If you could only pick one method

[Blueticker1]

There is a thread a little bit below this one about what hunt doesn't interest you, I cant add to that one, but it got me thinking. If you could only pick one method to take wild game, which one would you pick? I'm not just talking ungulates, pretty much anything.
Mine would be trapping, it is the method that for me takes the most intimate knowledge of your quarry in my eyes. I'm not bashing on any others by no means, I am pretty much for all of it as long as it is legal and respectful to others, the quarry, etc.

 

[WannabeHunter]

I've never experienced killing an animal quite like doing it from within 30 yds with a bow. It's just closer and more intimate. Wild animals all of shapes and sizes rely on not letting predators get close. When I'm within spitting distance of any quarry, I personally feel like I've already won.

I still take game with rifle, but I get more personal satisfaction from the bow.

Never done real trapping, but from your post, I might have look into it.

 

[elkguide]

That is really a conundrum. I guess for me it would come down to what species that I was hunting. For example, at this point in my hunting career, I have no desire to hunt turkeys with a shotgun. With a bow, OK but not the adrenaline rush it once was. A bugling elk is awesome so that means with a bow. I love spot and stalk hunting for mulies and that is more conducive to a rifle for me. And for my hometown favorite whitetails, just have to go with the muzzleloader season. Still love to hear the late night sweet baying of a coonhound (Bluetick of course!) and for that I love my 10/22's.

So bottom line..... to each their own but even if we don't like another's choice of weapon, we are all hunters and if we are doing it ethically and in a true sportsman-like manner go for it and have fun.
We're all in this together!

 

[wildwilderness]

I wish I was good enough to use a Trad bow for everything! Even birds on the wing!!

 

[Billy Goat]

I could bowhunt and that be it.

I trap, I still prefer bowhunting over trapping. I only target problem animals tho for livestock depredation. They are similar processes, need to find exactly where animals/species are moving, however with archery you are a part of it and there while it is happening. That's why I prefer it.

I do muzzleloader and rifle hunt as well, but really prefer to bowhunt.

I do really enjoy both waterfowl and upland hunting, but if it came to only one thing it would be with a bow.

 

[NCSU_Lewis]

I think if I had to choose, I'd have to learn to shoot ducks with a bow. Everything else would make it worth it! I tried swan with a bow a few years ago. Landing left to right I could never catch up to them.

 

[4rcgoat]

I'll take my chances with my bow.

 

[Blueticker1]

I've never experienced killing an animal quite like doing it from within 30 yds with a bow. It's just closer and more intimate. Wild animals all of shapes and sizes rely on not letting predators get close. When I'm within spitting distance of any quarry, I personally feel like I've already won.

I still take game with rifle, but I get more personal satisfaction from the bow.

Never done real trapping, but from your post, I might have look into it.

It is definitely one of the most "intimate" methods to take game for sure, not so much the kill, but the "I out smarted something that does this for a living" type of deal.

 

[Blueticker1]

Elk guide, a good open mouthed hound sure does come in a close 2nd

 

[Kenn]

As a kid I loved trapping. Few things excited me more than approaching a set and seeing that something had disturbed the area and was undoubtedly crouched behind a bush. However, as an adult it just seems cruel and I can't do it anymore.

 

[pk_]

I love small, 2-4 man, well planned and executed drives for mature bucks with firearm.

Edit: I truly enjoy still hunting/spot and stalk with bow more. But if I had to choose one way it would be the small drives with firearm because of the effectiveness and shared experience with friends/family.

 

[Blueticker1]

As a kid I loved trapping. Few things excited me more than approaching a set and seeing that something had disturbed the area and was undoubtedly crouched behind a bush. However, as an adult it just seems cruel and I can't do it anymore.

I still don't understand the cruel part of it to each his own, there are a few animals that I purposely avoid that I'm partial to, (won't kill them with anything if avoidable) oddly enough I'm not crazy about shooting or calling coyotes, but when that trap chain jingles at a coyote set I'm back to 6 years old waiting for Christmas morning.

 

[Blueticker1]

I love small, 2-4 man, well planned and executed drives for mature bucks with firearm.

Edit: I truly enjoy still hunting/spot and stalk with bow more. But if I had to choose one way it would be the small drives with firearm because of the effectiveness and shared experience with friends/family.

I've not hunted that way before but maybe someday I'll give it a shot

 

[Tick]

I like filling the freezer so I'd have to pick rifle if I absolutely had to choose.

Tough to pick only one. Gone through times in my life where I only used a bow, then back to rifle, and even only fished for a short time. Started trapping a few years ago and really enjoy that challenge. Thankful we have the options to choose from.

 

[Maverick1]

Easy choice.....for me......archery.....compound bow.....

 

[Blueticker1]

I like filling the freezer so I'd have to pick rifle if I absolutely had to choose.

Tough to pick only one. Gone through times in my life where I only used a bow, then back to rifle, and even only fished for a short time. Started trapping a few years ago and really enjoy that challenge. Thankful we have the options to choose from.

I feel the same I'm awful glad we don't have to pick just one.

 

[MattyWight]

I'd choose rifle hunting. Hunting with the long bow is by far my favorite way to hunt, but I'm not proficient enough yet to feed that family with the bow. With the rifle we are never short of meat.

 

[Kenn]

I still don't understand the cruel part of it to each his own, there are a few animals that I purposely avoid that I'm partial to, (won't kill them with anything if avoidable) oddly enough I'm not crazy about shooting or calling coyotes, but when that trap chain jingles at a coyote set I'm back to 6 years old waiting for Christmas morning.

You mean you don't understand why the suffering would bother anyone?

 

[Poser]

I suppose if it were one weapon, I’d go shotgun as it affords the most opportunity. I could bird hunt, small game hunt, and use slugs for big game.

 

[Blueticker1]

You mean you don't understand why the suffering would bother anyone?

No that is not what I mean, I have been trapping a long time and I've not yet seen an animal suffering. I've seen animals starve to death, die of mange, die fighting over territory, etc. But not suffering in a trap.