Disadvantage with a Bow?

UTGrad

UTGrad

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So the pressure is on. I'm starting to get friends and neighbors hit me up for venison. I was considering doing more bow hunting through muzzleloader and maybe even rifle seasons. Now that I've become the venison connection for some folks I'm starting to reconsider bow hunting the last 9 weeks of season.

Can anyone honestly say they missed out on some deer due to having a bow instead of a firearm? I could imagine some deer being just out of range in the woods for a bow but a perfect shot for a muzzleloader.
 
yes ive had two shooters so far skirt me at 80 yards and 72 yards with a bow with a mz they would have been toast. I do hunt with a firearm when its that time of the season. if they are counting on you I would bring both maybe but id be sure to have the gun. just so you don't get skirted.
 
Well sure they (crossbows) are a disadvantage unless your max range is 40 yards with a muzzleloader. A bow would be a further disadvantage due to its profile and having to draw. I've had a lot of shooters outside of 40 yards in bow season.
 
I had a shooter at about 80 yards last week. Could have got him with a muzzleloader or gun, but that's just part of it. I love bow hunting and getting them in close.
 
my issue with bow during rut is not so much the yardage disadvantage its the fact that the deer are moving a lot more so they can be in range and never give you a shot due to how fast they come and go. THAT is worse to me then it being 100yds away.
 
Couldn't agree more. Sometimes there isn't a thing u can do to slow a buck down if he is hot on the trail of a doe
 
Let's not kid ourselves here, while we are discussing weapon limitations! The differential advantage between a bow and a muzzleloader are huge and even more so when we move to a centerfire rifle.

Modern in-line muzzleloaders are used everyday to kill deer at 200 yds. With a rifle the advantage is easily 3 or 4 times greater than a muzzleloader.

Yes, over the years I have missed several opportunities at shooter bucks when all I had were two sticks and a string in my hands!

Anyone that has hunted Illinois or Ft. Campbell with a bow, muzzleloader, or shotgun knows the frustration of seeing a shooter out of range that would have been a chip shot with a rifle!

That being said I still love bowhunting above all else and accept its limitations, albeit not without frustrations!
 
UTGrad said:
Especially considering condensation can change POI or hang fires in a muzzleloader...at close range I'd choose the bow everytime.
Click to expand...

Condensation can change POI???? Hang Fires??? Have you ever shot a muzzleloader?

I can assure you condensation will not affect POI at the "Close Ranges" you are mentioning. Out of over 10 years of Muzzle Loading with friends and family that have been muzzle loading far longer than I have, I have never ONCE heard of a hang fire??? These arent your great great grand dads Springfield Rifle Musket from the civil war that you trudge through the swamps for days at a time with your powder in a leather bag. Take care of your powder and your rifle like you should and don't look back.

Saying it is more enjoyable or challenging is one thing... but it is in no possible way easier or more reliable. I love my bow as much as anyone, and will probably have it with me this weekend; but if I do, I know I will be putting myself at a disadvantage.
 
UTGrad said:
Especially considering condensation can change POI or hang fires in a muzzleloader...at close range I'd choose the bow everytime.
Click to expand...

really?? there are VERY simple remedies to solve those issues in a ML. If both were sitting next to me id choose a ML without question just due to the velocity and impact alone. I have hunted with a ML for 10 years (until this year because i sold it and have not bought another one yet) and have NEVER had a hang fire or any issue with a POI at close range.

I have however had issues using a bow once it gets cold and i have added a lot more clothing on.
 
I don't think I am at a disadvantage with a bow with in its given range. I find bow hunting the most fun and enjoy the challenge of it but I do love to muzzleloader hunt and to hunt with my 30-30. I also have not hunted with the .30-.30 since 2010 and cant remember the last time I used my .270. I usually hunt with muzzleloader if I have not killed a deer by then just to make sure I get some meat then it is back to bow.
 

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