Thinking about bowhunting next year...
12-05-2012, 04:11 PM
#21
Fork Horn
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Rockingham NC
Posts: 203
To everyone else, your responses have been helpful and thought provoking. I think the thing to do is to go to an archery shop and have them help me find what I need, get the bow and just start practicing. I am certain that I will love shooting the bow to the point of obsession. If I love something, I tend to immerse myself in it.
While it is true that you always have the option not to let the arrow fly, my biggest concern is the imperfect shot when it comes time to let one go. I guess I will find out in the moment whether or not I am willing to take that chance.
While it is true that you always have the option not to let the arrow fly, my biggest concern is the imperfect shot when it comes time to let one go. I guess I will find out in the moment whether or not I am willing to take that chance.
12-06-2012, 11:34 AM
#22
Spike
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 8
I bought a bow for many that same reasons that you are considering one. The rifle season in Nebraska is only 9 days and every idiot in the state is out hunting. Quite a few without an ethics (trespassing, road hunting, etc.). I hunt to relax and enjoy myself, not have to tell people that they don't have permission on this ground or get into arguments. I know not all people are this way but that has been most of my dealings the last few years I hunted with a rifle.
I will add that after elk hunting in Colorado for several years with a rifle and killing elk that the last deer I shot with my rifle didn't even get me excited. I almost felt like I was shooting at a target, no adrenalin rush at all. So after taking a year off from hunting and getting into bow hunting I have a whole new outlook on hunting. The littlest deer walking by my stand gives me the shakes. The peacefulness of hunting and knowing that you don't have to worry about someone trespassing or pushing the area that you are hunting is well worth it. I now enjoy myself again and I will probably not go back to hunting with a rifle at this point. I have no problem with anyone that chooses to hunt that way, but bowhunting is an addiction for me and it has more to do with the relaxation and freedom than the killing. I have only shot one deer in 3 years with my bow. I called in a 150" deer this year from 600 yards away and he skirted my stand at 40 yards the whole time looking for the doe he knew should be there. That is outside my comfort zone and I had to let him walk. I know with a rifle he would be at the taxidermist now, but I had just as much fun calling him in as I would of had shooting him with a rifle.
This is one mans feeling and I am not trying to tell you that you are less of a hunter because you prefer a rifle. I am just saying that bowhunting changed my whole outlook on hunting and I am very glad I started to do it.
I will add that after elk hunting in Colorado for several years with a rifle and killing elk that the last deer I shot with my rifle didn't even get me excited. I almost felt like I was shooting at a target, no adrenalin rush at all. So after taking a year off from hunting and getting into bow hunting I have a whole new outlook on hunting. The littlest deer walking by my stand gives me the shakes. The peacefulness of hunting and knowing that you don't have to worry about someone trespassing or pushing the area that you are hunting is well worth it. I now enjoy myself again and I will probably not go back to hunting with a rifle at this point. I have no problem with anyone that chooses to hunt that way, but bowhunting is an addiction for me and it has more to do with the relaxation and freedom than the killing. I have only shot one deer in 3 years with my bow. I called in a 150" deer this year from 600 yards away and he skirted my stand at 40 yards the whole time looking for the doe he knew should be there. That is outside my comfort zone and I had to let him walk. I know with a rifle he would be at the taxidermist now, but I had just as much fun calling him in as I would of had shooting him with a rifle.
This is one mans feeling and I am not trying to tell you that you are less of a hunter because you prefer a rifle. I am just saying that bowhunting changed my whole outlook on hunting and I am very glad I started to do it.
