JOINED THE RANKS

[Dman]

 Went to the big "C" for my Bday this AM and bought a Parker Buck Hunter XP today, shot it for over four hours, felt great. May never rifle hunt again 

[jackelope]

congrats d...it is a blast, one of my new addictions. i haven't hunted yet at all, but will this year. post a pic of your new rig.

[popeshawnpaul]

You are going to be amazed.  You will see animals walking out in the open and bugling.  You may not get within 50 yards of them, but at least you will see them.  The woods won't sound like a war zone either.  It's the only way to go in WA in my opinion...

[Crunchy]

I switched to archery almost three years ago and will never go back to the rifle.  I got an elk my first two years in a row, and hopefully the third being this year. 

[Dman]

 I can't wait to field test it in Sept.

[tmike]

Dman    Can you give us some specs. on your Parker? I'm shopping around myself right now.

[archery288]

ahhh yes!!! there is nothing quite like sticking a big bull chasing some hott cows during september!!!   

[Dman]

 26-31" draw, 60#, 55 1/2" string. Whiskerbuiscuit type rest.

[PolarBear]

Conflatulations!  Now I might bump into you out in the woods.  I've been bowhunting for 20+ years and love it.  I hunted rifle deer for the first time in many, many years last year and am sticking with my bow from now on.  Only coyotes and cats for my rifle now.  Once you get into a herd of elk that hasnt been pushed by smoke poles yet, you will wonder why you didnt do this sooner.  Enjoy!

[MIKEXRAY]

Congrats. My archery sucesses are all the more sweeter, never going back. Have fun and good luck.

[Todd_ID]

Congrats on getting into the sport with both feet!  Find someone to hunt with that will keep the hunting fun and productive without any personality conflicts, and you'll be hooked for life.  Try not to get sucked into the equipment whirlpool.  Find what works for you and stick with it.  It'll be a rare situation where equipment will be the determining factor between success and failure of a hunt.  I've been bowhunting for 23 years and haven't even shot a rifle in 15 years; that's how addicting it can get.