Them Dwarven folk.

[Thinlómien]

Originally Posted by zxcvbn

Well, it appears that the Dwarves of Thorin's company had relatively poor eyesight, even the youngsters Fili and Kili. Bilbo could see better than any of them. So I imagine they weren't that skilled with archery(compared with other races).

Funny. I always read it the way that Bilbo had good eyesight, not that the Dwarves had bad eyesight.

Originally Posted by zxcvbn

As for Dwarves from the Blue Mountains, I believe they purchased food from the Elves of Lindon or from the Shire(Thorin only regarded Hobbits as 'food growers').

Agreed, but it would make sense that they would "produce" even a small amount if it themselves by hunting, as they were certainly capable of it.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

Funny. I always read it the way that Bilbo had good eyesight, not that the Dwarves had bad eyesight.

Indeed. [/END OF OFF-TOPIC]

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

Agreed, but it would make sense that they would "produce" even a small amount if it themselves by hunting, as they were certainly capable of it.

Well, once again, with the lack of examples among "normal" Dwarves, I thought about Mim and the Petty-Dwarves. He could shoot, that much seems clear from the story, but mainly we hear about him collecting some roots. One could presume the Dwarves also collected these things (though probably not basing their nutrition only on that), or even cultivated some fungi and other strange things in the underground, what do you say on that? Nevertheless, I believe they must have hunted at least something - and not just underground, that means, to return to the original topic, that they probably used bows for hunt (as it is very effective).