I'll take my old bow for hunting any day ... I think
By STEVE ROGERS
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Herald Correspondent
There are certain items in our lives that earn our trust and have proven their worth. For some, it might be an old pickup truck. Others may find peace in a tool they have had for decades. Even a pair of good boots maintains a special place in our treasure trove of things we must have.
Agonizing decisions confront us when the time comes to replace these items. What are our reasons for purchasing a replacement? Do we really need a new gadget or do the new ones look too interesting to ignore any longer?
This very question nags at every bowhunter I have met. The bow is a piece of gear that takes on that special aura. Hours of searching for the perfect bow, the tedious process of setting it up just right, and days of practice make our good shots on the range proud moments. Then a hunting buddy pulls in the drive one day and shows off the latest and greatest compound that mankind has ever seen.
The thoughts start to creep into our mind. Maybe his is better. I bet I could get 15 more feet per second from that one. It’s so quiet when he shoots. Is my bow that quiet? That arrow flies flat! And the final characteristic that eventually sells more bows than any other trait; it’s so small and easy to maneuver.
Every year I go through this argument with myself. According to my wife, there is no argument; my current bow is just fine. Secretly, I struggle with this. I reason things out in my mind many times over before I eventually come to the same conclusion from one season to the next.
My current bow is no longer made. But it shoots as fast and quiet as it did the day I first got it. I have changed strings when they got worn, keep it waxed, and it always is kept in a hard case to avoid damage when not in use. I take good care of my bow.
In return, it has performed with a near flawless record. Many deer will attest to this fact. The end result is the tremendous confidence that I have with this bow. I can focus on the hunt as opposed to wondering if my equipment is going to function as it should. Isn’t that everything you could ask for from your bow?
If there is one downside to the current model that I shoot it would have to be the weight and limb-to-limb length. It is quite long compared to today’s sleek versions. If you are someone who only target shoots at a range or on a 3D course, then length and weight are not that high on the list of concerns. If the bulk of your time is spent in a treestand though, these two factors take on great importance.
Length is critical. The ability to move your bow in and around your stand, seat, and tree branches is vital. You can trim all the branches you want and think of all the different scenarios, but when that trophy buck shows up from the direction you least expected a small bow is appreciated.
Weight is also something I think about every time I pack my bow into the woods and up into the tree. I know a lot of folks will hang their bow on a hook, but I do try to keep my bow in my hand and ready all the time. You never know when something is going to appear out of nowhere. That is not the time to try and reach for your bow and spook the game away. Because of this insanity, the weight of my bow starts to take its toll. As the minutes tick by it becomes even heavier.
So, another season is upon us and I have mulled the pros and cons over in my mind a thousand times. One minute I am convinced that I need a new bow. There is no way the sun will come up in the morning if I don’t get one. The next minute I remind myself how costly they are and reality smacks me like a harsh winter morning.
Some day I will take the plunge and buy a new bow. But until then I picture myself as a force to reckon with in the whitetail woods with my current model. Besides, the first time I miss with a new bow I’ll be digging in the basement and breaking out the old one anyway.
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