Need Opinions

[Mccallister25]

Ok. Ill start off with giving some background info before i bring up my dilemma.

I have two pieces of land i hunt on, one with a rifle, and one that i hunted this past season for the first time. The one that I cant use my rifle on, I used both a shotgun with buckshot and a bow(which was also my first season using).

I killed one doe on this land, which was with buckshot. I shot at a seperate buck and tracked him for ever, only to have the blood trail completely stop on me. I also shot at two deer early on in the season with my bow. One of them went right over the deers back, and the other was a bad shot which only produced 2 tiny drops of blood. So.. Opinions needed:

I have my stands set up for next year, no further than 25 yards. Im betting everyone is gonna tell me to opt for hunting with a bow over a shotgun(no slugs) which is fine with me, but id like some input from you guys. What are the pros and cons of each. Which ever I choose, ill probably end up using the whole season. Id like to use buckshot, because its faster, and Iv taken a deer with it, but everyone says its iffy. Id also like to use a bow because its really fun, but Im worried about string jumping etc.

Help me please!!

[clayton86]

Bow hands down. Buck shot i would think ruins to much meat an you can't really control where each pellet hits some might go lungs and heart while others rip threw the guts. Personally not a fan of field dressing gut shot deer if i don't have to.

Just practice practice practice with the bow and don't worry bout string jumping.

[Mccallister25]

I was also leaning toward a bow. I have to get a new one. The one Iv been shooting is old, slow and very loud. With the newer bows that are out now, how much of a problem is deer jumping the string?

[clayton86]

I think my bow is on the loud side and I haven't had anything jump the string. I've killed 2 deer 3 squirrels and a ground hog with it. My bow is also newer and faster as well though.

[Mccallister25]

Sounds good. When I get my taxes back I think Imma just she'll out the money for a good bow.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

I think my bow is on the loud side and I haven't had anything jump the string. I've killed 2 deer 3 squirrels and a ground hog with it. My bow is also newer and faster as well though.

And you tell me I go overkill on my hunting weapons. You shot not one, but three freaking squirrels with a compound bow. Groundhog is a bit more reasonable, still overkill though.

[clayton86]

And you tell me I go overkill on my hunting weapons. You shot not one, but three freaking squirrels with a compound bow. Groundhog is a bit more reasonable, still overkill though.

Yes that's a expandable I hit it with lol. 41 yards BTW. I've shot squirrels with my .243 and 58gr hornady superformance ammo.....red mist lol

[Bluebasser86]

I'd opt for the bow personally. I don't trust buckshot to get the job done like a well placed arrow will. Sounds like you just need to get out and practice with your bow so you're efficient with it and you'll be good. I have a heavy, slow, and loud Parker Hunter Mag Extreme and I've never had a deer jump the string. I think the main cause of that is the deer already being jumpy before the shot, usually a result of the hunter moving too much, making too much noise, or they've winded them. I also like how clean a bow kill is, no giant hole blown in them and it's one clean hole, not a bunch of holes all over like with buckshot. 

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Yes that's a expandable I hit it with lol. 41 yards BTW. I've shot squirrels with my .243 and 58gr hornady superformance ammo.....red mist lol

Nice shot.

Now for the most important question. Do the black squirrels taste different then the red or grey squirrels?

[jhoffman]

All deer duck at the sound of a bow going off, doesnt matter if its brand new or old. Someone studied thousands of hours of video footage and its happening like 90% of the time. Its best to take shots at deer that are not alert at all.

 

Archery takes time to get good at it. Ive been at it for 16 seasons now and I learn something new every year. Its a game of dedication for sure and a sure fire way to mess up is ignoring the wind and hunting the same stands day after day.

 

Archery is a lot like bass fishing, theres more than meets the eye. Its the little details that = success.

[clark9312]

The best advice I have ever been given when it comes to bow hunting is practice out of a tree stand. The best way is to go out with a buddy well before season and just practice different shots and yardages out of your stand. We shoot from under 10 yds to 40yds. Trust me its worth your time.

[endless]

If I'm not using my crossbow, I'm using a muzzle loader from my stand. We're not allowed rifles in my county where I hunt but are allowed to continue using muzzle loaders after black powder ends.

 

I want a compound to learn and would like to hunt with. I just don't like the fact when I'm buying my hunting license you have to buy either both or just one or the other to hunt with for the season. $17 for each, crossbow and compound is ridiculous to me. 

 

I know one shot was placed over the back but where you think you placed the second one? If was low have you consider the arch?

[buckeye_bass66]

Go for a bow tipped with a Muzzy MX3 broadhead. As the shotgun goes I would NOT use buckshot. I personally have never ever ever heard of anyone hunting deer with buckshot. Go for slugs forrrr sure! Put it in the right spot and you'll only have to track for 50 yards tops if you put a nice shot on it

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Go for a bow tipped with a Muzzy MX3 broadhead. As the shotgun goes I would NOT use buckshot. I personally have never ever ever heard of anyone hunting deer with buckshot. Go for slugs forrrr sure! Put it in the right spot and you'll only have to track for 50 yards tops if you put a nice shot on it

Place the shot between the antlers and you won't have to track it at all!

I kid! I kid!

[Capt.Bob]

The bow is the only way to go inside 40 yards, place and arrow tipped with a B.H. in the boiler room and watch em fall!!! The slug  is also very affective!!!! however the buckshot method is the most irresponsible way to kill a deer, they take far fewer deer and wound far more than any other method, this is why most states have outlawed buckshot for deer, because far to many don't realize it is worthless ass an efficient killing method on deer. I would say the same for head shots on deer, it requiers a pinpoint shot that can be easily missed in field conditions,,,,**** happens, but if you go for 10 to 12 inch boiler room on a broadside shot they all end in short order, and I like to watch em fall!!!!! either way be responsible and use what you can make a quick clean ethical kill with,,,,,,good luck!!

 

Oh by the way,,,,,good luck keepin "A" holes out of your stand and ruining your hunting area, I quit leaving stands all year and started using mainly climbers because of this, far to many have no morels and can't resist getting in another mans stand, if for no more than to look around, as far as I am concearned when caught treat them the same as if they were in bed with your wife,,,,,,,,just make sure no one finds the body!!!   

[Mccallister25]

A buddy of mine suggested a crossbow. I need the archery gurus to fill me in on if thats a good choice. If I bought one Id want to be able to get by with at least 35-40 yard kill shots.

Average distance shots? Easy for deer to jump string? Set me straight.. I may go look at some tomorrow.

[jhoffman]

If you shoot a crossbow 40 yards is no problem, its the guys trying to take 100 yard shots that have problems. The biggest issue with a crossbow is weight, it limits a few behind shots too but for the most part its like shooting a gun. I personally refuse to use one till I physically cant use a regular bow.

[hb2392]

I know this thread is a few days old but I'll put my two cents in, pretty good topic. I would stay away from the shotgun hunting in my opinion. Broadhead's are 10 times deadlier and cleaner kills. I have a pretty good bit of land that I hunt on in Louisiana. It has been rifle hunted for a long time but I started bow hunting five years ago, and we have all pretty much moved to bows. I shoot a mathews helim and a parker thunderhawk crossbow that my girlfriend uses most of the time. Crossbows are wicked and can put a quick, accurate shot on a deer up to 45 yards without the arrow being dodged (most of the time) because they usually have a higher fps than a compound. I've seen people stick em out to 70 yards, pretty crazy shot to take. Compounds are just as effective though, and require a little more technique. They are a blast and I love mine. If your shots are around 25 yards, you shouldn't have a problem. Just practice your shots at the angle you hunt from, become consistent and accurate with your groups. 

 

With a crossbow, they are great. I prefer the challenge of a compound, thats just my preference. One big thing with a crossbow, if you get one just always remember before each shot, keep your fingers down and away from the string.....I've seen some pretty bad accidents when someone gets in the way of that string.