Question for Hunters

[EEZerik]

Those who have hunted Bow/Crossbow vs Rifle. What do you prefer?
(why?)

[resurrected]

I like to use a bow, I feel sort of primitive with it. And I feel I have to be more precise in my tracking and stealth. Brings back memories from long ago............

[klax410]

I prefer rifle... blast the **** out of ur dinner!

[GimpyPaw]

I choose to hunt with my rifle. I very much enjoyed the trill of hunting with a bow, and did so for about 4 years. It was always intense to be anywhere from 60 yards to 5 feet from a deer or elk you were hunting, and there was something very primal about using the bow.

Two events led me to give up the bow. The first was when I learned how slow the arrow really flys. Every bow hunter knows what it means to say your prey "jumped the string". Essentially you shoot at the animal, who then hears the twang of the string. Even though your arrow is moving at nearly 300 ft per seccond the blank'n blank mother lovin' deer manages to move out of the way before your shot closes the 52 yards for the kill. I went home empty handed many times because the deer were faster than my arrow. Had it been a rifle in my hand, I would have brought home meat.

Second, and this was what really pinched it for me, was when I learned how ineffective a bow can be in killing quickly. Yes, those who have hunted with bows have seen a single arrow stop a bull elk dead, but many times an arrow will only wound or cripple where a bullet in the same spot would have either killed or anchored (made the animal unable to move). I've tracked many animals, both those hit by my arrows and those shot by others, and too many times the trail was lost.

The last time I was bow hunting I had an easy shot at a deer. Something must have been wrong with my arrow shaft or the broadhead because I saw the arrow "hook" and curve to the right when it flew. The arrow struck sollid into the hip of the deer, who jumped and fled through some thick brush. The rain was too much and what little blood was flowing was washed away, leaving us nothing to follow. I crippled that deer, and it was likely coyote dinner by that night. Had either of my hunting rifles struck that same spot the deer would have been unable to move and I would have put it down with a follow up shot a second latter.

In all the deer and elk I've killed with a rifle I have NEVER had to track one. Every one of them has been dead within 20 ft of where they stood when I shot. In short, for me it seemed more practical and humane to kill quickly and effectively with my rifle. I have no problem what-so-ever with somebody opting for a bow, but for me it is not my weapon of choice.

[5shot]

I hunt with a bow, rifle, muzzleloader and shotgun. I use whatever is in season. That said I prefer to bowhunt and spend over 50% of my time bowhunting. It is tough, but I love it. I actually have a small archery shop and website releated to bowhunting/gear. As with all hunting shot placement is the most important factor in bringing your game down fast. with a bow you need to get close, for me it's 40 yards or less, but I prefer the 15 to 20 yard shots. Bowhunting also requires you to become very familer with your equipment, tuning, shooting, practicing from wierd angles etc. It's just a lot more rewarding in the end.

[Chipman]

I'll stay with the rifle, I tried bow hunting but I just could not become proficient enough with it to try and take an animal.

[GREENFEATHER]

I hunt with a bow early in the season when the deer aren't as skittish as they are right now. The longer I hunt the more weary they get which is a real pain in the ass, lol!! Next week is the end of the season for me, the crop damage permits expire. :mad:

[fitnessman]

Bow. I prefer to stalk.

Anyone can sit back with a rifle. Bow takes skill and gets one close to our roots.

[EEZerik]

thanks for the replies guys. The reason I ask is because I do spearfishing, which In theory is like a crossbow tied to monofilament. We need to get close to the prey whilst diving on a single breath of air.

I really like the element of stalking and trying to blend in with the surroundings, along with doing everything in a timed environment, then there is also the issue of range and water visibility(clarity), depth of hunting (sometimes we go down to 100 ft + dives, but sometimes you can find an area pretty shallow, too).



For California, most fish/lobster are caught by commercial fishermen, live-fish traps to be sold in stores, as well as party-boats.

I've never hunted before, and was curious as I like to eat what I catch, though of course I have respect for the animal/fish, so I hate wasting food. It seems like a GUN is a quicker kill but I think I might want to try out a crossbow...

For Deer Hunters, are there lots of deer in your areas - enough you can take a couple every year? How long does it take to find them? For some fish underwater I can go many trips trying to target them and never see them.
Makes it good when you do find where they are, though. I know how you feel when you lose the deer or fish. They will often be so injured and they die a slow death. I've lost fish before after shooting them, and it stinks.

Cheers,

Erik

[Hartski]

Bow, rifle, muzzleloader, shotgun, they all have their place in hunting, and they can all be enjoyable. There's something to be said about stalking your prey with a bow, but laying down with a good rifle 1,000 meters from your prey and waiting for that one, perfect shot is awesome, too.