#3035447 - 11/15/12 08:11 PM
To the Bowhunters
|
Dawson
4 Point
Registered: 06/07/10
Posts: 461
Loc: Williamson County
|
Offline
|
|
Do you feel bad when you start carrying a ML or rifle? Does it almost feel that you are cheating?
I bought my first ML this year and put it away the last few days to bowhunt. Having the bow back in my hand put a smile on my face. I will admit that I could have killed a mid 130s 10pt tuesday if I had taken the ML, but for some reason it hasn't bothered me that I took the bow.
I do like taking advantage of the rifle in the late season to kill does to get processed, but other than that it isn't very rewarding.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3035456 - 11/15/12 08:14 PM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: Dawson]
|
Redfred16
8 Point
Registered: 01/22/12
Posts: 1074
Loc: Hendersonville, TN
|
|
Offline
|
|
I'd have to say yes, it feels like I've gone into "easy mode" when gun season rolls around. I was going to try to bow hunt anyways, but my past few hunts, the deer seem to be moving quicker and are alot more alert, so going back to gun to fill the freezer and break the Tennessee ice.
_________________________
Packer Fan stuck in Titan Country
"Recon Ready"
Airborne and Air Assault Blood Wings Worn Here
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3035457 - 11/15/12 08:14 PM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: Dawson]
|
Southern Sportsman
6 Point
Registered: 09/18/11
Posts: 505
Loc: West TN
|
|
Offline
|
|
At times. To remedy that, if I'm hunting in the woods, I try to take both my bow and my muzzleloader, assuming I don't have a really long walk. I then proceed to "bow hunt" but have my MZ hanging on a hook beside me, just in case.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3035458 - 11/15/12 08:14 PM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: Dawson]
|
smstone22
16 Point
Registered: 01/11/04
Posts: 16261
Loc: Allardt, TN
|
|
Offline
|
|
Yep it does feel that way. I still cant get myself to put it away though. I suspect someday Ill go bow only, but its the hunts where you go deep in the mountains this time of year with no tree stands that get me to pick up the gun, just not practical to bow hunt that situation.
_________________________
-QDM=Better Deer, Better Deer Hunting
- Fentress Roots 200 years and growing
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3035459 - 11/15/12 08:14 PM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: Dawson]
|
Swole Neck
Spike
Registered: 11/06/11
Posts: 95
Loc: TN
|
|
Offline
|
|
To answer your questions - no and no.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3035463 - 11/15/12 08:18 PM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: Dawson]
|
TNDeerGuy
10 Point
Registered: 11/28/06
Posts: 4465
Loc: Old Hickory/Mt.Juliet, TN
|
|
Offline
|
|
I do, but yet I don't at the same time. Normally I go all year with just bow, unless I just feel the absolute desire to clobber one with a bullet, or I am just not on the deer and every deer I have had around me has been just out of bowrange—like this year. I have switched to the bang stick until my freezer gets stocked back up to a more comfortable level instead of empty like it has been.
_________________________
Rammer Jammer, Yellow Hammer—Give'em Hell Alabama! Roll Tide!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3035470 - 11/15/12 08:20 PM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: Redfred16]
|
Dawson
4 Point
Registered: 06/07/10
Posts: 461
Loc: Williamson County
|
|
Offline
|
|
I'd have to say yes, it feels like I've gone into "easy mode" when gun season rolls around. I was going to try to bow hunt anyways, but my past few hunts, the deer seem to be moving quicker and are alot more alert, so going back to gun to fill the freezer and break the Tennessee ice.
Edited by Dawson (11/15/12 08:21 PM)
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3035479 - 11/15/12 08:23 PM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: TNDeerGuy]
|
catman529
spiderboy
16 Point
Registered: 11/10/10
Posts: 10877
Loc: Franklin TN
|
|
Offline
|
|
Well it's my first year bow hunting and I am looking forward to gun season, and also have a bow-only spot I can hunt and will do so all season. I will take the gun to public land and some private land as well but ill say the bow has been the most rewarding way to kill a deer, even though I've only kilt one deer with a gun (my first deer ever, last year). Looking forward to taking both the gun and the bow into the woods soon.
_________________________
A good day in the woods is best finished off with an ice cold Sun Drop.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3035488 - 11/15/12 08:28 PM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: catman529]
|
Dawson
4 Point
Registered: 06/07/10
Posts: 461
Loc: Williamson County
|
|
Offline
|
|
Well it's my first year bow hunting and I am looking forward to gun season, and also have a bow-only spot I can hunt and will do so all season. I will take the gun to public land and some private land as well but ill say the bow has been the most rewarding way to kill a deer, even though I've only kilt one deer with a gun (my first deer ever, last year). Looking forward to taking both the gun and the bow into the woods soon.
I think it would be a good experience and reward for every hunter to take at least 1 deer with a bow.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3035547 - 11/15/12 08:53 PM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: Dawson]
|
Mossy Oak
8 Point
Registered: 01/03/05
Posts: 2178
Loc: Montgomery Co.
|
|
Offline
|
|
Yes. I killed a 9 point last week during the KY gun opener and I got less of a rush from if than either of the does I killed this year with a bow. I plan on bow hunting this weekend.
_________________________
Mossy Oak ProStaff
Team Release and Catch Bowfishing
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3035589 - 11/15/12 09:12 PM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: Mossy Oak]
|
Spikes
4 Point
Registered: 02/15/11
Posts: 283
Loc: Clarksville TN
|
|
Offline
|
|
Usually when I'm bow hunting I am wishing I had my rifle.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3035593 - 11/15/12 09:17 PM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: Spikes]
|
Treestand Troubadour
4 Point
Registered: 11/11/11
Posts: 355
Loc: Carter County
|
|
Offline
|
|
its kinda odd but ive only killed deer with a bow, aint got nothin against rifle huntin, i just like my stick n string
_________________________
And there she was.... corndog in one hand, budweiser in the other. it was perfect
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3035594 - 11/15/12 09:17 PM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: Spikes]
|
Rockhound
8 Point
Registered: 04/04/11
Posts: 1941
Loc: Lawrence Co. TN
|
Online
|
|
Im there to kill deer its the same rush to me regardless so when i can im sending hot lead downrange
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3035771 - 11/16/12 05:23 AM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: Rockhound]
|
m.Creek
8 Point
Registered: 08/11/00
Posts: 2221
Loc: Georgetown, TN
|
|
Offline
|
|
I feel the same way. I've only killed a handful of deer with a rifle and mz. The rest had been with a bow. I've seen my biggest buck to date a few years back on opening day of rifle season, he was about 75 yards away and had his nose to the ground and grunting every step, but I had by bow, so all I could do its watch and how he came a little closer. I wouldn't change a thing about that hunt though.
My son killed his first deer this year, and he shot it with his bow, so he doesn't even want to gun hunt this year, it's all about bow hunting for him. So I'm going to take him with his bow as much as I can and let him do his thing.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3035775 - 11/16/12 05:28 AM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: Southern Sportsman]
|
htnseymour
8 Point
Registered: 09/26/11
Posts: 1181
Loc: sevier county Tn
|
|
Offline
|
|
At times. To remedy that, if I'm hunting in the woods, I try to take both my bow and my muzzleloader, assuming I don't have a really long walk. I then proceed to "bow hunt" but have my MZ hanging on a hook beside me, just in case.
Not TWRA, but I think it is illegal to carry two weapons into the woods. I am pretty sure you can't have a bow and a gun.
_________________________
The impossible takes just a little bit longer
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3035785 - 11/16/12 05:39 AM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: htnseymour]
|
bowriter
Non-Typical
Registered: 08/31/02
Posts: 40301
Loc: Lebanon,TN USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
For some reason, even when I made the bulk of my living whether directly or indirectly by bowhunting, I was never that constipated. I never felt a piece of equipment relegated a hunter.
_________________________
Constipation has ruined many a good day. Not as many as stupidity, though.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3035849 - 11/16/12 06:41 AM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: htnseymour]
|
browtines
8 Point
Registered: 09/22/07
Posts: 1088
Loc: kodak, tennessee
|
|
Offline
|
|
At times. To remedy that, if I'm hunting in the woods, I try to take both my bow and my muzzleloader, assuming I don't have a really long walk. I then proceed to "bow hunt" but have my MZ hanging on a hook beside me, just in case. Not TWRA, but I think it is illegal to carry two weapons into the woods. I am pretty sure you can't have a bow and a gun.
It is legal to carry both weapons in the great state of tn...
Thank you TWRA...
_________________________
Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3035857 - 11/16/12 06:48 AM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: htnseymour]
|
BigGameGuy
TWRA Biologist
12 Point
Registered: 05/14/04
Posts: 6353
Loc: Nashville
|
|
Online
|
|
At times. To remedy that, if I'm hunting in the woods, I try to take both my bow and my muzzleloader, assuming I don't have a really long walk. I then proceed to "bow hunt" but have my MZ hanging on a hook beside me, just in case. Not TWRA, but I think it is illegal to carry two weapons into the woods. I am pretty sure you can't have a bow and a gun.
You obviously can't carry a gun when it's archery only season but it's perfectly legal to carry two (or more) legal weapons when gun season is open.
_________________________
If given the choice between education and regulation, I'll choose education every time.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3035859 - 11/16/12 06:55 AM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: BigGameGuy]
|
Poser
14 Point
Registered: 07/28/10
Posts: 8136
Loc: Tennessee
|
|
Online
|
|
My first several years of hunting were bow only. I feel like my learning curve was tremendous. I started using a Mzl last season and this season will be my first with a rifle. Bowhunting taught me how to set up tight and almost all my Mzl kills are inside 25 yards, usually 12-15. I don't feel like I'm cheating, I feel like I am growing as a hunter. I just needed to learn how to hunt first and bowhunting was the best way for me.
_________________________
It doesn't have to be fun to be fun. Wild & crazy, can't be stopped. Only the strong will survive. Keep your knife sharp and your skillet greasy. http://www.GoCarnivore.com
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3035942 - 11/16/12 08:03 AM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: Poser]
|
jakeway
TnDeer Old Timer
10 Point
Registered: 11/22/99
Posts: 3448
Loc: Hendersonville, TN, USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
I've killed approximately half of my deer with bow, but I'm getting more and more enjoyment out of center fire rifle hunting. Part of it is I'm now hand loading four different calibers, and a few different bullets in each, and I want to compare the effectiveness of them. Also I love still hunting on windy days when all the leaves are down. In many ways that's more challenging than sitting in a well-concealed stand with a bow. Sure, you can shoot a deer farther with a rifle, but the deer can see you for a long ways from all directions.
Still hunting with a bow may be the ultimate challenge, but I'm not ready for that full time. Ironically my first ever bow kill was one I snuck up on and shot from the ground while walking to my stand. That was early season, though, with lots of leaves and ground cover to hide behind.
I'm seriously considering not bow hunting at all next year.
_________________________
It's not rocket surgery, for crying outside!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3035947 - 11/16/12 08:06 AM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: Poser]
|
Urban_Hunter
4 Point
Registered: 10/15/12
Posts: 273
Loc: TN
|
|
Offline
|
|
I think bow hunting is exponentially more rewarding... even if it is a doe. I also think that people who are successful bow hunters hunt entirely different from people who have never bow hunted before.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3035972 - 11/16/12 08:21 AM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: Urban_Hunter]
|
nate17
8 Point
Registered: 08/06/09
Posts: 1154
Loc: Illinois
|
|
Offline
|
|
I think ive killed one deer with a gun in the last 5 years. Im gonna go all out gun this year and not feel bad about it at all lol.
I suspect at some point during gun season ill start feeling bad tho and this kill some stuff phase will pass and ill break the bow back out...
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3036006 - 11/16/12 08:32 AM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: Poser]
|
Boll Weevil
6 Point
Registered: 06/26/11
Posts: 599
Loc: Hardeman
|
|
Offline
|
|
Bowhunting taught me how to set up tight and almost all my Mzl kills are inside 25 yards, usually 12-15.
Same here. I often chuckle to myself as I climb into a set with my 7mag topped with a 4-12 scope and the deer pops out 21 yards away. At this point it's almost 2nd nature to scout, hang stands, and hunt like a bowhunter vs. a gun hunter. I think I'm just wired that way.
If I were able to tally the cumulative number of hours bow vs. gun hunting over the years it'd be like 70/30. I just prefer to bowhunt (sometimes even when firearms seasons are open).
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3036065 - 11/16/12 08:57 AM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: Boll Weevil]
|
JGreg
4 Point
Registered: 08/17/12
Posts: 178
Loc: Gallatin, TN
|
|
Offline
|
|
Bow hunting is my passion. I do use guns, but the thrill is not there, with a gun, see deer shot deer go home. With a bow, see deer start preparing wait on perfect angle try to control shakes draw wait in last step let deer walk off not right shot sit back down and smile.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3036214 - 11/16/12 10:23 AM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: JGreg]
|
TN Whitetail Freak
8 Point
Registered: 11/29/09
Posts: 1247
Loc: Bradford, TN (Gibson Co.)
|
|
Offline
|
|
It feels more like hunting with a bow....it feels like target shooting with a gun
_________________________
Crossbows should be for the handicap only!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3036229 - 11/16/12 10:34 AM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: TN Whitetail Freak]
|
woodsman87
6 Point
Registered: 09/27/12
Posts: 613
Loc: south TN
|
|
Offline
|
|
I like hunting with a bow more because it feels more rewarding, but I can't make myself take the bow when I have option of rifle when the deer are rutting. Never know when a big one will be just out of range.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3036266 - 11/16/12 10:57 AM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: jakeway]
|
clinchmtnboy7
Spike
Registered: 09/30/10
Posts: 34
Loc: tenn.
|
|
Offline
|
|
I really loved bowhunting, when i hunted private land.(farms) Now I live in a new state and private land is hard to get access. I now only hunt cherokee and jefferson national forest. I love the all day still hunts deep in the mountains with the rifles and crossbow. Bowhunting these places is really not feasable. I probably miss practicing with the bow more than hunting with it.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3036451 - 11/16/12 01:25 PM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: jakeway]
|
JeepKuntry
16 Point
Registered: 01/20/04
Posts: 13237
Loc: Clinton, TN
|
|
Offline
|
|
No. I mainly hunt public land, so I want to have the best odds of killing in my hand.
_________________________
Greg Cooper
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3039334 - 11/18/12 07:25 PM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: JeepKuntry]
|
IL 88
Spike
Registered: 09/19/11
Posts: 79
Loc: Nashville, TN
|
|
Offline
|
|
I have no desire what so ever to gun hunt. I've killed two with a rifle, inlcuding my biggest, and it simply didn't do anything for me.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#3039402 - 11/18/12 07:58 PM
Re: To the Bowhunters
[Re: IL 88]
|
Tomahawk
6 Point
Registered: 07/11/10
Posts: 762
Loc: east & west tn
|
|
Offline
|
|
I had to use a muzzle loader during gun only hunt in Illinois this past weekend. I shot a buck but the thrill was certainly not the same. Glad to have the bow back in my hand. I agree with others in that bow hunting does improve your skills tremendously.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
Moderator: RUGER, Tennessee Todd, Unicam, Cuttin Caller, CBU93, stretch, Bobby G, Outdoor Lady, TurkeyBurd
|
12104 Members
38 Forums
115688 Topics
1409433 Posts
Max Online: 756 @ 11/20/12 09:10 AM
|
|
|
The TnDeer.Com Deer Talk Forum is for Tennessee Deer Hunters by Tennessee Deer Hunters. If you enjoy using our Talk Forum and would like to contribute to help in it's up-keep. Just submit your contribution by clicking on the DONATE button below and paying with PayPal or a major credit card. Any amount is much appreciated. Thanks for your support!
|
|
|
