The only deer I've killed was with a bow second day of the season this year. I have a shotgun and was going to use it because distance limits my chances of actually killing deer, I even bought slugs to use this year instead of .00 buckshot. After I got a spike with the bow I was content until gun season and carried the shotgun a few times. Last Sunday a doe and two yearlings stepped out in front of the stand I was in with the shotgun. I carried the shotgun because the range was between 30 and 40 yds and I didn't feel comfortable with the bow. I saw that same doe and two yearlings about noon today because I had let her walk.

There are several reasons I let her walk.

I only had two chances to take her and not kill or injure one of the yearlings.
I felt the yearlings probably wouldn't make it without her.
I just enjoyed sitting and watching.
Most of all, I HAD NO DESIRE TO HEAR THE BOOM OF THE SHOTGUN.

I resighted my bow and only use it now. I like the sounds of the woods and watching the birds and animals. I don't see a need to disrupt everything witha gun. It's quiet, peaceful, everything is content. And I see bowhunting as more of a challenge that doesn't make such a ruckus that I lose all other opportunities for the day. One of the guys that helped me out shot three does within ten minutes last week, how often does that happen when gun hunting? By the way, one of the does went in the freezer and the other two went to feed the hungry.

i agreethere is more of a rash with a bow .four years ago opening day gun season on my fist hunt. i had the chance to take anice size buck with my 30.30 draw down on him and everything, but it was still a little early and i could not see if there was a deer behind him.

and on my first bow hunt last thursday i drawed downon a nice doeand had more of a rush and a shake with the bow .

i just think that alot of bow hunters think gunhunting is some how lesser then bow hunting

You go hunting saturday morning. A nice size doe comes in 75 yards out stands around eating in front of you. You can't take her. Deer walks.

The next day is rifle season the same doe comes in 75 yards out and you take her.Dead doe. A great deer and you should be proud of her

I am a bow and gun hunter. Both have their difficulties that the other does not have. For example during gun season deer completely change their behavior and patterns and become much more nocturnal, but during bow season, their patterns remain the same and are easier to hunt.

this is my first year bow hunting and i already love it more then any gun season... being able to sit there for hours and not freeze my arse off is one of the perks... but being able to be out with my bow and watching what the deer do during prerut is really fun.. thismorning i saw a button buck running about thinking he was the king of the jungle.. it was funny...

bow hunting i think is more difficult not only b/c its harder to acuratly take deer with a bow (way more practice needed then fireamrs) but your hutning during a time when the deer;s senses are hightened as the same as they are during the rest of the year... atleast here in the north east,,, gun season starts peek rut,, so the deer are love blind and its a bit easier to be out during this time... this is all opinion and speculation but this is how i see it!

I love bowhunting and gunhunting, heck I love deerhunting!!!!!! Why can't you get close to deer with a gun in hand??? I killed one at 11 yards and one at 16 yards with gun in hand! It all in the way you chose to hunt! I am really looking forward to the muzzleloading season this year, the ole' flintlock with a patched round ball!!!!!!!!!!

here in wisconsin gun season is typically two weeks after the rut and all of the deer just buckle down for a week