Help me make a choice

[cleardiddion]

So, I was thinking I'd like to get into the hunting season a little earlier than usual this year, especially when you consider how late NE Florida's general gun season starts.

However, I'm kinda stuck where I'd like to stick my toes in the water first:
Bow/Crossbow or BP.

I've never done either (shot all of them but not actually hunted with any of the above mentioned methods) and I was hoping to get some opinions on which one to go with along with recommendations for a starter.

Thanks in advance!

 

[qajaq59]

shot all of them but not actually hunted with any of the above mentioned methods

A black powder "inline" with a scope should make it pretty easy for you. That's what I'm going to use in S. Florida this year.

 

[FLAvalanche]

If you've never shot a bow or blackpowder before I'd have to say the crossbow is going to be the smallest learning curve.

 

[DIM]

If you never shot a bow, then you better take safety hunting course where you must demonstrate your ability to shot bow safely. I think its mandatory through continental US...

 

[375shooter]

You have the best chance of success with BP, followed by crossbow then compound bow. I've shot 6 deer with a compound and 1 bear each with compound and crossbow. It's very difficult to get a deer with a bow. You need lots of practice to be able to shoot well with one, and you need a good setup to get a deer to come within range and offer a clear shot.

 

[22-rimfire]

For someone like me who doesn't generally shoot my "deer rifle" except prior to deer season, I think a black powder rifle is certainly the easiest to start out with and be effective.

Bow hunting is truly challenging although you can get lucky. You need to practice, practice, practice to be competent enough to hit a deer in the proper area. I used to hunt with a bow for years and then stopped when life took me to places where hunting was not so convenient. I used to love being out in the woods as you see deer in their natural condition during bow season versus the regular rifle season when there are many more hunters out in the woods.

 

[cleardiddion]

Like I said, I've shot all three but I was wondering what would garner me the most success. Nothing like a bit of venison or pork in the freezer to make me happy. Thanks for the input so far!

 

[courtgreene]

bows are more challenging, but in most cases you can have range time in your back yard and not piss off neighbors. That's the biggest benefit to the bow to me... I need range time for stress relief and the bow makes that more convenient.

 

[FLAvalanche]

Like I said, I've shot all three but I was wondering what would garner me the most success. Nothing like a bit of venison or pork in the freezer to make me happy. Thanks for the input so far!

You guys seem to have gotten hosed season date-wise in NE Florida.

Consider this...

Florida allows 2 deer per day. Florida's seasons are in line. Bow, Crossbow, BP, General Gun. You can use Bow all season long. Crossbow from crossbow until the end of the gun season. BP from BP to the end of the gun season and general gun through general gun season.

There is also an extremely good chance Florida is going to combine Bow and Crossbow into one season next year.

Why not do it all? Diversify.

If you can't do it all then bow is the longest season stretching from the 1st day of archery until the last day of general gun. Success of any type is going to depend on where you're hunting, deer population and, of course, your ability.

 

[627PCFan]

Many states make extended BP seasons available, as mine did so I picked an TC inline. My slug gun hasnt seen the light of day in quite a few hunting seasons since........