Do you hunt in the gun season with a bow?

Knotter · #1 11-01-2015, 03:10 PM

I was out this morning. Rattled in a small buck to 30 yards. If not for an improperly placed tree tether he would be on my grill right now. It got me thinking if there are other crazies out there. Any success stories?

I'm loving the lone wolf and climbing sticks.

Ultimate Predator · #2 11-01-2015, 03:17 PM

All nov with a bow been some cold mornings over the yrs

Lefty-Canuck · #3 11-01-2015, 03:26 PM

Yes, I hunt zones that are open for rifle with the bow...not only the bowzone.

LC

coyotekiller · #4 11-01-2015, 08:47 PM

I hunt with my bow for most of November but I usually bring out my rifle a few times tho

SCHOOCH · #5 11-01-2015, 09:05 PM

Yes

rielbowhunter · #6 11-01-2015, 09:11 PM

Yes, most of my big bucks I got in November with my bow.

Big Lou · #7 11-01-2015, 09:15 PM

Some of my access is under the condition of archery only. It's pretty heartbreaking when you have a big rutted up whitey 90 yards from your tree and he isn't getting any closer than the trail the hot doe took moments earlier. Knowing if you had the rifle he would be yours. That being said, the Nov animals I have taken while being "limited" with the bow have been ever so satisfying. I will second the very cold days comment. I'm probably 50/50 on time spent using gun or bow. Best of luck.

Passthru · #8 11-02-2015, 05:19 AM

This year I'm still gonna use the rifle for the November rut. I was successful in the bowzone for moose this year but as this is my first year with a bow, and I have my sights on 2 specific bucks in an eastern wmu, I would be heartbroken if they are just out off range again. Only can get out on weekends this year, stupid work. It would be oh so worth it with with a bow, but......Maybe next year I'll go all bow ,but those whitetails can sure be fast when chasing does or coming into your rattles

ForwardBias · #9 11-02-2015, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Lou

Some of my access is under the condition of archery only. It's pretty heartbreaking when you have a big rutted up whitey 90 yards from your tree and he isn't getting any closer than the trail the hot doe took moments earlier. Knowing if you had the rifle he would be yours. That being said, the Nov animals I have taken while being "limited" with the bow have been ever so satisfying. I will second the very cold days comment. I'm probably 50/50 on time spent using gun or bow. Best of luck.

I have hunted property where bow hunting was a condition of permission. Also, if im in a stand in a tight area ill opt for the stick and string. Only if the setup doesn't offer substantial advantages to firearms.

mud747 · #10 11-02-2015, 07:07 PM

I don't own a firearm, I only hunt with a bow. When November rolls around I stick to and hunt on my land and surrounding land, the farmers around me don't let people hunt on there land, but still doesn't stop some hunters from hunting off the road though.

Knotter · #11 11-02-2015, 08:42 PM

There is some truth to measuring the worth by the depth of the "hardship".

I got close to a whitetail buck on the ground with my recurve. My heart was pounding and the rush of seeng him so close was awesome. The next time I saw him I had a gun at 125 yards and it did nothing for me. My brother in law was happy to oblige. Thi is the biggest buck I have ever seen on the hoof. It made me realize that there is more to hunting than the kill. The true prize for me is how it's done.

Glad to hear I'm not alone in my "madness".

fitzy17 · #12 11-02-2015, 09:02 PM

I really want to get something with my bow. I have a mule doe, wt general and a cow moose tag. I really want to make sure I get something for the freezer this year. Ive seen a few cow moose during archery only season I definitely would have gotten with a rifle, or maybe my bow had they come out earlier. So I'm kind of himming and hawing. ideally I would like the get a moose right away, even if its with my rifle but Im just so attached and determined to get one with my bow!

ant12hony · #13 11-02-2015, 09:23 PM

I would if I had better gloves and jacket! LOL

510-Gem · #14 11-12-2015, 07:20 PM

Was thinking about this today in the stand. With population control in effect in a lot of WMUs why couldn't general archery only tags for either sex white tails be issued for the archery seasons? Successful or not a guy could then buy a general whitetail tag for rifle season. Dream on hey??

Knotter · #15 11-12-2015, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 510-Gem

Was thinking about this today in the stand. With population control in effect in a lot of WMUs why couldn't general archery only tags for either sex white tails be issued for the archery seasons? Successful or not a guy could then buy a general whitetail tag for rifle season. Dream on hey??

I only need one whitetail tag. I would rather eat just one that is.

So are you saying you buy two tags?. One for the archery season and then a rifle season tag? Don't give our new government any ideas. Most guys would buy both and maybe harvest one. Double the revenue (or cost) for a small increase in harvest #s.

Some WMUs could support that. Start a new thread on it.