the problem these days is that gun season is just too short, if you want to put some time into deer hunting you either have to go bow or muzzle loader...

I also think that the survey is a bit biased. I'm sure if you polled all F&S readers, a majority would be gun-centric. However, I tend to find those who are into bow hunting go the extra mile to learn more about deer behavior and deer hunting because closing the distance means learning the animal on a whole different level, so they might be more apt to participate on the F&S website than gun-only hunters. Also, if you have done both and been successful, there is really no contest between gun hunting and bow hunting. Getting into a deer's wheelhouse within 20-30 yards, determining when to draw, and lining up the perfect shot knowing the whole time that the deer might duck your shot is a whole new level of exciting!

Dave Harteau - Exactly, that's what I'm saying. The survey results will be biased because it doesn't reach the whole F&S community...just the ones that take the initiative to read this blog. It's not a bad thing...there's bias in every online poll for the same reason. The results are still pretty cool! It fun knowing that a majority of the people who read this blog are fellow bow hunters.

You seem to cover bow hunting very well, and I really enjoyed the newest bow hunting tips!

Ithaca,
Do what I do: Shoot the squirrels with your bow.
I only do it when I'm otherwise ready to give up on my deer hunt--but it keeps me in stand longer and I got about a half dozen grays last fall, just enough for a nice pot of squirrel pozole.

By the way, I lived in Ithaca for a while. Nice town.

Findley found the coffee pot Dave Hurteau, LOL!

Elliott Marston: [O'Flynn and Dobkin prepare Quigley for an old-fashioned duel] I seem to remember you're not too familiar with Colonel Colt's revolver, so this will be your first lesson. Don't worry. Mr Dobkin and Mr. O'Flynn will ensure that it's a fair contest.

Elliott Marston: [Marston starts walking backwards] I'll just back up a few paces... And to your left a bit, that's it... Now you're right in front of my old pistol target.

Elliott Marston: [Marston slips his coat back to reveal his holster] Some men are born in the wrong century. I think I was born on the wrong continent. Oh, by the way, you're fired

Matthew Quigley: This ain't Dodge City. And you ain't Bill Hickok.

Matthew Quigley: [Quigley shoots Dobkin, O'Flynn and Marston before they can even aim their guns, then walks up to a dying Marston] I said I never had much use for one. Never said I didn't know how to use it.

Depending what years you grouse hunted here, you woulda had a blast. there use to be alot of birds, and good to see that lil old central New York isnt ignored and forgotten for wisconsin, kentucky, iowa, and the likes!

getting close to deer does not require a bow. I hunt exclusively with a rifle and I would say that 70% of the deer I've killed were within 40 yds and I can think of 4 deer that were inside of 20 yds. all of my hunting is still hunting or spot and stalk. I would be interested to know which style of hunting is most common between the different hunting weapons.

As others have said, gun seasons are being shortened and more states are adding weapons (xbows) to the bow seasons.

Another thing I don't think has been mentioned is, more and more of us are hunting smaller parcels and many of the property owners don't like guns around their homes.

And in those cases I bow hunt those properties.

I love using stratedgy when I bow hunt, But Im more of a gun hunter myself, and Dave you deer Hunt much south of Ithaca when you were there?

You have every reason to be proud, Clay, and it shows.

Josh,
Early 90s.

i bow and muzzleloader hunt to kill does tennesees gun season is a month long but buck only

I'm a total toss up. I hunt all over the world and I'll grab whatever suits me at the time. My trophy room consists of approximately 50/50 with the exception of about a dozen plus mounts I trapped. Bow, gun, trap, I love um all.

I'm trying to remember how many times during a Gun Nut moment like what's the best rifle or cartridge when I ended my post, now where did I put my Bow? Wish I had a dollar for every time I said it and to bad Sir Dave didn't pick up on how many of us use a bow :)

wow this bow madness is out of hand.you hear people saying oh I used to gun hunt but I switched to bowhunting for the "challenge" really if you dont find hunting challenging and being in nature relaxing and wild game tasty than buy some golf clubs.you see it all the time bowhunting waterfowl and pheasants and other crazy things like hunting with old weapons and different methods.the art of riflemanship and muzzle loader use is going to die out if hunters continue to use all these old weapons and new fancy gadgets mixed together.use THAT Hurteau.

that rant was for you petzal.