Started modern firearm hunting about 15 years ago with very little success. This year was the last, thinking about switching to muzzle loader or bow. Need some advice and input on which is the best. I am a hiker and sitter. Can't stand road hunting. To many orange vests and walmart hunters

Thanks
Chuck

I am leaning towards bow. Want to take some shooting classes before I buy a bow. Seasons look warmer and more available.

Oregon archery elk season is a month long........... our rifle hunt is 4 days

I muzzleload and have little issue tagging out, except last season. 20 deer in 21 years of hunting, with the last 10 years hunting ML. Yes, you need to learn more areas, realize that you may end shooting a doe once in a while, and just because you see a legal deer doesn't mean you can shoot it, because you need to close the distance to within 75-100 yards max. In addition to 3 does, I've also killed two 4x4's and a 5x5 with the ML. My bucks have generally been bigger hunting ML.

Most deer I've shot with my ML have been within 20-50 yards.

Modern rifle was too easy, and I checked out anouther hunter with my binos one day that was checking me out with his scope. yeah.

I'll migrate the boys over to ML in the near future.

I want to try bow, and will eventually build my own (have the yew wood thanks to Stam). The transition to bow is much more of a learning curve than ML because of the different type of equipment. Modern rifle skills trasfer easily to ML rifle shooting. Not so much with Rifle to bow.

Also, knocking a 5x5 mule deer off its feet at 25 yards with a ML is pretty cool. He got back up, then dropped.

Early ML is about 10 days. Late ML is almost a month.

Both have great seasons. I rifle hunted until I was 28, but switched to archery 20 yrs ago and have not regreted it. Traditional equipment takes ALOT of practice to be proficient. Shooting a compound with fingers/sight will take the next most time to master. Shooting a compound with a release aid and sights will take the least amount of practice and will be more like shooting a firearm, but when I say the least amount of practice I don't mean very little practice. All methods require shooting on a regular basis to get/stay hunting ready.
I would suggest starting with a bow rated from 50 to 70 lbs, and go to an archery shop to be measured for draw length accurately. I am not familiar with any archery shops over there in PO, but Great Northwest archery in Puyallup is fairly decent. They are located on the South hill of P. on the Skookum archery range.
I agree with Dogfish, seeing an animal drop within sight is cool. It doesn't happen very often archery hunting, you'll have to track it, which sometimes makes you decide whether you should shoot it or not, depending on the weather(rain) or nearness to posted private property.
Good luck.

I started muzzle loading 4 years ago. I still haven't hit anything, but that isn't the point of this thread. I think your decisions need to be based on what your timing and priorities are.

Simply put I HAVE to be on the Chehalis during the last 2 weeks of October, so that rules out rifle hunting for me. Then I had to look at the units that are opened around me for muzzle and bow seasons. I prefer the Satsop unit over the Capitol and Minot units, and so that is how I based my decision. The longer late season in the Satsop unit is muzzle loader. Bow hunting has a much better general early season than muzzle loader.

You have the Mason unit right next door to you for the late muzzle hunt. If you like that unit, maybe that sways your decision. If you are someone who prefers to travel to hunt to Eastern WA or whatever it is the same process, just look at the seasons in the units you enjoy hunting. I don't like to drive much more than a half an hour to hunt or fish, and so my life is set up that way.

As far as the gear switch goes, it is probably more expensive to get into bow hunting. Muzzle requires some significant but enjoyable time spent on the range, but not nearly the everyday shooting that bow hunting 'should' take.

You live in Port Orchard and have one of the best archery ranges 10 minutes from your house in the NW US. 18 holes and 10 to 80 range over 60 acres. KBH is just out of gorst and will have you addicted to achery in one trip. Some great shops to buy bows as well.

Besides, just something about the joy of releasing an arrow. No cloud of powder in front, no kick, no boom, just a wishhhhhh. Then time slows, you watch the arrow that seems like an over shot, it must be to high flashes in your mind, but it is dropping, it is dropping........wait for it, Smack!!!!!!! You can play it over and over for weeks/months in your mind. Just unreal to be that close and personal, then watch the arrow fly and drop right into the vitals. The forest birds do not even quit chirping. Animal 10 feet from the chosen target do not know what happened. Hell the animal itself does not.

Bow all the way. Archery elk for sure. Just dont put in for my units.........Wait, now that I think about it ML is your better choice. Much better hunts. Listen to Dogfish.

I switched from modern to ML for deer and am considering the same for elk.

Looking back over the years,I've killed exactly one animal at more than 100 yds. That was the bull I killed last week,330yds.

It took me less than a day to get comfortable with a ML. Very easy to convert to ML.

The only thing I don't like is the heat of the early season. The opener in 346 (Little Naches) ended up being 90°.

Thats not hunting weather IMO.

I hunted 2 years here during the modern season back in the early 90's and almost gave up on hunting all together, to many people, I grew up pushing brush to get whitetails to move so that what I tried here and ended up having people shoot in my direction at deer I busted.....never again. I have Bow hunted since 94, have taken many deer, 3 elk and a Boone and Crocket bear with a compound.
Draw backs.......If you do not have the time to dedicate to getting proficient with your bow, go muzzle loader, I shoot at least 10,000 arrows a year, in all weather conditions so that I take my animal cleanly, with 1 arrow.
The enjoyment is immeasurable and the oppertunities that don't quite pan out are frustrating but there is no better hunt than right around the rut in early season, bulls bugling around you, in their natural state.
My wife took up muzzle loading and then converted to archery and will tell you that it is a lot more work but makes it all worth while when you get in close enough to see the slobbber dripping out of the corner of a bull's mouth before you release the arrow.
I have a saying that any person can pick up a sighted scoped rifle and take an animal at 200 plus yards, it takes a real hunter to get 20 yards from a herd of elk and make the shot.

I've done em all and killed with em all. Cant say I prefer one over the other because each has its unique satisfaction and I just love to hunt. If youre wanting to try something new I would suggest you try both. Maybe do muzzleloading first and take your time to learn and get comfortable with a bow in the meantime. Then once your ready go out archery hunting. Put in for multi season tags and do all three.

I appreciate all the input...After doing some more research regarding seasons, and training facilities I am leaning towards bow. Getting out of my comfort zone will be the 1st step. After 15 years of modern fire arm it's a big step. Will keep everybody posted on the move.

Proceed with caution

I bought my first bow spring of '10 and really wish someone had warned me that it is crack for old farts! Docspud summed it up pretty well! No matter how bad or stressed my day has been there is just something magical about that mystical flight followed by a "whack" that makes everything alright!

I may buy a rifle tag again someday but I'll always spend four or five days a week shooting my bow. It's just too damn fun!

I have hunted all three off and on for years. Of them, I always gravitate back to archery and, besides fishing, That is how I spend the bulk of my time. You can shoot in many rural areas, practice in your back yard and stump shoot WHILE you are hunting without ruining the area within a mile.

There is a certain satisfaction physically controlling a rudementary projectile... I am not sure about this "smack" program but, as described earlier, time does seem to slow as the arrow flies and seeing it connect with the vitals definitely creates a high as does being in close proximity whether you connect or not.

Check out www.gallosprings.com and pm me if you want to hear more.

Found an area behind my parents house in Mason County. Looks like I can build a solid tree stand and monitor it all year long. What are the rules on game feeders in Washington State?

Totally legal to feed (bait) deer and elk.

Look into a trail camera and a mineral block from the feed store.
It's amazing what goes on out there when no one is around.

My dad is all in on the trail camera...He's stoked...Now I have someone out there 24/7 to check it out...

Get a kick out of the term "Modern Rifle". My Oberndord Model 1894
Mauser in 6.5 x 55 is anything but a modern rifle.
I have been hunting with what's called a modern rifle since the early
60s. I enjoy the process as much or more than actually popping the cap.
Used to be we hunted in the snow. The season was much later but
not any more. The Archery hunts and the ML hunts have chopped the
season into fragments. This year modern rifle lasted a week.
I am bummed by the nead to take one in a hurry or the clock kills
your chances.
Progress. bs I like aces, straignts and flushes and hunt acordingly.
One shot, one kill, no lost wounded game.
Aw hell to each his own.
Used to hunt with a long bow but my shoulder won't tolerate that
any more. Whine Whine.

I started out hunting modern about 40 years ago. Switched to bow about 30 years ago and have tried ML too.

I prefer bow because, where and when I hunt, every deer is legal. Since I generally see few deer, this is a plus.

I built a Kentucky from a kit and would love to shoot something with it some day. But, the simple truth is that bow gives me the best opportunity at success.

+1000
Nothing like getting close to elk during the early season and hearing them bugle 15 yards away. Also, it "generally" keeps the yahoos away. You don't pick up a bow and become good in 1 trip to the range. It's a year round training deal to stay proficient. I shoot atleast two or three times a week, from 10 yards to 80. I limit myself to 40 yards on deer and 60 yards on elk. Thats where i feel confident putting a arrow into a apple every time.
Anyone can go out and take a elk or deer with a rifle 200 yards away with very little practice. Try putting a arrow into a pie or smaller sized target at 60 yards every time. Takes a LOT more practice, but its well worth it IMO...