Bow only season... why?

[BoneDigger]

Growing up in South Carolina we had a very good and long deer season that ran (and still does) from August 15 through January 1. Gun hunters and bowhunters alike hunted throughout this time and everyone got along just fine. I bowhunted and had a lot of friends that did, and I never heard anyone complain about not having their own season. In fact, most of the hunters I knew got into bow hunting because of the challenge and the joy of being close to the animals, not because they could have an extra month to hunt (which is a reason given by many bowhunters here in Texas).

I see a lot of talk on here about how we have to preserve the October season for bowhunters at all cost. I don't have a problem with this at all, but I do wonder why it's so important to everyone? If you are hunting a lease you can set your own rules and can even make it bow only year round or even set aside areas that are archery only to stay away from the gun hunters. If you are hunting public lands then there's no reason why there couldn't be seasons within the season that are archery only (the Old Sabine Bottom does this already).

I guess the LSBA thread got me thinking about this. Do you all genuinely feel that if gun hunters were allowed to hunt during October that Texas would go to h3ll in a handbasket? Again, I don't really feel strongly about this, just wondering what the reason is for the absolute "draw a line in the sand" stance on the October season?

If you give the argument that it's safer since there are no guns, I'd have to counter with the question of pig hunters, squirrel hunters, etc. that get to use a gun during October anyway. Also, I would have to ask if you quit hunting on Nov. 1 when the gun season comes in and only hunt during the archery season?

TBH braintrust unite! Educate me.

Todd

[Shane]

I notice that deer (especially older bucks) really go nocturnal as soon as the boomsticks start booming. It's tough enough getting close enough to critters to stick 'em with an arrow, but when they're on 24/7 super-high alert, it's even tougher. Whether you and your lease bowhunt only or not, if the neighbors are shooting rifles, then the deer behavior changes.

Western states have always had separate seasons for bows, muzzleloaders, and then general season. Effective range with legal weapons gets longer as you progress through the seasons. Maybe it's not a big of a deal in the east where it's more wall-to-wall trees anyway. ??

[donpablo]

I understand what you're saying since about 96% of Texas is private, but you have to remember that not all of that is the large tracts of land that we all dream of one day owning. You also have to remember the poor man who owns 25 acres with one feeder and one blind and all of the other po'boys around him with their 25 acre plot with their corsshairs on the deer 200 yards from them who's heading towards that bowhunter.

[txdukklr]

Not everyone agrees with the argument. I've no problem with guns earlier in the season and agree that most folks have leases and can determine the means for killing deer.

Or harvest for the pc police.

[BoneDigger]

Here's another question, just to stir the pot a little...

So, since it gets harder to hunt the longer the guns are in the field, would you be okay with banning archery during the month of December and making it gun only so that gun hunters and archery hunters have the same length season?

Todd

[jbitt4x4]

Growing up in VA and WV, we had bow season first, then gun season....I have never known any different.....even when stationed at FT Bragg I'm pretty sure that it was the same as well.

I notice that deer (especially older bucks) really go nocturnal as soon as the boomsticks start booming. It's tough enough getting close enough to critters to stick 'em with an arrow, but when they're on 24/7 super-high alert, it's even tougher. Whether you and your lease bowhunt only or not, if the neighbors are shooting rifles, then the deer behavior changes.

Western states have always had separate seasons for bows, muzzleloaders, and then general season. Effective range with legal weapons gets longer as you progress through the seasons. Maybe it's not a big of a deal in the east where it's more wall-to-wall trees anyway. ??

[trophy8]

i have never heard that said before but i wanna hear the responses....im stayin outta this one as some got bent out of shape on the other thread. i will watch this one though...one of the better questions brought up in awhile..

Here's another question, just to stir the pot a little...

So, since it gets harder to hunt the longer the guns are in the field, would you be okay with banning archery during the month of December and making it gun only so that gun hunters and archery hunters have the same length season?

Todd

[Shane]

Here's another question, just to stir the pot a little...

So, since it gets harder to hunt the longer the guns are in the field, would you be okay with banning archery during the month of December and making it gun only so that gun hunters and archery hunters have the same length season?

Todd

Well, I am sure I'd live with it. But other than "sticking it to the bowhunters", there really wouldn't be any reason to do that. By that time of year, the bucks are nocturnal and post-rut generally. Get's pretty tough to get close to 'em anyway. Still possible. Just harder. Bowhunters have a built-in disadvantage. If a fella wants to carry a bow during a season that a rifle would be legal, then he's sticking it to himself already. Do most rifle hunters want to force all the bowhunters to use a rifle during December? I doubt it.

Archery Only season isn't about "sticking it" to the rifle hunters. Anybody is welcome to take up a bow. It's just about keeping things quiet and more scent-free (hopefully) and having a more realistic chance at taking a deer with a bow before the war starts.

[tinman]

lol...you need a bigger spoon?

[tvc184]

Here's another question, just to stir the pot a little...

So, since it gets harder to hunt the longer the guns are in the field, would you be okay with banning archery during the month of December and making it gun only so that gun hunters and archery hunters have the same length season?

Todd

Guns can interfere somewhat with archery season due to pressure and noise, in my opinion. I don't see anyway that bowhunters interfere at any time with gun hunters, of which I am one.

Bear in mind, you are not limiting the hunter but only his weapon. The same person would still be able to hunt but not with a bow.

I see no reason to limit bowhunting due to trying to be fair by hunting the same number of days. That would sound more like spite than anything else.

[Fightinaggies]

Guns can interfere somewhat with archery season due to pressure and noise, in my opinion. I don't see anyway that bowhunters interfere at any time with gun hunters, of which I am one.

Bear in mind, you are not limiting the hunter but only his weapon. The same person would still be able to hunt but not with a bow.

I see no reason to limit bowhunting due to trying to be fair by hunting the same number of days. That would sound more like spite than anything else.

X2

[ashx2]

II'll go to the larger areas like one of the Nat'l forests or other public places to bowhunt, but once the guns come out I'm headed for archery only areas or private land. Too many idiots shoot at movement or into an unknown backstop, even when when blaze orange is being worn. Once you've been shot at with a high powered rifle and narrowly escape being hit, it tends to alter your thinking about being in the woods where others are packing heat.

Anyone can choose to try their hand at archery and most times are welcomed into the fold. Then there are those who want to stand on the outside looking in. They have choice to either join in on the challenge or cry foul.......I joined for the challenge. The fact that archery starts ahead of gun season is an appreciated bonus.

I didn't make the rules on how the game is to be played, but I darn sure plan on playing by the rules and participating however I can.

JMO,
Greg

[Mike Murphey]

Once again someone from another state who doesn't understand all the problems that bowhunters went though to get a season. Problems such as a wounding loss report put out from a department head (Horace Gore) of Texas Parks and Wildlife,wound 2/3rd's more game than they killed. That bowhunters were just hap-hazard sportsmens that shot arrows independently at animals. Do you think rifle hunters or the NRA came to table to question the report that was put out, no only the LSBA came to Texas Parks and Wildlife to ask questions because it did not match the kill/wounding report that is collected each year by the Texas Bowhunting/Bowfishing Report, (TBBR). It was found after much digging into reports, and memo's that the wounding report that Mr. Gore put out was his/their (TPW personal) agenda and not facts.
How about when PETA came out along with Adrian Benke, (patent holder of the POD) and filled suit on the bowhunters of the state of Texas and TPW claiming the broadhead was not an ethical weapon for bowhunters, once again did the NRA or Texas rifle hunters come forward and helps us, NO, it was the LSABA, we spent many hours working to stop this nonsense and keep our archery season.....This bow only season is a right that we have in Texas because we (bowhunters) worked our tails off to get it and to keep it...!

[DidIDoThat]

The lease I hunt doesn't allow anyone to hunt in October. So I'm out there with the gun hunters. Having said that, my modest success it bringing bows out of the closets. I hunt on this lease because it is a great place to hunt and because I'm going to bow hunt the rut anyway.

[kfd82]

Here's another question, just to stir the pot a little...

So, since it gets harder to hunt the longer the guns are in the field, would you be okay with banning archery during the month of December and making it gun only so that gun hunters and archery hunters have the same length season?

Todd

No problem, as long as the gun hunters get charged extra for a special gun only season, just like we pay for a special archery only season.