Better luck at a deer or elk with a bow?

[Evoac05]

I'm thinking about getting a modern tag and a archery tag, but I'm not sure what tag I should get for which animal. Who has had better luck with what animal while using a bow? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks

[buckfvr]

A lot depends on where you're going to hunt, and how....where archery is concerned, its two fold....you can succeed as a hunter only to fail as an archer.  Its a bit more difficult to take advantage of your opportunities.

I like late seasons more than early, and choose to bow hunt both animals.  I hope to draw a multi for deer so I can go up high for mulies in october.

Take a look at hunter success on WDFW web page,broke down by region and GMU, each user group....that should tell you what you need to know to make your decission.  Good luck

[Todd_ID]

As a general rule the deer seasons are more liberal than the elk seasons for bowhunters, so that helps to up the odds of success with a bow.

[RadSav]

Most bowhunters come into the sport here in Washington because they can shoot does and cows during most seasons.  So in that regard archery makes shooting opportunities easier regardless of deer or elk unless you draw an antlerless MF or ML tag.  That doesn't mean success is easier just that getting a shooting opportunity is usually more successful.

When it comes to horns, unless you are in good whitetail country, I'd have to say your chases at a good bull with the bow are better than your chances at a good buck.  The seasons just work out better for the archery elk hunter than they do for the archery deer hunter.  That's just my personal opinion, of course.

[BullMagnet76]

Archery Elk has a little better seasons, they get to hunt at least part of the rut so your chances for elk with a bow are better.  And the rifle hunters get to hunt the deer rut.  SO I would definately hunt archery elk and modern for deer.

[Evoac05]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I think I'm leaning towards archery for elk and modern for deer. Thanks again

[Instinct]

I personally go archery elk and deer. That way elk is ur first target and if ur able to also hunt deer in the same unit have deer as a second of oportunity. Get 2 seasons with it. Last year i was going after elk then came across a buck and did a stalk only to find out he was only a 2x2  but still ran in both species.
Worst thing you can do is get a archery elk tag then come across a beded buck thats legal and cant harvest him because you have a modern tag.

[Skyvalhunter]

Just hunt in Montana and you wont have to pick your weapon

[demontang]

I would go elk with bow seen as I can get closer to the elk way easier then deer for some reason. I always seem to jump the deer as I stalk but thats probly me.

[MIKEXRAY]

I agree with Instinct  that it is going to suck to see that buck in range & not have a tag. I would like to rifle deer but every year I just know I am going to run across the big one during archery. All animals are definitely less skidish during early archery. Good luck with whatever you chose.  Mike

[smitty8202]

I would go elk with bow seen as I can get closer to the elk way easier then deer for some reason. I always seem to jump the deer as I stalk but thats probly me.

i am with you on this one. i go archery elk and modern for deer. yes the archery deer season is longer but if you have a modern deer tag you can use your bow during the modern season. 

[usmc74]

Years ago, I took up archery for the opportunity to shoot cows and does.  Then they had us choose a weapon/season (yes, I'm that old).  All I have killed with my bow have been bull elk, and many does and bucks.  I have shot 2 rifle cows with permits (before I bowhunted) and 1 rifle bull when I couldn't pull a bow because of injury.

I choose to hunt with a bow because I see more game and have more opportunity to shoot an animal.  I also hate seeing the "pumpkin patch" during rifle season.
This year, I have to see if archery is possible.  Having left shoulder issues/difficulty holding any weight with arm straight out.

[jechicdr]

Just apply for multiseason, and you won't have to choose your deer weapon.  Seems like everyone got drawn this year.

[jamesjett]

I like to archery hunt elk and go modern for deer.  I find it much easier to get closer to elk than deer.  But that's just my 

[deerhunter_98520]

I personally go archery elk and deer. That way elk is ur first target and if ur able to also hunt deer in the same unit have deer as a second of oportunity. Get 2 seasons with it. Last year i was going after elk then came across a buck and did a stalk only to find out he was only a 2x2  but still ran in both species.
Worst thing you can do is get a archery elk tag then come across a beded buck thats legal and cant harvest him because you have a modern tag.

This happen to me last year...archery elk huntng and snuck up on a 23"wide 5x4 blacktail...easily would have made book with room to spare...he had no idea i was there but i had a modern deer tag  i was going to put in for multi season but lost my wifes income so i couldnt afford the extra $180 

[marlin]

I decided I am going to be trying archery for deer this year for my first time.. I rifle hunted last two years with no success.. I got within bow range of several doe's but saw no antler.. I think with twice as much time to hunt I should be able to at least get a doe. Basically after september 1st, the first adult deer I get within bow range I will shoot.

[Annette]

What ever you decide you should attend a bowhunter education class, it will teach you everything you need to know about bowhunting.

[usmc74]

Bowhunter education was a GREAT class to take!  I had been bowhunting several years when I took it.  Learned a lot.

[Mathews Heli m]

Archery Elk has a little better seasons, they get to hunt at least part of the rut so your chances for elk with a bow are better.  And the rifle hunters get to hunt the deer rut.  SO I would definately hunt archery elk and modern for deer.

agreed, elk is lots of fun during rut and you can always try to stick a cow if you dont draw.

[BOWHUNTER45]

it takes time to become a good bowhunter ....but once you harvest that 1st animal you will be hooked .... lots of practice shooting is a must 

[iRem]

Archery all the way!  I along with everyone else got draw for the multi deer tag and now  I can solely focus my hunt on Elk! This will allow me to hunt the deer when ever if I don't take a snot on big buck during the early season, archery all the way unless you have the multi deer tag.