Bow Hunting

[Merlin Archery]

I was just wondering what you all think about bow hunting in general. Good? Bad? I know there are strong opinions on this, and I’m interested to learn what they are from this (mostly) non US forum. By bow hunting, I mean licensed hunting done legally.

[clickerati]

I'm American. Am I allowed to comment?

[CPlater1]

I personally believe that trophy hunting is wrong, as that makes one animal one closer to becoming extinct for no good reason, but if it were a matter of hunting for food, then it is ok. The only reason I would hunt with a bow (if absolutely neccesary), is that I am more accurate with my bow, than I am with any guns.

Chris

[Thunk]

I'm against hunting in any form, except for the obvious case of indigenous peoples for whom it is a primary source of food. I don't think any killing is justified in the pursuit of pleasure, or sport.

So far as archery is concerned, it think it would be a disaster if it were legalised in this country. At present a bow is accepted as a piece of sporting equipment - start killing things with it, even the animals some like to refer to as 'vermin', and it will quickly be perceived as a weapon. As soon as that happens, we will find all the restrictions and prohibitions currently visited on the firearms fraternity descending upon us. I don't think any of us want that.

Currently it is impossible to own a handgun, even for purely target-shooting purposes. If we became subject to legal controls as above, examples might be that recurve bows become subject to a maximum draw weight, too low for many; and that compound bows could be outlawed, like handguns.

[TJ Mason]

I'm a meat-eater and not hypocritical about where it comes from, so I don't have a problem with bow hunting in itself. I'd like to try it (abroad) one day if I ever get that sort of money. The problem is, as others have mentioned, the likely change in the perception of archery by public and politicians. Introducing bow hunting to the UK could damage target archery and field archery.

[Marcus26]

I see no problem with bowhunting as long as it is done in a stalking method.
Baits and treestands make me very angry.

I support bowhunting in Australia.

[Random_guy]

I'm a vegetarian on moral grounds, and so obviously as i object to the killing of animals for food i object to them being killed for sport.

[JohnK]

I have a huge amount of respect for ethical bowhunters - they pit their wits and skill against the environment and their quarry, they only hunt what they eat and stick strictly to permitted species, and only ever take a shot when they're as sure as they can be that they will make a kill. To me, this isn't sport.

Unethical hunters - whatever weapon they use - are those who hunt regardless of the odds, the species or even whether what they're hunting is edible. These people I have no time for.

Personally, I don't think I will ever travel overseas to bow hunt, and I don't think the environment or cultural climate in Britain would support it, but I don't criticise those who hunt with bows responsibly and ethically.

[Steppenwolf]

As we live in a society and time were food is plentiful - at least for us, then there is no need to go hunting. Only two reasons can abide - not condone - killing and that is for food and for protection when your life is in actual and extreme danger.

I do eat meat but my religious convictions tell me to only eat meat at times of famine (crop failure) and extreme cold. It's summer - bring on the salad

But it is nice to know that you have the skill to feed your family if ever it became necessary - after a disaster (global or otherwise). IMHO field archery should be in everyones repertoire. Target archery is fun and the competition exceptional fun but edible animals do not have FITA targets painted on them and they do not stand still at the standard range and wait for you to shoot.

I have made sure that I also obtained the knowledge to be able to retrieve and prepare the meat and have the tools necessary. That includes wind-up radios, shake'n'show torches, candles, outdoor gear of every description etc.

Boy Scout motto - Be Prepared

[Steppenwolf]

One would hope that as a member of this forum you would be entitled to express your opinion on a forum topic regardless of your locality.