Gun Hunting is Different!

by Buck
(Oklahoma)

My brother-in-law called Thursday and invited me to hunt with he and his son. I pulled out the case holding my old Model 70 to find covered with dust.

I've stuck with the bow for the past several years. The deer should appreciate that; they are much safer when I carry my bow.

I've gun hunted most of my life, but was a little surprised at how different I felt carrying my trusted rifle again. My confidence area suddenly expanded from 20 to at least 200 yards.

With the rifle in hand I felt that I had the advantage. With the bow, the way I hunt, the deer has the advantage.

I did something else I hadn't done in a very long time. When bow-hunting I sometimes stalk, still hunt, or more often sit in a ground blind.

Yesterday I climbed in an old elevated stand which is 100-150 yards from the woods I often bow-hunt in. What a change in perspective!

With the bow I'm usually sitting within a few yards of and watching a single trail. I need to sit very still. From the stand yesterday I could view a comparatively huge vista. I could also move around a little.

Something else changed; my deer standards. When a nice average buck walked out at sunup; I hesitated. I wasn't sure I wanted him. I also passed on a good doe a little later. I would have been happy to get either deer with my bow.

It was fun and relaxing to go back to the gun. I'm always learning; even about myself. I'm a bow-hunter, but that doesn't mean I can't hunt with a gun.