Switching from Rifle to Bow

[Bobdog99]

I've been hunting the modern firearm in Washington for a little while, and I'm getting really tired of the short season (only got in 3 weekends last year with general season and high buck), and tired of worrying about every yahoo with a gun out in the woods at the same time (seriously seems like everyone and they're brother is out there). So i was looking through the regs today and I found myself starting to glance at archery regs, seems like a better and better idea to me to make the switch. My only problem is I don't really wanna go out and buy a bunch of new stuff as my budget is pretty much shoestring level, what is the bare minimum I would need to go out and have a good chance at a deer or elk during archery? Also I realize that I am probably romanticizing archery a bit, are there any drawbacks I'm missing?, besides the obvious range reduction. I'm not really worried about learning the shooting skill as i still have a few months and I can practice target shooting in my yard unlike rifle. Really appreciate your input, thanks in advance 

[northwesthunter84]

As far as budget goes there are many bows used and new under $400 set up to get you started. Work to be proficient at 40 yards. I would recommend a 50-60 pound bow, especially if you have not shot bows alot as it will make practice easier and build confidence faster. If you already hunt you probably have most of the other equipment you need. Only difference is early season is warmer and drier than rifle usually. Land closures can be a problem.  As far as drawbacks, other than range, I can't think of any.

[Buckmark]

Look at success rates for the GMU's you want to hunt, bet you find that archery success is about the same as rifle so the odds of you filling a tag wont change much.
Stick to rifle and become a better hunter 

[Bobdog99]

Buckmark thanks for your 2 cents, I am definitely working on becoming a better hunter and I do still have a ways to go, the problem I'm having though is that i don't have enough days to hunt with rifle. I am not under the impression archery is easier i just think i would have a better chance with more days to hunt, do you think this thinking is mislead?

[Magnum_Willys]

You will see or hear more game during bow season.  That can be more rewarding regardless of limited increase in odds of harvest.

[Buckmark]

Buckmark thanks for your 2 cents, I am definitely working on becoming a better hunter and I do still have a ways to go, the problem I'm having though is that i don't have enough days to hunt with rifle. I am not under the impression archery is easier i just think i would have a better chance with more days to hunt, do you think this thinking is mislead?

Yes
There are lots a days to rifle hunt deer, elk not as much but archery is a whole different skill set as far as hunting is concerned.
Try it out and you may like it but may or may not be more successful in filling a tag, it can take alot longer to learn how to tag out with archery gear than with a rifle. Shooting a deer 200yrds away is easy, getting into a deer at 40yds or less is alot more difficult
Archery can actually take more days to fill a tag than rifle.

There are some good deals in the classifieds for some good used bows that would get you archery hunting this year.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,212502.0.html

This is a good starter setup and vandeman is a good guy  , bought a used bow from him a few years ago for my nephew and it is still going good.
You dont need the latest and greatest

[Stein]

Try another state.  If all you want to do is hunt and have a shot at something, you can hunt for longer than you have vacation for in WY for antelope, deer or elk every year.

[JimmyHoffa]

The range limitations aren't as pronounced on the westside as they are east.  One issue is that the early season for archery falls before the first real rains arrive, so the streams are quiet and leaves are crunchy.

[Cab]

Bobdog99 I first want to say that there is nothing wrong with looking at options to get you in the woods more. I was in the exact same boat, I hated having very little time for firearm season and archery season really helped. Bowhunting has made 10X the gun hunter I was, when your forced to get close it makes you look at the woods different.

Now to your question,"what is the bare minimum I would need to go out and have a good chance at a deer or elk during archery?" Well you need a bow, arrows, quiver, sight, rest, target, a release and a stabilizer(generally speaking). Buying all this new would cost you at least $900-$1200. BUT lucky for you there is a much easier and cheaper option......buying used. Bows don't keep their value well which means you can get a great bow for less then $400 that might have cost $800 just 3-4 years ago. Often times you can buy complete set ups cutting your cost way down and if you know people that are into bow hunting you can even get some of this stuff for free(or cheap)! the hard part is knowing what to look for. A bow I always recommend is a PSE Stinger3g I bought mine all set up for $250(only been shot 4 times) and that was legit EVERYTHING. Has a ton of adjustability to it and is a great bow to learn on. The big thing your going to run into is learning to tune your bow.....it is a lot harder then most think. Tuning and becoming proficient with a bow takes a good amount of time. Make sure you're willing to put in the time and really want to take on the struggles of being a bowhunter. If not (which is totally fine every schedule is different) i would suggest maybe black powder instead as it would might be cheaper and easier for you to learn.

You asked for major drawbacks:
1. Lots of moving parts to tune. Rest, arrows, sight, cams, broadhead tuning even your release all have to be adjusted and tuned to you. If one of these things is off your shooting will suffer horribly. it can be incredibly frustrating when you are first starting out.
2. losing arrows....HUGE DRAWBACK. I know bullets can be expensive but not even close to losing arrows. My arrows with run about $15-17 buck PER and add in broadheads and missing can become costly. Lighted nocks really helped me find arrows but again add cost.
3.WIND, I know wind effects bullets but boy does it really mess with arrows. I will hunt bad weather all the time but if there is a really strong wind you have to either find valleys with less or limit your distance even more.
4. Finding a moment to draw, it can be very difficult and even if you do get to full draw holding it waiting for an animal to take a few steps can be rough.
5. The Biggest drawback BY FAR is that you will be completely addicted to it because it is insanely fun and challenging 

If you have any questions or want to chat more about it PM me. I also have some bow stuff I would be happy to give you for next to nothing. Hope that helps and shoot straight!

[mikelonsford]

I switched more than 10 years ago and have never looked back.  Archery hunting is very fun, challenging and rewarding.  I believe it has helped my hunting skills immensely, but some of them may have improved along the way anyway.  So long as you have a bow, quiver and arrows you are good to go with your other hunting gear, there are many other things that will improve your chances of success though.  Most mentioned above.  The main thing is get proficient with your bow and your set up.  When I started out I went to a website called huntersfriend . com and it was very informative and helpful on the bow and arrow end.  I read the book Bugling Elk by Dwight Schuh and went on my way.  I mainly Sept elk hunt and Nov deer hunt.  The seasons are not any longer for those than for rifle.  You can deer hunt for all of Sept, but I haven't take that up to this point.  You can late season elk hunt for 2-3 weeks also in certain units, again I've only done that a couple times.  The most fun you'll have is chasing elk in September when they are rolling up to the rut, deer hunting in late November watching all the bucks chasing does and fighting with each other is another kick in the pants, but I haven't been too successful in slaying the deer with my bow.  I tend to hunt more open places on the east side for deer and being within 40 yds is tough in the snow, but I've had a Great time seeing big numbers of deer, big deer and all kinds of activity.  Elk hunting I do on the west side so I can chase after big bulls every year, but I'm just as happy with a cow.  That is a good thing also is more opportunity on animals even if the seasons are about the same length, there are fewer sex and antler restrictions in general, but you need to make sure of your chosen GMU's rules.

Besides getting good with a bow, try your hand at elk calling and get good at that, it will make your elk hunting in Sept a Blast!  Not necessarily a requirement but if you have a knack for it, it can help immensely.

Only drawbacks I have seen are witnessing and hearing about animals that got hit but were only wounded, or worse yet, likely killed but not found (I've been fortunate enough to harvest all the animals I have launched an arrow at, knock on wood!).  That will suck for everyone involved, so again, get good with your bow and be as sure as you can be about a proper shot and under the right conditions.  It can happen to anyone, but happens less if everyone respects the game they are chasing.

Good Luck!  Have FUN!
Mike

[Squidward]

Bare minimum, two sticks and a string   . Get ya a long bow and go kill one. I'm chasing that one myself. Good Luck in what ever you decide.

[Cab]

Bare minimum, two sticks and a string   . Get ya a long bow and go kill one. I'm chasing that one myself. Good Luck in what ever you decide.

This is why I went from compound to traditional. so many less factors and so much more fun. less about the bow more about the indian.

[Squidward]

Bare minimum, two sticks and a string   . Get ya a long bow and go kill one. I'm chasing that one myself. Good Luck in what ever you decide.

This is why I went from compound to traditional. so many less factors and so much more fun. less about the bow more about the indian.

I hung up my smoke pole for deer and I'm having a ton of fun, making my own and hunting with it. I'm all about the indian 

[Jburke]

Bobdog99 I first want to say that there is nothing wrong with looking at options to get you in the woods more. I was in the exact same boat, I hated having very little time for firearm season and archery season really helped. Bowhunting has made 10X the gun hunter I was, when your forced to get close it makes you look at the woods different.

Now to your question,"what is the bare minimum I would need to go out and have a good chance at a deer or elk during archery?" Well you need a bow, arrows, quiver, sight, rest, target, a release and a stabilizer(generally speaking). Buying all this new would cost you at least $900-$1200. BUT lucky for you there is a much easier and cheaper option......buying used. Bows don't keep their value well which means you can get a great bow for less then $400 that might have cost $800 just 3-4 years ago. Often times you can buy complete set ups cutting your cost way down and if you know people that are into bow hunting you can even get some of this stuff for free(or cheap)! the hard part is knowing what to look for. A bow I always recommend is a PSE Stinger3g I bought mine all set up for $250(only been shot 4 times) and that was legit EVERYTHING. Has a ton of adjustability to it and is a great bow to learn on. The big thing your going to run into is learning to tune your bow.....it is a lot harder then most think. Tuning and becoming proficient with a bow takes a good amount of time. Make sure you're willing to put in the time and really want to take on the struggles of being a bowhunter. If not (which is totally fine every schedule is different) i would suggest maybe black powder instead as it would might be cheaper and easier for you to learn.

You asked for major drawbacks:
1. Lots of moving parts to tune. Rest, arrows, sight, cams, broadhead tuning even your release all have to be adjusted and tuned to you. If one of these things is off your shooting will suffer horribly. it can be incredibly frustrating when you are first starting out.
2. losing arrows....HUGE DRAWBACK. I know bullets can be expensive but not even close to losing arrows. My arrows with run about $15-17 buck PER and add in broadheads and missing can become costly. Lighted nocks really helped me find arrows but again add cost.
3.WIND, I know wind effects bullets but boy does it really mess with arrows. I will hunt bad weather all the time but if there is a really strong wind you have to either find valleys with less or limit your distance even more.
4. Finding a moment to draw, it can be very difficult and even if you do get to full draw holding it waiting for an animal to take a few steps can be rough.
5. The Biggest drawback BY FAR is that you will be completely addicted to it because it is insanely fun and challenging 

If you have any questions or want to chat more about it PM me. I also have some bow stuff I would be happy to give you for next to nothing. Hope that helps and shoot straight!

Some good info, however you can get started for way less than $900.  Buy a ready to shoot package and be done with it, especially as a beginner. Get into it for as cheap as you can, that way if you decide it's not for you you're not out so much cash.  The Diamond Infinite Edge is a great bow for a beginner and can be found for less than $400 new at times. 

[CamanoArcher4-2016]

i purchased the PSE Gobbler after shooting a few bows at cabelas. it came ready to shoot with a quiver, sight, and whisker biscuit. I use the cabelas stalker arrows.

the bow cost be about 475 after tax and the arrows are 5-6 bucks a piece from cabelas.

i like the bow a lot and am happy with how it shoots.

i would recommend this setup to anyone new to archery. When i get my kids and wife into archery ill get them either a bear archery or PSE compound for sure.