RE: MAJOR BUCK!!!!!! Dilema!!!
 

The rack on that buck is incredible. I am very satisfied to see so many impressive animals being taken this year in PA.

Back to your original quandry.....I love hunting with a bow..in full camo..in a treestand...for as long as the wife will let me. However, considering the situation I probably, personally, would take the rifle. If I had the opportunity at an animal with a rack that big I would want the satisfaction in knowing that I could just as easily shoot it at 100 yards as I could at 20.

On the other hand, I can totally understand why someone would want to take it with a bow. There is a deeper sense of satisfaction knowing that you were able to get closer, undetected without the aid, intentional or not, of other hunters in the woods.

Good luck to you whatever may happen.

RE: MAJOR BUCK!!!!!! Dilema!!!
 

A trophy is a trophy. Boone & Crockett or Pope & Young. I'd take the rifle hands down. Wouldn't want to miss an opportunity. Maybe that makes me a bad bowhunter (I personally don't think so, but to others it does - from other posts). I bowhun in bow season, gun hunt in gun season. If you want to risk not getting him (say you see him at 70 yards and not 20) and/or you really want the P&Y number take the bow. Remember, you may only get one whack at him before he walks in fornt to someone else (w/ a rifle).

ps - i think you should invite a NY hunter that has just given you some "brilliant" advice to help you hunt him ;);););):D:););):D

Good Luck

RE: MAJOR BUCK!!!!!! Dilema!!!
 

Use a flintlock and SMoke'em!!!

RE: MAJOR BUCK!!!!!! Dilema!!!
 

Bow only

RE: MAJOR BUCK!!!!!! Dilema!!!
 

I don't think I'd take both. Don't know why other than it would just feel weird to me. Plan on hunting it with your bow or your rifle before you head out IMO (not both). Of course like others said, you'd have to be prepared and ready to accept the possibility of him walking by you at 50 yards if you choose the bow. Take the bow and bag him bud. Good luck and can't wait to see the pics.;)

RE: MAJOR BUCK!!!!!! Dilema!!!
 

If you are a "bowhunter" use a bow...if you are a "deer hunter" use what you think best for the situation.

Given the unknown of a new property, try to get an ariel photo & typo map and try to find a good location that covers your ability.

I am deer hunter, and I use bowhunting logic when gun (muzzleloader) hunting.
I try to get close to them, but leave myself open for at least a couple of distance shots too.

I'd take the gun, taxidermists can't do much with a bruised ego....

RE: MAJOR BUCK!!!!!! Dilema!!!
 

Here's a free typo and ariel photo site.

www.terraserver-usa.com

All you have to do is enter the closest zip code to the property and zero in on the farm or woods you are looking for.

RE: MAJOR BUCK!!!!!! Dilema!!!
 

Buck...you come on here and religiously post all of your scouting and hunting reports. You've done your homework as a bow hunter. You have what it takes! Don't sell out! Don't be a hound and think this buck HAS to be killed! AR are working and will sell only more to the entire state if he is taken by a bow or dies with a 200+ rack of old age!!! There is a HUGE responsibility in your decision...not only for you but for thousands of others. You probably already know my stance on this but for what it's worth, please don't disgrace this buck by killing him with a gun. Good luck!

RE: MAJOR BUCK!!!!!! Dilema!!!
 

I would take both. In NC you can. I would try to take him with the bow but I would use a firearm if I had to. These buck is not dumb.

RE: MAJOR BUCK!!!!!! Dilema!!!
 

BOW ALL THE WAY!!! Sure a trophy is a trophy but there is something special about taking a trophy up close and personal.

Good luck.

RE: MAJOR BUCK!!!!!! Dilema!!!
 

How bout this. wait till he gets close and then jump on him and wrestle him to death. Now that is the most challenging way to hunt:)

RE: MAJOR BUCK!!!!!! Dilema!!!
 

LOL wrestle him hell yeah!!!,
No really, I agree with someone elses post he deserves to be taken with a bow, you dont have time to take your time, so get out there and hunt, look for beds during midday, hunt the beds for season is coming to a close. If noone else has permission to hunt there, thats good and he will go there to find some peace from the other 50 or so thats after him. Just remember one thing, as excited as you are now.........It will quadruple if and when you get him in close to you.
But hey, GOOD LUCK !!!!!!!!

RE: MAJOR BUCK!!!!!! Dilema!!!
 

Definitely BOW.

I would be so much more proud if the 143 pointer on my wall was with a bow.

Give him due respect. Anyone can point and click.

RE: MAJOR BUCK!!!!!! Dilema!!!
 

Oh and as for the ultimate way to realistically harvest, I'd say spear!!!

Our bows aint got nothin' on the old Native Americans. LOL

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: MAJOR BUCK!!!!!! Dilema!!!
 

I've been reading these replies and am not suprised by the answers. I love to bowhunt and taking an animal with a bow is ultimate satisfaction for me. BUT....I would really hate to be hunting an animal of that caliber with a bow only to have him out of range and get killed by a gun hunter over the next ridge. Not much satisfaction for me there.

I'd take the gun and go get em.

RE: MAJOR BUCK!!!!!! Dilema!!!
 

Bow the feeling would be so much more glorious.. Just my opinion

Tim

RE: MAJOR BUCK!!!!!! Dilema!!!
 

Hell by the time you guys figure out what to kill him with he will have died of natural causes. Get out there and hunt him, more than likely you won't see hide nor hair.;)

RE: MAJOR BUCK!!!!!! Dilema!!!
 

Amen, just flip a coin already.

(p.s. I'd choose heads of the gun, but that's just me...)

RE: MAJOR BUCK!!!!!! Dilema!!!
 

Give him a chance...hunt with a bow. I guess then we can see who is smarter.

RE: MAJOR BUCK!!!!!! Dilema!!!
 

Some of these comments are assanine and not thought out. You are going to a place to hunt that you've never been. Whats the chance this deer is going to happen to walk around 25 yards of you. Chances are unlikely. You'll be lucky if you happen to get within gun range and get a shot to be honest. You take what you want to hunt with...don't be pressured

RE: MAJOR BUCK!!!!!! Dilema!!!
 

this story is where "urban legends" come from.