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Feb 12th, 2024
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 Bow Hunting Dilema!!
#188558
06/23/07 02:02 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 821
nolanspawn
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 821 |
I have been a rifle hunter all my life. I started hunting when I was probably barely 3 shooting rabbits with a .22. Then when I was 4.5 I took my first whitetail with a 22-250. I have always wanted to maybe give bow hunting a chance. One thing that is always held me back was that the deer doesn't die right away. When I shoot a deer I always aim to break its neck, I like the deer to die instantly and not feel any pain. Its not that I think bow hunting is immoral in any sense, but before I just thought it wasn't for me. Now I am thinking about giving it a try. Thing holding me back now is that my ranch is only 200 acres. It just doesn't seem big enough to me that if I placed a bad shot that the deer would stay on the property and I really don't like trailing onto neighbors ranches.
What do you guys think I should do to deal with this dilema?
Josh
Active Duty Air Force
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Re: Bow Hunting Dilema!!
[Re: nolanspawn]
#188559
06/23/07 03:20 AM
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 238
holdem
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 238 |
What would you do if you made a bad shot with the rifle?
Practice, practice and more practice with the bow and don't make a bad shot. Don't shoot at them over 20 yards using good equipment and they won't go very far.
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Re: Bow Hunting Dilema!!
[Re: holdem]
#188560
06/23/07 03:35 AM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,615
Wes70
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,615 |
I would have to agree. Practice is going to make the difference. You just have to get comfortable enough with your equipment to make the shot.
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Re: Bow Hunting Dilema!!
[Re: Wes70]
#188561
06/23/07 05:01 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 821
nolanspawn
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 821 |
Personally with a rifle, I wont attempt redicously long shots, I dont attempt running shots, I wont take a shot if I don't have a steady rest, and I wont shoot if I am not calm. I know sometimes you don't have long to make the shot, so I just take a deep breathe and make the shot. I have only missed one deer, and all my deer don't move from the spot they were standing at.
Active Duty Air Force
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Re: Bow Hunting Dilema!!
[Re: nolanspawn]
#188562
06/23/07 12:55 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 86
gtbuck
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 86 |
I watch most of the deer I shoot fall with my bow. Even a " bad" shot if you leave them alone they do not go far. I have seen more wounded deer with rifles than bows.
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Re: Bow Hunting Dilema!!
[Re: nolanspawn]
#188563
06/23/07 01:21 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 19,100
dgilbert
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 19,100 |
I don't see a delema here!. Holdem made a good point. Just don't hunt the fence lines. Hunt a good 100 yards or so from a fence line and you will OK. JMO>
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Re: Bow Hunting Dilema!!
[Re: gtbuck]
#188564
06/23/07 01:33 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,099
kwrhuntinglab
"The Guardian"
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"The Guardian"
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,099 |
Quote:
I watch most of the deer I shoot fall with my bow. Even a " bad" shot if you leave them alone they do not go far. I have seen more wounded deer with rifles than bows.
You have probably seen that since the number of gun hunters per bow hunters is outrageous. Not sure where your hunting, but (and I am new to bow hunting) the biggest majority that I have seen of gun hunters drop their deer in their tracks...
A bow kill is going to run even with a well placed shot...
dgilbert and them are correct.....hunt inside the area and not on the lines.....good advice....but practice, practice... 
Spend time with the ones you love. Time is not guaranteed.
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Re: Bow Hunting Dilema!!
[Re: kwrhuntinglab]
#188565
06/23/07 02:48 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,449
Auctioneer1
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,449 |
Once you shoot one with a bow it's hard to pick the rifle back up. Don't be scared go for it you will be glad you did we shoot alot of deer with a bow every year and if you place a good shot or bad just give the deer time and don't push it you will be fine.
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Re: Bow Hunting Dilema!!
[Re: Auctioneer1]
#188566
06/23/07 06:41 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 368
Bucklessbob77
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 368 |
On a broadside shot thru the lungs...I think you'll find they won't run any farther with an arrow than they would with a bullet.
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Re: Bow Hunting Dilema!!
[Re: Bucklessbob77]
#188567
06/25/07 07:37 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 115
THARRIS
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 115 |
I have killed deer with both rifle and a bow.I'm not an avid bow hunter anymore but once was.I have dropped deer in there tracks more times with a bow than with my rifle.Ypu have to practice,practice and practice some more.The thing with bow hunting is getting the shot not so much as making it.
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Re: Bow Hunting Dilema!!
[Re: THARRIS]
#188568
06/26/07 12:20 PM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 31,056
HWY_MAN
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 31,056 |
Quote:
I have dropped deer in there tracks more times with a bow than with my rifle.
Sounds like a little more practice with the rifle is in order.
Yes! A Weatherby does kill them deader.
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Re: Bow Hunting Dilema!!
[Re: HWY_MAN]
#188569
06/26/07 01:29 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 102
Montana_Dave
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 102 |
Dilemma? I started bowhunting so I could hunt more. Bowhunting will, at least, double the length of your season! As someone else posted, once you harvest a deer with a bow, it is hard to pick up a rifle.
It does require practice to become proficient with archery equipment- but that is part of the fun! Grab a bow, practice, and go climb up in a tree. You will be hooked!
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Re: Bow Hunting Dilema!!
[Re: Montana_Dave]
#188570
06/26/07 06:04 PM
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 970
dcnitro
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 970 |
I am going to have to agree with montana dave. If you havent bought a bow you might as well by a top of the line cause when you start bow hunting you atre going to want a good bow cause thats all you are going to want to do so go with a good bow from the beggining. Practice is the best advice that anyone can give you. Shoot it only like 10 times every time you practice cause anyhting after 10 shot you start to get tired and you will be making adjustments on your bow that dont need to be made. Just try it and you will love it.
Scooter
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Re: Bow Hunting Dilema!!
[Re: Wes70]
#188571
06/26/07 06:33 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 16,464
txcornhusker
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 16,464 |
Quote:
I would have to agree. Practice is going to make the difference. You just have to get comfortable enough with your equipment to make the shot.
You must need new equipement that you are comfortable with then!!  
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Re: Bow Hunting Dilema!!
[Re: txcornhusker]
#188572
06/26/07 06:42 PM
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 970
dcnitro
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 970 |
Quote:
Quote:
I would have to agree. Practice is going to make the difference. You just have to get comfortable enough with your equipment to make the shot.
You must need new equipement that you are comfortable with then!!
LOL I agree with that 100% Jason. We will see if he does any better with that synergy.
Scooter
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Re: Bow Hunting Dilema!!
[Re: dcnitro]
#188573
06/28/07 01:28 AM
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,632
cajundave
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,632 |
good shot + good bow + good broadheads = short yardage to find dear. I don't believe in animals having to suffer either, however, there is nothing like bowhunting.
"Guns aren't toys!They're for family protection,hunting dangerous or delicious animals,and keeping the King of England out of your face!" H.Simpson 
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Re: Bow Hunting Dilema!!
[Re: cajundave]
#188574
06/30/07 12:54 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 441
slimpickens
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 441 |
Deer don't run as hard when shot with a bow like a gun, every deer I have shot with a bow was down with in 50yards.
Make sure you limt your shots even if theres a big one just out of your range and get a good range finder.
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Re: Bow Hunting Dilema!!
[Re: Montana_Dave]
#188575
06/30/07 12:57 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,963
txtrophy85
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,963 |
Quote:
Dilemma? I started bowhunting so I could hunt more. Bowhunting will, at least, double the length of your season! !
get a MLD level 3 permit, that will fix the october bow only season
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Bow Hunting Dilema!!
[Re: txtrophy85]
#188576
07/14/07 04:30 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 482
ROCKMAN57
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 482 |
If I didn't shoot untill I was calm I would never get to shoot.If I was calm every time I shot I'd quit huntin.
Keep your powder dry,the wind in your face and watch your backtrail.
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Re: Bow Hunting Dilema!!
[Re: ROCKMAN57]
#188577
07/17/07 03:45 PM
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 112
TrucksNmudd89
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 112 |
I hunt 100 acres close to college station and shot two does last year that didnt go 40 yards before dieing again just practice a ton and after a shot if you didnt see the deer go down don't push it give it plenty of time to bed down. Ive been bowhunting for probally four years and since i started i have never looked at rifle hunting the same. i would much rather sit in a tree that a deer stand now and most likely it will be the same way for you!
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Re: Bow Hunting Dilema!!
[Re: nolanspawn]
#188578
07/17/07 05:06 PM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 9,548
TXBowhunter1
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 9,548 |
i read somewhere that there are more deer lost after being shot with a rifle than a bow. if you wait 20-30 minutes after the shot the deer will lay down and die on your property. dont go lookin right away and jump the deer.
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Re: Bow Hunting Dilema!!
[Re: TXBowhunter1]
#188579
07/17/07 07:53 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 208
ScooterG
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 208 |
I've taken 2 in the last two years off of 11 acres. One jumped the fence and ran another 40 yards and one ran 70 yards. I unfortunately made a bad shot on one as well and got him high and back above the spine. He came back two weeks later with a scar and no limp.
There's no arguement that a gun is a better killing machine and that getting super close with a bow is awesome....you can't argue either one of those statements (well, I'm sure someone could).
Bowhunting is really awesome but I still like to gun hunt. I plan to hunt 5 different spots this year all in different counties. I think that bowhunting has made me a better rifle hunter. My spot just outside Bryan is loaded with deer and I have learned more in the last two years about deer behavior than all of my gun hunting years combined.
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Re: Bow Hunting Dilema!!
[Re: holdem]
#188580
07/17/07 10:54 PM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,794
ILUVBIGBUCKS
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,794 |
Quote:
What would you do if you made a bad shot with the rifle?
Practice, practice and more practice with the bow and don't make a bad shot. Don't shoot at them over 20 yards using good equipment and they won't go very far.
Very good answer! Before you ever let one fly at a deer make sure that you can keep 5 arrows within a 2 1/2" circle and make that your maximum distance. Also, only take shots that give you the perfect angle, either completely broadside or quartering away. I've never seen a double lung or heart shot deer go more than 200 yards. I gave up the bow 15 years ago and picked it back up in the last year and I'm having a blast. The speed, smoothness, and accuracy of the newer bows vs the older ones is great. Be prepared to invest at least $700.00. If you start out with a less expensive bow you'll be selling it and trading it off within a year for a better one. Trust me, you'll be hooked once you start shooting.
High fence, low fence, no fence, it really doesn't matter as long as you're hunting!
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Re: Bow Hunting Dilema!!
[Re: ILUVBIGBUCKS]
#188581
07/20/07 09:39 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 688
grimreapor
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 688 |
WARNING!!!! ONCE YOU SHOOT A DEER WITH YOUR BOW, YOU WILL LEAVE YOUR RIFLE AT HOME. IT IS SUCH A RUSH FOR ME TO SHOOT A DEER WITH MY BOW EQUALLY CHALLENGING BEING A BUCK OR DOE. IT IS SUCH A CHALLENGE.
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Re: Bow Hunting Dilema!!
[Re: grimreapor]
#188582
07/24/07 04:56 PM
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 111
dustyh
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 111 |
I haven't shot a deer with my bow yet but have killed several hogs and none have gone more than 100 yards. I always set up to were my shots will not be over 30 yards, one thing I find that helps me with this is don't set somewere that you can see lots of ground. I love hunting with my bow and hope this is the year I take my first deer with it, got a new lease and a great spot for a bow blind.
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