trad during gun season?

wetfeathers · November 11, 2012, 09:14:00 PM

So, After 7 years of trad hunting, Nothing comes close to the rush of tagging a trad deer. Now with gun season approaching, I really want to attempt to tackle it with trad gear. I NEED one more deer to fill the freezer for my growing family's needs but am unsure of the wisdom of attempting to do this with a recurve with guns going off around me. How many guys out there really do trad only? I am a ground hunter by choice. Any advice?

The Night Stalker · November 11, 2012, 09:20:00 PM

I bow hunt through the gun seasons. It is muzzle loader season now. If you can find a quiet spot, the deer always seem to hold up there.

cahaba · November 11, 2012, 09:41:00 PM

Hunt deeper, hunt thicker.

Rick Richard · November 11, 2012, 09:42:00 PM

I too bow hunt during the gun season, but I have a 120 acre Parcel completely to myself with my brother in law. Otherwise, if it were not for that situation, than I would probably be gun hunting also.

akaboomer · November 11, 2012, 09:43:00 PM

I do. I killed two does on opening morning of our modern gun doe only hunt this year. I am fortunate to be on a lease that the gun hunters are all friends and respect me and my areas. I am also fortunate to live where there are a good number of WMA's that have very short permit gun hunts allowing much time for bow hunters. That being said I still would not shy away from hunting other places that get invaded by the orange army, most gun hunters are predictable. I use that to my advantage. Get out there but let caution rule and hunt safe.

Chris

darin putman · November 11, 2012, 09:45:00 PM

Haven't done much gunhunting in years!!!

Tony Sanders · November 11, 2012, 09:54:00 PM

I use my Longbow in all the seasons. As some have already said it can be done, and certainly err on the side of caution. Good luck and happy hunting.

Tony

Maxx Black · November 11, 2012, 11:46:00 PM

I love walking the woods with the bow, even through the gun season. The flame orange coat is a must for safety as the gun hunters love skirting the edge of the bush with there pickups and scare the devil out of everything around ,me included . Take advantage of them and settle down in the thick bush,they will keep the animals moving for you. Be safe! Maxx

November 11, 2012, 11:48:00 PM

There is no gun season on my hunting ground. I hunt trad all year long. The guns go off around me and I just hope my piece of ground becomes a sanctuary for the deer.

Never had a problem putting meat in the freezer and to me, doing it with a gun just is not any fun.

Bisch

tex-archer · November 11, 2012, 11:57:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Bisch:
There is no gun season on my hunting ground. I hunt trad all year long. The guns go off around me and I just hope my piece of ground becomes a sanctuary for the deer.

Never had a problem putting meat in the freezer and to me, doing it with a gun just is not any fun.

Bisch

I don't have my own hunting ground but I too prefer the bow and don't have any problems putting meat in the freezer when I go. I haven't cared for gun hunting in a long time and my personal opinion is that gun hunting is just killing. You miss alot of nature when your so far away from your prey. Just my opinion.
tex-archer

tex-archer · November 12, 2012, 12:01:00 AM

I was working this morning and saw three gun hunters coming out of the woods at 9, less than two miles down the track we saw a nice 10 point walking down a fence line. When you hunt don't just put a couple of hours into and enjoy everything you see.

randy grider · November 12, 2012, 12:17:00 AM

Trad only for over 17 years. In Kentucky public land is quota only for firearms, so during statewide gun season the public land is pretty empty of hunters, perfect time to hunt it, during the peak of the rut at that!

wetfeathers · November 12, 2012, 05:43:00 AM

Thanks for all the advice guys. I Think I'm ready to leave the gun in the cabinet this year.

heydeerman · November 12, 2012, 05:58:00 AM

It's been several years since I have hunted with Firearms. I kinda miss going after pheasants with the shotgun. Problem is here in Ohio your lucky to hear a wild pheasant anymore. I have no problem with the orange army. They get a very short season and I look at that time as a break for me. I'm thinking of hunting with my .44 mag unless I fill my last tag before then.

Hoyt · November 12, 2012, 06:17:00 AM

Against the law here..I use flintlocks during gun season anyway.

Terry Lightle · November 12, 2012, 06:40:00 AM

Longbow and wood arrows in gun season here

bobman · November 12, 2012, 06:53:00 AM

Georgia season is only a few weeks long as bow only, and its in the heat, so if you want to bow hunt the rut you bow hunt the gun season.

Most of the deer I have killed with a gun were in bow range. I dont see it as a real disadvantage

PaPa Ron · November 12, 2012, 05:05:00 PM

I hunt with my longbow during gun season, the guns are resting in the safe, where they have been for several years.

wtpops · November 12, 2012, 05:12:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by cahaba:
Hunt deeper, hunt thicker.

And be there first, wait for the masses to push things to you.

Shedrock · November 12, 2012, 05:17:00 PM

I shot a spike and a doe whitetail yesterday with a longbow within 30 minutes of each other. Guns have been going off for a month. I was in a ground blind along a well used trail.

You can do it, keep after them.