Do you hunt in the gun season with a bow?

[Knotter]

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]

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

[Lefty-Canuck]

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

LC

[coyotekiller]

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

[SCHOOCH]

Yes

[rielbowhunter]

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

[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.

[Passthru]

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

[58thecat]

And you can use the crossbow too during rifle season in a rifle zone unless you have a permit due to an injury restricting you from using a vertical bow in the bow zone. Then you can use the crossbow in all zones, seen a few out there, now go get em.

[BigRackLover]

yes, is there any other way to hunt?

[Stinky Buffalo]

Sometimes! Depends on the place I'm hunting and my general whim.

[3blade]

Tree stand - yes

Spot and stalk - heck no. I love bowhunting but I'm not gonna get shot for it.

[L.O.S.T.Arrow]

As mentioned lots of propertys bowhunting only...also as mentioned stands only...use caution in bear hunting zones...

Took my biggest B&C class whitetails with a bow in November...

Seems to be getting colder out as I age thou....lol

Neil

[mud747]

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]

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]

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]

I would if I had better gloves and jacket! LOL

[ForwardBias]

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.

[Knotter]

Originally Posted by ForwardBias

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.

One of my favourite spots has been built up over the years. So many no-go shots has made bow a more viable option.

[ForwardBias]

Yeah bowhunting has let me have access to some nice properties. I don't mind pulling out the bow in Nov.

[L.O.S.T.Arrow]

This is my last Whitetail in November...as you can see with the snow...what the pic doesnt show is it was dang cold...when in stand I had touque, wool face mask, hoodie...heavy gloves and a lot of heat packs...camo is full insulated bib and jacket and many layers under...an arm guard for heavy clothing...

The point...If your going to hunt in November with a bow...be sure you can shoot accurately with way your dressed...

And also sitting even for an hour...you can get cold and when cold muscles dont operate as normal...make sure your not overbowed...had that happen to a hunter this year in early october...



Neil

[Knotter]

Originally Posted by L.O.S.T.Arrow

This is my last Whitetail in November...as you can see with the snow...what the pic doesnt show is it was dang cold...when in stand I had touque, wool face mask, hoodie...heavy gloves and a lot of heat packs...camo is full insulated bib and jacket and many layers under...an arm guard for heavy clothing...

The point...If your going to hunt in November with a bow...be sure you can shoot accurately with way your dressed...

And also sitting even for an hour...you can get cold and when cold muscles dont operate as normal...make sure your not overbowed...had that happen to a hunter this year in early october...





Neil

Great point Neil. I bought a 60# bow for that reason. Drawing in more clothes or at an odd angle. I've had shoulder issues in the past as well.
Nice buck!

[elkchaser]

Nice Neil

[densa44]

A very nice young fellow came to the house yesterday and he said he had been chasing a large mule buck for a month. I wanted permission to hunt across the road, I didn't own the property but told him who does.

I wondered why he was bow hunting when I was pretty sure the rifle season was open.

Now I know. Thanks.

Up until now I thought that all the work that was required after the deer/moose was done was more than enough to "validate" the experience. Guess not.

[gpelker]

I too love bowhunting whitetails in Nov, have only taken 1 buck in 15 years, but have passed on a couple waiting for the big guy on the camera. Have been able to watch a lot of deer up close and personal. I drop my bow poundage from 66 to 60 and it makes a huge difference with the cold after 3 or 4 hours and all the clothes to be able to draw while seated.

[beaver hunter]

Sat in my muley spot this morn, my bow was lookin a little chilly layin in the grass.

[ant12hony]

Originally Posted by beaver hunter

Sat in my muley spot this morn, my bow was lookin a little chilly layin in the grass.

Was it shaking?? If it was that's called buck fever!

[Knotter]

Originally Posted by ant12hony

Was it shaking?? If it was that's called buck fever!

I've been out when it's cold and I start to shake without a buck in sight.

[laker]

The two bucks my daughter and I are after have eluded us in sept and oct. So now were sitting in the tree stands in Nov. Just what we wanted to avoid. Its cold in a tree in Nov, but were are going to press on with bows in hand.

[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??