Should I become a muzzle loader or an archer?

[dylanthered]

I have been hunting in Eastern Washington with modern rifle.  I'm starting to figure out that I'm not going to get the type of hunting experience and results that I want.  So I'm considering committing myself to becoming either a muzzle loading hunter or archery hunter.  Any direction you could provide would be great.

My hunting goals:
- meat not trophy
- few hunters as possible (duh)
- willing to hike my tail off
- Eastern Cascades territory

I'm thinking that I need to hunt the wilderness to achieve my goals.  I need to do it early in the season so modern rifle won't work.  Also, in that thick wilderness a modern rifle is kind of overkill as I could be taking 20 to 40 yard shots.

Pros and cons?  Which way should I go?

- Dylan

[Holg3107]

I was in the same boat as you, i just moved to WA from Idaho and wanted to avoid the ridiculous crowds that I have heard about, so I picked up a bow. Had the absolute most exciting time of my life this year hunting for Roosevelt's in the Olympics. Not knowing much about the muzzleloader seasons I would say go with archery. Hunting the elk in the rut is nothing short of awesome.

[Buckmark]

Just stay a rifle hunter and put in for as many antlerless permits as you can, less hunters during some of those, meat in the freezer, and you dont need to buy any new equipment..

[bow4elk]

follow your interest and become proficient.  Rifle, blackpowder, or bow makes no difference.  Hone your hunting skills and you'll be successful with any/all of them.  For me it comes down to my passion, which is archery and getting really close.  I have no interest in 200 yards shots with a gun.  Nothing at all wrong with it but it's a personal satisfaction thing.  Hunting isn't a team thing, it's an individual thing...go with your gut and what you like.  it's your time in the woods.  It all boils down to what you want to derive from the experience.

There are tons of people to help you get proficient with whatever you choose 

[LittleJohn]

I would start a SOFTBALL TEAM.!!!!!  Hunting is stupid.
 
ARCHERY for sure. Longer season, either sex in lots of areas, fewer people , very rewarding, and u can shoot the same amo all year without waking-up the baby!!!!

[dreamingbig]

I am biased to archery but there are some great muzzleloader tags available and not as much competition for them.

[jstone]

Stay with Rifle find some private property. Or hunt another state this state sucks

[littlebuf]

I'm switching over to a bow for elk next year. i will always hunt deer with a rifle but a buddy of mine has 17 archery bulls and is a 2 time washington state elk calling champ, Ive finally decided to make the switch and hes going to teach me the "game" as he calls it. I'm already getting pretty good with a mouth reed (sure helps to have a good teacher)

[Skyvalhunter]

I say go with muzzleloader you will have a decent season and a good chance for a special permit.

[Gobble]

I hunted Muzzy for 8 yrs to get away from the crowds and as soon as it got crowded I switched to Bow. I still hunt rifle for deer and archery for elk. The great thing about the multi season tags I get to hunt all 3 again

[colockumelk]

Less people hunt with a ML than with a bow.  Also it is alot easier to go from a rifle to a ML, than from a Rifle to a bow.  Although like someone said as long as you dedicate yourself to either you will be able to shoot it just fine.  Although you can get away with alot more wiht a ML than you can with a bow.  You will have success sooner with a ML but once you master archery hunting you will have more opportunities, a longer season etc.  

I personally did it gradually.  I went from rifle to ML for a while and then wanted a longer season and tried it with a bow and never went back.  If you go with a bow expect to have alot of opportunities but not to fill your tag for awhile.  

[LongTatLaw]

In this state...BOW all the way!

If for no other reason than the much much longer season. Its a lil harder but I tell ya... a 70 lb doe deer will give me "buck" fever at 17 yards while a nice 4pt wont even get the heart going a lil at 150 yards if Im holding the 300 WM.

Archery is up close and personal.

There might be more bow hunters than ML but bows dont make sound so you get the sense that you are nearly alone because only visual confirmation will let ya know theres another hunter...not gun shots 2 canyons over!

With todays amazing gear...you could be a 40 yard shooter in days not weeks or months!!

Its an expensive move up front...  plan on around 1100$...

but buy the good stuff and do your homework and get the right stuff for the right reason and there doesnt have to be much more cost for many many years.

keeping sharpe fresh broadheads will cost about what ammo does...   you will also break or lose an arrow here and there!  But no reason to buy a new bow every year ( I just replaced a bow I happily used for 10 years and I guess Im glad I changed)....

come on over to Archery brother!
You'll wonder why ya didnt do it sooner!

[dylanthered]

Thanks for all the feedback folks and keep it coming.  This is great.

One thing that I want to clarify.  My goal is meat.  I don't want my decision to be based on the thrill of it all or feeling like a bad ass for one reason another.  So being "up close and personal" really doesn't matter to me.  I'm just trying to find an effective strategy to commit myself to.

[LongTatLaw]

if ya just wanna kill something then thats easy enough to do!

up close and personal is a matter of the game and u will share an experience with the animal more ummm...personal than if u shot it at 200 yards...

if thats doesnt interest u...   find a cow farmer and whack the one ya want with a sledge hammer....= meat

[colockumelk]

You say that now but when you have a screaming bull at 15 yds (even if you are not allowed to *censored* him) is one of the biggest thrills you can have.  Once that happens you will never go back.