Most Rewarding Way to Hunt

S

Swede

New member
Mar 4, 2014
1,722
Yesterday Olympushunt suggested a poll to see what hunters here believe is the most rewarding way to hunt. He also asked which way is the most challenging. So, what do you think?

For me, I think, the most challenging would be spot and stalk with a bow. The most rewarding would be the method I connect on. I really don\'t have a priority on methods. No one method makes me feel all fuzzy inside. No legal method is wrong and none is superior, except that some work better than others. Some methods don\'t work well at all in some areas. Obviously tree stand hunting has worked well for me, and I gravitate to it because it has produced.
 
The only thing that makes something more rewarding for me is the work I put into it. That said, solo kills/packouts feel sooo good! Toughest method, that\'d be bowhunting ;) . I don\'t know if one particular method of bowhunting is harder than another. I\'ve killed elk spot n stalk, still hunting, and calling. I love it all :)
 
Never killed an elk so I\'m only speculating on what I think would be the most rewarding. I would think calling. To echo what Jeff had said earlier, I want to experience a big bull coming in screaming and raking and knowing he\'s that way because I made him so!
 
Swede, your question is an interesting one. I am going to suggest that perhaps the amount of reward is directly linked to the degree of challenge. Probably why Will finds so much reward in a solo kill and pack.

I also think there is a different but no less satisfying reward in being instrumental in another ones success. (Ask Brad about his son\'s elk last year)
 
\"mainebrdr\" said:
Swede, your question is an interesting one. I am going to suggest that perhaps the amount of reward is directly linked to the degree of challenge. Probably why Will finds so much reward in a solo kill and pack.

I also think there is a different but no less satisfying reward in being instrumental in another ones success. (Ask Brad about his son\'s elk last year)
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I agree with this too. I often get a bigger kick out of dad getting connecting with an elk or a buddy fighting a big steelhead. I have a number of hunts that stick out in my mind very vividly that dad killed some nice bulls on. I couldn\'t have been more excited if I had got them myself.
So for me...the most difficult in the technical sense is calling. Sooooo many variables that play out and you are basically telling the elk exactly WHERE you are. You have to be on your \"A\" game and also have lady luck on your side. I rate that number 1. Maybe spot and stalk number 2. No offense Swede but I think tree standing might be my number 3. As with still hunting (just my opinion so no offense please!) tree standing isn\'t ridiculously technical but does require a ton of patience. That is tough right there...grinding it out and sticking to it hour in hour out, day in day out. It is tough in that sense, the patience and waiting. You certainly have to know what you are doing as you can\'t just still hunt or stand hunt blindly and be very successful. Now as far as what I feel is the most successful way to hunt...that is a different poll altogether. Again...just MY opinion and it doesn\'t mean everyone will agree. I take no offense it you tell me I am all wet here. Tree standing #1, Spot and Stalk #2 (especially with a gun) Still hunting #3 and Calling #4. Tree standing is ridiculously effective. I put calling last because I\'m no pro on that front. There you have it. I like hearing what others think as people like the methods they are most successful with right? Like fishing....I like certain setups because I have the most confidence they will produce for me.
 
\"otcWill\" said:
The only thing that makes something more rewarding for me is the work I put into it. That said, solo kills/packouts feel sooo good! Toughest method, that\'d be bowhunting ;) . I don\'t know if one particular method of bowhunting is harder than another. I\'ve killed elk spot n stalk, still hunting, and calling. I love it all :)
Click to expand...

I have to agree with pretty much all of this. The rewarding feeling is putting in the work and seeing the reward. I don\'t think there is any method that is more rewarding than another. For example, someone who still hunts and sneaks within 20 yards of a bull before taking him down could have the same rewarding feeling as a hunter who shoots one at 800 yards with a rifle. It is all in the work you put into it that matters.

Personally, I have filled tags when it was more luck than anything and those never feel as good as the one where you put the work into it and fill your tag. I have had hunts where I didn\'t fill my tag, but put forth the effort and that has even been more rewarding than punching a tag with luck.

Bottom line, I don\'t think you could say one method is more rewarding than another. To me, it is more luck versus effort put forth.
 
I realized, especially after this year\'s hunts that to me personally the more effort I put in, the more rewarding the outcome. While I\'ve always thought filling tags was my measure of success, it was a true wake up for me this last fall, where I filled lots of tags but it seemed pretty lackluster. I\'d rather work my butt off for a big fat cow elk, than shoot a mountain goat that had lost its fear of people. I also realized the older I get, the more I look forward to the company on any hunt (kids, friends, family) than killing? Damn I?m getting OLD!!
 
DIY, archery, public land.

Trifecta of bragging rights. I keep trying. I don\'t even need to kill one. Just helping one get taken would pump me for life. Especially if my brother made the shot.
 
Not to start an argument by any means, but more for adding to the discussion...I feel that rifle hunting elk is more difficult that bow hunting. Sure, you have to get closer with a bow, but finding the elk when they are vocal is much easier. And we all know that finding the elk is more than half the battle. From most people I have talked to who have tried both, most are more successful with a bow.

Now if you could hunt elk during the rut with a rifle? Probably a lot easier than bow hunting :D
 
\"cohunter14\" said:
Not to start an argument by any means, but more for adding to the discussion...I feel that rifle hunting elk is more difficult that bow hunting. Sure, you have to get closer with a bow, but finding the elk when they are vocal is much easier. And we all know that finding the elk is more than half the battle. From most people I have talked to who have tried both, most are more successful with a bow.

Now if you could hunt elk during the rut with a rifle? Probably a lot easier than bow hunting :D
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People takes things way to personally to us just expressing opinions and preferences but I completely agree with you Derek. 100% Now, I might not be the best person to poll on that because I have never hunted elk with a rifle. A lot of my buddies do and I would like to some day. I just haven\'t yet. But, my father in-law has hunted elk with both bow and rifle scoring with both. He is a very well respected gun smith and obviously is very pro gun. He even admits and will tell anyone who will listen if you want to kill a record book bull....bow hunt. He isn\'t saying you can\'t kill the biggest bull in the woods with a rifle it\'s just the odds typically favor hunting in the rut, and in Oregon the shear volume of days you can bow hunt Vs the short rifle seasons.
 
\"cohunter14\" said:
Not to start an argument by any means, but more for adding to the discussion...I feel that rifle hunting elk is more difficult that bow hunting. Sure, you have to get closer with a bow, but finding the elk when they are vocal is much easier. And we all know that finding the elk is more than half the battle. From most people I have talked to who have tried both, most are more successful with a bow.

Now if you could hunt elk during the rut with a rifle? Probably a lot easier than bow hunting :D
Click to expand...
Great point.
Something to ponder.
 
\"cohunter14\" said:
Not to start an argument by any means, but more for adding to the discussion...I feel that rifle hunting elk is more difficult that bow hunting. Sure, you have to get closer with a bow, but finding the elk when they are vocal is much easier. And we all know that finding the elk is more than half the battle. From most people I have talked to who have tried both, most are more successful with a bow.
Click to expand...

I think you guys have been smelling too much swamp water. :lol: The statistics for Oregon shows the advantage for hunting success goes to the gun hunters. Even if you consider the draw odds, and the time off where you need to hunt an open unit, the odds still favor the gun hunter.
 
Of course the odds favor gun hunters,,,, there is more of them.
Any State wildlife department does not rely on harvest stats of bowhunters to achieve herd management.

I am a bow hunter and gun hunter.
Bowhunting is FAR more easier than rifle hunting:

1 you are hunting the rut [vocal elk]
2 shots are closer
3 weather is nicer
4 less pressure
5 season is longer
6 you are hunting the rut [calling works]
 
Brad you forgot to mention

7 The sun comes up earlier in September.
8 The sun sets later in September.
9 The days are longer in September.
And Don\'t forget,
10 The elk are all tired out from rutting, and are easier to catch. lol
 
Ok! Ok! I agree with you guys that bow hunters can have an advantage. It is limited, and statistics do not bear this out, but this is true. For public land over the counter tags, the bow hunter can develop his or her skill to where they can out produce any gun hunter in the same areas. If you learn and develop your skills, bow hunters, you are going to be way ahead of your gun hunting counterpart. The key is learning and dedication to the hunt.
 
It\'s easier to sneak to 200 yards of an elk instead of 60. Drawing a bow is just about the hugest motion in the quiet woods.

Call it a push? :)
 
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