Best beginner archery hunts for learning

[terrytheluddite]

I made a contract with myself that if I was successful for three seasons in a row with the rifle then it was okay to take a crack with a bow. I just picked up my second freezer last night. Looks like we're bow hunting next year. Might as well make this harder.

I'm curious on opinions from bow hunters on what option makes the most sense for learning in general. I've only hunted solo in CO and usually in the backcountry for elk. I'm happy partnering but chances are it's going to be a lot more solo. I'm not chasing odds as much as progression.

Should I...
-Use a couple deer points and target high alpine muleys (looks like a lot of fun but a PITA). Could go deeper since there's less packing.
-Target more of a juniper/sage unit for muleys
-Go elk again. Use the OTC opportunities since I'll be at zero points and building again. Try to get decent with calling in one year. Don't go more than a few miles in.
-Go elk with a draw unit instead
-Maybe just try to be a caller apprentice on others hunts?
-Pronghorn seems like a bad idea
-Go OTC archery but put my tikka t3 in the bow instead of an arrow and hope the warden doesn't mind the details

 

[cb2176]

Do any and all of the above. Every time out, whether a success or failure... you learn from it and get better. Just get out.

 

[180ls1]

Texas or similar for pigs and whitetail does. Or any other high opportunity species/area where you can get lots of reps in.

I'd also pull the trigger on any and all of those options, the more you can get out the better.

 

[Dakota Dude]

I'd say just dive in. Archery elk is by far the most fun of those you listed. Shoot a couple of grouse along the way. Archery is much more about preparation and practice than what species you are hunting. As long as you get a bow and start practicing consistantly you can target whatever species you want. The biggest thing is learning and getting used to your bow, understanding tuning/broadheads/arrows, and getting consistent with your form/shots. After practicing all year you'll know what your max distance you are comfortable with and use your judgment to make responsible shots.

You can learn just about everything you need to know on here or ArcheryTalk.

 

[jolemons]

Antelope is all day action with potential for multiple stalk opportunities throughout day. If I had to pick one, that would be it. OTC elk, you may not see a bull. Muleys, you could hunt all week with one opportunity. Limited entry elk, we'll, I'd suggest learning to call and hunt elk first.

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

 

[wyogoat]

Texas or similar for pigs and whitetail does. Or any other high opportunity species/area where you can get lots of reps in.

I'd also pull the trigger on any and all of those options, the more you can get out the better.

This is what I’d recommend also and depending on your financial situation, Africa is the best way to get a lot of trigger time. Realistically you could get several opportunities a day and you don’t have to shoot expensive stuff. Impala aren’t crazy expensive.
Find a state with unlimited doe tags and go stack a bunch of those.

 

[bpeay4]

archery mule deer vs archery elk is apples and oranges. each species requires different skills and tactics to get close enough for a shot. Maybe pick one species you want to be efficient at bow hunting and start there

 

[terrytheluddite]

Appreciate the responses.

I'm hearing a mixture of 'choose one and hunt' and to go for opportunity species. The antelope suggestion was unexpected. I just looked up the dates and odds of success and that is actually a way more attractive option than I realized.

I was having a beer with a good buddy of mine yesterday. To add another factor his wedding is September 19th out of state. How inconsiderate LOL. With the rut so late it's not optimal. But since pronghorn and elk archery are both over the counter, I think I'm going to hunt bucks only pronghorn and elk as many extended weekends as I can. That's mid august to the end of September which is a lot more hunting than I usually get. That should keep the elk progression continuous and introduce a new species. Deer can wait, it's not worth the points.

Not sure how much the girlfriend is going to like that haha.

 

[Blockcaver]

Elk were usually an easier bowhunt than mule deer, and better eating once you pack them out, haha. I Arrowed over 30 CO elk and has a freezer full those years. Probably only a dozen mule deer there, and probably that many whitetails.

I’d start with elk but try them all! Antelope in a blind can be easy. So can young mule deer.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

You can get years of experience in a week of antelope hunting. High country mule deer isn’t a beginners hunt.

 

[BackcountryIdaho]

Pick up a bow this fall and get after rabbits and grouse, then turkeys in the spring. You will have a lot of fun, and learn a lot about handling a bow in real world conditions

 

[CMF]

I'd say just dive in. Archery elk is by far the most fun of those you listed. Shoot a couple of grouse along the way. Archery is much more about preparation and practice than what species you are hunting. As long as you get a bow and start practicing consistantly you can target whatever species you want. The biggest thing is learning and getting used to your bow, understanding tuning/broadheads/arrows, and getting consistent with your form/shots. After practicing all year you'll know what your max distance you are comfortable with and use your judgment to make responsible shots.

You can learn just about everything you need to know on here or ArcheryTalk.

+1


Being a resident, I would think there are some decent 2nd choice deer tags you could choose to get some experience while saving the points. I guess it depends on the area you want to hunt. For the resident cost, I'd definitely have a deer tag in pocket while chasing elk. Bear too.

Like mentioned, go shoot some rabbit, squirrels, grouse, etc.