Bow hunting V Rifle hunting debate;

[howa243]

Actually , I hunt with a bow for one reason only . It allows me to hunt in Bow only zones where I live .
AB

Surely this is entirely reasonable based on the fact that you have no other options? You are not making a choice, you have none should you wish to hunt at all.

My only problem with your line of thought is that you would gladly throw millions of other hunters under the bus by condemning their preferred means of harvesting game .
AB

Is this what I am doing? I don't think so. The reality is that these days we are having to justify what we do. There seems reasonable acceptance that at bow hunting range a bow is less accurate than a rifle and I assume that we would all agree that the projectile flight time would be greater (thereby Increaaing the potential for animal movement to alter point of impact). Even if we accept that the projectile on impact is able to kill similarly effectively, we are left asking ourselves what is the reason for taking the bow if it is less accurate and the flight time is longer.
Some have answered this by saying that it makes you a better stalker and forces you to get closer to the animal and others that it is quieter therefore not spooking other animals and also that it can be used in an urban setting.
I posted research which indicates that a great deal of bow hunting is done in static locations. This clearly obviates the the first two reasons. Anybody who has seen the reaction of wounded deer knows what impact that has on others close by, which I believe puts paid to that argument. I can just about see a rationale for the last argument if you don't have access to night vision and moderated subsonic equipment.
How is this throwing anybody under the bus. Its not emotion or like or dislike. It seems entirely logical and arguing with people who don't hunt by giving them reasons which can easily be countered really doesn't help us.
Hunting with dogs was banned here recently and it was interesting to watch those in favour of it, try and justify it. Largely this was based on control, when for years before the ban they had been putting out the message that they didn't kill many anyway.
To maintane the sport we need to have good arguments not schit ones.
If you live in a society where you don't need to justify your actions and these things are accepted, then going bow hunting 'because you want to' is what it is. If you live somewhere where you have no choice because it's the law, then I cannot see why any justification is necessary for you.
I would just prefer we were more honest, rather than hide behind flawed logic

 

[howa243]

And to answer your question, directly, yes it is thrilling to shoot a deer with a bow. A whole lot more so than shooting it at 20 yards with a .308. That's a fact. I don't care if you don't like it. And its a whole lot easier on the ears too.

Exactly what is needed. No flawed logic just an honest answer. I do it cos I like it. No other justification necessary.

 

[mchughcb]

Fat pot bellied white guys with moustaches. Lmao!

 

[nun_hunter]

Exactly what is needed. No flawed logic just an honest answer. I do it cos I like it. No other justification necessary.

I shoot deer (and other animals) with a rifle because I like it and if I had the chance to hunt with a bow in the UK I'd do it in a heartbeat because I'm pretty sure I'd enjoy it even more. Doesn't make me a bad person to do something because you enjoy it, otherwise we'd all buy our venison in Waitrose (let someone else do the killing) and go out with a DSLR instead.

 

[howa243]

I shoot deer (and other animals) with a rifle because I like it and if I had the chance to hunt with a bow in the UK I'd do it in a heartbeat because I'm pretty sure I'd enjoy it even more. Doesn't make me a bad person to do something because you enjoy it, otherwise we'd all buy our venison in Waitrose (let someone else do the killing) and go out with a DSLR instead.

I think we all know that a good shot whilst relaxed is better than a journey in tailer packed with other deer for many hours, kicked out into a box and shot with a humane killer. Indeed that is one of our primary justifications. If done right, what we do is arguably better for the animal.