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<DIV><SPAN class=625191712-27062011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial>Feeling that my friendly jab at Mors' winning with a crossbow may
have started this discussion let me weigh in in a more serious manner. My
observation is that those who shoot crossbow well tend to be very serious
archers. As such they practice and practice a lot! I don't shoot
crossbow but have talked with many who do and learned that a crossbow is a
tempermental weapon. Crossbow folks tend to tinker with the weapon a great
deal. I have also seen more crossbows fail on the range than
handbows. And I fully subscribe to and correct anyone I hear who promotes
the myth that they would/could shoot better if only they were using a
crossbow. Using a handbow, weapon of my choice, on occasion I have out
shot crossbow shooters. I believe the real "advantage" of a crossbow is
the simple fact that typically the one shooting it is a very dedicated archer
and spends the time to perfect the weapon, i.e. like tuning a handbow, and
practices with the weapon.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=625191712-27062011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=625191712-27062011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>Now
there is a guy who shoots a crossbow at Pennsic that has a rifle stock and a
front AND rear sight. My hackles get up every time I see him on the
range. Last year the East kingdom DEM, they call him the Archer General,
held the weapon up and made the point of telling all of us it was legal.
Not in Atlantia though. But even with all the "advantages" this guy has on
that weapon he is still lucky if he can hit the ground. So while it
severely irritates me that this modern device is permitted on the range I take
solace in the truth that Siegfried with his "chunk of fire wood" can shoot
circles around him along with many handbow archers.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=625191712-27062011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=625191712-27062011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>So
simply stated, the main advantage of a crossbow shooter, or any archer, is the
degree of seriousness they devote to the activity. If you only shoot
once a week you are not going to be as good as someone who practices every
day. All that said, it is friendly banter and my perception of the SCA is
that it is a hobby and it is supposed to be fun. When it becomes serious,
like work, I'll find other things to do with my recreational time and
money.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
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face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=625191712-27062011>
<DIV align=left><FONT size=5 face="Old English Text MT">THL Christophe of
Grey</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT size=2 face=Arial><EM>Hard work spotlights the character
of people.</EM></FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT size=2 face=Arial><EM>Some turn up their
sleeves,</EM></FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT size=2 face=Arial><EM>Some turn up their
noses,</EM></FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT size=2 face=Arial><EM>And some don't turn up at
all.</EM></FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial><STRONG><EM>Sam
Ewing</EM></STRONG></FONT></DIV></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=625191712-27062011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
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