Buck Magnet

Well guys, GMMAT's post about people posting photos of deer killed with guns got me thinking as some people mentioned that they believe in theory that killing a deer with a gun is easier (and not as much of an accomplishment) as killing a deer with a bow. I started thinking back over the past 12 seasons that I have hunted and I honest to God feel that it is much easier to kill a buck with a bow than with a rifle. Now I am sure that I am going to hear it about the range that a rifle will shoot compared to a bow, but the increased amount of hunting pressure negates that. I started thinking about last archery season, and how I passed up dozens of bucks on multiple occasions that would have been "slam dunk" shots. I started thinking of how it was almost easy to get set-up in an area that would allow me to have deer within shooting range every single hunt. Then I started thinking of the past rifle seasons that I have hunted, and how the "orange army" hits the woods and deer instantly go onto alert and because mostly nocturnal. The constant pressure from ten times as many hunters mixed with the lack of scent control and stealth contribute to this, not to mention the endless deer drives. Unless you have a large property that is off limits to other hunters and you have a great winter food source to attract the deer, I don't honestly see how (at least in my area) rifle hunting is easier than archery hunting. Now, add into that the fact that rut is usually in between archery season and rifle season, and the peak of pre-rut is during the latter part of archery season and things really get interesting. Just and observation of mine and I was wondering what others who have hunted both with guns and bows thought about it. Sure, the bow will limit your shooting range, but I would like to hear you opinions based more upon the effects of rifle hunters and the decreased deer movement associated with that.

Rob/PA Bowyer

Buck, but your talking PA hunting and I'd agree with you that we get 6 weeks to do it with a bow, that's because of the difficulty level. Imagine 6 weeks of rifle season..OMG.

loganw

It is definately easier to track using a bow. And yes, there is a LOT less hunting pressure during archery season.

Cougar Mag

Less hunting pressure yes, but a possible shot every time out? No way, not in my neck of the woods. Take the average amount of time most put into bowhunting in order to shoot an animal and it would be monumental in comparison to firearm hunting. Why do you think many past firearm deer hunters take up bowhunting and give up gun deer season? Because of the challenge.

Buck Magnet

Rob, I was thinking of that after the post, but I also wonder just how much would the deer adapt to the hunting pressure if our rifle season was extended to that length. Hunting where we do definetly plays into it and I am sure it is different throughout the country, but here in PA, it seems as though it is easier to get your opportunity at filling a tag with your bow than with your rifle. I know rifle hunters here in PA that go 5-10 years without shooting a buck where as I also know of guys hunting the same property that fill their tags pretty much every year with their bows.

One thing for sure, I would be scared to see our rifle season extended [:-]

Buck Magnet

Cougar, I agree, the actual shooting of the deer may be more challenging with a bow when compared to a rifle, but around here, it is more difficult to get that shot opportunity with your rifle than it is with your bow.

aldo88

I hunt public land and by the time gun season comes around there have been so many other seasons that the mature buck are so far back in the boondocks it would take days to drag them out....lol Usually the deer arent spooked in archery either. So it is alot easier to shoot a deer at 20 yards standing still than it is shooting a running deer at 100 yards. But with that being said, I think archery is more of a challenge because you actually have to "hunt" for your trophy. In gun season alot of times it is luck. Deer are running frantic, they dont follow trails and just go anywhere. I have almost gotten to the point where, I just wanna archery hunt and not gun hunt...........I said almost.

ahunter55

I have never purchased a gun tag in my 51 years of Bowhunting Deer but take my hat off to those that are successful in their sport-no matter what. I "KNOW" 4 very close friends that Gun & Bow hunt Deer. "ALL" of them have at least a couple very respectable BUCKs with their guns. They "ALL" have Bucks with their bows also-JUST NOT AS BIG as the gun ones.
Many things enter into this-what state you hunt in, public or private land & the pressure each receive.
I have several respectable animals with my bow BUT feel, if I had ever gun hunted would have a few more that would possibly be bigger than any I have. Good Luck in what ever weapon you choose.

cooter144

Hmmm....

A friend of mine has a few hundered acres of very good hunting land and has been able to shoota respectable buck (usually in the 115-130 inch range) every year with rifle for as long as I can remember.

He started bowhunting five years ago and has NOT been able to connect on his first buck yet going with the same standards that he uses for rifle and he puts in more time bowhunting than he does rifle hunting.

TJF

I've shot bigger bucks with bow then most of rifle ( only )hunters I know and havehunted with. I've shotbigger bucks with rifle then they have also though.

Killing any buck with bow orrifle is easy if you are not picky. You have a 4 month Bow Season and a 2.5 week General Season. Drive hunting is still the main method for the General Season. It is tough to see a big buck during that2.5 week season with all the chaos. Try and find a spot that hasn't been pressured hard by drive hunters is a lost cause. You will see a lot a bucks butrarely the big boys during that 2.5 weeks.

My top 3 bucks find the 1st and 3rd biggest as bow kills.

Tyler's top buck is a bow buck.

We've been bowhunting with the General Deer Season going on now. It sucks !! Deer aren't moving and I am getting tired of being pin down by slob road hunters or illegal hunters who drive off the roads. Off course they wait till 45 minutes right before dark when the deer should be starting to move to drive up on a big hill a half mile from the nearest road. Tomorrow is the last day thank GOD!!!!

Bowhunting is easier by a long shot. The deer aren't pressured from it. Not near the number of slobs although there are a few also who bow hunt.

Tim