I feel dirty
 

This season I have pretty much been a bow only hunter with the exception of two days. I hunted opening day as well as Thanksgiving day with my father more out of tradition then for any other reason (he got me started in the sport but I prefer to hunt with my bow as for me the challenage is greater and I find it much more rewarding.)

Well, long story short I bagged a decient 8 pointer Thanksgiving morning and I've been feeling pretty bad about it. It just to me seems too easy with a gun. I turn to you guys because I am anticipating a dilema next fall. I love to hunt with my father but I do not have any desire to hunt with a firearm any longer.
Sunday I did some stalking in the snow with my bow. This to me seems pointless. I jumped a nice buck but only had time to nock an arrow, There was no shot opportunity. Maybe I just need more practice at still hunting with my bow.

So I ask, what should I do?

RE: I feel dirty
 

Go along with your father with your bow in tow instead of the firearm:)

I don't hunt with a gun at all but still go out for firearms with my family and select friends.

RE: I feel dirty
 

I stopped gun hunting my self yrs ago. But i did take my nine yr old sun this yr. and he bagged a doe opening day of gun season. But thats it for me as far as gun hunting. I love the challenge of bowhunting. The thrill of hunting with a gun is just not there any more for me. It just is not the same felling.( IMO) I would go with what i love the most. Your chances of taking a deer will be greater with a gun. But the thrill and pride of taking one with a bow? Well as you no just can`t be beat(IMO).

RE: I feel dirty
 

hmm i would just go and sit with him if possible maybe thats what he is looking for someone just to chit chat with

RE: I feel dirty
 

Well i dont care for rifle hunting and shooting an animal a few hundred yards away that couldnt smell you if you where wearing amonia colonge. I love to bowhunt very much, and i too like you, get out with the ol uncle as a family traditon and kick the brush up for a doe, becuase i am usually tagged out the 2nd week of november with my buck.

RE: I feel dirty
 

In the past, I've actually limited my shots to animals within bow range, and "drew" my slug gun, so I had to pick my shots carefully to avoid the animal picking me off.

RE: I feel dirty
 

I know what you mean. I don't get the thrill of killing a deer with my shotgun as much as I do with my bow. Plus bowhunting in my area is low key with alot fewer people in the woods. Makes it more enjoyable.

RE: I feel dirty
 

I gun hunt every year because it is family tradition. About 10 of my relatives get together, and the best thing about it from everyones viewpoint is the BSing and general being together. Well this was the last year for that, as we have lost our place to hunt. More than likely I wont gun hunt next year, but will miss it dearly because of the memories and traditions. You dont realize how much it means until it is gone. If I had the chance to hunt with my father in any form, I would do it until he quit himself and make as many memories as you can.

RE: I feel dirty
 

Hunt with a pistol. THat is what I am trying this year. I am also on the low end of power with a 357 mag, so my shots are even more limited. Still makes you have to use skill and patience, but also geta nice BANG when you pull the trigger.

RE: I feel dirty
 

Adams,

Would it matter to your Dad if you took the bow? If he really enjoys you going hunting with him with your gun, take your gun. Make him happy that day or two. And if you get a shot, then miss. Those days are precious and are taken for granted. Make him happy. JMHO

RE: I feel dirty
 

I will take them anyway I can if it is legal. I hunt bow,Muzzy ,rifle,shotgun, pistlol

RE: I feel dirty
 

Adams;
When we hooked up and shot the fat after our bowhunt we talked about traditions and hunting in general etc.. I would continue to gun hunt with your Dad for those one or two days each year. My reasoning is as follows. He probably took you hunting countless times when you were younger and may have sacrificed a few nice deer due to your talking, fidgiting etc.. when you were a little tike. He probably beams from ear to ear when his son gets a deer when he is with him. He sees that the little guy who used to tag along, has turned into a fine young man with kids of his own, but still takes time to hunt with the one who started the passion within you for hunting. I would not risk the quality time nor possibly upsetting the norm with him as our parents may only have so many years left of their health to enjoy our beloved sport. Just my humble opinion.

Hey hows the new addition doing??

RE: I feel dirty
 

I totally agree. Whats a couple days out of the year gonna hurt?

RE: I feel dirty
 

why not just practice quality deer management when you are hunting with a firearm; meaning dont kill a small doe or button or spike or even a nice 8 point unless it is a mature buck.

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RE: I feel dirty
 

i would go with him with your bow or a hand gun if you can in your area

RE: I feel dirty
 

if you dont want to hunt why not tag along and video tape the hunt?

RE: I feel dirty
 

adams nhhunt said it best and dont feel dirty guilty or anthing else give your dad those few days of enjoying your company in the woods,, afterall he did get you hooked

RE: I feel dirty
 

I'd still go with your father ,this time with him will be special for him as well as you,I still rifle hunt for a couple day's with my friend's ,but I to would much sooner hunt with my bow .
These time's with dad are ever lasting memories ,and your just beginning to find yourself .And that's why you prefer the bow .But you only have one dad and that's the most important thing for you to remember,maybe dad won't mind if you use your bow ,if you have some appropriate stand's for it, but regardless never forget who introduced you to hunting ,I'm sure your dad would just appreciate it that your there, and not what choice of weapon you choose.

nubo

RE: I feel dirty
 

I knew you guys would help me see this clearly. I guess I'm a bit selfish in my desire to hunt strictly with a bow. After all it is "I" that gets the most pleasure out of that type of hunting. In my neck of the woods bow season is pretty long and firearm season is quite short. The time I sacrifice from bow hunting in reality is little compared to what I get out of hunting with my old man. I guess I just need to be slapped every once in a while to see clearly. ;)

Thanks guys,
I plan to continue to hunt with my father as I have in the past years. I really like some of the suggestions on how to "make it more sporting". I espically like the idea of "drawing my gun". I'll definately have to try that next fall.

RE: I feel dirty
 

Adams,
i think it was you who said its not about the size of the deer you take, but rather the FOND memories you make doing it.

and im sure you much like me, i have lost the will to riffle hunt as it has gotten too easy. now my father loves going up north every year, like his father did and his father did before him. he got me hooked as did your father. HONOR him and hunt with him. build more memories because when hes gone, thats all your gonna have...

my grandfather past last year so this year wanst the same, but we went anyway, had a great time, and had many laughs and made many many more fond memories! and i think you said it best when you said "thats what its all about!"

so get out there and make some memories with good ol' dad! :D