Should I become a muzzle loader or an archer?

[Red Dawg]

I am not a meat hunter by any means. Beef and pork are much better tasting and are much cheaper. That said if I were to change today knowing what the special permits are I would switch to bow. Sounds like the bowhunters have a kick ass time.

[CBP1888]

I'm a rifle and muzzleloader hunter from the Rocky Mountains. I moved to Washington for work and decided to give muzzleloader hunting a chance. I don't like big crowds. Opening morning I shot a spike at about 100 yards, dropped it dead in it's tracks.

 I was with a friend who helped me pack it out. We just went today to the butcher and picked up 225 lbs of processed elk meat. I'm devoted to the muzzleloader in Washington State.

Leave the roads and you will find the elk!

[ing]

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.

I'd definatly stick with the gun seasons then.