Bow or gun, which one?
 

I know this is the bowhunting forum, I need not be reminded.:) I was just wondering what you guys were going to use during rifle season. I realize many of you prefer bow over gun, I want numbers though. I have not decided yet. I hate the fact that I may pass a buck of a lifetime b/c I can only reach out 30 yrds w/ the bow. I agree, the reward of bowhunting is much more than a gun. So what are you guys gonna do come rifle season?

RE: Bow or gun, which one?
 

I'll be going with the bow the whole season....for the past 3 years or so I have slowly phased out gun hunting, just went bow and muzzleloader last year. To me, there is nothing like shooting one with a bow.

vashadowhunter

RE: Bow or gun, which one?
 

I like to set up with a bow the first week of rifle season.
I set up in funnels and let the guys shooting drive them right to me!!;)
It's worked for the last 2 years.[8D]
although, we have 2 weeks of gun season so the 2nd week I'll use a rifle.

RE: Bow or gun, which one?
 

I go and hunt with my crew for 1 week every year, we have gotten together for 23 years and I will use my rifle for that week then its back to my bow.

RE: Bow or gun, which one?
 

We don't have a rifle season in Illinios...and bow doesn't cross into the shotgun season. Thankfully the choice is made for me. I would probably hunt with a rifle when I could but as "hey, the freezer is empty" hunts or..."I know I saw this monster here last week...I WILL get him" kind of hunts.

RE: Bow or gun, which one?
 

I just started bow hunting this year, and already I prefer it to gun hunting, theres nothing like releasing an arrow and hitting the bullseye

RE: Bow or gun, which one?
 

Ditto

RE: Bow or gun, which one?
 

Last year was ML only. This year being my first with a bow will probably be bow only. I just can't decide. I have killed a hog and a doe this year and would sure like to fill a buck tag with my bow. However, I think about that big one out at 75 yds and not being able to turn him. That would stink but then again I have thoroughly enjoyed my time bowhunting. I just don't know. I will hunt through the rut with my bow and if I don't have a buck by the time it's over then maybe I'll go back to the ML. For certain no more centerfire rifles for me. The challange is just not there anymore.

RE: Bow or gun, which one?
 

The area i hunt that has bigger deer is very hard to bow hunt so I will be set up w/ my rifle on a bluff opening morning hoping to get a big one. Then it's back to bow.

RE: Bow or gun, which one?
 

I will hunt deer for 1 week at my deer camp with a rifle and if I have a tag left bowhunt the rest of the season.

RE: Bow or gun, which one?
 

I never hunt with a bow during rifle season. I never hunt during rifle season at all. There's too many stupid hunters out there. I can tell you though that if rifle and bow season were the same lengths, I would always, always go bow. Sorry if I offend anyone, but I think that rifle hunting is for pussies. I mean seriously, you can easily reach out to 300 yards with a shot. That's 10 times farther out than a bow can easily shoot. I just hate it when people are out rifle hunting and say stuff like "Man, this is a real challenge.". I'm just like "If you think that's a challenge, then why don't you try going out with a bow for once!". Also, for me, rifle hunting is boring. Like my dad always says, "Rifle hunting is about as fun as going out and shooting a cow".

RE: Bow or gun, which one?
 

I started bowhunting when i was about 12. I have hunted deer everyway, bow, muzzleloader, shotgun, and rifle. I dont hunt deer with a shotgun or rifle anymore. Im thinking about quitting muzzleloading because 2 years ago i easily tooka buck with an 80 yard shot with my ML. Its just to easy and the challenge is not there.

RE: Bow or gun, which one?
 

You don't have a box for "other".:D I will have thepistola (15"bbl Encorein .260 Rem.) in a shoulder holster as I carry my bow. It's legal here in general season, and if I must succumb to the monster at 200 yards at least I have that option. Mine is sub-MOA at that distance. I will try not sell my soul to the evil demons of burning powder, but you never know.

RE: Bow or gun, which one?
 

if i get a deer this weekend then i might bring my bow but if not it'll have to be my shotgun.

RE: Bow or gun, which one?
 

Well....here's my "personal" opinion.

I guess the film crews could make me setting up on the edge of a 600yd wide field and taking a deer that can't even hear me look like the stalk of the century. But....I'd know better. To me....when the animal is so far away that it either: 1) doesn't see you there.....or...2) knows you're there...but also knows you're too far away to be a threat...

....then that's not hunting. It's SHOOTING.

I suppose there's sport in getting your rifle sighted in to make such shots. I suppose???

I'll never deer hunt with anything other than a bow.

Like I said....these are MY views.

Jeff

RE: Bow or gun, which one?
 

I have NO desire to shoot a deer with a gun!!!! ............I started bow hunting when I was 12 and my dad took me out with him long before that.............Bowhunting is in my blood!

I've tried the gun thing and to me its like shooting fish in a barrel;):D

RE: Bow or gun, which one?
 

Let me just say that everyone should suppose the circumstances are the same for everyone. I use rifle/shotgun but don't think I've shot a deer further than 80 yards. Most of my kills, even with a gun are less than 50 yards (actually most are less than 30 yards). I'm usually deep in thick woods/swamp/marsh with low visibility. So the challenge is still there, the outcome is less in question though than with a bow. So yes, I'll be using a gun. If you'd like to call me names feel free, I'm secure enough to take it.

RE: Bow or gun, which one?
 

During rifle season, I go back to my hometown in the middle of SD where the hunting is done on open fields. Since I have started bowhunting I have become a trophy only rifle hunter. I will bowhunt to fill my freezer and unless a monster deer shows itself while I'm carrying my .30-06, I'll just have a rifle tag sandwich. It does change things up for me for a little while from the long hours in the trees, so my answer would be rifle, but if I'm lucky enough to get a deer early w/ my rifle, I will switch over to my bow as soon as my rifle tag is filled.

RE: Bow or gun, which one?
 

This being the bowhunting room I figured it'd be almost completely bow that people chose. To my surprise it's about even between bow/guns.

I prefer bowhunting because it's challenging. Any Tom, Dick, or Harry can pick up a gun once a year, go out and kill a deer. (which to me, is not a real form of hunting.)

I have a few friends who are complete yahoos, who do this every year. And can't hunt a lick, or shoot worth a flip. Yet, they kill deer.

The simplicity of gun hunting turns me off.

I always prefer bow or muzzleloader, because I like to think of myself as a hunter. Not your average Joe when it comes to hunting.

RE: Bow or gun, which one?
 

This being the bowhunting room I figured it'd be almost completely bow that people chose. To my surprise it's about even between bow/guns.

I prefer bowhunting because it's challenging. Any Tom, Dick, or Harry can pick up a gun once a year, go out and kill a deer. (which to me, is not a real form of hunting.)

I have a few friends who are complete yahoos, who do this every year. And can't hunt a lick, or shoot worth a flip. Yet, they kill deer.

The simplicity of gun hunting turns me off.

I always prefer bow or muzzleloader, because I like to think of myself as a hunter. Not your average Joe when it comes to hunting.

RE: Bow or gun, which one?
 

I need winter meat

RE: Bow or gun, which one?
 

Only time i use a gun is when i'm bird hunting :)

RE: Bow or gun, which one?
 

I haven't pulled the trigger on my ruger in a couple of years and I don't intend to this year. I truly get very little satisfaction out of killing a deer with my rifle. Just a personal preference, but the Hoyt will be with me at all times this year.

RE: Bow or gun, which one?
 

for the most part i'll hunt with a gun. i don't want to pass up a chance at kentucky whitetails during the rut. but i may still use my bow for a doe or something.

RE: Bow or gun, which one?
 

I also phased out gun hunting and now use my bow for all the deer seasons. I've taken bucks every year for the last 3 or 4 seasons during MZL season and last year half of the deer i took (3 out of six) were taken during firearms season using a bow. When I got to the checking station on opening morning of gun season last year with 2 deer (an 8 point and a 5 1/2 year old doe) it created quite a stir--esp when they found out I used a bow.

RE: Bow or gun, which one?
 

After picking up the bow, I think I will put the gun down for a while.

RE: Bow or gun, which one?
 

Bowhunting in bow season, shotgunning in shotgun/rifle season, too many deer moving too fast for a bow during shotgun...i've tried.