An article in the Mercury News from (of all places) Silicon Valley talks about how nearly 1/3 of all hunters in America are now archery hunters.  For those of us who do it, there is no surprise here!

Some of the reasons outlined in the story are that there is a much more intricate skill to archery hunting as opposed to other types, plus the skill required in stalking and approaching the game (most elk are taken from 15 to 20 yards, according to the story).

Another reason is the development of archery hunting equipment:

“Modern bows [...] have cables and pulleys that put more energy into the flight of an arrow, sending it forward at speeds of perhaps 300 feet per second. A traditional bow might shoot an arrow at 125 to 160 feet per second, Pope and Young’s Hisey said.”

Now this is one thing that I have said for years - archery is about throwing a sharp stick with razor-blades on it.  So even on the low cost end of the sport, modern archery hunting equipment is dangerous and should be treated with care.  The good news of course, is that means the tools we use for archery hunting are extremely effective and allows archers to focus on accuracy and stealth.

Go read the article.  Heck, if even folks in Silicon Valley are getting into this, then you know we are in the right sport!

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I came across a neat article about the history of archery equipment.  The article by Aazdak Alisimo discusses the development of archery equipment from simple wood and stone and its development as a tool of war.

Of course, I am more happy that it also developed into archery hunting equipment, because my wife and I love to go bow hunting!  Also, we have moved a long way from the stone and wood in our modern archery hunting equipment, but it is interesting that the same principles were important then and now: stability, distance, power and penetrating power!

One of the interesting things of the article is the description of how archery hunting equipment was essentially the same as the tools used for warfare.  Because of this the warriors of the tribes were also the hunters and so they made sport of using their equipment.

I am thankful for the modern advances in archery hunting equipment, but I am equally glad that we are not required to use archery for warfare. 

Go ahead and read the whole article here.

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