Are You Gonna Hunt With Your Trad Bow During The Non-Bow Season?

[Bud B.]

Took the longbow out today. Only saw squirrels.

I heard many booms in the distance. None close though.

[far rider]

Yes, that's the plan. Here, we can hunt on our own property without orange during rifle, if you are an archery hunter. Sure is a lot more fun.

[xtrema312]

Hunt with what you want and don’t worry about it.  Do whatever makes you happy being out hunting as long as you follow all the rules.

As for me I don't care for gun season all that much anymore.  It just is not the same.  We do eat a lot of venison in a year so I would take them with a gun if I wasn’t getting it done with a bow.  I am getting it done with the bow so no need to gun hunt this year for the sake of meat.  I wouldn’t go out this year in gun season, but my dad is in his late 70’s, and I plan to go out with him. Too many other hunters around to even think about shooting a deer and not having it go down quick.  There would be a good chance of it getting shot again before it fell, or I could end up spooking all the deer off the place to the fence setters trying to find it if it ran a ways into our heavy cover.  Then there is the idea of not being armed when encountering tress passers. Some years I only go out to keep people off the place.

[KentuckyTJ]

Absolutely for me. That is a personal decision though. Hunt however you enjoy it.

[njloco]

Take your bow ! I have gun hunted, and every deer I have got with it I could have shot with my bow, furthest shot with a rifle, 35 yds. furthest shot with a bow (wheelie) 27yds. furthest shot with a trad. 29yds. This is why I only go with the trad gear now.

It always tastes better with a bow, it's all in the head.

But if you need the meat, I can fully understand taking the rifle.

[Swinestalker]

Longbow only for me. Hunting with firearms simply doesen't do it for me.

[Fletcher]

Not legal to bowhunt during the gun season here in IL, so I'll rake leaves and catch up on things.

[Terry Lightle]

Will have my Cari-Bow with me during gun season here in Oklahoma,only drawback is wearing that darn orange.

[Paul WA]

Nope, can only hunt here within the season you choose a weapon for. I have to choose a weapon and for elk have to choose east or west side of the state...PR

I did not know there was a "non-bow" season. I always hunt with my trad bow.

Bisch

[JUST-DOO-IT]

Take the bow!  When the Moose gun season opened I was the only guy at the camp with a bow.  The gun hunters filled the tag within 1/2 hour of opening day.  Now they had a whole week ahead of them with nothing to do.  I roamed the woods all week shooting birds and got to within 15 yards of a nice bull.  Had a blast!!

[MI_Bowhunter]

I'm as much a gun guy as I am a bow guy.   I've always enjoyed hitting the woods with the rifle that my grandfather passed on to me.   My weapon of choice will depend on which stand I end up hunting.

[LimBender]

That is complete nonsense that some states don't let you hunt the more primitive weapon during gun season.      I thought all states had the logical rule of the greater includes the lesser - if it's legal to gun hunt, it's legal to pistol, ml, or bowhunt.  Didn't know about this.  Yet another stupid game law like no Sunday hunting.

[tuscarawasbowman]

First year that I'll be taking my bow out during gun season. Told my dad and he looked at me like I was nuts!!  

[Smithhammer]

quote:Originally posted by LimBender:
That is complete nonsense that some states don't let you hunt the more primitive weapon during gun season.    

[Hawkeye]

Yes, complete nonsense.  THAT's why it was passed into law in Illinois!!!  It is part of our proud tradition as a state run for the benefit and mindset of Chicago at the expense of the rest.  

That is also why we seem to be the ONLY remaining state with "residents who are too dumb" to protect ourselves with Concealed Carry permits.

Don't mean to hijack the thread but I thought your assessment caught us spot-on!

PS- I'll be out with my bow and orange vest during the later gun seasons, when it is legal to do so.  Go figure....

[Zradix]

Nope.

Got my cap'n ball all ready for for tomorrow.

[Stumpkiller]

I will be.  With an orange vest and hatband, though.  Like Kappemmeister - I blow the dust off the flintlock as well.

[Bill Leeming]

Got my buck with a recurve the first day of gun season. Have not hunted with aa rifle in several years.

[Jim Rocole]

1st yr they are allowing us to hunt with our bows during gun season here in WI. THat being said this coming weekend will be with the rifle at deer camp with family and then some bowhunting on my own land during the week when the weekend warriors are gone. Not sure I would do it on public (especially opening  weekend of gun), WI has a pile of hunters. I generally only p/u the rifle to hunt with the family. cameraderie and all that good stuff. Been out west several times for elk hunting during muzzleloader and always use my bow. Just prefer the intimacy and simplicity of the longbow to the gun.