i couldnt agree more about all of us being hunters and sticking together, and for the record, i hunt with a rifle also. i dont condone anyone hunting with a rifle, its just that, to me bohunting is #1 for all the reasons i listed. back when i had less time on my hands, less skill in the outdoors, and less money to play with, the rifle was my weapon of choice. have killed enough deer with a rifle though, that i wanted a new challenge. nothing beats rifle deer opener for comraderie and tradition, and that is the main 2 reasons i plan to hunt back home again this year with a rifle, after a 6 year hiatus.