Archery: Love it, hate it?

[BlackRidge]

LOVE archery. Like others above have said, its makes you address the hunt in a totally different way. Stealth, patience, and definitely more of a personal challenge. A lot of practice/muscle memory/etc have to come together to get off that perfect shot. I haven't downed anything yet with my bow (and I dont mind), but I'd be more satisfied with an archery tag-filled than MF.... easily

Good luck to everyone in the late season!

[boneaddict]

Archery hunting is the best!!  You have to be in a different frame of mind than with other forms of hunting and have to be much more aware of what is going on around you and what you are doing.

Exactly.   Very rewarding when you are successful ( actually when you are not successful its rewarding too, but thats not what I meant.)

[saylean]

I love rifle hunting, I love bow hunting...I guess you could take out of that, I just plain love hunting.

I think when I first took up bowhunting on advice from an old co worker, it made me a better hunter and still does.

There is something about being within a knats rectum close to an animal and using not much more than a stick and some string to bring it down. Bow hunting has caused me to hunt slower, be more observant, move the way a deer moves, watch my wind much more, have many very cool close encounters, and yes, miss a few times (missed an elk a few weeks ago at 20 yards {not sure if I released wrong, or what..it bounced below the elk and hit the ground}, I stalked him within a massive herd of elk, for over 3 hours...I was happy I got that close with all those eyes and noses....missed a bear last year at 25 yards, thought he was 35 yards, accidentally picked my 40 pin...right over the back..lol!)

Stick with it, took me 4 years to get an elk. I was blessed my first year archery season with a 2X3 blacktail (but not before I missed a buck twice earlier that season). Its a wonderful experience filled with lessons, triumphs and challenges.

Good luck in whatever you choose!

[scoyoc5]

Bone and Saylean said it best..It is VERY rewarding when you successfully harvest an animal. The amount of work, practice and skill it takes for it all to come together.....it's hard to put into words. Keep at it!

[Ray]

You still appear to have a good attitude. I think this topic is proof that archery hunting is not easy and just because the season is longer than a firearms season doesn't mean you're going to get oodles of opportunities. Keep it up.

[Elkrunner]

I love it!  There is nothing like the sound of an arrow smacking a deer and the feeling of success with a bow and arrow.  I finally was able to bag my first buck with a bow this year.  I will never forget that feeling!

[sisu]

I like archery. Bought a trad muzzy thinking I'd like that decided I don't. Will sell it at a gun show with all the accessories. We have one 1978 compound(Buckskinner) & a pile of recurves & long bows. Keep shooting eventually you might go trad. I like it for its simplisity. My tune up is tighten or loosen the bow string.

[jstone]

I love it. This is the first year not bow hunting Elk. The muzzy should be fun.. Probably go back to archery next year?

[yakimarcher]

Love it

[hunter-4-life]

Archery, its a love hate relationship. It has its ups and downs.

[pat riotic]

You still appear to have a good attitude. I think this topic is proof that archery hunting is not easy and just because the season is longer than a firearms season doesn't mean you're going to get oodles of opportunities. Keep it up.

i do have a good attitude  because i love hunting in general i dont need to get anything i just love to be in the wild close to nature, but it is still awesome to get a big ol' buck!

[jstone]

being a bow hunter has tough me alot. Made me a better hunter,and more Patience. I just love the excitement you get when your stalking on that animal and your within range.  Telling yourself to calm down, and going over whats going to happen next in your head.... AWESOME

[bearhunter99]

Love it 99% of the time but it does have its moments.  There is nothing quite like the feeling of being that close and watching it all unfold firsthand.  Haven't had nearly the success that I had before I switched from modern firearm but nothing gets the blood pumping like putting a sharp stick in an 8-1/2 foot brown bear at 37 yards!

[jstone]

That is one of the things on my bucket list. I want to get a big bear, a moose, caribou,. and much more. Some day. Not too far off though.

[bearhunter99]

I can't wait to go back, my brother lives in Anchorage so I can get by without a guide.  He is going out to the islands next week for a special permit looking for a 10 footer