Archery or Gun?

[GOSHENGRUNTER]

So my friend and I ended up with region 21 Antelope and Region Y deer. We contacted a rancher prior to applying and got permission to hunt a pretty big private area and a few decent public spots. (I think that put us in unit 30 deer just to give an idea of reference).

Im weighing the pros and cons of gun v. bow.

Our goal is to fill our buck tags and maybe kill a doe or two.

We are both pretty experienced bow hunters. There are good water holes on the private ranch but I'd prefer spot and stalk.

Trophy quality is a plus, but we aren't expecting 14" antelope and 160" deer.

Another consideration is my wife pregnant and due 11/21. if we gun hunt we'd be going 10/13-10/22 so that'd be pretty close to baby time.

Love to hear everyone's $0.02

 

[Eberle]

I'd go with a rifle, you could do both. Buy an archery stamp & hunt the last few days of archery. If you don't fill your tag, take your gun.

 

[GOSHENGRUNTER]

That's an excellent idea Eberle. I'm still a bit confused as to how WY's seasons run but I'll figure it out eventually. Is there much difference in hunting pressure late archery compared to early?

 

[Againstthewind]

http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/Departments/Hunting/pdfs/REGULATIONS_CH6_SIGNED0005672.pdf

That is kindof weird. I never noticed it before, but it looks like there is a two week gap between archery and rifle deer for that area. Antelope you can archery until rifle starts, but not deer from the way it looks.

 

[AT Hiker]

I would go rifle, especially if you have a private ranch to hunt that holds animals.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

If you were talking elk, I would say do the bow and then follow up with rifle if needed. However, being deer and antelope hunt on a private ranch, I'd also go with the rifle like the others stated. There also aren't that many units that don't have a gap between archery and gun seasons. Deer 30 has a 2 week gap since the archery season is all of September and gun is the last two weeks of October.

 

[GOSHENGRUNTER]

Sounds like the experts have spoken. I appreciate the veteran advice. we will probably stick to gun season then. I should add that its not exclusive access to the ranch but I'm hoping it wont be too packed.

 

[Againstthewind]

Congrats on the new baby

 

[GOSHENGRUNTER]

Thank you! its our first. I'm a little nervous about being 22 hrs away with no cell service a month before its due though.

 

[Againstthewind]

That would be stressful. I laugh at those Verizon commercials that show their coverage map and the big empty white spot pretty much outlines Wyoming it seems like. Good luck out this way.

 

[woodtick]

Thank you! its our first. I'm a little nervous about being 22 hrs away with no cell service a month before its due though.

You can rent satellite phones for pretty cheap!!

http://www.mobal.com/rent-satellite-phone/

 

[WapitiBob]

I would take both BECAUSE you have access to pvt. The spot/stalk antelope will be better on the pvt and after a cpl days you can always gong 'em with the rifle. I think you would be missing out on a good/fun experience not at least trying antelope with the bow.
I wouldn't walk across the road to shoot a Deer so I would gong those for sure.
I have Verizon cell service all over WY with when hunting.

 

[2nasty4u]

if you want to get frustrated bring the bow, if you wanna blast a goat bring the rifle. ha ha. I vote rifle. chasing them around for a day or two with the bow could be fun and then after that you can take out all of your frustrations on them with the rifle, so maybe bring both.

 

[Hilltop]

Since you don't have exclusive rights on the ranch I would leave the bow at home. Hunting during rifle season with a bow creates a few safety issues. I don't like being in archery range of animals while others are out with rifles potentially shooting at the same animal I'm stalking.

If you decide to hunt early- I think the archery antelope is very doable early but archery deer and antelope will be more challenging. Likely one of you will have at least one bowl of tag soup but you would have a blast trying.

 

[swampokie]

Rifle! If its legal then why debate?

So my friend and I ended up with region 21 Antelope and Region Y deer. We contacted a rancher prior to applying and got permission to hunt a pretty big private area and a few decent public spots. (I think that put us in unit 30 deer just to give an idea of reference).

Im weighing the pros and cons of gun v. bow.

Our goal is to fill our buck tags and maybe kill a doe or two.

We are both pretty experienced bow hunters. There are good water holes on the private ranch but I'd prefer spot and stalk.

Trophy quality is a plus, but we aren't expecting 14" antelope and 160" deer.

Another consideration is my wife pregnant and due 11/21. if we gun hunt we'd be going 10/13-10/22 so that'd be pretty close to baby time.

Love to hear everyone's $0.02