Is it possible we have lost sight of the forest for the trees?  For example, the recent controversy, debate, and bickering over the Whitetail buck harvested by Mitch Rompola.  What do the heated arguments on Bowhunting chat rooms, bulletin boards, and media publications reflect on the Bowhunting community at large?  Why does Rompola and Craig Calderone's personal dispute seem to mean so much to the rest of us?  Has Bowhunting been reduced to a question of whether we can be found in the pages of the record book?

This troubling trend of creating "heroes" based on record book entries is not a new phenomenon.  However, it does seem that they are occurring in greater regularity.  A large number of these appear to be motivated by the commercial side of our sport.  A recent example is that of Noel Feather and his misdeeds.  I realize in the real world the manufactures of products we use to bowhunt count on someone to sell us.  This is part of the "hero" emphasis to peddle their wares.  Consequently, some unscrupulous individuals have sought to circumnavigate the rules to gain "hero" status and thereby sell us.

I write a couple of running columns myself and was asked to "Field Test" some products for advertising.  I reluctantly agreed and did my best to evaluate them honestly.  I did so and sent back the results.  I was completely frank and straightforward on my estimation of their value.  The advertising folks contacted me asking that I be more favorable on my evaluation in order to make them more desirable marketing wise.  I would not do so as I gave my appraisal honestly and I am not in the business of selling us.  We mutually decided I was the wrong guy to "Field Test" products to sell us.  This growing trend for our "heroes" to sell us has disturbing implications.  Even the respected Chuck Adams is not squeaky clean in this regard.  I remember early articles when he would relate ways of keeping our budget to a minimum.  He wrote that plaid shirts worked as well as commercial camouflage and were less expensive.  Now he is one of our biggest "heroes," sponsored by some of the biggest equipment manufactures out there, and we do not see him write things like that any more.  Rather he is constantly selling us.

Some of us seem very lax in our willingness to assign "hero" status.  Many of our community assign this to Ted Nugent, saying he is a good guy who says to kids do not use drugs, etc.  However, he also says, "Happiness is a warm gut pile," etc.  He has several commercial videos documenting 80 and 100 yard shots at game.  He says, "Happiness is a warm gut pile" and other tactless things in these films as well.  Yet, many of us say he is a good guy and a great spokesperson for bowhunting.  How many of his supporters say he is a good spokesman for bowhunting simply because of his celebrity status?  I cannot say he is not a "good guy," however, in my opinion, he is not a good representative for the bowhunting community.  Over the years, I have met countless "nobodies" who would much better fit this bill.

These trends to identify "heroes" among our ranks, to achieve notoriety via the record book, to place emphasis on the tackle we use vice the archer who utilizes it, and to sell us are the trees not the forest.  We need to remember the best things bowhunting tradition reflects.  Not the "heroes" but rather the little guy, the men and women who ethically use the bow and arrow to harvest game for their families' table.  Hunting after all is not strictly about harvesting animals, but rather is about wildlife management, enjoying the outdoors, learning about the world around us, and who we are!