Making the choice: Rifle vs Archery

[banded_drake]

When planning a hunt for the following year, what factors affected or ultimately decided for you which weapon you would use for your elk hunt? I consider myself proficient in both, but having never been on an elk hunt, I'm torn as to which to try for on the draws for Colorado and New Mexico. I know its a long ways out for next season, I get that, but later next month we will be doing our annual vacation picks for next year, and I'd like to be able to commit to a time frame for the guaranteed time off. Would just like to hear from others what your deciding factors were.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

 

[def90]

I pick archery simply because the season lasts an entire month vs rifle season is one week. I’m a business owner and It’s hard for me to take more than a day or two off in a row at a time, having a whole month allows me to get in more days.

 

[couesaddict13]

Archery typically boasts more hunting opportunities and higher draw odds. To me that is enough to roll the dice with archery equipment.

 

[justinspicher]

I used to be an archery guy, but after moving to Colorado I switched to a rifle. Less people, no cattle and its not as hot.

 

[trophyhill]

Myself? If we are talking a draw tag or A tag in CO, archery all the way. Not above buying an otc B tag with a rifle designation. All other draw apps are archery. Although I have my eye on an X-Bolt rifle for possible future rifle hunts as I do possess a UW LO cow rifle tag in December. What prompted me to look at the X-Bolt? I was looking for a Ruger M77 7Rem Mag and unbeknownst to me, they don’t make it anymore and the used ones I’ve found have doubled in price. Now I wish I’d of kept the one I had when I started Bowhunting.

 

[cuerro viejo]

NM should be your first option, shoot for the fence in a premium rifle, ML or, archery. Unit. CO can be your back up. CO has a tag turn program so you can get a refund if you draw in NM.

 

[Dust Rider]

If one wants to be successful, one must be proficient in all forms of legal means of harvesting any and all species. I kill more horned animals with bow, second is shotgun, third is rifle.

 

[Next Ridge]

I wouldn’t over think it. Choose which one you enjoy more. That said, weather is “generally” warmer in archery season. Rifle is more forgiving in terms of shot opportunity. Definitely apply for draw unit in NM. CO OTC is always there. My last but if advice, whichever you choose, focus more on elk biology than weapon proficiency or impacts while preparing.

 

[banded_drake]

I wouldn’t over think it. Choose which one you enjoy more. That said, weather is “generally” warmer in archery season. Rifle is more forgiving in terms of shot opportunity. Definitely apply for draw unit in NM. CO OTC is always there. My last but if advice, whichever you choose, focus more on elk biology than weapon proficiency or impacts while preparing.

I'll definitely be putting in for the New Mexico draw, that would be my first choice in state to hunt in being from Texas. I'll put in for Colorado as well, if nothing else but to build points. As a first time elk hunter, I know my chances of success with a bow are not the best, but to be able to get that close to one and experience it I feel would be enough in itself to completely hook me in the archery scene

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

 

[Scoot]

This is easy for me-- hunt elk with whatever weapon gives you the best chance to chase screaming bulls. At least for me, elk hunting is all about bugling bulls. If I want to chase animals that aren't vocal, I can go after deer anytime. However, it's way more fun to chase after critters I can interact verbally with, so I love to chase rutting elk. I'm an archery guy anyway, but the weapon doesn't matter much- it's the season/time of year that matters for elk and hunting them when I can call them in and chase after their screams is what it's all about.

Someone will mention that elk bugle all year long and that they can be called in during seasons outside of the archery season. That's definitely true, but without a doubt the peak of rut tends to be during the archery season in most states.

 

[SBAHunts]

do BOTH and extend your hunting season

 

[5MilesBack]

As a first time elk hunter, I know my chances of success with a bow are not the best, but to be able to get that close to one and experience it I feel would be enough in itself to completely hook me in the archery scene

I hear this all the time, but from my experience I get on a heck of a lot more elk during archery season than I ever did during rifle seasons. I've had shot opportunities (taken or not) every archery season since I started bowhunting some 15 years ago. I can't say that about rifle season, although I was still pretty successful during rifle. Did that for 25 years. But my goodness.......they tell you where they're at during archery season, that's a huge advantage. The other kicker is.......no waking up with a sheet of ice covering my sleeping bag anymore. Man, I hate the cold. Nothing like those warm September days in the high country. I'll be out there every year with or without an elk tag.

 

[banded_drake]

do BOTH and extend your hunting season

Haven't thrown this idea out either

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

 

[wytx]

Yep, come to Wyoming and hunt both seasons on your tag.

 

[AaronMColeman]

Archery for me for sure. Once they stop talking it becomes a grind to find them. I couldn’t get it done during archery season. Now I’m trusting through the snow trying to find the hidden elk who won’t talk and won’t come out of the timber.

 

[Gman12]

I'm with Scoot. I want to hunt in September during the rut.

 

[Dos Perros]

Elk are meant to be hunted when they're bugling.

 

[GunsAreFun]

We were torn between this for the 2020 season (OTC Colorado). Some things that tipped the scales to archery for us were:
1. Longer season
2. Less people (comparing OTC rifle to OTC archery)
3. Less chance of something like a big snow storm causing all kinds of trouble
4. Better chance at catching peak rut (didn’t quite work out)

That said, I’m not sure what I will do next time. As you know, archery hunting is just way more difficult. We could have gone 3 for 3 with rifles or even muzzle loaders (grantees the elk might have not been in the same area in Oct...though we found them pretty low). Honestly, I’d probably do some sort of firearm next time, but I’m also not a hard core bow hunter either.

 

[Doc Holliday]

If I am doing it myself, or if I have a full freezer, archery.

If I am paying a guide/spending alot of money, or if I have an empty freezer, rifle.

 

[banded_drake]

We were torn between this for the 2020 season (OTC Colorado). Some things that tipped the scales to archery for us were:
1. Longer season
2. Less people (comparing OTC rifle to OTC archery)
3. Less chance of something like a big snow storm causing all kinds of trouble
4. Better chance at catching peak rut (didn’t quite work out)

That said, I’m not sure what I will do next time. As you know, archery hunting is just way more difficult. We could have gone 3 for 3 with rifles or even muzzle loaders (grantees the elk might have not been in the same area in Oct...though we found them pretty low). Honestly, I’d probably do some sort of firearm next time, but I’m also not a hard core bow hunter either.

When you went this year, how were the crowds during Archery? Not that this would make my decision for me, I'm sure I'll have to deal with people no matter what, just curious is all.

Some good points made here, I didn't think about the rifle season being short. And hearing some of the input, I feel like archery could have better odds at producing weather patterns that could be a little easier on someone who is on their first trip. I don't have to kill something to have a good trip, its all part of the game, but I would at least like the best chance at seeing elk

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk