Bootlegger,
Touchy subject and a tough call, I'm sure. I've seen so many attacks from one faction of archery hunters on others that I'm reluctant to even post, but here goes!
I would think the basics of hunting ethics would be covered in hunter education, but once in the woods some people seem to forget ethics. There isn't much we can really do other than preach ethics and hope some of it sinks in. I had a problem with my shoulder last year, and my accuracy went bye-bye. I've hunted with "traditional bows" for around 40 years, and it was a tough fact for me to face. I bought a crossbow well in advance of deer season, and practiced - practiced - practiced! I could hit a pop can out to 50 yards with the use of a rangefinder, but after discussing the speed vs. reaction time of deer to "jump the string" I set a personal maximum range of 30 yards. I also bought a compound bow near the start of season when I found I could draw it with no shoulder pain. I didn't have time to become confident with the compound, so I didn't hunt with it! I passed up something like 24 deer because I didn't like the shot (too far, too nervous a deer, too much brush, poor angle, etc.) before I ever launched an arrow at a deer. A broadside doe at 17 yards, and I watched the arrow "smack" her right where I was aiming. She only went about 60 yards after the shot and was an easy recovery. I have NO regrets for choosing the crossbow to hunt with. It allowed me to make a perfect shot, when the other choices would have been questionable.
Since deer season the therapy I've been getting for my shoulder has improved it to where I can again shoot the longbow. If it continues I will probably hunt with it next season. I limit my shots to a distance where I can hit a dinner plate EVERY SHOT. Some days that might be 20 yards, some days 30, but if the shot don't "feel" right, I pass it up. But I will also keep the crossbow in my arsenal for the days when it is the better choice. I like it for stand hunting when I can pick out objects to know ranges for shooting. For still hunting the longbow, with "instinctive" shooting is hard to beat.
I don't mean to come off as Mr. Ethical Sportsman, but I try to be! I've hunted long enough to know if I don't disturb the deer with a bad shot, they will probably be back. So why take a chance on wounding one and loosing it? I passed one 8 - point buck 3 consecutive hunts. He was the same guy, but he just didn't offer a shot. Had him in easy range twice, but the angle was not good. I'm sure he'll be back next year if old age or some other hunter didn't get him, but at least he has a chance.
Sure, sometimes things just go wrong. Once I missed a huge buck at 25 yards because the arrow touched an unseen twig. I was lucky and missed the whole deer. That could have easily been a wounded deer, but I would have at least tried to find him.
As for forcing these values on other hunters - I can't do it, but if I lead by example, I have to hope a few will follow.
