Bow only hunters?

[petew]

Who here only hunts with a bow?
Nothing wrong with guns but I made the change to bows a few years ago and now I only hunt with Trad bows and was wondering how many other 's have hung up the guns for good.

[Kirby]

Well, I picked my rifle up once during deer season, walked for a couple hours, and locked it back up. However I shoot coyotes all winter with my rifle, so I said both. Realistically I am bow only for large game. I love my rifles, but I love my bow more. :-P

Kirby

[Dillershortbow]

I am leaning more towards the bow never even took my rifle out of the gun cabnet but ido like shooting my flintlock and my sharps.

[newfiejim]

i put trad and coumpound becuse i use my trad for small game coumpound is for big game dont even own a gun berly know how to shoot a
gun

[Mikey]

I havent pulled the trigger on my rifle in years now .... that being said ... I usally do take it camping when I am with my wife and Kid and I think there are bears or cats in the area .... Mostly for a noise maker but also for the just in case factor as well ......I have harvested all critters that I shot over the last 2 years with my Compound bow.

[GRANDSLAM]

I hunt with the Bow for first few months, I see Bow hunting as a BONUS! for the big game season. If I don't get anything with the Bow!, then I pull out the rifle come November.

[Taxman]

I'm a rifle and bow hunter. As long as my buddy wants to get together for a rifle hunt in Northern Ontairo, I'm in. When those days end (and I hope they never do) then I'd probably become a bowhunter as I can't use a rifle in the area I live in.

Mike

[Grunter]

The last two seasons I've only hunted with a bow and absolutely loved it! Before that it was a mixed bag of gun and bow for a few years and before that only gun... funny thing this year was that on the last day I had a chance to get out I grabbed the gun 'just in case' and left the bow at home... 2.5 hours later I realized I left my gun lock key at home!

THAT'S WHY I SHOOT WITH A BOW:lol:

I just need to get me one of them there bowkaddy doohickees and I'll never look back at my gun for big game hunting unless I make it up to the yukon... I'm not planning to tango with a yukon griz without my rifle!

[Arliss McNalley]

I just need to get me one of them there bowkaddy doohickees and I'll never look back at my gun for big game hunting unless I make it up to the yukon... I'm not planning to tango with a yukon griz without my rifle!

Grunter - I know where you can get a deal on one of them doohickees!

FYI - I'll be at the Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton Sportsman Shows if anyone's interested in taking a closer look. Stop by the booth and say hello!

[Wapiti]

I hunt with the Bow for first few months for the big game season. If I don't get anything with the Bow!, then I pull out the rifle come November.

[Don2005]

I would hunt all big game with my bow ,but this year at deer hunting it was slow only seen 2 deer in a week shot one at 812' so I'm happy I brought my rifle as backup the rut was over and the deer were almost non existant. Shot the other one cause my partner drove it towards me in a clearcut and I shot it at 325' we shot a total of 3 deer in one week between 4 guys. So as you can see it was slow.If I just had my bow I wouldn't be eating deer this winter. ;)

[shifter]

I hunted with bow only, recurve from the early 70's to late 80's then started hunting with an Onieda Eagle bow because of my shoulders, up to the early 90's, I have had my challenges and fun hunting full time with a bow for over 20 years, I am a lot older now and hunt with my rifle and bow depending on the area I am hunting and how I feel.

[othmar]

I hunt with all weapons what ever is in season. Never saw any reason why I should limit my chances to go hunting by subscribing only to one hunting style.
Having said that I have a special fondness for archery, but not because I think that it is more traditional or even more ethical, because it s not. What I like about is the special challenge, the need to get close to the game close.

[crazy_davey]

I hunt with all weapons what ever is in season. Never saw any reason why I should limit my chances to go hunting by subscribing only to one hunting style.
Having said that I have a special fondness for archery, but not because I think that it is more traditional or even more ethical, because it s not. What I like about is the special challenge, the need to get close to the game close.

Well put :cheers:

[othmar]

crazy_davey - I always believed that it is more important to fight for all our rights to hunt with what ever weapon we choose and is legal, than to engage in the useless discussions about which hunting weapon or style is more sportsmans like or ethical.

I might do not like some hunting styles or weapons but I will stand up for that persons right to hunt the way he/she sees fit. Helping to defend others will in the end benefit the preservation of my hunting rights too.

[greybark]

8-) 14years with Compound only and 12 more years with Traditional bows only .

REMEMBER -- Keep Your Fingertab On --

[scott_r]

I will hunt this year first time with a bow but really enjoy hunting with muzzleloader and my 270 wsm. All are different and all are enjoyable in my books. :razz:

Cheers!!

[Young Buck]

i only use my compund.. but never hurts to pull out the old .22 off season for those unwanted pest

Young Buck

[Huntsman]

I prefer compound bow and black powder(both in-line and trad. or sidelocks) hunting tools.

[Bow Walker]

I made a conscious decision to take up bow hunting about 5 years ago - haven't packed a gun since and don't regret it.

Although I have several rifles and a few shotguns and a few more .22's in the closet I mainly take them out for some plinking or target shooting at the range.

I love my bow.....

[Gumby]

I like muzzleloading too much and to a lesser extent rifle hunting too. Bow for elk is the only way to go. Nothing like a bull at 30 yards screaming his head off!!!! Only 6 more weeks!!!

[map101ca]

I haven't hunted yet but am totally enthused about starting this year. I have a major thing against guns and can't see the day one is in my hand, so I'm compound only.

[trenh]

I said both, however, I am going to try and keep it locked up this season... And may be consulting petew regarding Trad Bows..

Looks like they would be a good time, another expensive excursion but hey... Money is to spend right?

Good Poll pete!

[petew]

Any time you want to be rescued from that DARK SIDE give me a shout.
LOL

Trad is a lot of fun and not to expensive. No sights stabs rests etc to keep you broke. just a spare string and off you go. It does take a lot of practice, but that is what shooting is all about.

Pete

[Badger]

Had to say bow and gun.
I've an old .50 cal muzzel loader that I blew the dust out of and took to Camp Wainwright.
This is a hunt with old friends, the only time we ever seem to all get together anymore.
The first two deer I shot, both bucks were under 20 yards, what a waste of bone.
I left the antlers with the CWD heads, some other hunters found that unusual, I would wager they don't bowhunt.

[jimhenderson]

Pretty much bow for everything this year, with the exception of the trapline stuff cuzz I think if I had to dispatch a martin with a Rage 2 Blade that would be way too much sewing for Vickie!:laugh:

[stevem63]

I hunt with my compound bow only because I sold all my rifles over 20 years ago, when the kids were born. That said I have nothing against rifles, my hunting partner hunts with both. Now that the kids are grown I may buy a defender shotgun for protection while Grizz hunting with my bow. ( If I get my draw this year)

[mooseman]

i shoot Primary compound cow, but i use guns for duck hunting and in the case of unfortunate luck of not getting a animal in bow season, which barely ever happens:)

[bearhunter09]

I would have to say I hunt mostly with my bow. Since I got my first bow 4 years ago I don't pick up a rifle much anymore. I love the thrill of having the animal that close. Anyone can shoot a rifle but it takes time and patients with a bow!:)

[Bchunter]

I hunt with a bow and a gun. Absolutely love hunting with either one. This year I'm going to try to bowhunt more, if not all season.

[Northern Archer]

Compound and recurve only for me, unless I am tracking a wounded bear for one of my hunters then it is a 12 gauge with SSGs:stop_nono

[othmar]

after one year hiatus from bowhunting I decided that this year will be strictly bowhunting with my compound bow, traditional bow and crossbow.

[Johnny Bow]

Used to hunt rifle ,,,, haven't touched it for over 5 years now. Only with a compound bow now. Only 14 more sleeps.

[Buck Rogers]

As it stands ive taken 2 deer with a rifle, both before i was thirteen. After that has all been archery kills. I think since them ive only killed one grouse with a .22. i liek guns theyre fun, but i would much rather hunt, shoot, and challenge myself with my bow. im 20 now and since then ive taken another 8 deer with my bow and love it.

[TurboTDI]

Yep. Got rid of the guns back in the late 90's. Haven't looked back since.

I did the handgun/rifle shooting thing in the 80's and got bored of it, especially the handgun shooting.

I got out of it because of the climate we live in, and I don't mean the weather. It's the political situation. I live in a rural area north of Toronto for the past ten years. Owning a police scanner I know of three cases where residence here gun shots (September-October) and call police. It only turned out to be hunters in all three cases. Never had a problem in the past gun hunting but it seems nowadays people are on edge.

That's what I like about bow hunting. The seasons are longer and most of all it's a silent sport.

[shane&karie]

i really don't like to hunt with my gun only if i need to get some meat bad i take out a gun it seems like cheating to me. i love my bow hunting you can't beat a bow hunt. no way no how the rush is like no other.

[howy]

Hunted with a gun for the last 20 years just finished my first season of bow only. I probably wont sell my guns but they wont see much use again. I only wish i had done it years ago. I never thought a white tail that scores about 100 inches would get my blood pumping.

[ladyhunts]

I've been bow hunting for deer every year now for the past 5 and love it, went moose hunting last year for the first with my bow, sorry to say never even seen one last season, first time with a bow for moose, this year going to take it to wmu21A and try my luck, anyone know good places to go up there? someone said camp road 81 is good ...with lots of cuts, cant wait to get my first with my bow,

[Reinyrooster]

It's bow only for me.

[The Hermit]

Mostly hunt with a longbow. Moose is a rifle hunt cause for me it is about increasing my odds of getting a year's meat on the ground, love moose camp but its pretty focused on success.

I'll be deer hunting with a Limbsaver bow this deer season.

[mvarley84]

I just love to hunt...if its rifle season, I break out the rifle...muzzle loader season, I take the ML...and so on. For bow season, I almost exclusively use my PSE Coyote...I love recurves, by far the most rewarding form of archery there is. I do drag out the x-bow for those late season last ditch attempts to fill a tag when it is -15 and miserable...lol

[Bedded Buck]

I am a traditional hunter only. It's never frustrating to not get something, when you get close to the animals

[traditionalkev]

Had to answer both but really should have stayed with trad. Deffinatly not against compounds but nothing like taking down a 1000lb moose with a stick and string at 14 yards.

keep your arrows flyin staight boys dont matter what they're comin out of...

[Rainwater]

Killed Elk and Deer with the Chekmate...and occasionally hunt geese with the old 10guage...that's it for gun hunting. I simply love the early and late Bowonly we get in BC...not long enough and out of the rut but it's still a quiet time to be in the woods.

[Pietila]

i hunt all my big game with my bow.. but still have fun shooting coyotes with the .243!!

[Stumpslayer]

I have been hunting with a bow for about 10 years now, and that was due to a move from a zone where rifle hunting started in September to a zone where rifle was only 30 days and started in November. Really its not just the hunt its the time and quiet solitude of being in the bush, get out of the house and clear your mind of the daily grind.
I started with an old York that was a loaner, then over time bought a new bow which I have to say is a real step up, the newer compounds are amazing. Shoot at 3-D shoots summer and winter. I find myself leaving the gun locked in the cabinet longer every year and see myself becoming less interested in rifle hunting.
Adrenaline is the best drug ever! Getting in close is the biggest rush there is, doesn't matter if its a whitetail, elk or bear, couple that with good friends a couple of close encounters, the odd lucky break where I can capitalize and harvest an animal and I'm a very happy guy.

[albertabowhunter]

I am assuming your refering to hunting big game.....

If your including Migratory, then yes, i use a gun too

[Bowhunter_1982]

I love my bow too much to cheat on her with a gun. Only during goose season but don't tell her.lol

[gterpsma]

I shoot compound with fingers so I seem to be the rarest duck among us!! Bowhunting is the only way for me. I've watched monster elk and deer walk away from just out of bow range, when rifle was open, and had no regrets. The adrenaline rush when it comes together is my addiction. It is definitely worth the wait.

[jcrayford2001]

I love my bow too much to cheat on her with a gun. Only during goose season but don't tell her.lol

Now that's funny.....

I quit rifle hunting back in '90 because of a last day's effort to knock down a deer.... Picked up a bow 6 years later and haven't looked back....

The really good news is that my love for bowhunting brought me back into rifle hunting in time to spend a couple more seasons with my Dad before he passed, and now I get to spend some time with my 13 yr old son who's getting into it as well. He only rifle hunted last year, but wants to go out with the bow this year as well Woo Hoo!!!! :super_hap

J.

[Rainwater]

Gterpsma, I saw that same adrenaline in my boys eyes but that was after that deer you shot ran between their tree stands...they thought they were gonna get a chance at that buck until they realized it was leaking. We'll keep that on the DLow.....hey it's only 4 months and 10 days till bow season. Good Luck this season..

[gterpsma]

Ha Ha, ya I knew he was going that way, kept expecting to hear a crossbow go off when I was on the trail!!
Maybe we'll see you guys in there in December, if I don't get one before!:)

[Boneman]

I hunt with both. My first love is the bow but all of my hunting buddies are riflemen. If I give up the rifles I give up the hunt camp cause I'm not that good of a cook!

[Redneck Hunter 619]

This will be my first season using a bow to hunt with and then I will continue on with rifle season in november.

[nait hadya]

i have hunted with bow,rifle,muzzleloader,shotgun,crossbow. usually i pick up the rifle as the seasons progress, although this year i may hunt more with the bow especially during the cougar season.

[Dracon_84]

rifle, bow, long bow mostly, and ive tried to hunt witha sling shot..... no luck tho LOL

[sask bowhunter]

ANY tipes you have on praticeing with a bow for couger I'll be going dec2012 in alberta fist time

[The Hermit]

Nothing much to cougar hunting with the bow for cougar... chase the dogs and when they tree the cat, shoot it! Best ip is to get your butt in shape for chasing dogs around the mountains all day!