Switch to archery?

[BigTines]

Ok guys I need your input.

Long time hunter, hunted rifle only for the last 20 years.

Just recently I have considered switching to archery for deer and elk. Has anybody else made the switch? Are you happy you did? Pros and cons of each?

Just looking for some input and thoughts? Goal is to get an animal on the ground and wondering if adding archery hunting to my skills would increase my odds of success.

[JimmyHoffa]

I know of one camp that switched a couple years ago from westside rifle to eastside archery.  They seem happy.  The westside area was getting smaller and smaller and more crowded due to the permits and fewer and fewer legal bulls seen.  The eastside they can target cows and spikes where they go.  Said they get a lot more shot opportunities even with the equipment limitations of bow vs rifle. 

[Duckgtr]

DONT DO IT ITS ADDICTING.

Ive only done archery for elk (this will be my second season for elk period.) I use to do a lot of archery huntin for deer in California simply because I saw more animals. But then I could also just get a tag for a zone and I could do archery and rifle. Here in WA I've done rifle (second year) next year I will be doing archery for deer as well just because meat is more important to me than a rack. If I tag during one season then I can try to get something bigger for the other season since ill have meat.

[lamrith]

DONT DO IT ITS ADDICTING.

^^^
Heh.  I have not hunted modern and been trying archery now 3yrs.  It is a challenge for sure, but quite a bit of fun.  At this time of the season you are too late to be trying it this year, imho.  Takes a good bit of practice with the bow to be proficient and able to hunt ethically.  Just like with a rifle, you need to be comfortable and confident with the weapon.  You might be able to get dialed in for late season deer though.  You should know the "kill zone" size of your prey and be able to keep your shots easily inside of that as a guideline for how far you should shoot at game from ethically.

Archery is going to be even more of a challenge to get an animal down than rifle just due to the limited range.  You will get a wide range of answers but most archery hunters probably limit to 40yrd as a max distance shot.  Others shoot much farther, some shoot shorter.  Have to keep in mind an arrow is much slower than a bullet, and game can move faster than people realize.  Watch your weekend hunting shows on TV and you will see time and again a whitetail drop 6" in the times it take an arrow to fly 30yrds to the animal.  Bow you also do not have any opportunity to rest your weapon on anything to steady the shot, It's all you making the shot!

Don't let any of that discourage you though, Archery is quite a bit of fun.  If I have the choice I will stick archery.  I enjoy it as I am able to shoot right in my backyard every evening after work.  We also tend to get better seasons than other weapon formats, some places you get heart of the rut, so you can call your prey in.  For deer in WA there is also a early and late season and many units allow harvest of does during archery.

[BigTines]

Thanks for the responses guys! Keep em coming!

I don't plan on hunting this year using archery as like others have mentioned, it will take me awhile to get spooled up. I was planning on starting next year.

How has people's success differed from rifle?

As others have mentioned its trickier with a bow but seasons often allow shooting cows or does.

[vandeman17]

Though more "frustrating" at times, archery hunting is a lot of fun. One major benefit of the switch is the longer seasons as well as being able to hunt both ruts, at least over here on the Eastside. If you are strictly looking to fill your freezer that is a tough call. On one hand, archery opens up a lot of doe and cow options but the actual final harvest is tougher so it's kind of a coin flip. I mainly archery hunt after growing up with rifle hunting. I enjoy both and still do both depending on plans and goals for the year. I say you go to a bow shop, shoot some bows, get some tips/lessons and start shooting the bow you buy for a while. Only way to really know if you will like it is to get out there and give it the old college try.   

[GregE]

I don't plan on hunting this year using archery as like others have mentioned, it will take me awhile to get spooled up. I was planning on starting next year.

Thank you for knowing you'll need time to gain the skills and confidence to only take killing shot opportunities.  I've been bowhunting  53 years and work at getting ready each year.

Keep 'em straight and quiet refers to my arrow flight

[rtspring]

I did 3 years ago.  Achery is very frustrating but worth every failure once you find success...   

You have to understand failure happens alot in archery!!!  But it is up close and personal.   I love it... 

[h2ofowlr]

I switched to archery about 15 years ago.  Lots of blown opportunities, but well worth it.

[solomtnhunter]

You will spend more money and time on archery.   Not to mention statically you are twice as likely not to get any meat in the freezer.... think success rate was 10-12% archery vs 20-24% rifle.   Also if you aren't already in good physical shape you'll need to be.  It aint easy sneaking up to 20-30yrds for a shot.  I hunt the eastside and personally even out there i think archery is getting rather crowded.  A lot of guys out in the woods.  Now i'm not to try to discourage you... And like someone else said above.  You'll have less success overall, but will appreciate it much more for the times when you do. 

[csaaphill]

I like archery you do get way more chances at decent deer too. I do like the modern season though for my own personal reasons but either one.

[djnoodle]

The real question is will you be willing to give your personal life up? Lol. It is so addicting and fun it's hard to think about anything else. If you have a wife or gf, you may need to give them your wallet for safe keeping.

Seriously, I wish I had switched to archery 10 years ago.


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[usmc74]

Eons ago, when we had to first choose a weapon, I went with archery.  I figured I'm always close to cow elk, why not?  I have tried to shoot a cow elk, but I kept on getting bulls.  There is NOTHING like calling a bull into range, and then sealing the deal.

On the other hand, my best buck is a 2X3 muley.  Frustrating.....I have seen MONSTERS during archery season, but too far, too close, wrong wind, they saw me first.  I've had every excuse.

Now that My shoulders are having issues shooting a bow, I have moved to Muzzy.  It's like a long range bow, but the seasons are shorter.