Why do you bowhunt?

[papaw]

For me it is several things, one , and the biggest reason is to see how close I can get to a deer and pull off a good clean kill shot, without being detected. My closest kill so far is 15 feet on a fast walking 7 point at 10 feet up in a tree. I was 10 feet up in a tree , not the deer, lol. Second would be , I love the look of a bow that is set up nice. I am not brand particular when it comes to a good looking bow that one of you folks post a picture of that you just bought and had setup just to fit your needs. It gives me that same feeling as when I buy a new bow for myself. Lastly, I love "tinkering" with bows and setting them up. There is no telling how many times I have got my bow shooting just the way I want it , then I will tear it down and start all over again just to do it.

 

[Shed Hunter]

I just like deer.. The weapon means little to me.. bow or gun.

 

[TNDeerGuy]

Because I enjoy the close proximity of the hunt to the game.

 

[UTGrad]

I initially picked up bow hunt so I could get a longer hunting season...

...today its how close I can get to an animal and how well I can control my emotions and make a great kill shot. Aim small, miss small.

 

[TN Whitetail Freak]

I bow hunt because thats where tradition came from beginning with Pope and Arthur Young and the indian Ishi that taught them bow hunting and the likes of fred bear Earl Hoyt Jr. and James Easton transformed the ancient weapon. Ive only used a modern compound but the traditional longbow has peaked my interest.

 

[bowhunter163]

I enjoy shooting my bow ! I started bowhunting at 12 years old and I was hooked . I enjoy the close proximity excitement it brings . My favorite part is setting up a stand for a particular plan and having it come together and happen exactly how you thought it would .

 

[catman529]

Early season, an entire summers worth of anticipation, and finally getting a deer up close and personal. And then the sound of the bow going off and the arrow smacking the side of a deer. And then the tracking and recovery... I pretty much love it all. Not to mention the peace and quiet, the cool air and the sound of crickets in the woods.

 

[huntfish]

Just being in the woods this time a year is a joy before all hell breaks loose when gun season opens.

 

[cozy23]

It gives me a sense of accomplishment. You know you've done something right when you have them at 20 yards.

Like Catman said too. I like the sounds of the release and when the arrow hits it's target. The blood trailing is part of the excitement too.....as long as the trail ends with a dead deer.

 

[pressfit]

Because we dont have a choice like other states do if we want to hunt early.. I get the same thrill shooting one at 200 yards as I do a 20 yards..

 

[muddyboots]

I started before liberal gun hunting on does. It was a blast. If you were halfway decent hunter you would get a shot Everytime u went. It was so much fun.

 

[knightrider]

more does for the freezer and for a little herd control and did I mention I love BACKSTRAP!!!!!!

 

[woodsman87]

I bow hunt because I enjoy it. It is more of a challenge to me, and I love being able to get out in October before the woods fill up with other hunters.

But my favorite thing about bow hunting is actually the time of year itself. Cool mornings, sometimes hot afternoons, (not that I like it, but its bow hunting in the south), the crickets that sing on afternoon hunts, the sounds of acorns and hickory nuts falling and hitting the ground, the sounds of deer that you can barely hear walking to your stand, and maybe my favorite sound, when you hear one eating acorns before you hear it walking or see it.

 

[StalkingWolf]

Because I have a passion for archery and deer hunting.

 

[UTGrad]

I bow hunt because I enjoy it. It is more of a challenge to me, and I love being able to get out in October before the woods fill up with other hunters.

But my favorite thing about bow hunting is actually the time of year itself. Cool mornings, sometimes hot afternoons, (not that I like it, but its bow hunting in the south), the crickets that sing on afternoon hunts, the sounds of acorns and hickory nuts falling and hitting the ground, the sounds of deer that you can barely hear walking to your stand, and maybe my favorite sound, when you hear one eating acorns before you hear it walking or see it.

Described what I love about early season perfectly. I love the drone of the cicada and the afternoon/evening crickets. I also like all the green still on the trees. Every month in deer season brings something special.

Gosh I feel like a fiddle should be playing along with my post lol

 

[mike243]

Because I cant use a gun lol

 

[UTGrad]

Because I cant use a gun lol

Legal Troubles???

 

[mike243]

not a bit,12 years military & been shooting real guns since I was about 4,was wearing a sweet 16 browning out at age 7 on beer bottles and cans. I even have a carry permit lol. I just prefer a bang to a twang & have lost deer to arrows and only 2 with guns, I read every year about the best bow shot and still no dead deer. if it hits where is supposed to the deer wont go 50y. bone or bad shot placement + lost deer = heartache , Im getting to old for the sorrow of losing a deer, at some point a bow hunter will lose a deer, I just try to limit the damage I do , I might get my xbow out and if the stars aline & the deer doesn't know im there I will shoot, if not look out muzzleloader season lol

 

[Boone 58]

I love the challenge, and the necessary skill it takes to regularly shoot a deer with a bow. I estimate I have taken at least 70........but I really don't keep up anymore.

 

[gobblegrunt]

Close up and I love it

 

[r'ville a-bolt]

simple it will test your set up, patience, and ability to hold it together in close quarters. I always joked that I would never bowhunt once I picked one up I was hooked even gave up golf 4 years ago what took me so long

 

[TDW05]

I love the challenge and equal playing field. Anyone can kill one with a gun IMO. I just love hearing the acorns fall around me and crunching of the leaves. Its just a different feeling when you have a bow in your hand!

 

[Poleaxe]

IMO it's the easiest time of the year to kill them. They haven't been subjected to gun fire yet. I see way more deer during bow season than I do during gun season.

 

[stik]

when i started, it was the only way to legally kill a doe. now i just like the peace and quiet.

 

[user 972]

there are several things why I do it. right now the only reason I give is 'to get away from my wife'.

 

[Urban_Hunter]

A successful bow hunt is one of the most rewarding things I have experienced. The challenge of the shot, getting in close, months of practice, keeping it all together makes even the smallest of does the greatest of trophies... For me anyways :wink:

My original interest was to extend the season and to get on the public land before the elmers

 

[Engine2c]

Love getting close. I primarily bow hunt only now. I love the challenge. It tests your skills to consistently kill em with a bow. Shooting at a deer on the other side of a field with a gun seems too easy to me now. Anybody can do that.

 

[catman529]

Love getting close. I primarily bow hunt only now. I love the challenge. It tests your skills to consistently kill em with a bow. Shooting at a deer on the other side of a field with a gun seems too easy to me now. Anybody can do that.

I hear people say "anybody can do that" pretty often when referring to gun hunting. But think about it, anybody can kill one with a bow too. If you practice and can hit the mark, put in your work and get in the right spot right time you can kill one with the bow just as you can with the gun. Some people just don't care to use the bow, so they use the rifle or muzzleloader instead. That's perfectly fine and I take my rifle out every year cause I love blasting a hole in one too. The rifle is a better weapon to quickly kill a deer. But of course I always prefer the close range deer and the sound of an arrow smacking a deer's broad side. Just can't go and make gun hunters look lazy by saying "anybody can do that". Anybody who can draw a bow and hit a target can kill a deer too. Some people will take their big guns to public land and never kill one because they are too lazy. Same with a bow, they might not scout and find a good setup or hunt every chance they get, and never kill one with a bow either. It all depends on the hunter and how determined they are to kill a deer with whatever weapon they choose.

 

[Pinwheeled]

I bow hunt because gun hunting just doesn't do anything for me. I have a perfectly good TC Triumph that never leaves the house but maybe 2-3 hunts a year. Most of my spots won't allow a shot over 50 yards anyways.

I also enjoy tuning. Getting a bow to shoot any fixed blade broadhead right with my fp's is pretty satisfying.

 

[.444 Marlin]

I honestly prefer a muzzleloader over rifle or bow but theres a couple reasons I bow hunt.

1: challenge
2: I waited long enough to go hunting throughout summer
3: A bow is one weapon ive never taken a deer with.