Why do you bow hunt?

[MTbowhunter36]

Thought I’d pose this question as it’s been a conversation piece with some business associates lately (I have bow hunter license plates). For me there’s absolutely nothing like pursuing a bull elk during the rut. Listening/calling/pursuing a bull screaming back at you gets the blood pumping like no other. In fact, I get apprehensive when it comes time to apply for LE tags for other animals (sheep, moose or goat) because I’m so drawn to bow hunting elk. Using stick and string requires more strategy and planning when you’re dealing with all of the factors outside your control.

So why do you hunt with a bow versus a smoke pole or rifle?

 

[littlebuf]

the honest reason i started bow hunting was the better season. that being said and being some time ago now i truly love hunting with a bow above all other weapons. hunting elk with my bow is about as close to paradise as ive ever been.

 

[Crawfish]

Rifle hunting became too easy (I.e. Not at challenging).

 

[jmez]

Rifle hunting just lost all appeal after I had taken a couple animals with the bow. I enjoy the challenge, the longer seasons, and less competition with bow sesaons.

 

[justin davis]

Been bowhunting since I was in middle school. The addiction never has stopped.

I like the challenge, The seasons, and just bows in general. It's cool slinking things with bows!

 

[bohntr]

It's all I've ever known......have literally had a bow in my hand since I was six years old......almost 42 years later, I'm still holding onto it!

 

[Manosteel]

Been hunting my whole life, hunting with a rifle became to easy In my teens and I was always tagging out early. I love spending time in the bush and bow hunting allowed me to do that. The challenge is undeniable. In my early 40's now and while i will still break out the rifle every now and then, bow hunting is still my first and most common choice in weapons. Like others have said, calling elk, and for me moose, into bow range can't be beat!

 

[Highcountry_Hellrazor]

It's not a passion for me. It's an obsession. Shot my first bull when I was 15 with a bow, and was hooked. It literally consumes my every thought. I train different hell I love my life different. I don't wear Mossy Oak haha.

 

[Lukem]

Killed a deer with the bow at 6 yards when I was 14. Killed one with a rifle at 60 the next year and thought "that wasn't any fun". Hooked on the stick and string ever since.

I know this is over used but there's something mystical about the flight of the arrow that grabs my soul. It's an incredible connection between the hunter, the tool and the animal that I can't wrap my head around and it keeps bringing me back.

 

[justinspicher]

It's the challenge for me. Besides, the rifle season here scares me.

 

[realunlucky]

Growing up I always wondered who was crazy enough to spend that kind of money on a bow more than rifle no way. Went to college in saint louis and so the only close hunting was archery so I took the plunge. Can still remember every detail of the first deer I killed guess it was the first time I had truely tuned into nature. I have only gun hunted twice since then and I almost felt like I cheated. The thing I really love/ hate about archery is everything has to be just right to get that shot. Trophy can be 5 yards with no shot because of angle or tree limb or something. Frustrating as hell but rewarding as king for the day when it all works out. Bonus is the weather is typically nicer and longer seasons dates

 

[Bughalli]

Much like others, started with a bow at a young age and later when old enough to gun hunt I found it too easy, less complex, less to learn about game etc. Basically, if I could see it, i could kill it. Wasn't much of a challenge.

....then again, I eat tag soup a lot more often!

 

[Jake Leibke]

I agree with what most everybody has already said.

There is just something about being that close to an animal and it not knowing your there. Also getting to watch the critters doing what they do. Something I never did with a gun in my hand, granted it been awhile since that has happened.

I'm not going to deny it either, I like the hear the sound of my arrow hitting what I'm shooting at. There is no other sound like it.

 

[JWP58]

Weather, less people.

 

[Maxhunter]

I really like the challenge. Also most of the time the weather is better. I feel it's more rewarding harvesting an animal with a bow.

 

[TEmbry]

Because rifle hunting presented little challenge outside of spotting the animal itself. A rifle hunt ends where a bow hunt would be only beginning...

Add to that typically better weather, less hunters in the woods, longer seasons, and the requirement of getting close and I was hooked for life. Haven't big game hunted with a gun since before I had my drivers license, going on 24 now.

 

[5MilesBack]

Most people disagree with me, but I find bowhunting elk to be easier than rifle hunting them. Sure, once you have a shot it's a lot easier to put a bullet in them, but up until the shot bowhunting is much easier for me........and I successfully rifle hunted for some 25 years before bowhunting. Now, I generally don't take the easier route with stuff........but I really like having the elk tell me where they are, and then conversing back and forth with them. That rarely ever happens in the rifle season. But the last bull I killed with a rifle I shot at 20-25 yards, and the whole time I stood there looking at him I was thinking "Man, I should have a bow in my hands instead of this rifle".

I've always shot weapons of some sort since I could walk, from slingshots, to BB guns, to .22's, to bows, to crossbows.......but being LH and 32 1/2" draw, it wasn't very easy to find a bow to fit me when I was younger so I just used a rifle. I also got really tired of the cold and weather in the rifle seasons, waking up at zero dark thirty in subzero temps. I REALLY enjoy hunting the 75 degree days in Sept, and carrying a lightweight bow instead of a heavy scoped rifle these days. Now I apply for everything for during archery season. Can't wait to draw a sheep and/or moose tag.

 

[TEmbry]

Most people disagree with me, but I find bowhunting elk to be easier than rifle hunting them. Sure, once you have a shot it's a lot easier to put a bullet in them, but up until the shot bowhunting is much easier for me........and I successfully rifle hunted for some 25 years before bowhunting. Now, I generally don't take the easier route with stuff........but I really like having the elk tell me where they are, and then conversing back and forth with them. That rarely ever happens in the rifle season. But the last bull I killed with a rifle I shot at 20-25 yards, and the whole time I stood there looking at him I was thinking "Man, I should have a bow in my hands instead of this rifle".

I agree with you somewhat where I prefer the advantages bow season offers me... But lets not kid ourselves. They purposefully stack these advantages for bow season vs rifle season, and the success rates are still substantially lower. Much longer season, during peak rut, and STILL less successful? Because it is harder.

 

[boom]

Because rifle hunting presented little challenge outside of spotting the animal itself. A rifle hunt ends where a bow hunt would be only beginning...

Add to that typically better weather, less hunters in the woods, longer seasons, and the requirement of getting close and I was hooked for life. Haven't big game hunted with a gun since before I had my drivers license, going on 24 now.

^^this saved me some typing.

if i had a rifle, i would be 100% on couse deer. i see them ALL the time. getting next to one with my bow is a damn near impossibility. i'm like a vegetarian at this point.

 

[Sooner]

Because it's what all of the cool kids do....

I've hunting with a bow since I was six years old. Been hooked ever since! Thats almost 23 years of hunting with a bow and don't see myself changing in the next 23.