"For example: A typical gun hunter sits on a stand overlooking a pipeline or power line right of way. There's a crossing down there a couple of hundred yards. If it's a good spot, chances are he'll eventually see a deer step across the opening. If it's a buck, or the doe he wants, he shoots: That's it.

"The bowhunter, on the other hand, has to get his quarry in close for the shot. The things you learn when deer are this close can't be learned from a magazine or a video. Their behavior, the way they move, their body language -- all this you learn by observing. All of these things serve to make you a more knowledgeable hunter, and that's what makes a better bowhunter."

Pyle formerly operated his own sporting goods store just north of Ruston. The store is often a meeting place for hunters who want to talk bowhunting.

"Bowhunters knew that when they came in here, they'd get to talk bowhunting," Pyle said. "To me, that's important -- being able to listen to what other hunters have experienced. I also belong to Bayou State Bowhunters and the D'Arbonne Bowmen Archery Club in Ruston. There is no substitute for being around other bowhunters, because you can learn so much."

What are some of the things that Pyle has learned? "When it comes to archery, less is more. My equipment, although of high quality, is fairly simple. I use only one sight pin. It can get confusing when in the heat of the moment as a deer comes into range trying to decide which pin to use."

Another mistake many bowhunters make, according to Pyle, is using too much power. "I don't know if it's a macho thing or not, but some bowhunters believe that if a bow with 60-pound pull will kill a deer dead, one with 75 pounds will kill him real dead," he remarked. "Overpowering your bow can lead to accuracy problems -- and this is a lesson I learned from watching my wife when she began bowhunting. She could pull only 38 pounds, but the first two deer she shot, the arrow went completely through the deer. That got me to thinking: Why grunt and strain at 75 pounds when less weight will do the same job?

"As a result, I have backed down to 60 pounds now, and this offers several advantages. One, I can pick up my bow even after a week or so of inactivity and can pull it back with ease. Two, my draw and hold are much steadier, giving me more accuracy every time. And with bowhunting, that's the key."

Obviously, Larry Pyle knows how the bowhunting game is played. And increasing numbers of hunters around the state have, like Pyle, basically laid aside their firearms, choosing instead to play the stick-and-string game with deer.

Those hunters are the beneficiaries of the horn of plenty that is Louisiana's lengthy archery hunting season. Some areas of the state open archery season during September, and in most areas, bow season lasts through the month of January. This means that over an almost five-month period in fall and winter each year, you can bowhunt deer somewhere in Louisiana. Let's look at those areas of the state where bow hunting is expected to be the best during the 2005-06 archery season in Louisiana.

When this article was written, the season dates had not been set in stone -- you'll have to consult your hunting regulations brochure when it comes out -- but chances are good that bowhunters will have the first crack at downing a deer in mid-September in the southwest portion of the state.