Hi, I'm new to the forum and was browsing the topics when this one caught my eye. Great Article and very well done. I shot a bow since 1956 and also had an archery shop in the 70's. I have killed many deer with recurves and compound bows and a large black bear in Canada. When I had the Archery shop this discussion came up many times. I don't see why the modern archer is so all consumed with speed when most of them carry rangefinders anyway. As far as "jumping the string" goes, a quiet bow shot with a heavier arrow will help with that. I used 32 inch 2219 arrows with my Bear Alaskan with a 145gr broadhead and if I remember correctly they weighed about 900 grains so I consider 600 about minimum. I also used the same arrow in my recurve. If you limit your shots to 30 yds and under for whitetails you will be fine with those 300gr arrows as long as you don't hit bone, but if you make a bad shot and hit the shoulder blade of a doe like I did, that heavy bow and heavy arrow will do the job I still have the shoulder blade with the 4 blade hole in it. The bows made now are much more efficient and will handle a moderately heavy arrow better. If you shoot game at a distance of 40 to 80 yrds the heavier arrow is the only choice.
I agree very much with what you have to say. I haven't owned an Archery
Shop, but, I have several close friends who do. I have found the advent of
fiberglass and then aluminum shafts. culminating with Carbon shafts has
changed the general structure of Archery. That's only some of the changes in the arrow. What about knocks, vanes and broadheads?
Consider the Bow sight and the magnificent strides the inventors have achieved.
The finger release has to be practiced and practiced to achieve
a release of the string any where near close to that of the mechanical release.
Finally the bow itself. There are very few Boyer's who can turn out quality
self bows, mainly due to the lack of material. Even the the laminated recurve
bows are a far cry form where they started.
Great strides have been made with the compound bow. Can you imagine trying to compete in an archery tournament using an old four wheeler with 35% letoff against the modern compound with up to 85% letoff?
The thing is that each of the styles of Archery has a place. whether or not we accept that, is up to the individual. The same arguments rage in the rifle community and their choices are up to the individual as well.