Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

I started hunting deer with a shotgun in IL. and a rifle in MO. In 1991 I started hunting with a bow. I killed my first buck that year with my bow and it was awesome! The same season, I killed a nice 8 point with my shotgun. It gave me NO satisfaction of accomplishment. I haven't hunted with a gun for years. I would rather kill "nothing" than kill something with a gun anymore. I was a gun dealer in my spare time for 18 years and have guns that can drive tacks. I hunt for the thrill of accomplishment. I see these tv shows where these guys shoot deer at 100 to 200 yards and I just think to myself, try and get it to 15 yards and shoot it with a bow.When someone shows me a picture of a deer they kill with a gun, it just doesn't impress me.If someone shows me a picture of a doe they killed with their bow, I am impressedand really let them know that they did a great job!
Do most of you gun hunt, also? Does it do more for you to kill one with a bow than a gun? I just think it is agreat accomplishment with a bow, and a chip shot with a gun.
What are your thoughts?

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

I am impressed with anyone's picturesthat hunts legally whether it is a gun, bow, crossbow, spear, knife, etc.

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

I guess I shouldsay, not as impressed with a gun kill as to a bow kill, not just unimpressed.

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

I hunt with both, have been for 7 years now. An every year when the last day of bow comes, I become a little depressed. One because I've failed to bag a deer with a bow...had too many chances, just either missed or passed them up. I just enjoy the thrill of being closer to the animal and not hearing gunshots in the background. I usually look at gun season a little different, more to fill the freezer. Don't get me wrong, gun hunting is still hunting, it just makes it a little easier. Either way I just love being in the woods and trying to pattern the deer to get them as close as I can without them knowing I'm there, thats why I love the hunt. Seeing them in their natural surroundings.

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

I doubt I ever carry a gun for whitetails again. Honestly, the only thing I may ever take with a gun again is turkeys and I'm working the bow in there too every chance I get.

Perhaps varmits...maybe, doubtful but maybe.

When I see a buck taken with a bow, yes I am much more impressed than one taken with a gun....it means more to me...to be honest, taking one with a gun no longer impresses me. I'll say the polite congrats but I'm not impressed, the animal impresses me yes, the shooter...no.

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

While I certainly enjoy the bow more than anything. It's a solitary pursuit. When I pick up the rifle it's a family affair. We go to deer camp ride ATV's (before the opener) play cards, have a few adult beverages and have a great time.

I also just picked up an inline to make the rifle season more challenging.

If it's hunting I enjoy it. whether it's hunting a bunny with shotgun, squirrels with the .22 or Crows with Dad and a bunch of decoys on days when it's -5 degrees.

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

I am new to hunting but i have hunted deer with a gun and i plan on hunting this year with a bow, now to me hunting is hunting yes, hunting i with a gun is easier, but i like to hunt with shotguns for gun season,the only "rifle" i have is my muzzle loader, so even when i gun hunting i am still at about 50 yards max for shots, plus in most parts of ohio and florida (the states i hunt in) are almost always dense so you really cant use a rifle, plus it is illeagle to hunt with a rifle in ohio. but there are somethings that make bow hunting better or easier then in gun season like one thing isyou dont here guns shots so deer are less spooked which makes the deer easier to find because they arent wiery of anyones presence.

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

I do still use a gun for doves, ducks and geese. Don't think I could hit any of these with a Flu Flu.

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

I think alot of thiscomesfrom the fact that hunting is more of a sport than a neccesity for food.I think if more people depended ondeer meat to feed their family more, people would have a different view of rifle hunting. Almost all my friends and family this time of year are trying to make as much jerky or smoking roasts every weekend to try to get rid of the deer they harvested last year. I personallywould much rather bowhunt than rifle hunt. I think the skill and patience involved is overwhelmingly more impressive than using a rifle. Don't get me wrong though, I think there is aquite abit of skill involved shooting a deer that is out 200 yards. I for one, have never shot a deer over 50 yards. Not b/c I'm afraid to reach out and take a shot but b/c I don't hunt in an areathat will present a shot that far. To each your own I guess.

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

Exactly the same reason I gun hunt back home in the U.P. If I could somehow combine bow with that tradition, it would be amazing. Gun season just has a special meaning because of the traditions that go along with it. There is really no threat to me ever killing a bigger deer in the UP with the gun taht I will in IL with the bow, so I guess impressing people isn't at risk either!

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

I still do some wing shooting, doves, ducks, etc. For deer I am bow only. I may use a gun for hogs once in a while but that is more about population control if they get too out of hand. Black powder is the only gun I'll shoot. Percussion .50 and double barrel percussion 12ga. I had a load of fun getting my turkey on public land with a BP 12ga this year!

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

This is my first year bowhunting and i already appreciate the diffuculty of it but that does not mean gun is still not challenging. I understand what you guys are talking about after seeing people on tv shoot deer from 300 yds away with a highpowerd rifle and just makes me sick. But the kind of hunting i do it is just as challengin to get the deer with range with my shotgun the shot is just easier.

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

Good question, and I’ve been ridiculed for my answer in the past. To me, it has to do with skill level of different hunters, as well as the different levels of challenges that type of hunting poses.
Of course if you take any type of hunting, and exchange the high power rifle with a bow, you’ve created a more challenging situation. But…
I find it harder to sneak into the bedding area of a good buck with my shotgun, than I do to sit in a well-placed stand with a bow. As far as the hunt goes, I think bow hunting in a stand is about as easy as it gets. For one, no walking, once you’ve reached your stand. How many times have we seen the post “how can I get to my stand quietly”? To a stalk hunter, that is such an ignorant question, if, it were posed by someone who down played the level of expertise needed by a hunter armed with a shotgun who was sneaking on the ground. In fact, it makes me nauseous. And to further justify my opinion, the rut. The guy on the ground with a gun, is not hunting the rut. He is not dealing with a stupid horny buck. He is dealing with a paranoid freak, who is gone once he simply suspects something isn’t right, and he’s watching. Laying in the thick stuff during the day, walking only during darkness.
I’ve only been able to shoot one deer on the ground with my bow. It was a nice size doe and it is one of my fondest hunts for sure. But, the easiest buck I ever killed was on my very first ever bow hunt, and it was about as easy as calling my dog. I do realize it isn’t always or even usually that east, but worth mentioning for this discussion.
In closing; by far, the hardest hunts that I’ve ever been on were with my father, a man who never owned a bow. He preferred “running down deer” or “hounding” with a 30-06. Both have the same meaning; it is simply stalking a buck that knows you’re after him. You do need snow or at least wet conditions, a huge piece of property, a bunch of skill, a bunch of time, a bunch of stamina, a bunch of patience and be committed to spending the night and starting over in the morning. Those were some of the longest days of my life, and most times, we were unsuccessful.
Finally, I don’t think I could ever be successful with my bow hunting like that, but even so, my bow is the weapon of choice. This year I’ll be challenging myself to hunt two new pieces of “bow only” private property with no stands. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Good luck and be safe,
KP

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

Excellent post KP!! But you should know that bow hunting is much more difficult than gun hunting and "hounding" a deer, just read the "how do you stay awake in your stand" thread" :D;);)

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

While I really have lost any desire to shoot a deer with a rifle, I still gun hunt for other critters, and will use a handgun for deer. For me the loss of excitement isn’t solely due to the weapon, rather more of the way the season plays out. I like hunting deer under their natural movements. Our gun season has such pressure that in all but the fewest areas, that is not possible. So to me, the “accomplishment” in the Pa gun season isn’t diminished so much by the weapon, but by the circumstance. Find an escape trail and hope one gets pushed by. Your success is more random luck (or skill at playing the escape routes) rather than true woodsman ship skill.

Now let me listen to a hunting story where a guy pursued the deer under their conditions and had to use knowledge of the land and deer to bag it, I’ll be happy for him all day. But I’d probably be a bit more impressed if he took it with a bow, over a gun.

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

Why is it that one group of hunters always wants to denegrate another group in order to make themselves feel good? I have read some comments about looking at pictures of a "gun shot" deer and not being impressed as if shooting the deer took no skill whatsoever. I have to wonder what a gun hunter thinks when a bowhunter shows him a picture of a deer. Does he think, hmm, "how much skill does it take to sit in a tree over a bait pile and shoot what comes in?". Does he tell folks in the gun forum that he is not impressed with pictures of deer from bowhunters?

Perhaps instead of being unimpressed with another style of hunting we should focus on being impressed that the other person is a hunter regardless of the weapon the hunt with. I will always be impressed with another hunter's legal and ethical kills.

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

Bruce, it's never gonna be that way..I understand what your saying and can agree..But it's never good enough, or big enough, or tough enough. A guy with a crossbow is ridiculed by the compound guy and he is snubbed by the recurve guy who is sneered at cuz he didn't make his own bow, like long bow guy did. The guy with the spear is unethical. And gasp if you use anything with powder!

The guys who shoots the small buck is not patient the guy who shoots the big buck just has good land. We all find ways of making ourselves the Good Guy..the only one doing it right.

When the truth is no one can judge us, we need thicker skin. No one knows the trials and tribulations that go into each and everyone of our, individual seasons. Part of the mentality of being a hunter puts us at the top of the food chain in our woods. We are the ultimate predator. We need not be cannibles and feed on our own. Rally behind each other...think your own thoughts to satisfy your needs of self fulfillment...but publicly put on a face of congratulatory respect and admiration when a fellow hunter tells a successful tale. It's a challenge to be happy for others when your own goals are left un-met..but we all want a bigger challenge...isn't that what we strive for?


I'm off the soap box..

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

Now do that exact same hunt with a bow in hand. Right you just elevated the risk and difficulty....case in point.

You guys are comparing apples to oranges.....

And how many with a gun? I'm more impressed with that one with a bow than I am with any of them with a gun.

I don't see it degenerating another group, it's just more impressive with a bow.

And how many took no skill? Like the Hanson buck, #1 but it was taken on a drive after being pushed and pushed and missed...I'm not impressed with Hanson, I am with the buck and I feel sorry for the guy that missed it and helped push it...wonder what he got out of that?

First of all not everyone hunts over bait and second, where legal, put a rifle hunter in the same situation, yup still harder with a bow. Mr Rifle can pull the trigger when the animal is out at 75 yards....Mr Bowhunter has to either call, wait or not have an opportunity. Still more impressive if taken with a bow.
Diehard only rifle hunters have been condemning bowhunters forever, always will be that way. They are jealous we can hunt the rut but if the rut was open to rifle hunters, it would be a slaughter...seasons are governed to avoid that.

No one here other than a handful of guys that may respond is for ending rifle seasons however no matter how you slice it, it's more impressive with a bow and as a avid compound user, it's more impressive to me with a long bow or recurve....so be it, it is what it is.

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

Not every gun hunter hunts over 200 yard fields either ;).

So, if the gun hunterjust waits andshoots at animals within 50 yards then that would be as "impressive" as a bow kill?

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

A high powered rifle with a scope, no...a flintlock open iron sights, perhaps but like I said, it's more impressive with a bow, even more with a stickbow...especially 50 yards. ;)

A rifle can be passed from guy to guy for the most part with little to no shooting skills at 50 yards if the gun is zero'd...a guy who never picked up a gun could pull the trigger and use it....is that so with a bow?

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

I second what GR8 said. Both comments! Gospel as y'all say. :D

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

Its rare to get a nice deer where i hunt, so a nice trophy buck with any weapon is impressive. I do see where you're coming from though...it is harder to get a kill with a bow so in essence, yes it is a "better" kill.

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

Where does handgun hunting fall into this mix? Revolvers too....none of those TC rifle caliber handgun cheaters :D;)[8D]

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

I disagree. I had no bow experience at one time and after 10-15 practice shots would have been able to hit a deer with it inside of 25 yards. A guy with no gun experience could do the same inside of 25 yards. Sure, someone had to set the bow up and select the right arrow but you would have to do the same (set the gun up, selct correct ammo)for the guy with no gun experience either.

How many guys get their bow out 2 weeks before bow season and "practice" shooting the pie plate at 20 yards and proclaim "good enough" and then go out deer hunting? Are their kills more impressive than and avid gun hunter that practices year round?

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

Rob,
You must have been spending too much time in the “lawyer” post, because you’re chopping up my sentences to suit your argument.
I already said that you can take any form of hunting, take away the rifle and replace it with a bow and you’ve made it harder. But is that what we really want? Yes and no is the correct answer. I think that we’d all agree that if hunting were as simple as walking up to a deer and killing it with any weapon, it wouldn’t take very long before we’d all quit. We all want to work for it, fail, fail and then achieve. That is the only way to really feel the success. But my son being ten years old has to start somewhere (just like all of us). If I stick a bow in his hand, send him out on his own and not allow for stands “it’s all about the challenge son, now go make me proud” it won’t take very long for hunting to not be very much fun. We all need to graduate to the highest level by taking baby steps in my opinion.

The problem that I have is that most “bow only” types only practice the easiest form of hunting (sitting on a stand and waiting during the rut) and then act as if they’re really doing something that no gun hunter could ever hope to achieve. “the bow only condition” if you will. And you seem to have a strong odor of that condition oozing out of your posts.

Then I come on here and mention killing a buck with a knife and I’m a freak. Why? Cause my weapon was still connected to my hand when everyone else’s killing instrument left their hand by way of a tightly pulled string, cam and some sort of stick?

Go back and read Gr8atta2d’s post and then read mine and yours again.

Good post Gr8atta2d!

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

Although I have nothing against people who chose to hunt with I gun it is my choice to bow hunt only. I personally would get noenjoyment at all shooting a deer with a gun whether it was at 20 or 200 yards.

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

our gun season is usually in the rut here in KY. peak is probably right before season opens, but they are rutting hard during our november season.

gun hunting is different for everyone. Every deer ive killed with my rifle, has been within 30 yards, except for one long range doe.

so everyone who says put a bow in hand, is a 30 yard shot from a elevated hidden stand with a rifle, just as impressive as the same shotwith a bow?

i enjoy bow hunting alot more than gun hunting for deer, in fact, i gun hunt less and less each year.

i still gun hunt when wingshooting, varmint hunting, and turkey hunting in the spring. except ill probably be toting my bow this next season, here in ky anyway.

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

Well said. The Hansondrive was a joke.That is killing not hunting, too me. I don't hunt over bait either, it is illegal in Illinois.I didn't posemy questions to getgun hunting and bow hunting people at odds with each other. I am speaking from personal experiences only and my feelings towards my gun hunting and my archery hunting.Archery huntingjust gives methe "thrill" of personnal accomplishmentwhen gun hunting doesn't.I killed my 6x6 bull elk on public ground in New Mexico. I called it to 12 yards and made the shot.I was on the ground, not in a stand. I was by myself. I dideverything without a$5K guide service and guide doing the calling and knowing where the elk hang out. This, to me, is my greatest accomplishment and my most memorable hunt of all.I see guys on tv with2 or3guides/callers and a 300 magnum shooting at 300 yards and I say do it at 12 yards, on the ground with a bow and arrow on public ground by yourself, then come talk to me about a thrill!I did the same with an antelope in Wyoming, 32 yard shot on the ground from a blind. I saw guys"picking out"the big ones with spoting scopes and then shooting them at 200 yards.A gunjustdoesn't do anything for me any more.

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

it don't really matter to me i dont bowhunt because i dont have one yet but all i want to do spend all the time i can in the outdoors so i thinkif im either hunting with a rifle or a bow im still happy because im doing what i love to do,heck it dont really matter if i see a deer or not ill still be happy

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

I started off gun hunting southern tier NY but since I took up bow hunting it is what I prefer now. For me less people and bigger and better challenge. I do however enjoy hunting rifle when I go to the adirondacks. I get into hunting the big woods almost as much as bow hunting.

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

You may be good enough to shoot the bow after those shots, but drawing a bow back without being detected is a different story than just pulling the trigger. All I can say is, that, I believe it isharder to draw abowona deerwithin shooting range, which for me is within 30 yards and my average kill is at 11 yards, thanpulling the triggeron my gun at 100 yards on a deer.Those of us that have been "busted" drawing our bows on deer at 15 yards know how hard it is to get donewithout being heard or seen at such a close distance.Having to draw the bow and getting it done with out being detected is my major obstacle.

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

Bow vs Gun.....

Both can be equally challenging and equally as tough. A 50yd shot from a stand with a rifled slug gun is pretty easy. A 50yd shot with an iron sighted revolver difficult. A30yd shot from a bow in a tree stand.....easy, same shot with an open sighted 4 5/8 barreledsixgun.....NOT easy. I know, I've done them both.

The problem is when bow hunters talk about "guns" they automatically think a high powered rifle or a slug gun and they automatically think their quarry is standing there broadside at 50yds.:eek:This tends to make us look like"elitist" as bow hunters and turns my stomach to no end.

The truth of the matter is there are easy and difficult shots with both types of weapons. Having been a shooter all of my life like most here I can tell you with out any reservation that I would rather shoot a deer at 40yds with my compound bow than a deer at 300yds with my rifle. To me the 40yd compound shot is way easier.

When I see a picture of a deer taken with a gun, I don't ask the circumstances behind the hunt, I just congratulate the shooter for a nice deer. For all I know it was an extremely difficult shot (long range, close stalk etc..) that only a very skilled and confidenthunter/shooter could have pulled off.

Generally speaking, bow hunting is probably slightly more difficult due only to the closer range and movement that must be made in order to get a shot off.But that's generally speaking.....make no mistake about it there are some aspects and types of gun hunting that are far more difficult than shooting a compound or traditional bow.

As far as traditional (long & recurve) bow hunting is concerned, sure that's probably the most difficult form of bow hunting there is.......but the same can be said for hunting with a traditional gun and I'm not talking about a new muzzle loaders either, I'm talking about a true traditional firearm. How about a smooth bore flintlock. See how many deer you can kill when you have a half second delay from when the powder goes off in the pan (no that won't spook the deer:eek:)to when the gun shoots, if it even does! Then take into consideration that with a smooth bore (no rifling) yourshooting "knuckle balls" and your shots must be inside of 30yds to even come close to hitting what you are aiming at. Good luck with a second shot....after all of the smoke clears I'm sure you can ask Mr.Buck to "stick around" while you reload.Add in a little rainto the mix and wet feather fletchings will seem like a walk in the park compared to a wet powder pan.

I gun hunt and I will continue to do so for as long as I can get my self into the field, I will also bow hunt as well. I enjoy all forms of hunting and have done enough of them to know that all can be equally challenging and difficult in their own way and none more than the other.

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

personally ICGARA as long it is taken in an ethical manner... imho, a gun hunt can be very challenging depending on the terrain and the animal be sought... a bow adds another level of complexity and anytime you go further down the primitive chart, to traditional, then homemade long bows, spears, etc it adds yet another level of challenge... the important thing is to challenge yourself... if gun hunting is challenging for you, there is no less pride in taking an animal than if someone else takes one with a bow... just my take on it...

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

I love bow hunting and gun hunting too. I really don't care if anyone is impressed with my kill or not. I hunt because I like to hunt and I like the bounty it brings to my table. The most difficult bow shot deer I ever killed didn't taste any different than the easiest ones I killed with a gun or vice versa. I have 30 some racks in my garage from bucks I've killed and I lost count of all the does. I'd guess that nearly half of them were bow kills. I will admit that some of the easiest kills I made were with a bow in early season just because deer were not as spooked as they get by the time gun season comes in. Deer hunting to me is the greatest and I'm gonna hunt with what ever weapon is in season.

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

I'd take a spotted yearling with a bow over a P&Y with a rifle any day. No comparrison. The adrenalin rush from the Bow at close quarters far exceedsa kill fron a50 Cal or 30.06 at distance. Nothing against gun hunting. I love it. Just ain't Bow.

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

Apples and oranges, if your going to compare, then compare.

What about a guy who dusts his gun off the morning of the hunt....

If your going to compare a guy who rifle practices all year and then compare him to a guy who practices bow all year and yes, bowkill is still more impressive to me. Your not going to sway that opinion.

If a guy digs out his bow the 2 weeks before the hunt and compare that to a rifle hunter digging his rifle out 2 weeks before the hunt and still bow kill is more impressive.

We have to put the rifle hunter and bow hunter in the same hunt scenerio to properly compare the two.

In doing so, a buck at 100 yards for both the bowhunter and the rifle hunter...bang hunt is over....bow goes without so the bowkill again, more impressive.

A buck at 20 yards...for a rifle...a gimme...for a bowhunter..hell I've missed at 16 yards...guess what I'm still impressed more when I see a bowkill...

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

And again, if it were a longbow or recurve, even more impressive...see where I'm going with this?

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

I just shot my first deer last year (rifle), and it was a blast! That same year I shot at adoe with my bow, and missed. But even thou I missedit, I loved getting that close to it! I would like to harvest anydeer, any way that I could, but if I had a chose, I would rather shoot a bow over a gun any day.:D

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

Well, if we are going to compare apples to apples then why is the buck at a 100 yards a sure thing for the rifle? You practice all year and miss at 16yds but the gun can't miss at a 100 ydsbecause it is just so easy with a rifle, right? And then, if it were a muzzleloader or better yet a shotgun (can't use rifles in MD)how easy is that? See where I'm going with this;)?
Bow hunting has its difficulties that make it much different than gun hunting but, depending on the gun, gun hunting has its difficulties that make its kills just as impressive. I am not trying to sway your opinion or anyone elses, I am just presenting a different opinion, one that thinks all hunting is impressive and doesn't need to denigrate one method to elevate another.

Jim Shockey only hunts with a muzzleloader but you would tell me that kandi kisky's bow kills are more impressive than his muzzleloader kills?

RE: Bow vs Gun, what do you think?
 

I love hunting and being in the woods with family regardless of the season or weapon. I favor my bow over my gun, I haven't taken a deer with it yet and thats part of the reason I like it better right now. It's a new challenge for me. I still hunt with my gun and that to me is just as exciting, partly because of how we (my father and I) hunt. We hunt from the ground in brush blinds we make when we get to where we think is a good spot to sit, otherwise we slow stalk. With all of that being said, the farthest I've had to shoot at a deer with my gun is less than 35 yds. My father has taken deer much farther and so have others I've hunted with. I can and do get just as close to deer while gun hunting as I do with my bow when in stand. It's a blast for me regarless!