States with most traditional hunters

[Blackhawk]

shag08,

Do you mean one does not have to buy a separate license/sticker for archery or muzzleloader?  One license allows you to hunt the entire seasons with all weapons?  

That game department is missing out on some funds by doing that...and good for you!

[Jon Stewart]

Blackhawk: That is how Michigan does also.  You buy a license and the weapon you use is determined by the season. IE: Archery season, muzzle loading season or gun season.  If you have an un-used tag from archery season you can gun hunt on it or muzzleload on it. Been that way for many years now.

That is for deer.  for small game you have to buy separate licenses for small game, water fowl etc.

We also have a point system for elk and bear.  Those are on a draw type system.

[Blackhawk]

Jon: OK then...so my state list of so-called bowhunters cannot be valid. OH well...

With that said, based upon my discussions, trades, sales, etc, I would put your state of Michigan near the top.

Being #1, #5, or #50 is not critical of course, but just a topic of discussion on a cold day.

[Jon Stewart]

I guess I am not sure if the original poster was wondering which state had more bow hunters or more traditional bowhunters.

Like I wrote earlier we have 4 or 5 good traditional/longbow and primitive only shoots but I would bet that maybe only 1/3rd at best hunt traditional.  Most I know jump to the compound or alternative type bow hunting.

[shag08]

That's correct, Lon. In TN, a resident sportsman's license covers it all...all big game species and seasons for them, small game, trapping, fishing etc. I think it is required to buy a federal stamp for migratory birds. And it does cost extra for draw hunts on certain WMA's.

But if you are a resident of TN, you can pretty much do it all for $165 (I think that's the new price...they changed it this year and I haven't had to buy one yet...expires last day of this month).

[Tajue17]

I can think of 6 other stick bow hunters from my state who do not use the computer and don't visit any forums,, no offence but a lot of old timers who shoot sticks don't have a PC or smart phone my father and cousin are the first two that come to mind.

[Rod Bear]

PBS which is a traditional based organization, has their largest membership in the East. Pa, Ohio, ect.

[aim small...release]

I agree with Jon. I shoot in a traditional league in the winter and I'd say there's about 18 guys in the league but only 6 or 7 hunt with a stick n string. But the club is tuscola county archery and we have a trad shoot in July and it brings alot of people from all over

[aim small...release]

I agree with Jon. I shoot in a traditional league in the winter and I'd say there's about 18 guys in the league but only 6 or 7 hunt with a stick n string. But the club is tuscola county archery and we have a trad shoot in July and it brings alot of people from all over

[myshootinstinks]

I have hunted w/ a LB or recurve in Wyoming for well over a decade. Not only the deer/elk seasons but smaller stuff, rabbits, etc.
    Other than a hunting buddy or two that was hunting with me   I HAVE YET TO SEE another hunter/shooter in the woods or in a camp using traditional equipment.....honestly.   I do know you guys are here from the posts I read on the different forums.
    I really think Wyoming may possibly be dead last as far as the numbers of trad hunters.
   In that Wyoming is dead last in total population, I guess it's no surprise.

[myshootinstinks]

Originally posted by Roger Norris:
I have noticed more Traditional Bow Hunters in the "thicker" states.....meaning the hunting takes place in thicker, closer geography. Michigan, PA, etc.

Out west, I have NEVER encountered another traditional guy. And the guys you do meet laugh it off....."How are you going to shoot an elk at 50 yards with that thing?"

What we do is a different sport, completely.

I think Roger is right on the point.  I did see a hunter in Colorado using an old Ben Pearson but that was a good 25 years ago. The compound shooters I've encountered here in Wyo do not seem to consider us stick shooters to be serious hunters.    

[Kudu Kid]

I have never seen in the field a hunter using traditional equipment in Mn.  I know some of my 3d  buddies hunt exclusively with trad as I do.  I  just don't see any others in the field.

Even with the large Rapids archery 3D shoot, I know some of them still pick up the compound during the hunting season.