Bow or Shotgun/ rifle season?

[Teamhoyt]

What's everyone's preference and why. Is it bow, or gun? I'll start. I use to love bow hunting, that was my "go to". However in recent years I've switched to rifle. I love the quietness of bow hunting and the difficulty of the bow. But for some reason lately I love the rifle. Maybe because it's a higher % of being able to fill the freezer. And on a positive note its easier to have my 4yr old tag along then it would be with a bow.

[mowin]

Mine is still archery.  I like the warmer weather and the intensity buildup of the rut.  My standards are higher and it's a blast watching deer walk by waiting for a shooter. 

Next is late ML season.  Bunch of us have a great time filling the freezer. 

[Robhuntandfish]

My favorite is probably the time of season and not the implement.  I love Oct 25-Nov 25.  I use whatever is legal in those times.  I enjoy the last two weeks of bow when xbow is open and opening week of rifle the most.  Def love the quiet of bow season but not big on the first three weeks of it during warm weather. 

[DDT]

As I get older,  crossbow/bow.  Can't sit in a tree with a good conscience when the weather is nice and there is still things to do to get ready for winter.  I used to go and couldn't stop thinking about things I didn't get done yet. By November the weather usually has changed and I can enjoy hunting without a guilty conscience.  Crossbow/bow season is right in the rut and can be more productive.  Starting Halloween day has been my favorite time. Doesn't matter what weapon I'm carrying. 

[GreeneHunter]

I only Crossbow , was never a Bow hunter ! And then - naturally - I go with the gun then back to Crossbow !

[DirtTime]

I used to love archery. The past three years, could take or leave it and only hunt archery because it's all that opens early in the SZ. I'll be perfectly happy when we buy a new home and it's  a lot closer to the NZ and I will just hold off until the early ML season opens mid October. The past two years it's been nice using the ML on our cabin trip up north and not have to worry about my bow or arrows getting screwed up on the drive up or back.

 

I just don't enjoy being out there having to cart all the crap I need for archery anymore so I prefer the boom stick seasons, of which I'll be out tomorrow for the Holiday season toting the ML.

Edited December 25, 2022 by DirtTime

[DoubleDose]

Agree with all of the above.  I do not hunt from tree stands (fear of heights/falling).  Given that limitation, for me, bow hunting requires more hunting ability, while firearms more shooting ability.  As the Deer season progresses from bow to firearm, I look at it as trading better weather for a better weapon; but that usually comes with more hunters in the woods and decreasing deer #s.  I guess my preference would be firearm.  

[2012-Taco]

I love bow hunting,  season starts for me 10/15, not big on early archery. But as I get older I appreciate the change in weapons and the increase in range and accuracy that the xbow and rifle provide.  I enjoy the ML but that also comes with a lot of really cold weather and I'm becoming a wimp when it comes to the cold! Therefore the heater in a box blind is a must!

[518BowSlayer]

I like it all!

[Doebuck1234]

I think it's more of the property I hunt.bow season is where it's at.2 days into gun I was already wanting bow season back haha.As soon as all the other neighbors start pressuring,it turns to shit fast.love the challenge of bow also

[Meatball]

Southern zone state land hunting l love the weather of crossbow season. Definitely need the advantage of the rifle as the hunter pressure picks up. But I do switch back to crossbow for late season. I keep saying I'm going to get practicing for compound bow season, but with the kids base/softball schedule I can't find the confidence in my shooting to go out for game with it. The crossbow wins every time with me being able to just setup out back and fire a few bolts every season to see if it's still accurate before hitting the woods!

[Dogman]

It used to be Archery season for sure until I got involved with chasing grouse & woodcock with a dog. Opening day of rifle firearms season can be fun. Then back to work until late muzzleloader season I would have to say.

Just in this order I guess.

[Cabin Fever]

Bow season fer sure! Deer are in the area, active and I see daytime movement. By the gun opener, the deer seem to vacate the area, even with little/no hunting pressure in the entire block. Cams are dead too...

[NYRturkeycall]

Bow for sure.  Just love the challenge better and a lot more movement. 

[46rkl]

It’s the time of year that I favor. Last week in October till the last week in November really is my favorite time of year to be out in the woods hunting white tails. Archery is my favorite time (compound or cross) for the quiet and relatively undisturbed deer movement and the moderate weather. Muzzleloader season is second as the hunter numbers definitely are reduced and consistent colder weather is much better than the rain/slush/snow of early December. No question but that hunting with the compound bow is my favorite weapon but it is not easy on an aging body. I don’t practice enough due to back and shoulder issues and then I severely limit my range so as to avoid less than lethal hits. The crossbow and muzzleloader come in second while I prefer to carry a shotgun over a rifle. Rifle hunting is for western states.