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rifle or bow?

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muleymaddness View Drop Down
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    Posted: May/29/2008 at 11:02
OK, Here's the deal: I've got two 7mm's.  One lightweight, Rem 700 and one Rem 700 Sendero.  Both in 7mm caliber.  The Sendero was given to me as a gift, so won't get rid of it.  I primarily hunt whitetails in Texas, but have an Eastern Colorado mule deer hunt booked for this year and hope to draw some tags in the upcoming years. 
 
Should I sell the lightweight Rem 700 to give me the funds to buy a bow to do some archery hunting whitetails here in Texas?
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muleymaddness View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote muleymaddness Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/29/2008 at 11:03
Forgot to mention - I shoot fine out of both rifles.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/29/2008 at 11:13
Well by the time you scope your Sendero you will probably be close to 10 lbs.  Are you okay lugging around a 10 lb rifle for hunting?  If so then I would say yes then sell the one for a bow.  Otherwise you may really enjoy having a light rifle to hunt with and a heavy rifle for target shooting or shooting when less packing it around is needed.
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Big Squeeze View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Big Squeeze Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/29/2008 at 14:36
Originally posted by muleymaddness muleymaddness wrote:

OK, Here's the deal: I've got two 7mm's.  One lightweight, Rem 700 and one Rem 700 Sendero.  Both in 7mm caliber.  The Sendero was given to me as a gift, so won't get rid of it.  I primarily hunt whitetails in Texas, but have an Eastern Colorado mule deer hunt booked for this year and hope to draw some tags in the upcoming years. 
 
Should I sell the lightweight Rem 700 to give me the funds to buy a bow to do some archery hunting whitetails here in Texas?
...........................It all depends on what your passion is and if you like to bow hunt. Some prefer the greater challenge of stalking closer to game with a bow. It`s in their genes! If you`re the Ted Nugent type with a passion towards bow hunting, then sell the one 7mm and get a bow................I`ve never hunted with a bow and never will. I prefer a successful hunt, rather than more of a challenge in the stalking process! Short range bow hunting from a tree stand I`m sure is fun, but if I ever did that, I`d use my hunting revolver! I don`t miss! Bow hunters can and do!...............IMO, you should keep both rifles and get a bow. Try bow hunting first before you sell the lighter rifle. If your experiences with bow hunting are not as expected, then you`ll still have your lighter rig and sell the bow.  A Sendero with its heavier weight plus the scope`s weight, is not an ideal hunting rifle to carry or lug around............
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Steelbenz View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Steelbenz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/29/2008 at 17:10
OK,
I really should keep my mouth shut on this but you asked for opinions and you know what they say about those so here goes.
Big Squeeze is right, I would not sell anything for something that I might want to get into, that said, I own a bow and the only deer hunting I've done in years has been with a 700 VLS in .308. A little on the heavy side, yes but it works.  I shoot the bow all the time off my back deck into a backyard buck target and an occasional squirrel that makes a pest of himself. Also have removed some raccoons that got to familiar with a friends basement.  I shoot my rifle allot also but my passion for the last 15 to 20 years has been bird hunting.
Where I'm going with this is, I was once into deer hunting big time but after having a friend lend me a shotgun and put me on some wild bobwhites I sold my deer rifle bought a bird dog. I had a 12 Ga. Whitewing given to me from a guy that I made a couple hundred grand. (he got way better of the deal but I still have the gun!!!) Have someone you know lend you what you need. Then if you get hooked go all in.  Hope this helps.
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Ed Connelly View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ed Connelly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/29/2008 at 17:49
keep the rifles and cut yourself a spear with your hunting knife.....Bucky
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lucytuma View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucytuma Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/29/2008 at 19:28
I'd hold out.., you mentioned that the sendero was given to you as a gift, maybe this year it will be a bow.., Hmmm.
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson
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OLRVRAT View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote OLRVRAT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/29/2008 at 20:00
 I just bought a new bow & they aren't cheap. But i would never sell one of my rifles to fund a bow. A good rifle is always worth something! A used bow ain't worth much!
 I'd save for a new bow or look for a good used one.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/29/2008 at 21:43
Originally posted by OLRVRAT OLRVRAT wrote:

 I just bought a new bow & they aren't cheap. But i would never sell one of my rifles to fund a bow. A good rifle is always worth something! A used bow ain't worth much!
 I'd save for a new bow or look for a good used one.
i agree, and although killing a deer with a bow takes the rush to a higher level, i wouldnt go out and buy a top of the line mathews right away, go to a pawn shop or a sporting goods place that sells bows and pick up a decent used one and try it for a while to make sure you really want to invest in it, arrows are expensive broadheads are expensive all the components for your bow easily cost more than $50 each, sights $100 rest $100 quiver $50-$75 release $75-$100 so add an $800 bow to that and you just bought and paid for a new kimber rifle with a bushnell elite 4200 on it!
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nsaqam View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote nsaqam Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/29/2008 at 22:04
I'd get the bow.
Ever since I started bowhunting 6 years or so ago I have taken my gun hunting for whitetail very casually. I find bowhunting immeasurably more fun, more challenging, and more comfortable.
Part of this has to do with the fact that I can hunt my own land with a bow and cannot with a rifle. I do have leased land in northern MN where we hunt with rifles but there is nothing like getting home from work and going deerhunting for a couple of hours when the temp is around 50-60 degrees.
The chance to shoot a mature buck is also far greater on my own land with a bow than it is where I gun hunt. Almost every single time I put on my Tree Saddle and go into my wood with a bow I see at least 1 mature buck and often several.
Get the bow, the seasons are longer, the challenge is greater, the exhiliration much higher, and then when the short rifle season comes around you can relax while the other guys freeze their rearend off in a stand at 5 degrees.
Be warned, most folks who try bowhunting become quite addicted to it.
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martin3175 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote martin3175 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/29/2008 at 22:34
Where does it end ?? first you start out with a rifle,,,then a bow....then a blackpowder rifle..maybe   a handgun..or tackling a hog with a bowie knife...Where does it end ??
 
 
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Ed Connelly View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ed Connelly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/30/2008 at 08:52
....leaping on the deer from above and biting him in the throat while the rest of the tribe clubs him to death.....................Here%20Ye%20Here%20Ye
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Tip69 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tip69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/30/2008 at 10:04
I would only sell a gun to buy another GUN!   You don't need a $800 bow just yet.  You could get into a bow that will humanely kill a deer for as little as $200.00, maybe even less, including all the extras.
 
Good luck and let us know how it works out.
take em!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bigdaddy0381 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/30/2008 at 10:40

I wouldn't sell a gun/rifle for a bow. If your thinking of getting into bow hunting. I tell everyone thats thinking the same thing to go to a pawn shop the first weekend hunting season is over and pick up every bow in the shop and find one that fits you. You can buy a barly used bow for next to nothing at a pawn shop. I have bought bows that is that years bad a&* bow the same year they hit the floor for 1/4 of the price. If you do it this way you are not out 800+ on something you might not like. If you do like it and like the bow you bought fro the pawn shop you can tune it and still be way under the price of a new one.

I love to shoot bows me and my 9 year old son shoot about once a week in the yard.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/30/2008 at 18:19
heck i'd sell you mine if you wanted one that badly
They call me "Boots"
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343 we will never forget

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/30/2008 at 21:36
Rifle...
I have a bow, but it has limited use, limited effectiveness.  I can do ANYTHING (except hunt in October) with any rifle I have that I can do with the bow...not vice versa.  Given the choice I will always take the rifle.  I can get just as close, but with much more confidence I am going home with food.  I shoot better than average with every "shooting" weapon I use, but the rifle is the most effective tool.  I would prefer a Phaser, but those are not commercial, yet. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/02/2008 at 17:49
Originally posted by Ed Connelly Ed Connelly wrote:

....leaping on the deer from above and biting him in the throat while the rest of the tribe clubs him to death.....................Here%20Ye%20Here%20Ye
 
Roll%20on%20Floor%20Laughing
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/02/2008 at 17:57
Originally posted by Kickboxer Kickboxer wrote:

Rifle...
I have a bow, but it has limited use, limited effectiveness.  I can do ANYTHING (except hunt in October) with any rifle I have that I can do with the bow...not vice versa.  Given the choice I will always take the rifle.  I can get just as close, but with much more confidence I am going home with food. 
 
But, that's exactly the POINT of hunting with a bow -- making the hunt more challenging! 
 
A bow is a short range weapon that requires way more hunting skill to be effective with it.  Bowhunting makes you a more effective hunter even with a rifle, because it teaches you patience, and you get in more time in the woods watching the habits of deer and becoming more familiar with their patterns in your area.  You also become more skilled at controlling your scent, noise, and movement because you have to.  The added bonus is that it lengthens your hunting season.
 
I say the OP should have all 3 -- keep his rifles and wait to save up the money for a bow.  I think it's good advice to try a friends bow or buy a used bow to make sure he likes archery before dropping some serious cash on a complete rig with all the accessories.  Bows don't retain their value very well because the bow manufacturers are always changing their lineup every year and discontinuing bows they introduced only a few years prior.


Edited by RifleDude - June/02/2008 at 17:58
Ted


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tahqua Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/02/2008 at 18:09
When you get done with all those cams, wheels and cables you will be ready for a stick bow.
http://www.blackwidowbows.com/
http://www.21stcenturylongbow.com/
They are far easier to carry and are deadly. Modern designs have little hand shock which makes target shooting a joy.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/03/2008 at 15:07
Originally posted by RifleDude RifleDude wrote:

Originally posted by Kickboxer Kickboxer wrote:

Rifle...
I have a bow, but it has limited use, limited effectiveness.  I can do ANYTHING (except hunt in October) with any rifle I have that I can do with the bow...not vice versa.  Given the choice I will always take the rifle.  I can get just as close, but with much more confidence I am going home with food. 
 
But, that's exactly the POINT of hunting with a bow -- making the hunt more challenging! 
 
A bow is a short range weapon that requires way more hunting skill to be effective with it.  Bowhunting makes you a more effective hunter even with a rifle, because it teaches you patience, and you get in more time in the woods watching the habits of deer and becoming more familiar with their patterns in your area.  You also become more skilled at controlling your scent, noise, and movement because you have to.  The added bonus is that it lengthens your hunting season.
 
I say the OP should have all 3 -- keep his rifles and wait to save up the money for a bow.  I think it's good advice to try a friends bow or buy a used bow to make sure he likes archery before dropping some serious cash on a complete rig with all the accessories.  Bows don't retain their value very well because the bow manufacturers are always changing their lineup every year and discontinuing bows they introduced only a few years prior.
95% of my hunting is stalk hunting...more challenging than sitting in a tree.  I can't use a rifle during "bow season", don't use a bow during gun season.  I hunt areas no one else will because it's "too tough".  Most of the places I hunt an ATV can't get to. 
And I don't hunt over bait.
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