Rifle vs Bow Hunting

the easyest would be rifle. but i hear bow is quite the challenge.

I agree a rifle would be easiest to kill elk. The season depends on what state you will be hunting and what the weather is like. Bull or cow?

To me thats a tough question. There are bow hunters that go out and kill an elk almost every year, and some big bulls at that. The same for some rifle hunters. I really don't know?

Bow hunting is during the rut Elk are much more visible, you got to get close obviously.

Rifle hunting, you have more room for error.

Hopefully we can hear more from the Elk hunters.

:-k that's an easy one for me... Rifle is easier! just cuz I've never shot a bow! hee hee

~I know I need to but as of right now never have! :arrow

so good question! I am looking forward to some experienced elk hunters comments!

Pretty much all of my experience is in Colorado on public land. I really like to hunt elk with a bow during the rut. I usually have action almost everyday but it is difficult to get within 50 or so yards for a shot. The wind swirls and all can cause some problems on the stalk. The main thing I like about bow hunting elk is they're doing their normal thing and aren't really that spooky but I usually hunt elk with a rifle and by then they're scared and not doing their normal thing. I have around a 50% success rate with my rifle and only a 33% success rate with my bow, so far. I plan on muzzleloader hunting for Colorado elk in the future.

Hiker, if you dont mind me asking and i am not tring to pin point where you hunt or anything like that. But what part of Co do you bow hunt in ?

And do you hunt entirely on foot ? Or do you use a 4 wheeler or horse to get back into elk when you are hunting on public land ?

I bowhunted by Paonia and rifle hunt all over the state. I spent close to 10 years hunting by Vail. Most of my good elk areas have very few deer, so I usually split up those seasons and hunt them seperately. I pretty much always hunt on foot and hike in and haul the game out on my back, unless there's a road nearby, if there is a road, we'll drive a truck over and load it up. Last year we did have the Blessing of have a good friend haul our WY antelope out on a 4 wheeler. One year I had a guy offer to haul out my elk on his mules, which was a real blessing because I was hunting by myself and killed this elk way back in. When we kill a elk, we all work as a team and quarter them up and haul them out together, "many hands make light load". I pretty much hunt public land with everyone else but try to out work them and by God's grace He usually gives me game.

A couple of years ago my wife and I drew ranching for wildlife tags and the rancher was great. He hauled out my elk on his truck. They also hauled out my cow and my brides bull on their 4 Wheelers. That was fantastic. :thumb My daughter wants to start hunting horseback and I think with a few more twists of my arm she might talk me into it. :)

It's no secret that I am pretty biased toward hunting with a bow. But it's only because I love the perks it brings with the hunt.
- You're usually the first to hunt that species of animal for that year. (Or at least they've had a long time with no pressure ie- from January to sometime in the fall).
- You have the opportunity to hunt the rut. HUGE PLUS IMO. The boys are out being stupid chasin the girls, and for the most part, they aren't thinking about staying out of sight from you.
- Yes you do need to be closer with a bow - but you typically have more of that kind of "close opportunity" due to the rut. And I don't think there is a better experience on earth than being next to a screaming bull. Especially if you called him in! I honestly think it's easier to find them during the archery season because you can hear them, follow the bugles.
-If you're not a great caller, or spot and stalker, hey there's always treestands!
- When it comes down to it, it really depends on what you want out of your hunt, and how much time you want to dedicate to it. I suppose if you just want kill success, it doesn't really matter - probably go rifle. If you want an unforgettable expereince and a pretty darn good chance at taking an animal- go archery. No matter what, you need to be experienced enough to make kill shots on your animals with your weapon of choice. You need to have adequate knowledge of your weapon. And if you don't want to put the kind of time and practice it takes to go archery, then I strongly suggest you go rifle. Anyone can shoot a gun, if you don't believe that - just watch the news.
- On the other hand don't think that it takes years to get good with a bow. With the technology out today, bows are extremely easy to shoot and can be very forgiving. Just get to know someone who knows what they are talking about when it comes to bows and hunting to help you a long.
Im not knocking rifle hunters. I rifle hunt deer occasionally. But I honestly have no desire to EVER hunt elk with a rifle. Just because its so much stinkin' fun to hunt them with a bow. We go out during arechery elk season every year weather we have tags or not. Someone is usually helping someone else on a hunt somewhere, and getting just as much enjoyment out of it.
No matter what you choose do your homework! Scout, scout, scout. You need to know where they are and what they're doing. Learn the animal you're hunting!!! Animals do different things from season to season. They are in different areas often, and in different social groups. Know where they will be when you're going to be out there. If you're going to be archery hunting - learn to call ( or make good friends with someone who knows how). You're going to have to spend time researching the state in which you'll be hunting. Find out things like hunt success, number of tags, etc. Ask people who've hunted there before what it was like, did they have a lot of problem with other hunters??
I guess I've rambled on long enough, my vote goes to :arrow .
If you don't decide, or have the opportunity to archery elk hunt now, do yourself a favor and get to it sometime soon. If you do it right I'd bet that you'll cherish that experience for the rest of your life, and more than likely become addicted to it. I did.

MuliesnMerriams, boy you make hunting elk with a bow sound good ! :) And i am sure it is everybit as exciting and then some as you describe it. That must be why the fella that i went with that time only bow hunts.

He describes it just like you do. But the only thing is being a NR and having to drive as far as i do (1000 miles one way) and then the cost $500 plus for a oc tag gets up there arround $1500 real quick if you can get by on just that amount.

So it is discouraging spending that kind of money to come home empty handed. It is very discouraging when it turns out like my one and only elk hunting trip and you dont even hear one bugel. (???)

I think if i had at least of got to hear elk bugel and of found some elk to hunt it would not have been near as bad coming home empty handed.

I dont know if it is possible for a NR like myself to travel out West without having been out there scouting to exspect to be able to find elk during a 2 week trip ?

Hiker, when you hunt off foot, how many miles do you cover in a day ? And do you hike in and pitch a tent where ever you wind up at the end of the day ?

I would guess that I average 4-7 miles per day and a 1000-1500 feet in elevation change. It really depends on the area. When I use to hunt Deluge Lake, that was over 3,000 feet gain, going up hill and 4-5 miles each way. I tend to hike a lot until I find the elk and then I focus in that area unless there's not any legal bulls, then I'll move on.
I usually set up a base camp and hunt out of there each day. We'll sometimes set up a spike camp way back in.

My appologies - it totally skipped my mind that you lived SO far away! I can certainly see your dilema! Don't know how I could be of any help - but I'd be more than happy to if I can!

MuliesnMerriams, hey there is no need to appologize at all. :) And all you guys are helping me out alot here by sharing your knowledge and experience. I apprechaite that to.

I can not say for sure that i am going to give elk hunting another try yet. But i will say this i really am giving it some serious thought. That is why i am wanting to try and learn as much as possibe.

Because if i do give it another go i want to at least feel confident enough that i have the knowledge as how to hunt them and maybe at least get the chance to kill one.

Now i did run onto a couple of guys who were from Co and were bear hunting who took me and showed me where they had herd some bulls bugeling that morning. And i did mess up the following morning after they showed me the area.

I rode to far in on a 4 wheeler and rode right up on a big, big, bull elk. It looked like a chandler sitting on his head for a rack. :) It was the last morning that i had hunted before going home. We had been there for 2 weeks and had herd and seen nothing. So i did not have much faith in hearing or seeing nothing. And i guess i let my gaurd down. And rode to far in on the 4 wheeler not really thinking i was going to see anything. :)

So i messed up my one and only opportunity up from neglagance on my part. :) I know one thing i did learn form that. I will never, never try to hunt elk from a 4 wheeler if i do ever go back.

The biggest thing is where is your comfort level. I have been archery hunting for over 20 years, and learn new tricks all the time. Getting comfortable with a bow takes time, practice, practice, practice and experience. You worry about scent, wind, noise... you name it . I am not saying you can't do it but on your first hunt I would recommend a rifle, if you are a 1000 miles away then climbing up and down these Mountains to chase bugling Elk will wipe out most hunters(including me). I agree bowhunting has the best rush in the world whether your calling, spot and stalk or tree stand. I wish you luck in whichever weapon you use, I will be in Colorado this year with the '06.