never gotten any snickering from compound guys- ever. I have seen trad guys poking fun of someone shooting a compound bow, “you like those training wheels ? “ all the while they are wanging away missing most everything past 20 yards. Then exclaiming that they never shoot past 15 yards. Shooting at the highest level with a compound is much harder because of the extreme level of prescion required. Anyone who wants to shoot that equipment for their own entertainment gets no negative comments from me and more than welcome to hunt with me.

What fdp said, seems to me the c guys are very respectful of me and my equipment, and usually are curious about it.

Where is pictures of this so called 9 point

Back (1988 to 2002) when I use to shoot a lot of 3D competitions sometimes a compound guy would ask me if I ever killed anything with my recurve. I started carrying pictures with me to show them if they ask. Now days I have a bunch of pictures on my cell phone.

Here ya go.

Here is a good morning 7 years ago, posted before.

My Fred Bear tribute hunt 2 years ago.

I think the idea that its the person behind the bow that is speaking, not the bow. As a compound bow shooter that is switching to traditional bow, I have not heard anything negative from either group on the gears I am using. Most are actually encouraging about me picking up the traditional bow. Honestly I hear more remarks (mostly light hearted teasing) from traditional bowhunters about compound bow shooters.

But again, I think the individual or group that you encourage here or there is not the majority, that they dont speak for the community which they THINK they represent.

Uh-oh! Doc, looks like you're gettin' a little rusty in your baiting technique. Upon further review, it looks like you succeeded in drawing in a couple. ;-)

Enjoy the rest of your day!

G.

nice Live2hunt. I love looking at the success pics. I am weird like that. LOL

Here you go Jack. :)

Another one Jack. :)

Nice animals Nemo!!!!

Love the pictures guys

Hmm, looking at my doe pic and 9 point pic, neither flinched or ducked at the shot. Both low.

Interesting, I’ve never heard a compound shooter say anything like that. In fact, it’s generally the traditional shooters that get snobby.

Great pics guys.

I don't know how fast my bow shoots, fast enough I guess. Fast enough to do the damage in this pic on Saturday. Fast enough for me.

I didn't care about speed when I shot and hunted with a compound either. I never had anyone bust my balls about what kind of bow I hunted with and I'd never bust anyone else's balls either. I don't care.

Do what you want and be happy. Be cool with me or leave me the F alone. It's all good.

Shoot arrows and have fun.

I never worry about how fast my bow is. I am concerned about where my point of impact is.

I don’t show lot of 3D but when I’m around compound shooters, I usually get the opposite reaction. I get more of their insecure excuses why the shoot a compound.

Here are 3 words I love when it comes to traditional bows. Silence is Golden.

Considering the energy compounds are delivering I think they’re pretty darn quiet myself. They can’t be to bad when I see them constantly taking game at 70+ yards.

Insecurities? Lol, yup, there’s that attitude.

Speed is only as important as the energy required to do the job when you hunt . Both compounds and recurves , longbows and selfbows can do that.

I don't care what any one uses when it comes to archery season , be it compound , longbow, selfbow or recurve.

I have taken whitetail with my selfbow, which is not a speed demon. Its not too slow.

I'm hunting with a good friend next week and he will be using his compound. We won't be using mechanical broadheads though......lol, couldn't resist..

never had anyone say to much about equip.

I did run into a guy hunting on the mt behind the house here though one archery season.

He was from a nearby hunting camp, told me they rarely ever see anyone else hunting up there except this guy that always uses a longbow or recurve, we call him rambo...LOL! (I had a hard time keeping a straight face..)

i smiled and said...that'd be me. He got kinda apologetic then asked me where my bow was, pointed at my walking stick and said "can't kill em with that"

i smiled and said....."i'm tagged out"

Much of the arrogance comes from the traditional side, the elitist attitude is relatively common in the ranks of traditional shooters as much or more than any other genre. I have yet to run into a compound shooter who is putting down traditional bows, unless it's just for fun with folks they know. Many are in awe of one's ability to shoot bows without accouterments. Ethics lies within the person, not what he or she uses to hunt with.

I will also add this for the Polly Parrots here; not everyone takes photos of themselves with deer just to prove how great they are. I know many hunters who have never taken photos, but they have taken some very nice bucks over many years. They are comfortable within their own skin and don't need anyone to pat them on the back.

I've seen arrogance come from both sides traditional and compounds. And I know no one that doesn't take at least some kill pictures. If taking kill pictures is just to prove how great they are then anyone posting about killing game animals without pictures is doing the same thing.

If for some reason anyone feels posting pictures of dead animals, they claim they have taken with a bow is disrespectful or not right to do then they should also feel the same way about talking about and claiming they killed a bunch of deer or a big buck without a picture.

Some do take pictures for the memory of that hunt. Same as you would take a picture of your family. Is that arrogant also?

Here are two pictures that I cherish.

On the left my Dad and me in 1973 with my first archery buck.

On the right my brother and I in 1994. The only year we killed bucks on the same day.

Great memories since both my Dad and brother have passed away. I take pictures for the memories.

“ Much of the arrogance comes from the traditional side”. Then makes an arrogant pompous statement about others to prove it. I take pics of my hunt, my camp and my kills for myself and don’t mind sharing them with others. I don’t have to prove anything to anyone. I didn’t take pictures of my kids to prove I could reproduce but to be able to look back on great memories. Exactly why I have pictures of my family and friends that I spent a lifetime hunting and fishing with. Now that I’m the only one left, I cherish those memories and pictures. So, if anyone takes exception to my pics, I DO NOT CARE.

Here is another picture that brings back some nice memories. My buddy Donny and I back in the 1990s at a 3D shoot. Donny passed away from cancer in 2012.

Great post and pictures Nemo.

So George , you quite often take pictures of your roving ? What's the difference? Is that arrogance showing you hit the stump ?

I don't need a photo from someone to prove to me they did it . I prefer to believe in the honor system .

I just like seeing photos.

My most memorable hunt was a big doe I shot with my selfbow and I didn't take a photo . My first moose , I had so much work ahead of me I forgot to .

To say people take photos to pound their chest is rude . I take themb for the memories , That's why most folks take photos of anything .

And the times I didn't take photos , I regret now , as I forget some details the photos quite often remind me of . Like the equipment I used . I usually remember but with age you can forget .

Folks, I dont think that the two points about arrogance and pictures George stated were meant to be related. He was stating first that arrogance from the traditional side was more prevalent. I agree with him on this point but again this is just our opinion.

His other point was that you don't need to prove yourself to the community by posting pics. He didnt say that anything was wrong with it. It was not an attack to those that do post pictures. It was more of a word of encouragement to those that are newer to the community. That you didn't need to post pictures.

I will second bluesman's statement above about regretting not taking photos.

My dad was not a picture taker when I was growing up and I really wish I had more photos of all the hunts we went on and deer we killed together, motorcycle rides we went on etc.

I make it a point to take a lot of pictures of the things my son and I do together now. Memories fade but a picture can bring them back sometimes.

Here is one of my favorite pictures of my son and I. He'll be 17 next month and he's becoming a fine man. It is nice to look at this picture and remember the little boy he was that fell asleep on my shoulder in the treestand.

I lost my dad when he was 69, and one brother at 53 . Our hunting photos are cherished. We have the game in the photo.

HumanCreed,

I will respectfully disagree with your opinion of George's post regarding photos.

Also, I appreciate your effort to defend George's post but I'm sure he can do that himself if he thinks it's necessary. Again, no disrespect towards you.

I personally love seeing pictures from successful bowhunters. bluesman's bear and moose pictures are awesome. I've been trying to draw a moose license for quite a few years.

Supernaut X2 about respectfully disagreeing.

Basinboy's moose picture on the 2023-4 Harvest Thread was awesome also. Maybe I'll get lucky next year and draw a tag.

You know, I've had a couple of groups of compound hunters remark to when we met in the woods, "now that's a real hunter". I want to say that is a pretty good compliment. However, we who have practiced hard long before the compound was on the scene know we in our early years had many humble experiences and mistakes if we are honest. But it does make a 77 year old feel good. Now if I can just live up to the compliment!

I like to see pics especially pics from guys that post a doe pic then say they have killed several nice bucks but don’t post a pic of them. I say bull crap. It’s human nature to work hard at something and take a pic of the accomplishment when you succeed. It doesn’t mean they are not comfortable in their own skin. In fact I think guys that act like posers and say they kill this and that and don’t post pics are the ones that are not comfortable in their own skin. Heck I have seen pics of kills from HH,Fred Bear, Roger Rothaar, the Wensels, and many other famous and not so famous archers. There. I got that off my chest. Now where is the pic of my B&C buck I killed last year.

True, should never try to speak for someone else's intention.

So I will just consider myself blessed that I have not encountered any negativity from people on what type of bows I use.....yet?

live and let live, post and let post.

I can care less if someone shoots a compound bow or not. Here is a picture of my elk hunting buddy and me bowhunting elk in Colorado. He hunts with a compound bow and I hunt with a Bear Takedown recurve. We got along great. Best bowhunting partner I ever had.

The majority of my friends shoot Compound bows and xbows nobody ever made a bad comment to each matter of fact my 12 yr grandson is going with me this Saturday he’ll be using a Xbows me with a RC oh by the he will be using mechanical broadheads just couldn’t resist that. LOL!!!

Thank goodness for pictures and memories. "LOL"

I till can't believe that statement . Taking photos and posting them on your bow hunt with the animal is arrogant ?????? On a bowhunting site ???? . Unbelievable.

I kinda got in the habit of not taking pics, especially doe.

But i can relate to what Jim said (supernaut)

I wish i had taken more, These days though i end up taking them with a cell and then sending them to my E-mail via a text. Since i have no internet on my cell.

I'd kinda like to get some off the computer and have them printed, but not sure how, wife or kids would have to do that.

I honestly don't run into much if any arrogance personally, but you see it on the internet sometimes.

Big world out there, I suppose we all have our moments when maybe we are not everything we should be, or seem a little to proud, or arrogant.

I'm not what i should be sometimes, but thank GOD i'm not what i used to be either.

I think it's important to keep "striving" to be better. There is a time and season for everything...But most times, kindness is the best way.

Great pictures guys, I never get tired of seeing good hunting pictures. I don't mind if someone makes a claim and doesn't prove it. It just doesn't carry the same weight as someone who does prove it. I want to better myself always, so take advice from my betters only. I have seen arrogance from both camps that disappeared quickly because I'm not easily offended and continued the conversation. Guys razz each other, that is a fact of life.

Things have really improved over the years. I never hear a compound shooter down grade a traditional archer now days but it was not like that in the past. It could get pretty nasty in the late seventies and early eighties. Lots of comments about "deer wounders" "Why dont you shoot a real bow" "You cant kill anything with those things" "Cant you afford a real bow ?"and such was pretty common. There was a cadre of so called sponsered shooters who called themselves "pros" that were pushing a sales agenda for the compound. Iam sure some traditional shooters responded im a megative way but I never heard it personaly in a derogatory manner. It was between friends where each choose a different bow but all considered themselves archers and hunters with a common cause. Now at worst the I am a pro and my shooters shirt make me one may look at you and snicker to themselves but they do not say anything negative anymore. Very little negative stuff from either side now days thankfully.

BTW, the compounders I know kind of respect the fact that there are guys that shoot trad bows. I don’t care what they use either .

Yea, I think a majority of the guys that shoot compounds respect the trad archers that can shoot. I hear more insults from trad guys about wheelie bows, training wheels, etc. Some trad guys think they are just better because they shoot a recurve or longbow. It's kind of like a vegan that has to constantly tell you they're vegan like its some badge of honor. Just do what makes you happy.

As far as photos, its all about the memories. Seeing my son with his fist deer or turkey compared to what he looks like today is priceless.

Speaking for myself, I enjoy the photos and/or the stories of any successful hunt as well as any other pictures posted here that involve, support and promote traditional archery and our love of the outdoors.

Moosehunter's recent photos and stories of his Alaskan Moose and Mountain Caribou were/are excellent, no complaints from me!

I just wanted to add this, in any group of people, there are usually one or two maybe more that tend to be arrogant or even jerks. One of these guys ended up getting a recurve later, his brother n law bought a Black widow bow. I ended up hunting with these guys later a few times. one lost his release and couldn't shoot when a buck came thru. And yes, I have met several trad guys that were real jerks, one even a poacher. Good and bad in all people. Some people are just ignorant and that doesn't mean stupid, they just don't know.

Some awesome pics, thanks guys

I agree with compound shooters not being jerks about traditional gear. Most are intrigued with it and want to try or use one for hunting. The xgunners generally do not say anything, the only ones I ran into were the ones I talked about above. I did run into another one that almost ended in a fist fight in the woods after he blocked my truck in so I could not leave after seeing his truck blocking my truck. He ended up being right by my stand that I had no choice but to try and sit. He got mouthy and I was already pissed. He did realize what he did and came out to move his truck. Oh, funny, he had a mathews sitting in the back of his truck.

I did get kind of aggravated last year, when I was trying to buy some Trad stuff at the local bow shops which only cater to the compound and cross bow users.

They pretty much expressed that trad stuff was just for back yard shooting and not serious hunting, so they didn't stock anything much for them.

I like seeing the pictures keep them coming!

They stock what sells. My brother has a shop, and has some recurves hanging in the shop. Hasn't sold one yet in the last 4 years. Nemo once asked me to post a pic. of a buck I shot in 2017. It is a 12 pt. 158 that was taken on my sons property with a 23 inch spread. I retired from hunting after that. I still think to this day he questions the kill, but when my wife was posting pics she posted it for me on here once. For me once was enough. It is in the archives some were on this site. As far as compound shooters go I have never seen any dis respect towards recurve or long bow, or self bow shooters. Just the opposite. They like to look at ,and shoot my wood bows, and I let them if draw length allows. Ant how good shooting, and hunting to every one.

Ya'll know by this point that I'm not into taking post-mortem pictures of dead bodies. Just ain't my thing. Seems gross and disrespectful of the animal to me, but hey, whatever. Everybody's different. I have nothing to prove to anyone at this point, haven't for decades, no needy ego to satiate, don't care what folks think I can do or can't. Completely irrelevant. What YOU, or anyone, thinks has ZERO to do with my hunting. Yep, think I'd just like to keep it that way. I don't enter the big game contest at the club, go to the rack scoring party at season's end, or tell them what ive killed... they always want to know and put all reported kills in their yearly club booklet. Ain't gonna happen, been a member there for decades... was even president for a while, and there were years I did exceedingly well with my selfbows. Ain't nobody's business. It's personal. Bring em home. Shut the door. Get to work.

Some of the folks who look for any and every reason to post kill pics incessantly, obsessively on the internet? Or like the guy at work who kept physically shoving his big binder of kill pics in front of me? He just HAD for me to see them, and justify himself. He was like a crazy person. It all screams "LOOK AT ME!"... "LOOK WHAT I CAN DO!". Those guys are just too thirsty for attention. Character flaw. Makes ya kinda wonder about a fella. Oh and that didn't work out too good for my coworker. He was pouting. Lol

Too slow to hunt with? What's THAT number? Pretty good chance I've killed more critters below it than above it. Lol

But yet, Bear is always out of recurves and such, bowyers cannot keep up and are a year or more out, who is buying all these bows?

It’s not for justification. It’s called sharing your adventures. I think most of us enjoy seeing others pics of their hunts, camps and kills. If you don’t, that’s fine. But does not give anyone the right to be condescending about those who do. Yes, this is off topic but I didn’t go there, just followed.

Do as you wish, but photos are a great way to recall what and when especially when the memories start to fail. Plus you can prove yourself when you propose something and the common present attitude is different…like you can’t kill anything with a slow bow and back quiver lol. Most older really good hunters don’t even use the internet at all, let alone take pictures. Most today though don’t even believe pictures but as they say, if it isn’t documented, it never happened.

Yes, pics or it didn't happen. We all take alot of pictures these days. Mushrooms, stumps,deer , bows ,gear you name it. There may be a few self promoter's, but my hats off to them and I will celebrate with them. Most of us are just sportsman who enjoy the outdoors and pictures of everything there in. Nemox2 if it isn't disrespectful to tell the story it isn't disrespectful to show a picture.

Grizz, open your eyes. For some it is ABSOLUTELY about justification. Some plainly say so, others are less obvious.

Pictures can be deceiving. By now all hunters and piscatores know that if you hold the dead object of your affection out in front of you, it looks much larger in the photo. Have you ever seen yourself in a newspaper photo and realize that the negative was reversed? Billy the Kid was depicted in a reverse photo for 70 years or so, until it dawned on someone that there weren't any left handed Winchester '73s. bvd

My eyes are wide open. They don’t have narcissism clouding my view.

Totally disagree with you Jeff Durnell .

I don't understand how you can know and decide why any one posts a successful hunt photo ???? Just because you don't,, does not give you the right to judge those that do . You don't know me from 'Adam ". Or many others on here . I enjoy field photos, my friends do too , we even take photos with a game animal the other harvested , it's a memory . Judging people you don't even know?

Me personally , I don't care whether you post a photo with a story . But it has been going on for years in books , magazines, newspapers ....IT ADDS to the story .. what's the well known saying , "A picture is worth a thousand words ""

I didn't know adding a photo to a story was JUSTIFICATION. I take offence to the fact you call taking a photo of a harvested deer as disrespectful You won't find a person more respectful of nature than me. I understand the circle of life , and we take a life to live a life .I don't take a life without understanding the process . My education is in wildlife and renewable resources.

I don't know how some of you can sanctimonious decide others mindset. George Stout was disrespectful and , that's his bed to sleep in as well . Calling people polly parrots because they post a harvest ???

Almost all the harvest photos on this sight are respectful, well thought of photos . Riverwolfs were the best . DONT TAKE A PHOTO IF YOU CHOOSE , but don't judge others that show tasteful photos on a BOWHUNTING and ARCHERY site.

I take umbrage with everyone taking pictures of everything, I don’t. I don’t even think about it. I enjoy others game pictures and don’t think they are bragging,just showing part of their life. Assuming someone doesn’t take pictures doesn’t mean they aren’t taking game.

I have never had any compound guys give me crap about shooting traditional. They always say it’s super cool, and they’d love to try it someday. I do know most compound guys are clueless when it comes to their bows. They are not gear oriented like the trad guys. The trad community is unfortunately where I see the most hate towards each other. Especially if someone brings up speed, form, or target panic. Those topics bring out the worst in people. I think if the read community has any enemies, it’s from within our own ranks.

I agree with Bluesman, I for one am very comfortable with my roll in the circle/chain of life. I am proud to keep my human nature of hunting/gathering. Cave walls are full of drawings depicting kills and killing animals for food. I am not disrespectful at all nor will I allow it with my kids in taking game or taking photos of game. But I will not hide the fact that I am a human animal and proud to be a hunter.

I always liked looking at Roger Rothaars and the Wensels deer. I guess I am just weird like that. I never thought they were saying Hey look at me.

I even like looking at the yearly harvest threads.

I even like looking at the pics of mushrooms growing on the sides of a tree and I never think "look at that guy showing off because he can find mushrooms."

I take photos of fish or game and it goes into an album. Not to brag, but to have a photo to go with the memory. I can pick up that album and see my first deer in 1987 and recall that memory like it was yesterday. I have photos of family in their younger years and some of loved ones that have since passed. I can also relive some of those photos with my son. My Dad wasn't a hunter, but I have fishing photos with him holding dead fish and I cherish them immensely. My kids never knew their grandfather since he died well before they were born. This allows for that memory with my father to be better understood by my kids and they get to see their grandfather doing the same thing they like doing. To each their own, but I see a lot of photos of dead animals on here that are very respectful.

Photos, hunting were not always taken when we 1st started bowhunting (Actually started in 1956). With our modern cameras & wife being a photographer it's a daily event. We have lost a nephew at 17 & a G-Daughter at 12 & SO thankful we did take so many photos. Now, with many G-kids we have them in all types of sports & school events + more. We can never take to many. I also take many at Archery tournaments & share with fellow archers + bowhunts too. Compound or Recurve, it's all archery. I don't feel it's bragging or anything else but sharing. I made a photo book of my many bowhunts & adventures for my G-kids & a little story about each photo. They are not all with some critter either. They all know archery/bowhunting has been a big part of my life & actually 8 family members that "wanted" to shoot. Photos, down the road can become priceless. My best buddy & I in 1980 clowning around in Colorado on a Mule Deer bowhunt. Not a good photo for sure. He has since passed & his kids loved this photo

Bluesman, first of all, what I said wasn't directed at you. I wasn't judging you. I have no idea if you've posted a single kill picture, ever.

I said taking pictures of dead animals feels disrespectful TO ME. Seems morbid and unnecessary. That's why I don't do it. I fully expect others to feel differently about it and that's fine. I didn't say adding a picture to a story was for justification, and don't feel that it is, necessarily. But a picture or two used in an effort to enhance a good hunting account isn't what I was talking about. I stand by my previous post.

ahunter. Nice. 56 is the year I was born. I have a pic of my first deer also. I was proud. Killed my first deer with a bow while hunting on the ground. I had no idea what I was doing. The deer just walked up on me. LOL.

I'm glad I took a bunch of 35mm slides back in the day. It's fun to look back at pics of sucessful small game hunts when we still had good pheasant and grouse hunting.

These days I usually take pics of deer I kill because some day before too long I won't be doing much deer hunting and it'll be good to look back. I always try and take respectful pics, the deer in a natural environment, tongue out of sight etc.

If I post on the harvest threads it's to share a sucessful hunt with members here. I have a lot of friends and aquaintances from other states that wouldn't get to see pics otherwise. On the other hand I can see Jeff's point about others needing attention. There's a couple guys on this sight that post pics on almost every thread. I've seen the same kill pics a dozen times.

No , I can't see his point . I'm not sure who thinks they have the right to decide why someone posts a photo . Maybe they're proud of their hunt . Repeating a photo does not mean your vain.

The funny thing is , the ones that are judgemental never seem to share their success ? But they talk about it .

What a society we live in now where people seem to think they have the right to publicly become judge and jury why people simply post a tasteful photo .

And then they sit on their moral High horse ... and give advice on everything. Ironic really whose vain ?

Totally agree with Bluesman. I’d rather see the pics multiple times than to see the lies that some guys tell about killing this and that. Guys will post a pic of a damn ole mushroom or a bow walk but not a kill pic. As ole Gene Wensel says, gimme a break.

Totally agree with Bluesman. I’d rather see the pics multiple times than to see the lies that some guys tell about killing this and that. Guys will post a pic of a damn ole mushroom or a bow walk but not a kill pic. As ole Gene Wensel says, gimme a break.

bluesman X2.

Well said blueaman!

bluesman X4

So George , you quite often take pictures of your roving ? What's the difference? Is that arrogance showing you hit the stump ? Interesting....In Canada there is NO DIFFERENCE between the stump and the deer....

Jeff durnell ...I'm not going to argue with you . But you did say it was about justification .. here is a copy of your post.

"Grizz, open your eyes. For some it is ABSOLUTELY about justification. Some plainly say so, others are less obvious."

Enough said . I don't think it's your place or George Stouts place to judge people .

Most on here are respectful about differences in opinion and accept our differences .

I have too agree with Bluesman

I have too agree with Bluesman

You know what I think? ……… I think my bows are plenty fast to hunt with. ;-)

Yup , enough said , grizz agree , my bows are good enough to do the job

Well, never intended this post to do this at all. was just sharing an experience from the early 90s. These guys weren't jerks but they were making fun about how slow my bow was. At the time, they were really caught up in the speed trap, shooting as high poundage as they could with over draws and super short lite arrows. Two were doctors and one was a banker, and I am friends with them even now. They shot the most expensive bows that they could buy, I shot my longbow. I'm pretty sure all are shooting crossbows now, the fastest I'm sure. And I'm not knocking crossbows, For 4 years that was all that I could use. Strokes can be very hard to overcome if you ever do. The VA says again Tuesday that I will never see anything of value out of my left eye and that I need to be using a walker instead of the crutches but I'm not ready for that yet. Going to be in a stand Saturday evening, with my Bendy bow. And yes, if I get blessed to take a deer, I will be taking pics.

Yes, my bows are fast enough also, the deer did not complain one bit!!!!

If in Canada there is no DIFFERENCE between the stump and the deer....do they both taste the same? Sorry I couldn't help myself! bvd

bluesman, totally agree with your posts.

Yep, my bows are plenty fast enough, deer didn't mind nor did they mind having their picture taken. ;)

One of my grandsons was up for a week from Florida recently, we spent a good amount of time shooting his new bow and all the arrows I made for him....he's a lil hotshot btw! :)

One evening he went through my photo albums of my hunts. I believe it was the first time he had seen them. He poured over them several times asking all kinds of questions....he loved it. I told him he will have his own photo album to share with his grandkids one day.

@ Jeff... I distinctly remember you posting a pic of 3 dead squirrels some years ago. I remember it because you had previously said before that pic as you say now many times, that you don't post pics of your kills. Guess you didn't find the dead squirrels "morbid".

Like so many have posted above, for all the reasons stated, photos taken and shared are for our enjoyment...showing the fruits of our labor. Hunting alone is hard work, getting that critter is special. Pics remind us of those special times.

I wish I had taken more pictures over the years. I was never into taking pictures all that much. Back in the day, I never owned a decent camera. Of course, with every phone having a camera built in, there is no reason not to take a few more pictures, now days.

Most of the time on just meat deer, anyway, it never even occurs to me to take a picture of the animal, until later. But I like looking at game kill pictures.

Equipment choices are personal, but I bet neither of the compound shooters would dare stand in front of a trad archer and dodge the slow arrow

Bluesman, you sure seem to want to argue with me for some reason, or want to take offense, because you keep purposely twisting my words in that direction.

Again, I never said adding a picture to a story was necessarily done for justification. It can be, but isn't always.

I said to Grizz SOME do it for justification. And if we're objective and honest, it's pretty obvious when it happens.

I don't want to judge people like that, not my place, but some folks, through their actions, leave certain impressions.

I respect the opinions of others even when they drastically differ from mine and accept our differences, yep no problem. If I didnt/couldnt, i wouldnt still be here. I can accept them and notice them and discuss them.

Ahh... I see a bit of argument from both you Durnell and bluesman. Nothing harsh, opposing opinions. I think bluesman has the upper hand with stating facts...you lose Jeff...tuff luck.

So I guess I'm asking this time since you obviously had to have read my last post and didn't acknowledge/reply to the squirrel deal.

Was that not your post? I found nothing "morbid" about it. What I did find odd is how so many times before and then after that pic you stated how you won't post pics or even take pics of dead animals. Yet you posted that one on a squirrel (bow hunting) thread. Eh?

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here