Why hunt with rifle rather than muzzy or archery?

[et1702]

I like all three, but prefer archery!  Started hunting 38 years ago; 2 years w/rifle, two years w/muzzy, and then mostly archery ever since.  When my son was old enough, I did pick up rifle again and took him and Bro-in-law out during rifle seasons for a few years.  But, mostly just played guide to get their animals.  Been hunting exclusively w/bow again for past 10 to 12 years.  So far, never had to use more than one arrow to take numerous elk, deer, bears, etc.  So, as others have said, practice and proficiency are critical w/archery gear.  Plus, only ETHICAL shots should be taken.  Let'em walk otherwise. 

[kerrdog]

Muzzleloader for me.  My neighbor got me into elk hunting and he hunts muzzleloader because of the crowds during modern rifle.

This will be my third year Elk hunting on the West side.  (I took one year out to hunt modern rifle moose in AK. No, I didn't get one. )

Muzzleloader is much more challenging than I would have expected.  Finding the proper load and sighting-in has been a never ending process for me.  But I think I'm getting close with my new rifle.

[BOWHUNTER45]

I enjoy all of it but bowhunting is my main thing ..Growing up back east we could hunt with anything we wanted too ..there was no picking tags ...just hunt and kill ! I had a lot of fun muzzleloader hunting when I was a kid but it was all flintlock ..just a ball hunting with a flintlock when it rains and is snowing and is below zero  I remember one deer when I was around 19 ...I was walking the edge of a field looking into some crab apple trees and there lays a 3 pt whitetail ..he thinks I do not see him so he just lays there ..I ease up on a fence post and cock the hammer .I lay the sights on him thinking your dead bud and CLICK  AGAIN CLICK He then jumps up and takes off ... It was snowing and cold ... I then turn around and aim at a fence post and CLICK BOOOOOOM  That one sticks with me forever 

[ghosthunter]

Well I got into muzzy elk about 6 years ago. Because the cow tag draws were good and it is just before modern deer.

So muzzy for elk and modern fo deer. Just do not have the time for a bow.

[Bigdaddy]

For me its about where you live, and where I live muzzle loader is the best season, 6 days early, and 15 days late, on the west side where I hunt it's also pretty thick so there is no need for long range shooting.  I grow up rifle hunting, but have been hunting elk with my muzzle loader for 10 or better years, I still hunt deer with my rifle on the East side, I must say, there is something about hunting with my rifle that I do really enjoy.
Bought a used bow last year, and have been getting into it to see if it's for me, jury still out.

[huntnnw]

I will never in my life apply for a modern firearm permit in WA   Outta state yup..I have draw 2 quality hunts in 3 years in ID...WA sucks

[jennyfell55]

I hunt rifle because I already own a rifle. I'd love to try archery, and someday I'll have the cash to get the muzzleloader I want. Isaac Haines style .54 cal flintlock rifle 

Very similar to this one

[kerrdog]

For me its about where you live, and where I live muzzle loader is the best season, 6 days early, and 15 days late, on the west side where I hunt it's also pretty thick so there is no need for long range shooting.  I grow up rifle hunting, but have been hunting elk with my muzzle loader for 10 or better years, I still hunt deer with my rifle on the East side, I must say, there is something about hunting with my rifle that I do really enjoy.
Bought a used bow last year, and have been getting into it to see if it's for me, jury still out.

 

Sounds like I might see you up in Ryderwood, the in Coweeman if Ryderwood don't work out.

[snowpack]

I think for some it must be because they just can't wait any longer.  I do rifle and have 4 months to go from today.  If muzzy opened up a few more units I'd be on it like hobo on a hotdog.

[Easy-E]

Time is a huge factor. Back in the day (before wife, kids, and career) I could afford the additional time it took to hunt archery; and I had a lot of success. Then the kiddo's came along and a great job that moved me an hour away from my stomping grounds, and now I simply cannot afford the time off or time away to consider anything but rifle hunting. I typically only get one long weekend for deer and take a week off for elk. My harvest success is still better than most, and the rifle hunts offer the best opportunity in a short amount of time.

And I think rifle hunts are the best bang for the buck (sorry, I couldn't resist).

[BOWHUNTER45]

One thing that is throwing me off on some of the comments is where you guys keep saying you do not have enough time to bow hunt    How many days can you hunt with a rifle compared to a bow ? You months to plan for a bowhunt and weeks to hunt with a rifle ...no brainer for me 

[huntnnw]

 

[Don Fischer]

I have always been a meat hunter. If Davy Crockett had a choice between his flintlock and a 30-06 which do you think he'd choose? How about an Indian in say 1830. Would you think he'd rather his bow to the same 30-06? The center fire rifle even a 30-30 will give more killing ability at greater distance's and quicker follow up shots. Bow's and flintlocks/caplocks were not weapons of choice. What they were were the best thing at the time. In those days they hunted for food, not sport. Those of you that do hunt with a bow, how many use the compound type as apposed to the long bow or even re-curve? How many muzzle loader hunter's choose the flint lock over the cap lock? Tell you anything?

When I hunted, I did not choose a weapon because of it's greater experience needed to master. I did not hunt to see how small a bullet I could kill an animal with and I did not choose a single shot to limit my shots and make the first one count. I think the best of hunter's use bows and i suspect the best of those use re-curve or long bow's. They limit the practical range of the weapon. Probably the muzzles loader hunter require's more skill also as you do only get one shot and it take's to long to load the second shot. People hunting for food because they really need the food will give themselves every advantage, that is centerfire rifles.

[coachcw]

For the most part I see rifle hunters as campers with a gun looking for a reason to get away from the wife ! (lol). the true hunters that rifle hunt just haven't bow hunted yet . Once you get the bow bug it's tough to kick and if you take the archery methods into rifle camp you will become a pretty successful gun hunter. In all reality it doesn't matter what you choose I will gladly pick up any weapon if it means I get to spend time hunting I kinda figure my self as an equal opportunity Killer . There's just something about a bugling bull elk coming into bow range that puts the archery hook in hard .

[huntnnw]

  I hunt outta state with any weapon to fill voids between hunts