Conflicting Emotions about gun hunting…

[IronCreekArcher]

#7421

I know that this topic is not well liked by the trad community but I have to ask how many of us out there hunt with a gun as well?:shock: Even if its just once or twice a season…I feel the urge to give in a little this year as I have not harvested a deer in the last two years hunting with only my recurve during both bow and gun seasons. The grocery budget is getting tighter and tighter as well. I will do my best during the archery season but I feel like a sinner for even thinking about picking up a gun to try and harvest some venison for the family. I am trying to settle the demons and am wondering where everyone else stands…

[2-BIG]

#61735

I think that many of us traditional bowhunters are also gun hunters. I hunted with a .22 and .410 for squirrels and rabbits when I was just a youngster and as soon as I could hunt deer with a gun I did. We are hunters first and foremost but many of us like to challenge ourselves by bowhunting and then we take it a step further by hunting with traditional equipment.
I cringe when I hear bowhunters complain that gun hunting is cheating or not challenging. That is like having someone that makes all of their own equipment from natural materials tell me that I am cheating or my equipment is not challenging enough.:roll:
I only have issues with game agencies that take hunting days away from bowhunters and give them to gun hunters and this is where I think a lot of people get the impression that bowhunters do not like gun hunting.

[Hiram]

#61754

Hey Iron, Blessings from an Arky! No Deer with your Bow?
We must have meat! Feed your family the best meat which is the wild kind. I use a “Smoke pole” during gun season if I am out of meat. That seems to satisfy my guilt a little about not having been successfull with my one string.:)

[looselystrung]

#61799

I hunt with a longbow..years past I have “made meat” (or tried to) with a Mauser 30/06 rifle..like Hiram said…I just picked up a T/c Hawken .50 flintlock and and plan on using that this year in late season..

[Steve Sr.]

#62222

Many trad bow hunters are also black powder enthusiasts.

For decades I hunted with both and still feel the draw to an old smokepole and the single shot feature as well.

Firearm season, per se, is insane here with numbers of hunters and unless I have a place no one else is hunting I don’t hunt that 2 week season but once or twice, even though it’s a GREAT time to see a big ol monster buck here.

Like any weapon, gun hunters have the slobs and also some FINE hunters that just prefer a firearm. I cannot take away from their fine ethics and morals simply because they don’t like my weapon of choice.

In a “bad season” where I just flat didn’t do my part right to put meat in the freezer, I’ve went back to the ML for a quickie hunt and a couple does down and feel no shame there. It’s the only place I can get venison……hunting and I’ve WENT without and hate it.

The hunt is the main thing for me with my recurves. The challenge is second to none, with none giving me more satisfaction. That said, having meat is more important year to year as prices soar and income has dwindled.

This year is worse than most. I MUST get meat this fall but have plenty of time so should be good to go.

Our firearm season is mid November and I was graciously offered a place to hunt in Ohio then where their gun season has not yet started. Hopefully Ill be able to finance that hunt, cheap though it will be. It’s going to be touch and go, embarrassingly.

Anyway, back on track. Fred Bear was the one who promoted and coined the phase “Be A Two Season Hunter”.

I, for one, will not PURPOSELY add myself to what some feel is an “elitist”. No offense to anyone. I cannot recall how many “might be convincable to hunt trad” people that were TOTALLY turned off by what they called “the holier than thou traditionalists”. Makes me SAD! (and MAD!)

I recently signed out of another BIG trad site and will not sign in again unless there is something in classifieds I would like.

Even within the trad community so many are IMHO, “talking down” to other trad hunters, especially new ones. Teaching our ways can be, and should be done non-offensively.

Once again a “few” are ruining it for many. A couple rotten apples in a barrel of good ones and that happens in all groups using all weapons, it seems.

It’s just my opinion, not worth much most times, but I feel all of us hunters should stick together. As my post about my nephew indicated, I sometimes go off the deep end concerning friends and family, but over all we HAVE ENOUGH ENEMIES without hassles within the hunting public themselves.

The help you all gave me in advice about my nephew made me sit back and take a good look and ask…. will my great grandchildren be able to hunt…….with ANYTHING? We must stick together!

I honestly don’t know yet feel the answer is not a good one.

BACK on track. I’d PREFER to not hunt with a ML, even though I love it, but I cannot, will not be without meat next year if I can help it and if in late Dec I am without, I wont be.

Necessity will over shadow my love of bow hunting.
Hopefully that doesn’t lower anyone’s opinion of me here.

I have FEW websites left I feel worth my time.

I for one, will support anyone hunting with any weapon if they need. I only have a problem with the “kill a big buck at all cost, in any way……….or I have failed” crowd.

God Bless,
Steve

[lssa]

#62405

i agree with u completely.
i like to hunt with my recurve also but i will gun hunt some also.
i know a lot of good hunters that gun hunt for their own reasons but it is the person behind weapon whether it is a gun or compound or trad bow.

[donw]

#62418

i hunt with recurve, longbows, rimfire and centerfire rifles and air rifles…:):):)

[heydeerman]

#62642

I own several hunting firearms. I have had a .44 magnum for several years that I would love to hunt with. I can barely find time to practice with it because it takes away from my bow shooting.

[Chris Shelton]

#62673

I think that you should not worry about it!! With that said I will tell you that I have not touched a center fire rifle in the past 4 years! And probably will not, I hunt with my recurve during rifle season(it is legal here, just have to wear orange!)and during the smokepole season. I just love the challenge and like the versatility of a stick and string. I mean think about it, what is going to happened if you shoot a squirrel with a 30/06?(actually I know a guy that was so good with his that he could shoot them without meat damage-i.e head shot!!) I like being able to hunt what is in season, I could go from a stalk on a squirrel that turns into a deer down, and that has happened to me before! That is my biggest reason, that is why using a shotgun also appeals to me, however I am pretty sure that you are not allowed to carry shot and slugs at the same time here in Maryland? Plus that and a shotgun blast is a bit noisier than a twang from my bow!

Anyway, if you need meat then a firearm is basically a sure way to get some meat, especially if you hunt like you have to with a bow! I have noticed that traditional archery has made me a better rifle shot as well. I just killed a groundhog with my 22.lr at 250 yards last week! I enjoy some long range shooting every once in a while! And some dove hunting with the good ole 12 gauge(trying to get one with my bow!:D) Near the end of goose season I get fed up with the challenge of trying to get one of those with my bow that I dont just go from the bow to the single shot, I go to the 11-87!! But I definatly dont have any less fun because I am using a firearm!

[SteveMcD]

#62769

For years I have hunted with my Longbow only, through all the seasons, Archery, Gun & Muzzleloader season, I’ve stayed with the Longbow. During all three seasons I also have access to BOW ONLY areas, and during the gun seasons, I usually have the bow only areas all to myself, as well. 1) I just love hunting with a longbow. 2) I lost a great deal of hearing during my service in the Military, as I get older with continued ear problems, to me gun shot noise can almost border on painful.

Having said all that, I am a Hunter Safety instructor, many of us had to take a basic hunter ed course, which either included archery and most assuredly focused on firearms handling and safety. I don’t advocate one getting on their high horse about being “Trad Only”. We all have to remember to dance with the one who took us to the party in the first place.

[Patrick]

#63725

I think a quote from “Primal Dreams” says it best:
“Why we hunt is more important than when, where, or how.”

[Mark Turton]

#64067

ICA
With pressure to put meat on the table take the most practical solution, once you have done that and the pressure is off you will surely enjoy your time bowhunting more.

Mark.

[crittergitter]

#9688

i have been shooting traditional bows for a few years,hunting in my family can be traced back to no end,my dad his dad my dads grandfather and the same on my moms side my dads dad was a commercial fisherman for many many years as well,i still remember raising crawfish nets with him,and the last few years he did it after his stroke i was in charge of 175 of his nets i baught my own bait when i couldnt catch shad wich i normally could,in three years i made well over 4 grand and have not spent a penny of that money i set it aside and spent only the money i made cutting hay,neighbors grass and spring sheep selling, from my, at the time 45 sheep.i have never been to a public school only home school,i am now a junior,i only do 2 hours of school a day,two subjects, however i do school year round therefore doing just as much as everyone else.i can say i have the life that everyone wants, i can hunt or fish every day of the year.i unlike most kids that are home schooled have many friends and i am quite popular the only problem is most of them are just freeloaders who know i can take them on better hunts than most guides.i am blessed with a half dozen or so true friends all hillbillys and rednecks,as well as a great girl that i recently got into traditional bowhunting as well she just killed her first hog with her trdbow on my grandfathers back fifty.hunting and fishing is my life,i mostly like the idea of traditional bows and although i do like shooting them i find deer hunting gun or bow as boring as hunting can be.i am a shotgunner above all nothing comes before duck and woodcock hunting,to date i have killed a woodcock and duck with my bow both were sitting still,and yes i cheated,by having my mom who works the dog carry my bow and arrows,and when the shot prevented itself i handed her my benelli shotgun automatic and shot the birds with the bow.besides shotgunning for any bird species, my second passion is squirrell with a 22, a 22 is the most deadly gun in the world bottom line, my choice is the ruger 10/22 with a heavy bull barrel . 920 diameter and target bullets.hunting is my life a like the challenge of the bow every now and then although i like to shoot it every day and can hold my own with compound shooting friends hunting with the bow is really not that funt to me.i also to a certain extent do not believe in limits i live in a family of four a can say that we have not purchased meat in many years, a connot remember the last time, if you eat what you kill there is nothing wrong with that.i say do whatever makes you happy,just not trophy hunting only meat hunting,or as i would say sport hunting and the best meat in the world,the person who would say gun hunting is wrong, is not a challenge, is truly a fool.sorry for the length of this,have fun relax enjoy hunting enjoy the meat enjoy life.I AM A TRUE CAJUN OF THE DEEP SOUTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA THAT IS MY OPINION.GODSPEED

[Wittefish]

#10630

I’ve read some articles that have read that you can’t claim to be a bowhunter if you hunt with a gun. I can’t say I agree, or at least I need to stop calling myself a bowhunter. I guess “hunter” pretty much sums it up.

I hunt with a recurve (the selfbow is acting wonky, so I need to make another one; alas, too late for this season) and have always felt that bow season is for the solo-experience, the challenge of stick and string, the growth of my woodsmanship, and the best time of the year to be afield. Gun season has always been about the comraderie and tradition of deer camp.

Lean times or not, I appreciate being able to put wild meat on my family’s table, and hunting with a gun has done that more for me than the bow. I would be very happy to not be able to hunt with a gun for lack of tags, and maybe this year, Lord willing, that will happen. I will be in the woods on Nov. 15 (MI hunter also) maybe with my bow, probably with my Remington, hopefully with only my camera.

Good luck, and God bless.

[William Warren]

#10802

I have taken a few deer with the rifle and the shotgun but in my time I have most enjoyed the muzzleloader and most of my deer were taken with the muzzleloader. I only shoot patched roundballs now and sidelocks only, never any of that inline stuff for me. Sidelocks are as reliable as the handler, period. Hangfires are not the guns fault, they are due to the shooters inattention to the loading of the rifle and the nipple area.
While I have spent many years bow hunting I have not taken as many deer with the bow. I have used all types of bows and I have to say that traditional is my favorite and I am not likely to ever use wheel bows again. For me bow hunting is the most exciting method to take whitetails, and that might be the reason I have more anxiety over the shot with the bow. Just too much excitment for my excitable self.
Equally exciting is rattling in a buck and taking him with a muzzleloader. Eventually I would like to try this with the bow. The last one I rattled in came in to 15 paces and I could have shot him with a bow having waited for him to turn his head away to shoot.
But back to the subject. I guess I’m not a purist since I will use a firearm.

[IronCreekArcher]

#13038

Thanks for all the input guys. I was first and foremost raised as a Traditional Bowhunter by my dad and as I got older was introduced to firearms. I have hunted with all types of bows except “crossguns” and I have hunted with all types of firearms…currently my favorite is a .44 Mag wheelgun that I have yet to harvest anything with. I was just feeling a little conflicted as Traditional Bowhunting is my first passion and always my go to method but in light of harder economic times and the need to provide I think I am going to have to go to the gun this year during the gun season to try and provide some much needed venison. I like the getting close game that the Handgun requires because I still feel like I am a hunter (not knocking others methods) and that intimate predator prey relationship. Thanks for the thoughts and support guys…keep it going…

[Mark Turton]

#13348

Hi ICA

I respect your decision and don’t have any issues with handgun hunting but from your original post you suggest that meat in the larder is the primary objective.
My proffered option would be a well scoped .308, get the job done pronto and then enjoy the rest of the season hunting traditionally.
I was out of work a while back for about a year and hunting put fuel in the van and meat on the table and so long as the means used to harvest it was ethical it was OK by me.
Family first.
Mark.

[Hiram]

#16583

Most of the Gun hunters go on opening day. Most of them do not hunt much after that except on the week end until they get their Deer. The harvest report reflects this in (check stations)Arkansas.The woods are not as full during the weekdays for those who prefer to Bowhunt. No dogs running Deer in Arkansas has been a Blessing also. Most of the WMA”S regulate the amount of hunters on any given day which helps with overcrowding also. Hunter orange even with a Bow during gun season here.

[rayborbon]

#18702

I hunt with guns every year.

In fact for bear season. I usually wake up and take whatever weapon I feel. Kind of like making the decision to wear what pants for the day.

I feel no remorse shame or anything negative for harvesting animals with guns. I feel glad that I do not have to strictly adhere to archery or gun hunting. I’m glad I live in a free country where I can make these choices.

For elk , I strictly bow hunt.

I harvested a good black bear about 10 days ago with my rifle. I was pleased

[IronCreekArcher]

#19202

Pothunter,

I agree with using the .308…in fact I have a .270 that I used when I lived in Montana for many years. Lots of elk, deer and antelope have fallen to it but, unfortunately where I hunt in Michigan rifles are not legal to hunt with. My handgun will consistently shoot a 3″ group at 100 yards off of shooting sticks that I use in the field…not that I plan on shooting that far. Anyway, I wish I could use the rifle but my hands are tied…heres to the wheelgun!

[Chris Shelton]

#19226

you could still use a boomstick right, they are basically as acurate as rifles now a days? If that is your consern, also slug guns are getting as acurate as well, they even make them look like rifles now too, pretty cool what gun makers can do to get around laws, similar to what cva and others have done with there all synthetic flint lock boomsticks that they designed to get around the PA flintlock only season!?

[johnny2]

#19264

I have been very lucky to fill my freezer in the fall without the use of a gun….then I bought a longbow.:D Last autumn I broke out the wheelie bow because my wife said it was time to swallow my pride and put some meat on the table. Wouldn’t you know the 2 deer I killed presented the shot I’d been looking for all season with my stick; broadside, unaware, sub 15 yards. No shame in whatever method used as long as it’s done ethically. As I haven’t shot my compound all year, I may be joining you out there wth a gun if my freezer is barren.

I hunt squirrels with a 22 and my absolute obsession is spring turkey. My experience chasing gobblers in these mountains with even a compound could be described as futile at best(unless sitting in a blind, which I’ve found isn’t really my cup of tea)so the Benelli takes center stage come April.

[Mark Turton]

#19992

Hi Jonny

“Without the beasts man would die from a great loneliness of spirit.For whatevever happens to the beasts, soon happens to man.All things are connected.”
-Chief Seattle

Very profound, I’ve never come across this gentleman I must investigate.

Mark.

[moss]

#21593

Im a would be tradbow hunter as sadly bow hunting is no longer legal here , but I practice every day waiting for a bow hunting trip. and I absorb myself in tradbow.

Its the hunt that counts. hunting with a rifle is fine as long as you dont regard it as animated target shooting. Its a lot easier of course, you dont have to stalk to 15 yards and you dont have to draw your arrow, your missile goes faster than the speed of sound and should hit where you are aiming at.

Theres no shame in getting some venison on the table. Only problem in the States is too many gun hunters too short a season and hunter orange

After trying many calibers. I have found .308 win admirable for small and large deer.

[Chris Shelton]

#21721

moss, I am going to assume you live in Europe? Either way my advice will still suffice. Tred Bartas son came up with a way to hunt that I think might feed your hunter for traditional archery. He called it bowhunting with a rifle! Basically what it sounds like, you could stalk the game as if you were bowhunting but only harvest it with a rifle. He actually did it with a cow elk, and getting close is the whole reason I hunt with a traditional bow, I find myself stretching my rifles potential all the way if it is in my hands. I shot a groundhog at 250 yards with my 22lr., running shot too. Some may say that is unethical, but my 22 is sooped up, 6 by 16 mil dot scope, and I practice at that range all the time! Perfect shot, right in the noggin! Groundhog died instantly! Anyway, I hope and pray to god that bowhunting is never outlawed here in the states, I will become a outlaw!

[moss]

#22685

Thats right in England, I can hunt deer everday of the year (different species bucks and does etc) but NO bow hunting, Cannot afford to break the law as this could jeopodise my firearms licence. I guess I do stalk the woods like a bowhunter and often get to bow range, but squeezing the trigger is a lot easier than standing up and drawing a bow.
So the extra challenge would be welcome.
Its the hunting, closeness to nature that counts and thats where bowhunting scores especially using traditional bows.
But theres no harm in bowhunters harvesting some venison with a rifle imo
I guess years ago I pulled some long shots with a .22 but nowdays I regard my .22lr as a 100 yard weapon, .17hmr 200 yards max .

[Rocks]

#22964

I’m new to traditional bowhunting, and I am a long time rifle hunter and former compound hunter. I will still use the rifle in the future, but will use it a lot less. I don’t think anyone should feel guilty about taking a different tool to the woods, the choice of tool is secondary to the hunt, in my opinion.

Having said that I’ve always admired some of the traditional only hunters for their determination and dedication to the sport. Even if they frown at me when I’m afield with a gun…

[Author]

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