There is something special about hunting with stick and string. The encounters with whitetails and other game and feeling of gratification for outsmarting them in close quarters is palpable. Though I had long since wanted to take up archery and bow hunting, it took me a while to get there. In fact, I had been hunting for over 30 years before making the leap. I was always curious about it, but procrastination ruled.
Perceived Field Cred
There came a time when I started to miss out on outdoor opportunities. Bow-only whitetail hunts, leases, and elk hunting excursions made me the odd man out. I didn’t like it despite my ample rifle hunting prospects. Looking back, the pressure I felt from hunting friends was probably the driving force behind me embracing archery. Increasingly, there were those bow-toting hunting buddies and acquaintances that seemed to discount rifle kills. I can remember many heated conversations around campfires or during morning coffee featuring the bow vs. rifle debate. I still witness them today. Here, one side touted the extra skill needed for bowhunting and claimed that unless you’re using bow tackle, you’re not much of a sportsman. The other claimed more ethical and quick kills. More and more, it seemed that the rifle side was shrinking. Throw in the barrage of bow-only hunting shows and other content, I was feeling like less of a hunter. Reflecting back, I was being an insecure wimp. Either way, I needed to crap or get off the pot and give archery a try.
First Impressions
I finally stuck my toe in the water and purchased a low-end bow. I stumbled through the process of adding the sight, rest, and other accessories and started shooting. Before long, I was dialed in well at 30 yards. It felt great. My procrastination had been foolish indeed and my many bow hunting friends were right after all. I had joined the archery crowd and couldn’t wait to hit the blind in the fall with the bow in hand. Unbelievably, after several confrontations and close calls with whitetails, I put down two deer in my first year of bowhunting. Now, I was really hooked. I was on cloud nine and the next few seasons rarely involved my trusty .270. Had I become a bow snob? I’m not sure, but I had certainly turned into a bow-only hunter. Here are a few reasons.
Proximity to Game and Nature. When it comes down to it, I like to hunt more than kill and that’s why bowhunting eventually became so special to me. I enjoyed the close encounters with not only the game I hunted but nature in general. Sure, it was more difficult, but vividly seeing whitetail body language was interesting, to say the least. And the skill and patience it took were gratifying.
Practice and Camaraderie. I found that shooting alone or with friends was fun whether at the ranch, archery club, or back yard. These activities sharpened my shooting skills during the winter, spring and summer months. There was also the therapeutic aspect of target practice. It was a good way to blow off steam and clear the mind. I’m not a competition shooter, but sure enjoyed the good-natured rivalry with friends too.
More Hunting Prospects. I found that hunting opportunities increased. In a world more crowded than ever with humans, I discovered that many landowners that wouldn’t grant firearm access welcomed bowhunting. After all, it’s a much safer alternative. Small parcels also presented
new chances to hunt. If your goal is to hunt more, archery just might be the answer. Even in areas teaming with bow hunters, it’s a good hunting option. Bowhunters are usually stealth and quiet compared to their rifle-booming counterparts – creating less chaos and hunting pressure in the woods. This, I found to be ideal relief and respite from the high-stress world we live in. In the same vein, depending on the state, bow hunters are even allowed to hit the field before the gun crowd gets started – an advantage for sure. By the way, this is yet another contributor to the contention between the gun and bow camps.
Restoration of Basic Tactics. I’ve always taken hunting serious, but after many seasons of rifle hunting, I had gotten a little lax in my ways. Bowhunting success relies on bringing deer up close and I was forced to revisit the basics. Strategizing around wind and stand locations became even more important than ever. Similarly, the basics around patterning deer, scent control, sound, and movement had to be acknowledged; not just some of the time. This rebirth was good for me as a hunter and it jump-started both my bow and rifle hunting success. It also stimulated my interest in the act of hunting itself.
Tapering Off
There came a time when my bow-only mentality started to diminish. As mentioned, I like hunting more than killing. It’s true. But I do like to witness and harvest whitetails; especially mature bucks. After a few seasons with bow hunts yielding fewer deer sightings and quality shot presentations, I realized that the rifle once again had its place. And admittedly, I kind of missed it. I had cut my teeth on long gun hunting and there is something great about sitting in a box blind with a large field of view; meaning more deer sightings and shot opportunities. Ironically, it also presents a chance to scout, which ultimately improves my bow hunting. Further, as part of a state-sanctioned management program in Texas, we are required to shoot certain numbers of deer on our family property; an unreasonable feat with archery tackle alone. Finally, I was soon reminded that hunting with a scoped rifle is not a slam dunk. Nothing can rock the bow elitist more than missing with a rifle – whether they admit it or not. And for most, it will happen.
Answering the Question
When it comes down to it, all legal forms of hunting are valuable – both from an outdoor tradition and future standpoint. However, if you love the hunt more than (or at least as much as) the kill, and have yet to try bowhunting, you owe it to yourself to give it a whirl. Once you see game and nature from the vantage point of a nearby bow stand, I’m willing to bet it will become a large part of your identity as a hunter. Am I a bow snob? At worst, I perhaps was for a short period of time. It’s made me a better whitetail hunter and I’ve since decided that I simply prefer it. Nothing more, nothing less. How about you?