I’ve been getting a fair amount of heat lately over a recent Jay’s Outdoor Magazine show featuring one of our Pro Staffers.
In the program Gus Congemi takes a nice New Mexico antelope with his bow at ninety yards. Yep, ninety yards.
Some people think it was unethical to take that shot, and a bad example to show it on television.
I understand those concerns, but disagree.
It probably would be a bad idea for most archers, but with Gus, it’s a different story.
Gus shoots a high poundage bow (90 pounds) that allows him to shoot at long distances with a flatter trajectory. He shoots almost every day and routinely practices at a hundred yards.
The Outfitter had seen Gus shoot before the hunt and gave him the green light to take the shot.
Gus is a very accomplished and dedicated bowhunter. He would not have let that arrow fly if he had any doubt about taking the animal.
I think the hunt actually illustrates what a dedicated archer is capable of with enough practice and good equipment.
Hunting ethics are a very personal thing. One hunter cannot tell another what they should, or should not, be doing. Unfortunately, we’re seeing more of that lately.
I believe hunters today need to stick together. If not, the anti hunters will take advantage of our weakness.
We need to worry less about our fellow hunter’s ethics. If what they’re doing is legal, then it’s none of our business.
And again for the record, I have no problem with showing that hunt on the air and you’ll see lots more of Gus in future programs.
I would like to address the recent excitment over a supposed unethical or bad example of prostaffer Gus Congemi. I am an Outfitter from Alberta Canada, I have had Gus hunt with me for 5 staight years. I have seen gus kill a bear 2 record book whitetail and 2 bull moose from 20 yards to 70 years none of those shots were unethical or bad each were clean kills with the animals expiring within a short period of time.
I know Gus both professionally and personally and know for certian he is one of the most ethical and concerned hunters I have ever had the pleasure of Guiding. The shot he took in Arizona was with in his comfort zone. Each of us are comfortable to a certian yardage and it take practise, time and effort to become proficeint at any yardage Gus is that!
I have had other hunters who are Television celebrities hunt with me who have also killed at that yardage and further. I do not have permission to use there names so I will not but suffice it to say everyone has a comfort and profiency zone and to be an ethical hunt we stay with in our proficiency zo! If moer hunters were like Gus and only took the shots they new they could make we will all be better hunters.
I took a bull moose a couple years ago with a 1 shoy kill at 564 yards with my 300 ultra mag. Many might say that was too far for an ethical shot but I shoot probably 300 rounds per year and most of them 300 yards plus. I have had many hunters wound animals under 100 yards? Who is more ethical.
For those of you who are passing judgment on what Mike has shown on his program stop! Mike has also hunted with me and I know him to be one of the most honest and ethical people in the hunting industry. His program and reputation are impeccable.
I have known and hunted with Gus Congemi for over fifteen years. When I first spoke to Gus about his antelope hunt in new mexico I told him to be prepared for some heat over the shot distance. I explained some people are going to condemn you because they cannot believe anyone can shoot accuratley at that distance. I don’t know of any bow hunter who practices at those distances as much as Gus. I was with Gus in alberta in the fall of ’07 when he took a bull moose at 67yards. The shot was clean ethical and deadly.
Hey Mike,
I thought I’d clear the air a little about the 2008 Antelope hunt with Gus Congemi for your viewers. I understand that some concern has come up about the, “ethics” of the hunt and some of the judgment on both Gus’ and my part. I would like to first say that I would NEVER pressure a hunter to take a shot that was beyond their skill level, and I would not allow a shot on any animal unless I had full confidence in my client. I have been hunting my whole life and have been guiding and outfitting for the last 10 years. I understand that some hunters look at our situation last fall and say that we never should have attempted that shot. As you well know Gus is one of the most dedicated bow hunters who takes great pride in his hunting skill. I know for a fact that Gus practices year-round at different distances and for different scenarios that most of us do not. I have personally witnessed Gus shoot 100 yards and know that he has the right equipment to do so, he uses a G5 sight that has moveable pins out to 100 yards. He also shoots 90 pounds which gives him sufficient arrow speed at that distance. I would not condone any hunter taking a shot that is beyond their skill level and I recommend that hunters practice year-round for any hunt. Also that hunter practice at long distance, which will make you a better shot all around. I personally believe that the equipment today allows us to be better and more efficient hunters and I see no problem in shooting distances that have been practiced to perfection. If an individual is only comfortable with a 30 yard shot then they should not shoot an animal at 40. However they should practice at 40 so they will be more efficient in the field and a life-time trophy won’t be lost. Many shooters today can successfully execute that 50 yard shot and above. The viewers that say it was unethical and unsportsman like of us should know that the buck expired within 50 yards of the shot and was a mature animal that green scored 80 inches.
I have managed my antelope herd very strictly the last 7 years and I now proudly boast a guarantee at a B&C animal. I have been 100% successful the last 10 years and have had clients from age 6 to 86 during that time. I do not allow hunters to take pot-shots and bang away at animals. I will not allow a shot unless the result is a clean kill. I will happily hunt with Gus and the rest of your staff any day of the week and I am looking forward to the upcoming Antelope hunt this year. Please have anyone contact me if they have any questions about Antelope hunting in New Mexico.
Thanks Again,
Matt Christmas
http://www.christmasranchhunting.com
I find it very interesting that people who have hunted with Gus don’t think what he did was unethical. It’s the people who have never personally seen him in action that think he was out of line.
Mike Avery
Hi Mike,
I have to say that this has all been quite interesting reading. If I didn’t know Gus personally I may also have doubts about a 100 yard archery shot at an animal.
I first met Gus as a customer in my Archery pro shop here in NY. We hit it off immediatly with our shared passion for bow hunting. I not only tune his bows but target shoot and hunt with him as often as possible. We routinely practice out to 100 yards and beyond pushing each other to become better archery shots as well as better hunters. I have been in the Archery buisness a long time and I can tell you that the technological advances to the equipment today make it possible to tune modern set ups to shoot at an extremely flat trajectoy. Gus’s set up not only shoots very flat it retains incredible abounts of kinetec energy and momentum at distances far beyond what most would consider possible. With anything, practice is the key, you should always practice beyond your comfortable hunting distances so that the “hunting” shot seems easy to make.
I have witnessed Gus pass on shots inside twenty yards because he didnt feel that the angle of the shot was right so as far as I am concerned his ethics are not in question. I would recommend everyone establish a comfortable shooting distance and not exceed it no matter how nice the trophy appears. That distance is dictated by practice and confidence.
As hunters we have our hands full dealing with the anti hunting and anti gun community. Lets keep our efforts aimed at protecting our passions rather than defending ourselves against each other.
Happy Hunting !
Hi MIke. I would like to say how much i enjoy the show. Been reading the blogs recently and need to comment on something. My concern is the question of ethics regarding pro staffer Gus Congemi. I have known Gus for over 35 years and we have fished and hunted together for over 20 years. Gus and I have been on dozens of hunts together and practice weekly. I have witnessed and been part of his growing success and accomplishments regarding his bow hunting skills. Gus shoots consistently at all yardage out to 100 yds. His equipment is of high quality allowing him to shoot these distances. My skills and abilities limit me to shots out to 50 yds.and hunting situations dictate all shots. I have never seen Gus do any thing not ethically sound. Most of you would be surprised how well you shoot with the right equipment, knowledge and practice. We all posess different skill levels and abilities. We all choose different weapons and methods of hunting. Some choose rifle, shotgun, muzzle, pistol, longbow, compound, recurve, or crossbow, Which ever we choose we owe it to all of us and the game we pursue to practice practice practice. The only limits we have are the ones we impose on ourselves. Keep up the good work Mike and hope to see you on a hunt again soon and thanks for this oppurtunity.
Here’s yet another post from a guy who’s hunted with Gus. This one comes from Cam Cook in Alberta. Cam has guided Gus before……
Mike , couldn’t agree with you more about all the in fighting that is going on in the hunting community.. better stick together as hunters or we’ll all be together as ” former hunters” .. as for Gus and his 90 yd. shot , I know from being his guide last year on a moose hunt . where he took a bull at 67 yds. double lung passthru .. that he is an ethical hunter that repects his quarry like few others do .. funny how we may hear at the local bow shop about all these guys that talk the talk about all their 70 -90 yd. shot and finally when we get somebody that can also walk the walk ( Gus) and pulls off the shot then all of a sudden he shouldn’t be doing that.. let me tell you , I’ll just bet that Gus can shoot a better 3 shot group at 90 yds than most guys can at 50.. Ive seen him do it and the nice thing about him is that he is not the one to brag .. congrats Gus .. cc
Great blog you got here…keep up the good work.