How many only bow hunt

[shootstraight]

Just curious to see if you guys stick with the bow the whole year or do you pick up the gun during those seasons. This is only my second year to stay exclusively with the bow. It's a lot more work but was rewarding this year. :cool:

[L-train]

I only bowhunt, well maybe rifle for yotes and shotgun for dove, but rarely, I'd rather archery bunny hunt.

[BAArcher]

I am bow only! My areas actually get better after gun seasun starts. The "Good old boys" run their dogs and everyone tramples through the woods....All the deer seem to like my Army Corp of Engineer "bow only" land that I hunt.

[Soumi]

I quit gun hunting almost 15 years ago(for deer anyways) because rifle season here has become such a joke. Baiting has ruined everything. It's all anyone does anymore and you can't go anywhere in the woods without running into someones heated, baited blind. Not only that, but it changes deer movements to the point that even the baiters see very few deer. They feed at night mostly. There's a 2 gallon limit for bait but just the other day, my buddy witnessed a guy dumping a full truck load of corn, carrots and apples in a big pile. That guys got at least one ticket now.

Up by my camp, I know a group that starts baiting mid-summer and have 10 baited blinds for one camp of 5 guys. They've literally hauled in tons of bait and attracted most of the deer for miles. It becomes a baiting competition and very few follow the rules. I don't even hunt out of my own camp. I scout, find and kill deer every year with my bow and no bait. Mostly with my recurve up until this year when I started shooting a compound again. OK, off my soap box and don't mean to offend anyone who baits legally if it's allowed in your state.

[Soumi]

BTW, we call rifle season amatuer week. :rolleyes:

[Michael]

Bow only for me, and it's always been that way.

[Kelly Sexton]

I have not shot a gun since 1975. OH! I forgot the 22 years I did in the Military duing the war. Does that count????? I don't even own a gun..I'm 100 % bow only....

[TEXAS 10PT]

Bowhunt only

TEXAS

[FEDIE316]

Ok, guess I'll be the first, I rifle hunt too. Rifle hunting around here is tradition for many families, it's a time when alot of people who have moved away come back to get together and hunt. If I only had to pick one way to hunt it would be bow hunting, hand's down!! This is my biggest buck to date, it would not have meant nearly as much to me had I have taken it with a rifle! I realize that I was wearing the wrong hat, what can I say, it's a comfortable hat, and my blue Elite hat is my "fancy goin to town hat"!! LOL
168

[TEXAS 10PT]

Ok, guess I'll be the first, I rifle hunt too. Rifle hunting around here is tradition for many families, it's a time when alot of people who have moved away come back to get together and hunt. If I only had to pick one way to hunt it would be bow hunting, hand's down!! This is my biggest buck to date, it would not have meant nearly as much to me had I have taken it with a rifle! I realize that I was wearing the wrong hat, what can I say, it's a comfortable hat, and my blue Elite hat is my "fancy goin to town hat"!! LOL
168

Very nice buck...Congrats!!

TEXAS

[shootstraight]

I quit gun hunting almost 15 years ago(for deer anyways) because rifle season here has become such a joke. Baiting has ruined everything. It's all anyone does anymore and you can't go anywhere in the woods without running into someones heated, baited blind. Not only that, but it changes deer movements to the point that even the baiters see very few deer. They feed at night mostly. There's a 2 gallon limit for bait but just the other day, my buddy witnessed a guy dumping a full truck load of corn, carrots and apples in a big pile. That guys got at least one ticket now.

Up by my camp, I know a group that starts baiting mid-summer and have 10 baited blinds for one camp of 5 guys. They've literally hauled in tons of bait and attracted most of the deer for miles. It becomes a baiting competition and very few follow the rules. I don't even hunt out of my own camp. I scout, find and kill deer every year with my bow and no bait. Mostly with my recurve up until this year when I started shooting a compound again. OK, off my soap box and don't mean to offend anyone who baits legally if it's allowed in your state.

I've visited down in NC and they bait down there. It's pretty funny though the area I went to. I guess the deer are pretty small cause they would mount anything they got, even doe's :eek: It was hilarious to go in some guys house and he's got 3 or 4 mounts and the biggest one is a four point. The baiting was much like you said, they had condo stands with lazy boys in them and heaters. :confused:

[Soumi]

I've visited down in NC and they bait down there. It's pretty funny though the area I went to. I guess the deer are pretty small cause they would mount anything they got, even doe's :eek: It was hilarious to go in some guys house and he's got 3 or 4 mounts and the biggest one is a four point. The baiting was much like you said, they had condo stands with lazy boys in them and heaters. :confused:

There's a guy not far from here that has an elevated blind complete with electricity, kitchenette, home theatre system with big screen, and get this, a deck with a hot tub. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

[shootstraight]

Well I have shot a couple of deer off my deck, but to be honest that' why I stopped using the rifle. It was just shooting not hunting.

[BAArcher]

After I started bowhunting, I saw gun hunters different. In my opinion, gun hunters do not have to use as much skill to shoot a deer than we do. Heated shooting houses, coffee with snacks, what the ****.....might as well put on a little Aqua Velva!

[Tough Antler Tees]

All I've done is rifle hunt, but next year I will have an Elite bow & I am going to bowhunt only!:D

[Tough Antler Tees]

After I started bowhunting, I saw gun hunters different. In my opinion, gun hunters do not have to use as much skill to shoot a deer than we do. Heated shooting houses, coffee with snacks, what the ****.....might as well put on a little Aqua Velva!
Rifle hunting has its challenges, but I believe that bowhunting will take me to a higher level of challenges.

[BAArcher]

Rifle hunting has its challenges, but I believe that bowhunting will take me to a higher level of challenges.

I know but most of the gun hunters down here in Alabama don't have any idea what it really takes!

[BAArcher]

You know....Rednecks!

[BAArcher]

You know some of those fake teeth you see in "Spencers gifts"....They live down here!

[mobow]

I haven't hunted w/ a rifle in 2 seasons.....And after harvesting my first buck w/ my bow this year, I have ZERO intentions of doing so.

[BAArcher]

I haven't hunted w/ a rifle in 2 seasons.....And after harvesting my first buck w/ my bow this year, I have ZERO intentions of doing so.

Its addictive.........................

[Ultramax]

I was archery only for Deer till I drew a smoke pole tag for a National Wildlife Rufuge this year. I cant pass that one up. I also hunt rabbits, dove, quail, ducks, and turkeys with guns.

[kamora187]

Bow hunt only now for 15 yrs. Once you shoot an animal with a bow, hunting with a gun is not the same. There is a small chance next year if I do not fill my bow tag that I may get a left over rifle cow elk tag to get some meat in the freezer. I would not shoot anything with a rack, to me any trophy taken with a gun is a waste of a trophy! Almost anyone can put the crosshairs on an animal that is 300 yrds away and pull the trigger, I want to see its eyes blink as I release the arrow :) just my opinion

[Maybee-R]

we have to choose rifle, muzzle loader or archery here. I hunt archery only. would like to hunt bear with a rifle though. Birds I use a shot gun. there to fast for my arrows. and losing them is easy.:p

[BAArcher]

Bear with a bow.............From the ground!

[Maybee-R]

Bear with a bow.............From the ground!

Im afraid to try that. unless youll back me up with a BIG gun.:)

[BAArcher]

You are OK as long as you hunt with someone that runs slower then you do!

[Maybee-R]

HAHA! the thought of that is funny. The slower guy getting caught by a bear.
Not the thought of some one being slower.

[FEDIE316]

Very nice buck...Congrats!!

TEXAS

Thanks alot, I appreciate it!

[Ringtail]

only hunted with firearms before...2008 will be my first bow season

[lonehara]

I bowhunt only and spend the rest of the year keeping the shooting form tuned up. Maybe when I retire or can slow down some I would like to try some 3D stuff.

[shootstraight]

I bowhunt only and spend the rest of the year keeping the shooting form tuned up. Maybe when I retire or can slow down some I would like to try some 3D stuff.


I just got serious about 3D 2 years ago and have really enjoyed the competition. More than that though there really is a great group of people who do this. I have had the opportunity to meet some really great people I never would have if I didn't just go to a shoot by myself 2 years ago. Even going to the national shoots it's the same. Folks like you and me just spending some time together doing what we like to do.

[Maybee-R]

3/d is were I met a few celebrity shooters. like Dan Evans and Glen and Chad Berry. some others. Would like to run into Lee and Tiffany one of these days. So I could post pic's all over. some of the primos gang would be nice. But I have met alot of really nice people on the course.

[Archer 1]

I dont know the exact year but I shot my last dear with a rifle in the early 70's.It just seemed so easy that it didnt do anything for me.Strictly archery since then and dont regret it one bit.

[BAArcher]

Would like to run into Lee and Tiffany one of these days. So I could post pic's all over.

Tiffany...yes. That Lee fella,.. he can shoot with the other group!

[shootstraight]

Speaking of celebrities, I did meet Laura (m..t.n girl) at London last year. Now she's pretty impressive with a bow, not just good looking but very serious about shooting.

[kamora187]

Ringtail that will be your heart pounding out of your chest when you watch your first deer come in and you wait for the chance to draw! You will be so hooked after that! Good luck!
T

[Scablands]

I dont know the exact year but I shot my last dear with a rifle in the early 70's.It just seemed so easy that it didnt do anything for me.Strictly archery since then and dont regret it one bit.

This pretty much describes me as well. Probably closer to thirty years now than twenty five but I don't know for sure. I used the bow during the rifle season before they instituted a state wide archery only season.

[Ringtail]

Speaking of celebrities, I did meet Laura (m..t.n girl) at London last year. Now she's pretty impressive with a bow, not just good looking but very serious about shooting.

Would love to meet Laura Franchese (the current Martin Girl/ Buffalo Bills cheerleader). I have heard from countless sources, that she is so approachable and down to Earth. Not to mention very attractive.

[Ringtail]

Ringtail that will be your heart pounding out of your chest when you watch your first deer come in and you wait for the chance to draw! You will be so hooked after that! Good luck!
T

I Know It !!!

Thanks,
Kevin

[shootinfast]

started bow hunting at 14 tried rifle hunting for deer again 6 years ago havent gone back again just started shooting more does with a bow.I wish Idaho would force guys to choose a weapon at start of season we have to many "bow hunters" that dont seem quite as commited as they should be IMO. Dont get one with bow go any weapon season dont get one, go muzzle loader as long as you by archery permit and muzzle loader permit any thing for a dollar. Though my bowhunting buddy filled his tag with a nice 4x4 with a rifle.Dont get me started on "leftover " non resident tags.I'll give them there bowhunters education requirement or bow hunted in another state. My kid took this course guy wasnt even an archer but I've heard others say there class was well taught. Boy I got off subject sorry bow hunt deer only and elk as well do have rifle for yotes when cant get'em in bow range and shotgun for birds though I'm really trying to get agoose down with an arrow this winter.

[apeaston]

I haven't shot a deer with a gun in 8 years. It just isn't the same feeling as having them within 20 yards.

[L-train]

started bow hunting at 14 tried rifle hunting for deer again 6 years ago havent gone back again just started shooting more does with a bow.I wish Idaho would force guys to choose a weapon at start of season we have to many "bow hunters" that dont seem quite as commited as they should be IMO. Dont get one with bow go any weapon season dont get one, go muzzle loader as long as you by archery permit and muzzle loader permit any thing for a dollar. Though my bowhunting buddy filled his tag with a nice 4x4 with a rifle.Dont get me started on "leftover " non resident tags.I'll give them there bowhunters education requirement or bow hunted in another state. My kid took this course guy wasnt even an archer but I've heard others say there class was well taught. Boy I got off subject sorry bow hunt deer only and elk as well do have rifle for yotes when cant get'em in bow range and shotgun for birds though I'm really trying to get agoose down with an arrow this winter.

I shot 2 geese a couple years ago, not outta the air but would decoy em let them land then gobbler guillotine em. The hard part is opening and getting out of the pit at full draw:eek::eek::eek:

[shootstraight]

I shot 2 geese a couple years ago, not outta the air but would decoy em let them land then gobbler guillotine em. The hard part is opening and getting out of the pit at full draw:eek::eek::eek:

I think I could shoot some geese pretty easy, if you want come on over. We'll just sit on the deck and lob arrows at them, they drive me nuts. I'm chasing them out of my pond all the time. When we first moved here it was like, oh how nice we have geese. Then a week later we had about 50 of them and they crap all over the place it was time to take action. :cool:

[L-train]

I think I could shoot some geese pretty easy, if you want come on over. We'll just sit on the deck and lob arrows at them, they drive me nuts. I'm chasing them out of my pond all the time. When we first moved here it was like, oh how nice we have geese. Then a week later we had about 50 of them and they crap all over the place it was time to take action. :cool:

Sounds like all our parks and golf courses. Where we cant hunt, ya go out to a cornfield and you'd think the buggers are endangered.

[shootstraight]

Sounds like all our parks and golf courses. Where we cant hunt, ya go out to a cornfield and you'd think the buggers are endangered.


Yep, I know what your saying. I'm sure if I planned on hunting them they wouldn't land at all.

[Clean Shot]

Only bows for me! I spent some time in the service with the trusty 308 and well....the challenge is not what it used to be. I find 30yds more challenging then 400 meters.:eek:

[Just 1 More]

I have been bow only / trophy only for 11 seasons now

[KDS]

I'll go against the grain and say NOT ME If I still have my buck tag at the opening of gun season either the hvy barrel 12 ga. or the T/C Encore muzzleloader is coming out of the cabinet. Funny thing about guns is I tend not to change them every 2 months, why is this:confused::D

[shootstraight]

I'll go against the grain and say NOT ME If I still have my buck tag at the opening of gun season either the hvy barrel 12 ga. or the T/C Encore muzzleloader is coming out of the cabinet. Funny thing about guns is I tend not to change them every 2 months, why is this:confused::D

I guess you don't spend as much time shooting your guns as you do your bow. That's why I don't change my guns so much. I do have my favorite gun so I am gonna sell several of them because I just don't use them anymore. Gonna keep the shotguns for skeet and a 22 and a 17 hmr for turtles and my 7m08 but that's it, the rest are going. Probably keep the muzzleloader, it's an old knight that I wouldn't get much for anyway. Funny isn't it, muzzleloaders depreciate like bows and don't appreciate like many guns. :confused:

[KDS]

I guess you don't spend as much time shooting your guns as you do your bow. That's why I don't change my guns so much. I do have my favorite gun so I am gonna sell several of them because I just don't use them anymore. Gonna keep the shotguns for skeet and a 22 and a 17 hmr for turtles and my 7m08 but that's it, the rest are going. Probably keep the muzzleloader, it's an old knight that I wouldn't get much for anyway. Funny isn't it, muzzleloaders depreciate like bows and don't appreciate like many guns. :confused:

Very true!!!

[Elkwisperer]

Have lots of guns but haven't hunted with one for over 15 years.(except bird hunting) The challenge wasn't there anymore. I am starting to work on pheasants with a bow now that I have a good pointing dog. I do grouse all the time. Of course I shoot them off the ground. Doesn't seem right to do on pheasants though somehow. Goofy reasoning eh?
I have nothing against guns at all. Just love to shoot everything with a bow.

[TxHunter]

I am a "Bowhunter Only" now. I changed a few years ago. I just can't go back. Don't have anything at all against any hunter but I can't see myself using a rifle again.

[AMMOBOOGER]

I try to bowhunt only, but I got a Remington Sendero 7MM RUM, with the stainless heavy fluted barrel and synthetic stock this year and I love to shoot that gun. Hunted the prairie with it this year and the closest shot was 352 yds. on an antelope. I still think it's fun to shoot long range.

[shootstraight]

I try to bowhunt only, but I got a Remington Sendero 7MM RUM, with the stainless heavy fluted barrel and synthetic stock this year and I love to shoot that gun. Hunted the prairie with it this year and the closest shot was 352 yds. on an antelope. I still think it's fun to shoot long range.

Yeah, if I was in your area I would probably do that as well. Out here in the East we don't have many long shots at all at least where I hunt. It seems that half the deer that I've shot with the rifle over the years I could have shot with the bow.

[2Racks]

I bow hunt year around.

[BAArcher]

I bow hunt year around.

You Texans can do that! Deer and hogs, what else?

[Dave Nowlin]

I still have deer rifles but they don't get shot anymore. Come to think of it I really couldn't tell you when I last shot any of my handguns either. I guess the peace and quiet of a bow becomes addictive after a while.
Dave Nowlin

[Extremist]

I had hand buit a .375 RUM to go to Africa with, and I ended up going with a bow. Once bitten...it's in your blood forever.

[Takeum]

i hadn't shot a gun until i had to pay 300.00 for a license this past year,, after the first day having to pass up on two Big Bucks,, I decided it was time to put the meat in teh freezer first,, .,.. Whacked and stacked a lil 6 point with the new Benelli duckgun about 1 1/2 ago ,, lol,, SO now thats the pain is somewhat eased from paying so much for a license,, I can now go back to what I love most,, Bow Hunting,,, It's just too dang bad I can't just bow hunt there and not worry about paying such a high price for something that oughta be free,,,

[Soumi]

I shot a coyote out of my dining room window this afternoon, with a gun. :D

[shootstraight]

I shot a coyote out of my dining room window this afternoon, with a gun. :D

I did that last winter too, well from my deck anyway. Texas heart shot at about 80 yards