| Many people regard bow hunting as something of | | | | with a powerful crossbow, the farthest effective |
| a barbaric and uncivilized sport. However nothing | | | | range is seventy yards. Other bows without so |
| could be further from the truth. As a matter of | | | | much horsepower, such as the formidable |
| fact, those in the know regard it a the mark of a | | | | longbow, are best used at a maximum of a mere |
| gentleman. Further investigation will reveal that this | | | | 20 yards. This means that bow hunting is even |
| sport embraces many rules of ethics that other | | | | more a sport of stalking and stealth. The goal is |
| pastimes do not. Are these rules restraining? Yes. | | | | to make the kill as quickly as possible to eliminate |
| Do bow hunters grumble about them? Absolutely | | | | suffering of the prey and the necessity of |
| not. They understand that these rules were born | | | | tracking the wounded animal to finish off the job. |
| of necessity, and as a matter of fact, sustain the | | | | This leads to a rule that both rifle hunters and |
| sport. | | | | bow hunters must follow without exception. Any |
| Although you might not realize it, archery hunting | | | | prey that is shot and wounded must be found |
| is an extremely popular pastime. Like rifle hunting, | | | | and finished off. This can mean tracking the animal |
| it falls under each state's hunting regulations. | | | | for hours and miles and bear in mind, the hunter |
| Incorporated into these regulations are such things | | | | must still bring the animal home. That is why the |
| as what locations are permissible, during which | | | | bow hunter must be so skilled - it is much harder |
| months hunting is allowed, and what the bag limit | | | | to make a first kill with an arrow than with a |
| is. In some cases bow hunting has an advantage | | | | bullet. |
| over firearms hunting; opening day is days earlier, | | | | Why do bow hunters follow this rule so religiously? |
| allowing archery hunters a wide open field without | | | | Because it is a code of conduct handed down |
| the distraction (and danger) of gunfire. | | | | from generation to generation and it is what |
| There is a great deal of difference between the | | | | makes it a honorable activity. |
| way bow hunting and rifle hunting are practiced. | | | | Now you can see why archery hunting is a |
| Rifles of course, launch a bullet which is a very | | | | pastime for a gentleman. In fact at one time it |
| high speed projectile. That, coupled with a sight | | | | was the pastime of the king, and commoners |
| with top quality optics, allow the rifle hunter to nail | | | | were not allowed to hunt in the King's forest. Now |
| his prey from a distance of up to 200 yards. | | | | however, all are welcome to practice this regal |
| Nothing so easy for the bow hunter though. Even | | | | sport. |