Should I become a muzzle loader or an archer?

[Buckmark]

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.

Like i said earlier, stick with your gun, apply for some doe permits and fill the tag, closest thing to a sure thing for getting meat there is..

[fishm@n]

I've been in your dilemma and moved to archery a few years ago..  but having been an archer before for years in Montana. I think you should try muzzleloader with your goals of being a meat hunter. Archery takes a lot of time to become proficient in comparison and you must resist a lot more shots than you would with a muzzy. I will not hunt elk in this state with a rifle again.. the woods are crawling with people!

[h2ofowlr]

I have been bow hunting since pre-teens.  You will need to practice a lot if your going to do the bow as you are limited on your range.  I hate hearing about all the lost animals due to people that decided to switch over and don't put in the time required to learn it.  Almost like those that don't shoot all year and sight there rifle in the week before the season.  You can't do that with archery.  Otherwise you will be telling everyone about the monster that you shot and lost.    It takes lots of practice, learn your yardage and become a great tracker.  I've had to help track many animals for guys as the phone calls lead to me for help, but they get to hear me grouch about there bad shot the whole time.

[M_ray]

Go with a bow Muzzleloaders seasons suck! 

[johnsc6]

If your goal is meat, buy locker beef, it's alot cheaper than the cost of hunting!!  Most people love the hunt , not the kill, I agree with the above posts on alot less muzzleloaders than archers, and don't let the wilderness fool you, I have tried that a couple times and have seen many more people in the wilderness than out while elk hunting, . Our wilderness elk hunting is a joke as far as how far you can go to get away from people, deer hunting many more options in the wilderness.

[ing]

Go with a bow Muzzleloaders seasons suck! 

Seriously?  I say go with a muzzleloader bow seasons suck.

[Curly]

No, go with bow.......ML seasons do suck.  Plus you are very limitted on what units you have to choose from with ML; Bow you have practically the whole state.

[dylanthered]

No, go with bow.......ML seasons do suck.  Plus you are very limitted on what units you have to choose from with ML; Bow you have practically the whole state.

Anybody have any more info specifically on why Muzzleloader seasons suck versus Bow seasons?  I realize that bow is earlier and longer. 

[halflife65]

I think that he might be saying that ML sucked in the past because of limited GMUs open to hunting and short seasons.  However, they changed that a bit this year, with some additional areas to hunt and additional draw tags.  It looks like they separated deer and elk, though, which could make it a bit more challenging (but allow you to go to different units to hunt different species - which could be a good thing.)

I drew the multi-season tag the first year it came out and ended up shooting a buck with a muzzleloader - which was super fun.  However, it also allowed me the chance to try archery and, once I did this, I've become a dedicated archer.  It's a lot harder - expect a lot of blown opportunities and frustration at first. 

[Built4Outdoors]

Hands down Archery, I have friends that do all of the above and being a former rifle hunter I would never go back. ML has short seasons and lots of closed area as I found out while helping a ML buddy find an elk this year. 

[Curly]

I think that he might be saying that ML sucked in the past because of limited GMUs open to hunting and short seasons.  However, they changed that a bit this year, with some additional areas to hunt and additional draw tags.  It looks like they separated deer and elk, though, which could make it a bit more challenging (but allow you to go to different units to hunt different species - which could be a good thing.)

I drew the multi-season tag the first year it came out and ended up shooting a buck with a muzzleloader - which was super fun.  However, it also allowed me the chance to try archery and, once I did this, I've become a dedicated archer.  It's a lot harder - expect a lot of blown opportunities and frustration at first.

The seasons sucked in the past for ML and they still suck due to short seasons and lack of GMU's.  They didn't really change it much......actually they eliminated an early elk hunt for ML on the West side.  They did add a bunch of deer hunting opportunities for ML but elk is still very limitted.  Just compare the archery vs. ML seasons in the regs:

[bow-n-head]

I don't know if cost is the equation, but archery can get expensive. (just ask my wife). Archery is a thrill ride I need every year. But in all fairness I have never hunted with a smoke pole.

[halflife65]

Great job, Curly.  That shows it pretty well.  Clearly, there are a lot more areas open to hunt with archery equipment - both early and late.  While opportunities were expanded slightly for ML, it is still way less than archery/modern.

I think that you need to take into account:
1.  Seasons (clearly archery has the advantage)
2.  Cost (advantage goes to ML - you can buy a decent ML for $350 and be on your way.  Archery costs a heck of a lot more for bow, arrows, range finder (not a MUST but you should really have one.)  Plus, you can use a lot of your same clothes that you used for modern for ML and (at least, I did) need to buy new stuff for archery (hot weather gear, better cammo in my case)
3.  Frustration level - probably (at least, initially) much higher than ML.  However, you do get rut for elk and a lot of opportunities.

As I mentioned above, I went the archery route.  To me, the challenge of the hunt is what it is all about (which is why I gave up on rifle - it was not too much of a challenge to get a buck, although a HUGE buck is always a challenge with any weapon.)

Good luck with whatever choice you make - there are a lot of people with a lot of info on this site no matter what you end up doing.

[coachcw]

I'll hunt with anything , but archery rules , you'll get hooked, Be prepaired to drop some serious coin though it gets expensive fast .good luck coach

[ing]

Yeah yeah yeah so bow hunters have longer seasons.  I f your meat hunting you'll be far more successfull hunting with a firearm. And out of state.