There’s more fun in hunting with the
handicap of the bow
than there is in
hunting with the
sureness of the gun.
“
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less vibration, and lighter weights
making compounds as accurate as a
firearm, if properly sighted, up to 50
yards. Now even with a hunting setup
(broad head, wraps, and lighted nocks)
they can easily reach speeds in excess
of 300 feet per second. This more than
ever emphasizes the rule that “Speed
Kills”!
Traditional Archery has a mystique
to it that has drawn an almost cult
following in the past decade. Many
companies like Bear Archery and
Martin are mass producing bows that
were once custom made, and hard-to-
find left hand bows are now commonly
found on store shelves next to their
popular right hand counterparts. These
bows limit a hunter, in that they lack the
speed of the newer compound bows, but
that should not automatically disqualify
them. If they were not effective or
useful, the traditional bow would not
have been the weapon of choice of
Jacob in the Holy Bible, much less
survived to the present day. It offers
a challenge for someone who may
have become a master of compound
bows. The amount of practice time and
strength needed to build up the skills
to hunt may be a perfect challenge
for someone who wants to find a way
to get more in touch with a primitive
past. It can also set you apart from your
hunting buddies. The one who can truly
master the traditional path can surely
harvest a monster Virginia Whitetail,
and consider himself to be the next
Fred Bear.
Either path that you choose will open
many doors for you and your hunting
adventures. There are local clubs that
have ranges and can offer great advice
like Sherwood Archery (they charge a
yearly fee). You’ll be amazed at what
you will find at your favorite outdoor
store. Come and see me at Sportsman’s
Warehouse in Roanoke; we have a
great staff that can set you up with the
proper gear.
One thing that I ask of all hunters
here on the lake: once you harvest
your bounty, if you have any extra, or
want to help those in need, consider
an organization like Hunters for the
Hungry. They will process your deer
for you and use whatever you donate to
feed local families here in Virginia. It is
a great way to help others and show that
hunters can serve as great role models
in helping other Virginians.
Fred Bear
Several technological advances have contributed to the increasing popularity
of bowhunting. Range finders that can estimate your target distance from
10 to 1000 yards within inches allow for pin point accuracy, arguably the
greatest new development. Portable tree stands now allow you to hunt from
almost anywhere. Before they came along, you had to either build or set up a
permanent tree stand. Scent blocking clothes made
by brands like Scent Lock can make you invisible and
get you within feet of a deer without being detected.
Handheld GPS devices allow hunters to scout areas
for game before the season, so they can record the
desired locations. Landmarks that had been visible
in mid-afternoon cannot be seen so easily at 4 AM,
but the GPS doesn’t lie. Lastly, the introduction of
newer broad heads with rubber fittings and engaging
springs allow for two to three times the cutting area of
traditional fixed broad heads, yet they fly like practice
tip arrows, resulting in more well-placed shots.
Compound bows have become increasingly popular
in hunting, and have dominated the market compared
to the traditional bows starting back in the 1970’s.
Compound bows can range in price from $300 to
$700 for entry level bows from companies like PSE,
Bear, and Parker, to custom bows from companies
like Bow Tech, Hoyt and Matthews that start at
around $1,000, and can cost up to $3,000+. Every
year the technology gets better, with lighter metals,
Discover Smith Mountain Lake
Fall 2014
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