Gun or bow?
 

Ok let me know what would you rather use gun or bow and give reason ?

RE: Gun or bow?
 

Elk hunting definetly bow.

#1 - I get to hunt for an five full weeks if I need to.
#2 - I get to hunt elk during their rut. Nothing compares.:)
#3 - Love the rush of a pissed off bull coming in to kick your butt.
#4 - I get to hunt when the fall leaves are leaving gold, orange, and red all over the mountains.
#5 - I loose about 30 pounds in September.;)
#6 - No one else bow hunts in my group so I am in the mountains all by my self.



Everything else it does not matter either way.

RE: Gun or bow?
 

Depends on the animal. There are very few elk that live outside of Riding Mountain National Park (where no hunting is allowed) during the bow season and it's pretty cold to use a bow during the rifle season (although it is legal).

Bear hunting over bait lends itself to bow hunting so that's a natural choice. Deer hunting is difficult in bow season due to the large amount of bush and multiple food sources available. Combine that with the relatively low deer density and it makes for a difficult bow hunt. So i prefer to use the rifle during deer season, but plan on using the bow if I have time and can scout properly.

Moose hunting could be done with bow if a person has enough and was good at calling them in... but I don't have either haha.

That's my $0.02

RE: Gun or bow?
 

I prefer Bow hunting for about the same reasons as bigbulls. I do rifle hunt so that I can hunt with some family and friends that don't. I hunt with my bow when I'm serious, hunt with my rifle for social/family enjoyment. (i.e. Cow Elk Hunts)

RE: Gun or bow?
 

I have been bow hunting for around 31 years. Never tried a rifle. I like to get within the animals scents of awairness. The challenge of getting close.

RE: Gun or bow?
 

I prefer the rifle because that is what my entire family does for the most part and I go hunting to spend time with them just as much as to enjoy hunting.

RE: Gun or bow?
 

BOWHUNTING i shot this elk at ten yards as we called him in there is nothing more exciting than a huge bull charging down on you. and a low rumbling bugle from about 200 yards and coming closer just sends a chill up your spine wondering how big of an elk it will be

RE: Gun or bow?
 

For me, rifle. Personally, I do not like to see animals run from the point of impact and have to settle for the hope of catching up with them "just into the woods a bit" or "over the hill". The more I can reduce this "flight factor" the happier I am

To a large degree our hunting trips focus on comeraderie (sp?), time in the woods, and last (but definitely not least) the meat/horn harvesting.

We treat the hunting element more like a military operation --- strategy, execution, use of superior firepower (rifles) accomplishes this end very efficiently for us. We strive to get the animals early (first day or two) and then commence the process of using horses and panniers and to pack the meat and antlers (and the spike camp) out followed up by the communal butchering session right there in the main camp.

For those that like bow hunting I am sure the closeness of it is great. To each there own. The main thing is to get out there.

EKM

RE: Gun or bow?
 

bow all the way nothing more exciting than getting in close and being one with your game.

RE: Gun or bow?
 

Gun: Blackpowder.

If I lived there, I would probably bowhunt because of the extended hunting season. Since I don't, blackpowder is a compromise that works for me. Still get to hunt screaming bulls at close range.

RE: Gun or bow?
 

i disagree with your statement. a properly arrowed animal whether it's a deer or elk will flee no further than one shot with a rifle. in fact, in my limited bow hunting experience (i've taken 3 deer with my bow) the furthest one got after being shot was approximately 30 yards, the other 2 less than 10 yards each. archery hunting is as effective as rifle hunting if properly executed.


i never thought to much about bow hunting growing up out west and used a rifle to do all my hunting. however, after hunting for 2 years with a bow i'd have to say that nothing (in my opinion) can beat the rush/excitement and feeling of accomplishment of hunting with my bow ...don't get me wrong i still like to pop'em at a couple hundred yards with the 7Mag when i get the chance. but i just don't get the same level of excitement as shooting one at 10 yards with my bow.

RE: Gun or bow?
 

Uh Huh, okay.... and, if I may ask, when do you plan to do the bowhunt to take an elk?

EKM

RE: Gun or bow?
 

I'd rather use a bow, but feel condemned to rifle hunting. Bowhunting requires a level of skill and "finesse" that I fret I'll never achieve!:(

RE: Gun or bow?
 

Its a gun for me. Maybe its because I'm new to the whole deal, but the concept of waiting to track the game kinda puts me off. I understand in theory, but I would prefer to get in there right away and start the field dressing. For the animal to be out there a few hours is a difficult to get my head around.

RE: Gun or bow?
 

i've been on several archery elk hunts where the folks i was with arrowed a bull ...the furthest one got was about 100yds after being shot. i agree elk complicate the archery situation a bit but again if your a proficient shot and have good equipment it'll let the air out of them.

in fact in some situations i would say that when shot with an arrow the animal is not as spooked as when it hears a gun shot so it doesn't get that big rush of addrenaline and haul butt.

hopefully i will be able to bag my first archery elk this september ...only 2 more months away.

RE: Gun or bow?
 

In all the years I’ve hunted I have never had as much of a rush hunting elk with the bow on my first elk hunt. Getting so close to a bull in rut. WOW. We never bagged anything but that’s part of the hunt.

I mostly do all my hunting with the rifle for deer. Going bow hunting for deer would tie up to much of my time and I wouldn’t be able to do any bird hunting.

RE: Gun or bow?
 

[quote]ORIGINAL: ELKampMaster

For me, rifle. Personally, I do not like to see animals run from the point of impact and have to settle for the hope of catching up with them "just into the woods a bit" or "over the hill". The more I can reduce this "flight factor" the happier I am.

I find that to be an intresting statement EKM. I feel that bowhunters for that reason have a higher skill level in tracking and being more woods wise in the bush. The reason a critter will run after being shot with an arrow is from the sound of the shot or maybe movement acompanied by a slight pain that you can relate to when shaving. I have shot some animals in my life and after the shot I have seen some of them run 20-30 yrds and then just start walking or lay down and go to sleep and then expire. Sometimes they have no ideal that they have been shot.I think bowhunting is all skill with very little luck involved that takes time to master as to gun hunting where one can go down to walmart the night prior to the hunt and buy a rifle and that guy just might get LUCKY and shoot the game he is after, where as a bowhunter requires hours and hours of time to practice and has to be proficent at getting close to the quarry and be able to track an animal when even no blood is present due to a high shot in the vitals with no exit. I believe that for this reason when a bowhunter shoots, he will devote his/her entire hunt in tracking the animal as most gun hunters don't appear to have that much patience.
The bowhunter has to be constantly aware of wind conditions/ scent,ect as it is unforgiving at 30 yards away but a gun hunter doesn't need to be too concerned about wind or camo when out with high powered rifles.
Not tring to start a flame war between the bowhunters and gun hunters as we are all out there for the same reason and I do them both, but some of us are on different skill levels. Good luck, Bobby ;)

RE: Gun or bow?
 

Bow, just funner for me. More addicted to it i guess.

RE: Gun or bow?
 

Bobby and Jroot,

Perhaps some selective reading going on…..

No doubt bowhunting requires a higher skill level (stalking, camoflage, physical practice, tracking [unfortunately], scent control, etc.) to be successful than does rifle hunting, I will give and always have “given that one up” right up front in these discussions.

Unfortunately, bowhunting is also a much more time intensive (in a number of areas) thus infringing on economic, familial, and social priorities (at least in my case). It would also restrict the numbers in our group who would “bring in the bacon” on any given day. It is also generally a lower productivity endeavor than rifle hunting, and as such it simply does not match the goals of my group.

In an attempt to allay touchy feelings I even threw out this buffer….
Regarding the discussion of bowhunting being equally lethal to rifles as in….
…. sorry, I just can’t buy that one --- “dead may be dead” (wuff) but a bow won’t “drop them like a brick” as a rifle can do. When I see the U.S. military rearming our military with bows and arrows over rifles then I’ll revisit that one.

Again, bow hunting has to be a thrill, gets the killing up real close and personal. Requires more skill too. That is all fine and good for those who have those priorities and who wish to make that trade-off.

In our case, it just doesn’t meet our criteria. When we hit the woods our plan counts on inflicting some serious arse whoop and quick (see above) ---- rifles are good for that and that is why we like them. No need for a flame war, it is simply a different set of priorities playing out amongst different people.

EKM

RE: Gun or bow?
 

I prefer bow but, my Dad dpesnt bow hunt so when I go back home I hunt modern.

RE: Gun or bow?
 

EKM, thats the diff between us I guess is you like hunting with a bunch of commandos as I prefer going solo. I don't think it has to do anything with gun vs. bow. Two each there own. What ever works for ya than stick with it. I have just found it difficult to stalk within bow range with the hunting party your bringing. Its just too crowded for me. ;) Bobby

RE: Gun or bow?
 

I would deffinately say bow seams so much more rewarding, but I do rifle and muzzle load hunt as well I think any type of it is enjoyable one way or another.
as far as the bow kill statements.... I can back you on this one jroot,
I have seen many elk shot with an arrow and die well under 100 yards.
Yes I have seen some go farther then that but were not "perfect shots", as I have seen many times happen to rifle hunters.
I have seen elk and moose go no more then 3- 4 STEPS after having an arrow go through both lungs. And yes, I have seen elk and moose drop in there tracks because of a poor shot (or lucky I guess) and ending up having the arrow hit the spinal cord.
I do believe with the statement of a perfectly good arrow placement it will drop them is true.
As far as ekm choosing the rifle for your reasons I have to agree because you are running a camp and the success of a guy with a rifle is by far greater then with a bow. Getting that animal down is very important to make the trip for you're guys.
There are a few rifle hunters out there who do hunt simalar to a bow hunter and gets nice and close to those babies as well, they just don't want to use a bow.

I don't know why, But I get such a rush when I'm hunting with a bow wheather I get an animal or not. Usaully a bow hunter will have many oppertunities to kill that animal "If" he had a rifle. So you expeirence that part of the rifle "rush" only to then experience it to another level once he comes in a little closer or "hangs up" at 60 yards for 20 min. So what if he busts you and walks away.... I always say weather or not you get one, you will always get you're PICTURE for the year. This picture is not with a camera, but taken with you're eyes and branded into you're mind forever that you will never forget, or loose or get deleted...can't wait for my picture for 2004......36 more sleeps!

Mark

RE: Gun or bow?
 

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.

RE: Gun or bow?
 

I really like both for multiple and different reasons, wouldnt give up either!!!!

RE: Gun or bow?
 

Bow. More challange, longer season, i like bows better than guns, different setting throughout the season, more access.

RE: Gun or bow?
 

Ok to put my input in . I new there would be a little bow gun conflict and I also thought that EKM would be on top of the gun side just love to draw him out on a debate.


I hunt bow for elk just becase of time and less hunters but I will hunt anything with gun ,bow ,black powder , pistol If they opened rock chuking season sign me up Iam in.

I think everyone should try every method of hunting there is it makes you an all around better hunter(IMO)

Thanks.

RE: Gun or bow?
 

You are welcome, my pleasure (especially since this forum is sooo s-l-o-w)!

You'll find I'm reliable/predictable if I have any interest in responding to a thread at all.
My lines run the same (consistent) as I walk the same walk that I am talking about.

Jus' me, the army, and the marines. ;):D:D:D

BTW, tried the archery thing a long time ago. Kinda like trading a GTO for a bicycle![:o][:o]

Good Luck and Good Hunting,
EKM

RE: Gun or bow?
 

EKM, just remember. If the driver can't find out how to get the GTO in gear, the bicyclist is going to win. By the way, I don't like wearing tight pants.

RE: Gun or bow?
 

Definitely a BOW, Bigbulls hit it right on the mark with his comments!!!!!!!

RE: Gun or bow?
 

I love bowhunting !

1. longer season's
2. need of getting in closer
3. Challenge
4. easier to get hunting access with a bow
5. easier to get tag's
6. the extra commitment it takes
6 the sense of accomplishment is much different than rifle { to me }
7. The rush of being close to making a kill or not
8. The extra time in the wood's scouting and preping for the season

I'm not knocking anyone here ,I used to hunt exclusivly with a rifle but needed a challenge of something different .There are so many thing's involved with bowhunting that we never used while rifle hunting and i really find it hard to compare other than we are all hunters brothers and sisters ,but some choose to hunt by different methods and we all need to stick togetherbecause we're all out there for the same reason's ,to bring home the quarrie.

nubo

RE: Gun or bow?
 

While I do enjoy bow hunting. (six extra weeks of season for me:D) If I had to choose a weapon? I would throw the bow & arrows in the trash & rifle hunt all the way.
Bow season is great because I like to get close to rutting bull elk. Rifle season is great because if conditions are perfect I can kill that same bull elk at 400-yards.:D My maximum bow range is 35-yards.