Are you a new convert or have you always been one?

[skeeter 20i]

My sons and I are talking about switching to archery for the longer hunting seasons and the different opportunities that it provides.  I thought it would be interesting to see why others have switched or if a majority of people have always been Archery hunters.

Thanks,
Jason

[Redbeard]

Switched a few years ago.  Longer seasons and the ability to shoot all the time in my yard

[ELKBURGER]

When I started hunting I knew I wanted to bowhunt. I knew how hard it would be and loved the idea of the challenge. I first needed to gain some hunting knowledge from coworkers whom were rifle hunters so my first couple years were rifle but then I broke loose and gained a step brother who taught me some archery skills. My first year bowhunting was 94' and I haven't missed an archery elk season since! I have been rifle hunting for deer the last 10 years or so but wouldn't give up bowhunting elk for anything!

[Russ McDonald]

I have been an archery hunter but my first I lived here I did the modern season and after that I said never again.  It will be slinging arrows but I will use a front stuffer too if I choose.

[Special T]

I did it to get away from other hunters. I see more deer near peoples homes and it seems easier to get permission. I think i would have also checked the longer seasons option. I have not taken a week to go hunting in state for some time. there are more weekends, and afternoon huntas available earlier in the season.

[bowguy]

Always have been an archery hunter never have tried another weapon. My dad is one also. Love the thrill of having to get close and being able to hunt different weather conditions early to late season. Not to knock it but I don't see the challenge in shooting something 200+ yds away.

[skeeter 20i]

My oldest finally had the "encounter" this last year while scouting for rifle elk.  A decent herd bull walked by him w/in bow range, he still talks about hearing it breath etc. etc.  When I told him he could have shot it if we had been bow hunting, I think he made up his mind he was switching.

The youngest hasn't seemed to "inspired" to switch yet.

[vandeman17]

I grew up rifle hunting and converted to bow hunting about 8 years ago. I made the choice because I wanted to hunt elk in the rut and I also liked the idea of longer seasons and being able to shoot whenever and wherever I wanted. I continued to rifle hunt for deer for a few years so that I could still hunt with my dad but I finally got him to give archery hunting a try and after his first elk hunt in Oregon this September I don't see him going back. 

[Buckmark]

It would take too long to type why i hunt with a bow, but i also enjoy rifle and hopefully soon muzzy hunting.
*
You and your sons should just put in for multiseason deer tags, that way you get the best of both worlds...

[splitshot]

I have done them all and now back to muzzy deer and rifle elk.  the reason I went rifle elk is the permits don't help the muzzy hunter at all.  if they would combine muzzy with modern it would be good.   mike w

[skeeter 20i]

You and your sons should just put in for multiseason deer tags, that way you get the best of both worlds...

Buckmark I would love to be able to hunt multiple weapons but that's and additional $546 for the three of us  .  Unfortunately not in the cards right now, sickens me how much it costs to do things in the outdoors now,  I would work a 3rd job to keep doing it.  Time in the outdoors w/ the family is priceless I couldn't imagine not doing it. 

That being said does anyone know which end of a bow the arrow is supposed to come out? JK LOL

We've got a lot to learn/buy before next year but we'll be there!

[vandeman17]

You and your sons should just put in for multiseason deer tags, that way you get the best of both worlds...

Buckmark I would love to be able to hunt multiple weapons but that's and additional $546 for the three of us  .  Unfortunately not in the cards right now, sickens me how much it costs to do things in the outdoors now,  I would work a 3rd job to keep doing it.  Time in the outdoors w/ the family is priceless I couldn't imagine not doing it. 

That being said does anyone know which end of a bow the arrow is supposed to come out? JK LOL

We've got a lot to learn/buy before next year but we'll be there!

I am a self taught bowhunter, after reading a bunch and watching videos of course, but if you are looking to learn how to shoot I would be happy to try and help out as many others on here would too. I hunt up in Colville late season and shoot year around. Its really fun and is nice to start because you have tons of options, depending on your living situation, of when you can shoot. I love being able to just go in my back yard and shoot whenever I want.

[wrongway]

you left off one choice on the topic. I switched when the department of fish and game or should I say the game department back in the day made us pick what weapon we wanted to use. I think this was back in 1983. before that we were able to use both rifle and archery in two diffrent seasons if we still had a valid elk tag. it would cost us $3.00 to get the archery endorsement. so in some ways I was forced to just to archery and have never looked back way to much fun.

[JamesK.]

I shot my first deer at age 10 with my bow and just grew up shooting archery. As mentioned above being able to practice at home is definitely a nice thing. I do hunt with a rifle from time to time on some draw hunts but I go on those hunts more for the opportunity to spend time with family and friends I don't get to see on a regular basis. The longer seasons are a benefit to me because my work schedule isn't always the next come hunting season so I can always squeeze in some hunting time.


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[RadSav]

The vast majority of hunters who chose to try archery do it for the increased opportunities to shoot does and cows.    The other reasons are used afterwards to support their decision.  While that was a big reason when I started it was also a case that I was the youngest of three boys.  So I was the last one allowed out of the truck and the last to have an opportunity.  Choosing archery eliminated my competition amongst the family members.  Then after my first archery kill I was hooked for life!

[BOWHUNTER45]

I was born with a bow in my hand  Seriously though being from PA and growing up on some of the best farm land known to man we always were bowhunters in our family ...I started out with a little 25 lb fiber glass bow and wooden arrows ... I would hunt chipmunks and squirrels when I was still in diapers  I was seriously deadly with that bow and then the rest was history from there ...Nothing better than being an avid bowhunter ....Takes patients -skill and woodsmenship to become Robinhood 

[lokidog]

I rifle/shotgun hunted my first two years at 12 and 13.  At 14, I got a bow.  Luckily, where I grew up, I could hunt during archery (mid Sep. to Dec. 30) AND during the "rifle" season for deer and shoot more than one.

I have only rifle hunted one year in WA for elk, the rest of the time I hunt (when I can) for them is with a bow.  I chose to archery hunt for elk when I first came west (OR) because of the longer seasons and getting to hunt during the rut.

[Bofire]

  Hunted all three  ways, killed deer and elk with Bow. Now just hunt modern rifle. Like it best.
Carl

[7mmfan]

I have hunted both archery and rifle. Hunted strictly archery for 5 or 6 years and now hunt archery deer and rifle elk but have thought about switching those two and doing rifle deer and archery elk next year...? I like to blend the two so that I can have the opportunity to hunt something from September 1 - December 31 without buying the multiseason tag.

For those that say they don't see the challenge in shooting an animal at 200 yards, then DON'T. I have shot one animal in WA with a rifle that was further than 50 yards. I killed my elk this year with my 7 mag at no more than 30 yards. The more I hunt, the more I appreciate the fact that when I squeeze the trigger on an animal at 50 yards, they aren't going anywhere but down right there.

Getting away from hunters isn't on my radar either because there are very few where I go, and many of those spots are within an hour of my house. Don't have to go far to get deep   

[GregE]

I started shooting bows in the early 1950s but rifle hunted with family and friends until 1975 when i got my first two deer with a bow.  I haven't hunted big game with a rifle since.

[timmyjake]

I have rifle hunted, but hunting with a bow is much more fun to me. And you can shoot your bow many thousands of time during the year. After about ten shots with a big game rifle like a 7 mag, your shoulder starts to get sore! 

[Wanttohuntmore]

Do all three, or four if you include pistols...  I archery elk hunt to get away from the pumpkins....  I still like using rifles though.  Took my deer with a pistol this year.  Still need to get an elk to keep my streak going!  Getting nervous about that though!

[PolarBear]

I shot competitively both long range rifle and pistol for many years.  Modern deer hunting got boring and not much of a challenge especially in open country so I switched to archery and was much happier.  I HAD to hunt deer with my rifle in 2007 when I had major back surgery and hated every minute of it.  I wound up putting away my rifle and picking up my shotgun.  There is no better feeling than killing a buck or bull that is close enough to look into it's eyes.  My favorite modern firearm kill of all time was the 3 point blacktail that I belly crawled over 200 yards through salal and waist deep grass to get him with one shot form my old side by side Stevens 12 gauge at 20 feet.

[RadSav]

I started shooting bows in the early 1950s but rifle hunted with family and friends until 1975 when i got my first two deer with a bow.  I haven't hunted big game with a rifle since.

Wow.  And I feel like the old fart around here with all the locals calling me "Old School".  I'm a young punk in comparison

[carpsniperg2]

I started because of the challenge but also had friends hunting archery. I am 26 but have been shooting a bow of some kind since I could walk.

[KFhunter]

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[mjgentile]

As my dad put it "I don't like going out there with the drunken Orange Army"

[coxral]

Got my 1st bow, 5# Fg-LB, at age 5. Used to make our own outta vine maple, string, and twigs for arrows and leaves for vanes. Been shoot'n bows most of my life. Prefer Traditional, have hunted with Compounds a couple times. Rifle hunted the early years with Dad, Mom, and Brothers.

[scotsman]

The last time I hunted with a rifle was in Vietnam Nam. There are too many reasons to explain why I bowhunt.... Build my own bows and arrows.... Hunting not just killing... Opening day is QUIET in the woods.... Although I hunt purely traditional I happily share my camp with any ethical hunter regardless of what their weapon preference is...

[buckbuck]

Anyone can shoot an animal with a gun. Takes a true hunter to take one with a bow..... scent control, shooting range.... IMHO..just say'n.

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[Jonathan_S]

Am I new convert or have I always been a convert?  How can you always have been a convert?   

I switched for longer opportunities.   

[daradke]

I switched for longer season and less people out there. Besides I'm a redhead and orange doesn't look good on me 

[bankwalker]

I've been a archery hunter since day 1. But I switch back and forth between archery and modern firearm deer hunting. Depending on if I have a new rifle or bow that year, who my hunting buddy is that year, or where I decide my hunting grounds will be.

Im Always a archery elk hunter though. Tried modern once and it just wasn't my cup of tea.

[The scout]

archery hunted till they shortend the seasons,virtually taking them out of the rut,now i just hunt deer here and go out of state for deer and elk

[GregE]

STay young at heart as long as you can Rad.  My new knee works great-  fused back not so much.

[BABackcountryBwhntr]

Told my dad I wanted to hunt when I was 11, he said " your going to bowhunt then as rifle hunting is not hunting" his words lol.. he bought me a boy and I killed my first deer at 12 on my first day hunting, been obsessed ever since... I have killed 4 deer and a elk with a rifle and it def is not the same.... I even have a bowhunter sleeve on my left arm.

[BlacktailBowhunter]

I started rifle hunting at 18 in 1988, but I had no idea what I was doing and just drove around hoping a deer would show itself.

In 1990 at 20 I followed the advice of a hunting article and called in a toe head with a grunt tube and fawn bleat. I was shaking so bad I shot the buck in the front leg joint and he started screaming. It was blood curteling and not a good experience. I had happend to pick up a Martin Tiger bow a couple of months earlier from a garage sale and after the broken leg incident, I decided to switch to archer and never looked back.

I did hunt 1 season with a rifle in 2003 when i had no time to practice archery that year.

I also rifle hunt Bear in Oregon, and Antelope with in Wyoming.

It will make you a better hunter and force you to learn how to use the wind, terrain, slow down movement, stand hunt, blind hunt, and overall you need a lot of patience.