I live in Virginia, where winters are mild, but can still get cold. Is it realistic for me to take my bow out with me in the snow and hope to get one, or should i switch over to rifle. I have yet to kill a deer, and am thinking a rifle will obviously be easier, but i am so drawn to a bow. Any advice on how to hunt in the snow wiht a bow?

Any other advice to help me nail that first deer?


thanks

Snow helps!
Not only are trails obvious, but its obvious if they have been used recently.
My most recent hunt was last sunday morning, on saturday I sat all day with snow falling and watched 3 doespass slowly behind meon top of3 sets of tracks heading the other way (within range but too much bush between us). Sunday morning I walked too my stand and found their tracks on top of my footsteps from leaving the night before.
Use the snow to your adavantage, figure out where they are (or at least which trails they're using) and be patiant.

Quiter to get in on snow. When its fresh and not all crunchy.

Fresh snow is awesome. You can spot the deer way far away. It's quiet walking to and from your stand. Crunchy snow is OK if you get to your stand early. You may scare some deer away but later on you will hear the deer walking also. Just make sure you are warm and it will be enjoyable.

I love bowhunting in the snow as well. Not only hunting, but scouting late in the season in the nice bcause you get a great indication where the deer are, and deer routes.
Everything seems to settle down after the gun seasons, and deer tend to stay on trails in the snow better, at least in Wisconsin. Any food source is a hot spot...and of course the tracking is MUCH easier.

I wish for snow to hunt in for all of the reasons above.
NOTHING better than hunting after a fresh snowfall or while it is snowing!

In my area when we get a decent snow you hunt the food sources. I like to hunt over winter wheat or a clover field. Its been very produtive in the past.