is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

i might lower myself and go rifle hunting!! i mean ive been bow hunting only my first 5 years and have 2 small bucks, a 4 and a 6 and also 2 does but should i give in and rifle hunt for an 8 ?? im not going a great 6 or less now w/ the bow and will let them pass to grow up but im just wondering if i will get the jitters when a buck is 200 yrds away not 20?? im in a bow only zone and have the chance to hunt 125 posted acres of corn and hardwoods through all seasons and confused what to do??

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

A rifle hunt can be just as demanding, and rewarding. We all have our preferences, but try it and see. You may find it is, or isn't as rewarding - for you.

I personally would not limit my options, with 8 points or better, just because I was gun hunting. A well placed shot on a doe, or even a small buck, can be the thrill of a lifetime for many. If you'd taken a dozen or more 1-1/2 yr old bucks in your hunting career, I'd be all for setting goals, I'm not trying to discourage you - we should be letting the young ones walk. Still, I think its important to "have fun" and harvest a deer that you will be happy with. If a rifle seems, "just too unsporting" to you - consider a blackpowder hunt, or even using a shotgun.

Definitely try hunting with other implements, if you do not like one, or all of them, you can always go back to bow only. When it comes to hunting, there is no higher or lower road to travel as far as I'm concerned. Do what you enjoy, If you've never experienced other methods of hunting, how could you possibly know?

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

nothing confusing about it stick with the bow.
Where is the challenge of shooting something that is 200 yards away.
Guns where only invented for those who cant bow hunt.

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

No doubt that bowhunting is the ultimate challenge. Gun hunting may be as rewarding, but certainly does not pose the challenge that bowhunting does. For me, a deer within 10-30 yards gets your blood goin, compared to a deer 200 yards away in a scope.

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

All harvest should be exciting, else why do it! Bow is a challenge no doubt. However I don't share the idiology that bow or no go. I hunt with it all and equally enjoy them, with each season comes different challenges and I love being in Deer country. Buck fever can and will happen at 200 yards through a scope as it does at 20 yards through the pins.

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

Probably my most exciting hunt ever, was a big 9 point shot at about 15 yds with my blackpowder gun - The shot, the ball of smoke, blowing back in my face, the unexpected (and almost impossible bow shot - I might add) appearance of the buck, on opening day of our regular gun season, combined to make it an extremely rewarding, and memorable hunt.

Just because your gun might shoot over 100 yds, doesn't mean you have to! In the above hunt I described, I was hunting a heavy thicket, I supposed a smart deer might retreat to on the opening day of gun season. My longest shot possible was like maybe 25 yds. While I wasn't surprised it worked out that way, I would have been very hardpressed to get a bowshot at this deer. Instead of a story of the shot not taken, I have an incredibly good memory of one of the best bucks I've ever killed.

Don't let these guys disuade you from giving it a try, its not like you'll give up bowhunting, but it may add another dimension to your hunting experience.

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

Guns where only invented for those who cant bow hunt.

That's great. I won't soon forget that.

High Country Archery - "Driven to greater heights..."

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

Gun hunts can be extremely rewarding, and challenging.
Find some thick woods and still hunt them, my 130" eight was taken this way, I got within 20yrds of him before we saw each other.
Leave the tree stand at home and try hunting on their level, you'll find that it can be alot of work, but well worth it.

"guns aren't for killing people, guns are for killing dangerous and delicious animals"
- Homer Simpson

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

Well I have yet to make my first bowkill, this will be my third season coming up and I can assure you I will be totally pumped with my first bow kill. I also have hunted with both rifle and shotgun(depending on county)and still get a thrill whether it is a buck or doe. This year will also be my first black powder hunt which I am looking forward to also. I have found you see a lot more deer during bow than any other season, gun is a challenge also and a thrill, but nothing like a bow kill(I guess?).

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

Stay with the bow! I've only bow hunted deer...never gun hunted them. Only shot a rifle a half dozen times or so at stumps and targets and it was a very loud, obnoxious, and unpleasant experience for me. I would offer the suggestion of continuing to raise the bar for yourself in bowhunting. IMO it is more exhilarating to pass up an 8 pointer at 15 yards to let him go so he can grow than to blast a 160 class 10 pointer at 200 yards; but then I've never blasted a 160 class buck with a gun at 200 yards but I have shot a 170 class at 15 yards with a bow so I can't imagine there is a comparison. But as a wise man once said...&quot;to each his own&quot;. <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

I'm only shotgun hunting along with the bowhunting and while I enjoy both the bowhunting is by far more rewarding. To me a doe with a bow is about equal to a 130 class buck with a shotgun. I would say that if this gun season allows you to spend more time in the woods then go for it but, don't expect a deer 150 yards away to get the heart pumping like any deer up close.

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

Just to give you an idea of how long it took me. Last year was my 10th season with a bow. 10 long years!! Last year I finally shot a buck worthy of putting on my wall. Up until then I had only shot 1 1/2 year old bucks with 8 or so points and I didn't even get to shoot a buck until '98. That was no antlers for 7 years.

All I can say is don't give up!! Try rifle if you want, but don't give up on that bow, it will pay off. And when it does, you will be so glad you didn't give up!!

My Web Page
www.geocities.com/hfpmad

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

Personally if I only had one way to hunt, it would be with a bow. I usually spend more time with the bow, and kill more deer with it also. However...since I do have the option to hunt with rifle, muzzleloader, shotgun, and pistol also...I take advantage of it. Yes, it is different than a bowkill. Maybe it's not as challenging to some, maybe more?????? All I know is I enjoy being out there, and all types of hunting should be fun. Farm Hunter....very well put!!!
Guys, don't put someone else down, because they don't do exactly as you...we're all on the same team here.

Monsterbuckland...all I can say is try it...you may enjoy it! Or don't....it's up to you.

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

monsterbuck,

That question can be answered by you only. Give it a try and decide for yourself. I rifle hunted for years and got bored. The last 10 years, all I've done is bowhunt. Just my preference. And if someone rifle hunts, have a good time! To each his own.

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

I just bagged my first deer with a bow on Sunday and I was thrilled. I have had success rifle also, bagging 8 in Pennsylvania, and three of those were close enough for a bow, but the movement of drawing a bow may have cost me those three, who knows. I hunted bow twice before this year, back in '89 and '90, and scared the deer off with my drawing of the bow. Now that I'm a little wiser from reading these boards, I feel more confident in bow hunting and that will be my first choice in the future. All the things that you need to do right to get the deer close to you is so rewarding when you get it all right and luck plays it's part (luck is preparation meeting opportunity), is second to none, short of jumping out of the tree and stabbing the deer to death, maybe.:)

However, I'm not gonna give up rifle hunting because I remember each of those hunts as well, although 10-15 years gone now. In fact, I'm traveling back to my native PA to rifle hunt after Thanksgiving. I'm just as excited about that as I was when I was 12 and on my first hunt. I say hunt as often as possible- you can't go wrong.

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

I have killed many deer with a gun. And I am just now starting to bowhunt because I felt like anybody with a steady hand could kill a deer with a gun, and it wasn't challenging enough. But, I will say this. I remember each and every deer I have killed in great detail, and I didn't kill a single one of them that didn't get my heart pumping my knees shaking and hands twitching. Even the does. If it don't get you worked up, regardless of the means you use to take the deer, gun, archery whatever, if you don't get worked up you might as well quit hunting cause you just ain't right.

KSUIE

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

They are both great. A bow may be more of a challenge. However, I'm not sure you can make generalizations like &quot;a bow kill is more exciting&quot;. More exciting to who? To you? To your friend? To an 8yr old child?

I think excitement can only be determined by the shooter. I know when I was 7yrs old and killed by first deer with a shotgun, I was the most excited kid in the world that day. Much more excited than any bow kill I've ever had. However, now that I'm older, I personally get more excited over a bow kill than a gun kill. To each his own.

Hunt the thickets

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

Theres two parts to a hunt - the actual hunting and then the shot.

Obviously, its more difficult to get within 20-30 yards of a big buck than it is to get within 100-200 yards. Its also a given that shooting a rifle is a piece of cake compared to a compound bow. Want to talk challenge ? Try shooting a deer with a longbow/recurve.

Thats not eliteist attitude - its just a breakdown of how the difficulties of the hunt/equipment stack up.

Those few who make their own wood self bows, their own arrows and hunt from the ground only are a true breed apart folks.

WAsk yourself why you'd hunt with a rifle ? If you want a better chance at killing a deer, do it, but realize that challenge isn't as difficult. Good luck to you either way.
Stealthycat's Photo's

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

Do you like venison? It seems that alot of folks around here only hunt for the challenge<img src=icon_smile_question.gif border=0 align=middle>
Nothing compares to bowhunting for me , but I also gun hunt and happen to enjoy it. I love venison and I just plain love to hunt , so I'll be out there with a bow , shotgun , rifle , muzzleloader or anything to extend my days in the woods.


<font size=6>JUST HUNT!!!</font id=size6>

&quot;Nocked,cocked & ready to rock&quot;

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

I know like someone earlier said that Bowhunting is more of a challenge and yes it is. Now have you ever missed with a bow. Say yes. Ive also missed with my rifle. Not uncommon to miss. Sit or stand in weather at around 10 degrees, icicles forming from various parts of your clothing, hands and feet cold as ( he*# )if your sitting and that doe or buck comes in sight. Also do this in teh hardwoods where there are trees and twigs to deflect your bullet. Its not as easy as you might think inder these circumstances. I imagine it would be nice to take a clear shot as 100 or 150 yards dear drops and you have venison on the table. Again dont get me wrong bowhunting is still more difficult. But Ill take my deer under either of these situations<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> Good luck to everyone no matter how they hunt.

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

To me whenever I get a chance to take a wonderful animal like a deer be it gun or bow I still get a thrill. Is one more or less than the other NO WAY. I love to do both. the one thing I miss with the bow is the bang or the lack there of. I am a certified gun nut and even more new handgun hunter nut. So I love just to be out there hunting and any means of it is just fine with me. Do I like more then the other Yup but I wont say. As my handle states, well that should say it all.

brian

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

Hmm, personalities or opinions, many may appear to be the same or simular, but differ in some minute way, and that is what makes each and every one of us unique, &quot;Individuals&quot;.. We each may do many of the same things, but, because of our individuality we will each derive our own level of thrill from the things that we do.
Thus said, Monsterbuckland, by all means go out and rifle, shotgun, blackpowder, and bow hunt, heck use a peashooter if you want. Each will give you a thrill, some more than others. Enjoy it and experience it for youself, find your thrill!!!

BTW, I rifle, shotgun, and bow hunt. And I dearly love the time that I spend doing each of them, As long as I am in &quot;Gods great outdoors&quot;!!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>

The best of luck in all your hunting endeavors!!!

God Bless,
Dave

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

Hunting spooked and pressured deer while wearing flourescent orange isn't quite as easy as it seems. When I hunt in archery I see tons of deer. They are also very predictable, hanging out without fear, feeding in fields during day light hours. When you're in a tree stand in full camo hunting summer-pattern deer, that gives you a big advantage. Rifle hunters are dealing with nocturnal bucks that have been pressured and have abandonned the predictable feeding patterns of summer and early fall. The deer have been spooked by hunters (archery and small game) for a few months already and are now on the look-out for the orange army. Yes - rifle hunting in September or October in full camo would scarcely be a challenge. A real challenge would be bow hunting on public land during a December rifle season. I never considered that I was lowering myself when I went out with my favorite rifle and carefully tailored handloads. All hunting is exciting.

Scott Meier
White Oak Lodge

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

I go deer hunting with a bow. I go deer harvesting with a rifle.

Rifle hunting will be as exciting if you let them come into the same range as you would with a bow. There is nothing exciting about your buddies lining up and shaking the woods for you while you wait at the other side. That's for Pheasant and Quail hunters!

The big ones are out there. Perhaps take a better look at your stands, maybe move them to a different location. I do believe deer have memory and know where some stands are.

If you kill a monster buck with your rifle, you can rest assure he will not be walking past your treestand this year, or the next, or the next, etc...

Seeing the big ones is what makes it exciting. &quot;Mr. Big&quot; has been around for 4 seasons so far. We do not gun hunt the area where we bow hunt so it turns out to be a 'safe haven' for him. We're glad after rifle season is over and we get to see him thru the tickets. He's a great buck. He doesn't deserve to be shot from 300 yards away. He deserves to be hunted within his elements. If he makes a mistake, he will be mine. So far he hasn't, and I don't think he will.... but he is what makes me get up early and drive out there to hunt him.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
i might lower myself and go rifle hunting!! i mean ive been bow hunting only my first 5 years and have 2 small bucks, a 4 and a 6 and also 2 does but should i give in and rifle hunt for an 8 ?? im not going a great 6 or less now w/ the bow and will let them pass to grow up but im just wondering if i will get the jitters when a buck is 200 yrds away not 20?? im in a bow only zone and have the chance to hunt 125 posted acres of corn and hardwoods through all seasons and confused what to do??
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

i quess i got 5 tags this year and can use the rifle tag anywhere ill give it a shot, i really never have a bad time hunting!!

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

Well to me theres nothing like having a buck come in grunting with his head down in the chase mode. and then to take such a fine animal with a bow. &quot;awesome&quot; I usually rifle hunt, but since ive been bow hunting if I dont have that bow in my hand i feel naked. its like leaving your watch at home. Ive practiced and spent so much time with the bow that i know im good with it and feel confident. but with the rifle...... well leave it on the shelf. And to tell the truth ive killed every deer with the rifle within bow range. I think hunting with the bow is more of a challenge and it gives the animal a fighting chance. with the rifle any one can reach out to one 200 yds out. and really you dont have to worry to much on camo and scent if your hunting in a box over looking a field. but with a bow everything has got to be just right and to get a mature deer within bow range theres nothing like it. if I were you I would hunt that 125 acres with the bow only. Good luck to whatever ya do

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

id say thats the greatest reply! thanks smoky!! you da man!!

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

Bowhunting is way more exciting! I do both, and for the same reasons gun hunting is exciting, bowhunting is 5 or 10 times more exciting. You have to get 5 to 10 times closer and 5 to 10 times more things could go wrong!

PRACTICE....PRACTICE....PRACTICE......SUCCESS!

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

Monsterbuckland you wouldnt be lowering yourself by rifle hunting, I myself bow and rifle hunt, I like bowhunting more but what i did to make rifle hunting a little more challenging is I use a pistol or I will use my muzzle loader, The pistol's I own and use are T/C contender's 7-30 water's and a 30-30

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

Bowhunting requires more skill. I've taken 2 deer with bow these last 2 years, and maybe 15 with gun starting when I was 14. There is no doubt in my mind bowhunting is much more rewarding. The deer are in their natural state, not running for their lives. <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> Having said that, I'd say go gun hunting, but don't put much money into it. It wouldn't hurt to experience the other side... and you will be back bowhunting the next year, I guarantee.

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

great ! yes i agree bow is the deep! i cant wait!

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

I have been bowhunting for 25 years and I have killed some nice wall hangers with a bow. I have never killed a wall hanger with a rifle. To me bow hunting is alot easier than rifle hunting. The deer are not yet educated during bow season. The Rut usually starts near the end of bow season so you see more bucks. I always see more deer in general during bow season than rifle. I think most deer start going nocturnal at the start of rifle season. Rifle season is a hole new ballgame. Try muzzleloading if your state has an early season. It is the next best thing than next to bowhunting.

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

I love both bow and gun season here in Michigan. The deer I've shot with my Ruger have been a rush, but getting a deer with a bow is just a little more intense, due to the fact of having to draw back and what have you. Out of the 8 deer I've taken with my rifle, 6 of them could've been taken with a bow just as easy.

Pauly
2002 Parker Hunter Mag 54 lbs 29&quot;
Muzzy Zero Effect Easton XX75
Toxonic Sight Stealth 6' Stab.
Ruger M77 .308 Win Nikon 4x

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

Pauly...I think your below quote is extremely hard to believe and even harder to prove. There is nothing &quot;just as easy&quot; about taking a deer with a gun as compared to a bow. How many deer have you killed with a bow...honestly.

&quot;Out of the 8 deer I've taken with my rifle, 6 of them could've been taken with a bow just as easy.&quot;

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

you sure got the juices going on this one. funny to see how some think the bow needs defending. I bowhunt because its fun, challenging and gives me many more days in the woods. In the woods is when I am whole.

To say gun hunting is no challenge means you have never really been out there pushing it. A 5 yard shot with a bow once drawn is no challenge. Neither is a 20 yard shot with a rifle. Here in OK, 100 yards + with a 20 mph cross wind makes things interesting.

Every tool has its challenges, advantages and limitations.

My best shot with a rifle was the last day of mulie season in Colorado, in the last 5 minutes of legal shooting light. He was only a forkhorn but tasted better than that expensive tag would. At 225 yards, off hand, (no rest available and grass too high for a prone shot) I nailed the shot exactly at the point of aim. The 30-06 was dead on with my load at 225 yards.

I still get chills thinking about it just like I did last week nailing the little button buck with a bow at 10 yards.

Sooner

Hey, size may not matter but it sure IS nice!

RE: is a rifle kill exciting compared to bow??
 

Sooner...&quot;A 5 yard shot with a bow once drawn is no challenge&quot;...maybe not on little button bucks like the one you shot at 10 yards, and how about the challenge of drawing on a deer at 5 yards?