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Should I Skip Rifle Season?

Hunter260

Hunter260

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2019
Messages
1,585
Location
Ash Flat, AR
I LOVE bowhunting. I’m pretty apathetic about rifle hunting. Shooting something at 200 yards just doesn’t give me the fuzz quite the same as being full draw 15 yards from one. That being said, I like killin deer and a gun is about the most efficient way to do it.

I’ve got a big buck found and he’s in a spot that is only open to bowhunting. It’s not like a guaranteed I’ll kill him, I just know he’s in the area (and may get killed by a gun hunter on the private across the fence).

Do you think I’ll regret taking the bow out on gun opener tomorrow? Or should I just gun hunt somewhere else and try to relocate this buck if I’m unsuccessful??
 
Which will you regret more, not killing a deer on day 1 or not killing him(specifically with a bow)?

And how long is season/how many more opportunities? Seems like you could alternate, bow one day, gun the next. I don't out much stock in a single day, but then again I'm newbie and bow only regardless of weapon season.
 
For most of us, hunting is a passion-project, not a necessary food-procurement method. If that's true for you, hunt the way you're most passionate, which seems to be bow hunting. I do that all the time during the ML and rifle seasons here in Tennessee. Sure, it stings when a big one walks by at 100 yards without coming closer, but that challenge is a big part of what makes bow hunting so much fun to me, so it's worth it.
 
I’d do what makes your heart race the most. For me it’s bow hunting. I’m like you, I don’t get the warm fuzzies shooting a deer at 200. I’d rather be close enough to see it’s eyelashes when they blink. I will shoot a doe with the rifle but that’s strictly business.
 
If you need another deer in your freezer carry the gun. If you don't, carry the bow.

My family eats 4-5 deer a year. If I have that many in the freezer I'll carry my recurve in rifle and/or muzzleloader season. If I don't, I'll take the rifle out to make sure the freezer is full. I had what would probably be my biggest deer get by me last year in Muzzleloader season while I had my recurve in my hand. He would have been dead if I had my muzzleloader. Personally, I don't regret it at all.
 
I feel the same. I probably will take my mz out for opening day of gun,but other than that I think I will tote the bow. We do have a long season here in NY and if I get real desperate for freezer meat I will take the mz for a walk. It does almost seem like cheating shooting one from 100 yds out after going after them with a bow for a month or two.
I don't depend on the meat but I usually don't buy any at the store. 3 deer is perfect for me. The world won't end if I don't get three or even if I get none. Well,one small one is in the freezer already.
 
As others have mentioned, which is more important to you, the deer or the experience?

This was my first year archery hunting and got one on my 3rd weekend. After that, I was hooked on the bow. I've only ever gun hunted in the past which honestly were more like a harvest than a hunt. I did bring my gun up this year and got deer #2 but the experience was "meh" as it was again just a harvest.

For next year, I think my plan is to stick with arrows. I'm tempted to get a crossbow for gun season but if I get one during archery, I may stick with the bow throughout.
 
I've shot deer with a gun in bow range before. Didn't mean I would necessarily have killed it with a bow. I haven't had a lot of success with my bow. It's hard to pass up the chance for some meat with a firearm. I have a new rifle I want to try on a deer but I've considered going strictly archery. Most of us don't strictly live off of venison. So I'd choose whichever makes it a better experience for you
 
I have been bow hunting during gun Season for many years. I usually can take a deer with a bow, so meat isn’t usually the motivating factor. I’m more passionate about bow hunting and we all know the thrill you get when a mature whitetail is within 30 yards.
 
You can bow hunt during gun in bow zones just ha e to use a rifle tag on most cases
 
There really is no right or wrong answer here,whatever floats your boat. I know a bow during gun season here in upstate NY will be a serious challenge as the deer get just a little spooky after opening weekend. But there is private land and some state parks that only allow bow hunting.
 
Hunter260 said:
I LOVE bowhunting. I’m pretty apathetic about rifle hunting. Shooting something at 200 yards just doesn’t give me the fuzz quite the same as being full draw 15 yards from one. That being said, I like killin deer and a gun is about the most efficient way to do it.

I’ve got a big buck found and he’s in a spot that is only open to bowhunting. It’s not like a guaranteed I’ll kill him, I just know he’s in the area (and may get killed by a gun hunter on the private across the fence).

Do you think I’ll regret taking the bow out on gun opener tomorrow? Or should I just gun hunt somewhere else and try to relocate this buck if I’m unsuccessful??
Click to expand...
I use to do it all the time. Haven't gone out for gun season since 2006 with a gun. In fact I just pulled my 300 Savage out and shot it a few times the other day. If that's what you like to do then do it . Just because you use a gun doesn't guarantee anything. I would go with the bow but that's me.
 
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