I prefer to use a bow. Yes it is more labor intensive than getting ready for the rifle season. However it is worth every bit of effort. I myself have never killed an elk with a rifle, but have many under my belt with a bow. As far as success rates. My archery hunting group is leaps and bounds above the success ratios with those using rifles. But this comes at a cost. In the past year I have shot in 22 3-D tournaments to prepare for the season. This next weekend I will pack in 5 miles with two other guys and replentish our cache for the upcoming season. The bows are deadly in the right hands. ALL of my elk have been shot at under 20 yards and have fallen no further than 50 yards. As far as which is deadlier I will not put money on either. As far as penetration goes. I would put my money on the bow. When the term archer is used it should be for those who are dedicated to the sport ,and a line should be drawn between them, and those who wing arrows in hopes that they will hit the animal and hope that it goes down. It also should be the same for those who hunt with rifles. You need to know what you are capable of with your weapon and don't push the limits on such a magnificent animal such as an elk. Be it rifle or bow, both are extremely dangerous when it comes to elk. But in the wrong hands and a poor shot ,both weapons can send an elk hobbling away. Think before you shoot.