I would like to hear about who all got you into the sport of bowhunting and why you love it so much. I got into bowhunting last year after a friend of mine asked if I wanted to try it out. I got an ole Pse rigged up, shot it a while, and fell in love with archery after the first shot. I really loved it when I tagged my first deer with it, I find it to be nothing like rifle season. I will definately introduce it to my kids. So lets here about your "first encounter". Later!

I grew up hunting, but never deer hunting. After I got out of the Air Force, a relative took me gun hunting for deer, and I loved it. I continued this for a couple of years until a friend suggested I try bowhunting. I didn't know much about it, and there weren't a lot of bowhunting pro shops in this area. This was back in 1985. So I started looking into bowhunting and realized that instead of just one week gun hunting for deer, I could hunt for a month and a half (back then, longer now). So I got my first bow and some arrows, and met a guy who helped teach me how to shoot. My first time out in the woods in October sold me!! I had read everything I could get my hands on during the summer concerning bowhunting. I became a student of the subject. I was amazed at how close deer would come in if I was set up properly. I was also humbled in the fact that no matter how good I shot in the back yard, I wasn't as good when there was a critter standing out there at "estimated" yardages. I quickly learned that first year that a bow, some arrows, and a few sharp broadheads were the bare minimum in terms of gear that I needed.

So, after almost 20 years, and somewhere close to $20,000.00 worth of equipment later (no, I don't have that much equipment now, I seem to sell it as fast as I buy it), I'm now thinking about getting back into it. I've laid off for a couple of years because of the target panic I developed shooting competition. Hopefully, I can get back into the swing of things.

By the way, for those just starting, take it from me (and ArthurP can back me up) keep it simple. I've tried damn near every gadget ever introduced, and some work, most don't. Keeping your gear simple reduces heartache, and cost.

Gun hunting is boring. Bow offers a challenge. Access, Access, and more Access. You can bow hunt on top of swimming pools, tennis courts, kids tree houses. There are a lot of deer running around neighborhoods. If you want to fill your freezer shoot what ever you want. If you want the 160 class just wait. The does need to get knock up by a deer sometime during the rut and what better bait then the Doe in Heat.

I started bow hunting at the age of 12 after shooting archery for about 6 years. My dad was a bowhunter who loved the relaxation and tranquility of bowhunting. At the age of 14 I took my first deer, a large doe. I have since harvested many more deer including some nice bucks(no monsters). For me bowhunting is more one on one with the animal and I feel that I see much more game and get a better experience while bow hunting. There is much more of a challenge and none of the stess associated with firearms season here in michigan.

Back when i was in JR High they offered archery class and i took it ,,,,then i stuck with it through HS then after that i did some target shooting and bowfishing but not much huntin,,,,then about 10yrs ago i got in to bow huntin hard and heavy and haven't looked back ,,,,it's now going on 25yrs and i still enjoy every time i pick up my bow and shoot

I haven't got a chance to hunt with my bow yet. I will in October though. I just like the challenge.

My father got me started with hunting and fishing at an early age. When I finally turned twelve he took me out deerhunting for the first time and I was hooked. I picked up bowhunting not long after and have continued to hunt ever since.

Why do I do it?

For a variety of reasons. One, it is nothing short of spiritual to be out in the woods during archery season. I do not consider myself to be a religious person but if there was ever something that made me believe in God then the woods during fall would be it.

Two, it is such an individualized sport....both in terms of how we go about pursuing it and the equipment we use. Everything that revolves around it is directly the responsibility and result of how much time and effort you put into it.

My dad always gun hunted, when I turned 9 years old my dad got into bowhunting! I got my first bow when I turned 11 and I would rather bow hunt than gun hunt any day!!!
I am now 31 years old...

I got into the sport when i was about 5 years old, I am now 21. I got into just because it was what my dad did, and you know how little boys are about their dads. They wanna do everything their dad does cuz they think its cool. But now 16 years later I am still shooting bow with my dad and hunting with my bow. Ive killed a few deer with my bow. The thing I love about bowhunting the most is that it is a challange and an independent thing to do. There are no teams, and to me its always for fun. It doesnt matter if Im shooting 3-D's or hunting, Im always havin fun doin it. This spring I am thinking about aking my bow out after some turkeys. I dont know how that might turn out, but I will have fun.

My brother was a big hunter, me I was always to busy with music, so one day my brother asked me if I wanted go hunting with him, I was board, we went, it was so peaceful, I started hunting on my own. the challenge of one on one, you and the deer, it cant be beat, it's the best feeling in the world, when you put in the time scouting, just to get the chance to take a shot at the deer you worked so hard to out smart. and it's even better when you harvest him. I love it..for me bow hunting is the only hunting, this spring in may, I'll try bow hunting Mr. Tom, don't know how that will work out, but it will be a good none the less...