Pat Lefemine
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Pat Lefemine |
Lying, Cheating,
Stealing
"If you want to hunt monster bucks, then these broadheads (unheard of brand of expandable) are what the pros use. They shoot like your field tips and open on impact to give you a huge cutting surface. Nobody hunts with those heads (fixed blade) anymore except beginners. I got my biggest buck last year thanks to those heads"
That was the actual conversation I overheard while looking for a target at a local archery range / pro-shop. The clerk was 'helping' an inexperienced bowhunter get set up for his first season. The bowhunter was in his mid 20's and had a look on his face that I knew well. The same look I have been walking around with in early September. He couldn't wait to get bowhunting.
The clerk did not know who I was and frankly, I don't think it would have mattered. Judging by the promotional posters of this broadhead it was obvious there was a deal (kickback) for this shop. I was tempted to take out some of my wallet photos of my moose, goat, kudu and other critters and show the boy how us 'beginners' do it. I bit my tongue.
What bothered me more than the misleading statements about broadheads was the verbiage being inflicted on this new recruit. Phrases like 'All the Pros' or 'Monster bucks' or my favorite when he bragged how he took his 'biggest buck' with those broadheads. It was probably a spike - but hey, it was still his biggest.
The new bowhunter swallowed it up - knowing no better. He left there with those broadheads - which I later learned are in fact affiliated with this pro-shop. At least this newbie bowhunter can sleep well at night knowing that he now has a chance to shoot a monster buck because after all - its the same gear that the 'pros' use.
Now don't get your undies in a bunch, this article is not about equipment. If you read my last editorial you know where I stand on that. It's about getting people started on the wrong foot and here's why:
Too much emphasis on big bucks - Lets face it. This guy has less of a chance of getting a trophy buck than Monica Lewinski has of getting a job as a bathing suit model. It ain't gonna happen. In fact, if success rates mean anything, then this guy has a 92% chance of not bagging any deer this year in my home state of Connecticut. In his mind he may feel like a failure if he does not come up big.
Being Misled into thinking that pros rely on gadgets - Now I'd really like to go on a limb here. The so called 'pros' that I know use what works even if they have their picture taken with gadgets. I personally know of many big name bowhunters who endorse products they never used and will never use. It's a simple formula, endorse stuff = make money, free stuff, etc. It happens in Bass fishing, race car driving, and all professional sports. I can't fault a person for trying to make money, but let's at least be honest with the newcomers - you old timers have been around the block long enough to make up your own mind.
No emphasis on having fun - Heck, that's what archery is all about anyway isn't it? How many of you Bowsite regulars here do not have fun shooting a bow? None probably. There is nothing like spending time flinging arrows and that's the same whether you are shooting a 300 fps carbon out of an MQ1 or a 145 fps cedar out of a Lefemine Dyagheeza (my home made stick). This guy was equiped to death by this pro-shop salesman, he was given a 1/2 hour lesson on proper mechanics of using all this stuff and then sent on his way. I couldn't help but think back to my days starting out and how much fun I had with my simple compound bow, site with two brass pins, half dozen aluminum arrows, tab and paper targets.
Now I'm not advocating that this salesperson sell this young man a longbow and wood arrows. But he was targeted for a big sale the moment he stepped foot in there and the only thing harvested was his cash. In the few minutes I stood there he was lied to, ripped off, and sent away with the wrong attitude. Get my drift?
If we are to preach recruitment and getting more people involved in the sport, then we as veteran bowhunters, and pro-shop owners, must take a leadership role in getting people off on the right foot. Teach them that archery is fun, uncomplicated and a supreme challenge. Teach them that any deer is a trophy and a '90 lb doe is something to be proud of. Teach them that to do anything correctly you have to start with a foundation. In my mind this means basic equipment, normal arrows and broadheads, proper shot placement, and taking only close shots of twenty yards or less. From that foundation the person can grow to more high tech equipment, traditional equipment, etc. But there must first be a solid foundation.
The people who have been in this game for many years can all trace their roots back to simply loving to watch their arrow flying through the air. Lets not lose sight of that.