Bow or rifle?

Question

I would get a rifle no question about it but you cant shoot it in your back yard and I live in illinois. And I dont know any ranges close to me but if there are they would be far away and I would olny be able to go like once a month and I dont know if it is worth it. But with a bow you can pretty much shoot it anywhere. So I dont know now.

Answer 1

Let me qualify this answer by saying that I primarily hunt with a rifle, pistol and some witth a crossbow. If I could hunt with a bow, I would, but I'm missing my left hand. To hold a "real deal" hunting bow and shoot it well is impossible. Before you jump into a bow, consider these things:
1) A hunting or match type bow cannot be shot in your back yard safely. . .at least not at my house. They are too powerful and dangerous not to have a very effective backstop. Still, a place to practice is easier to find.
2) A bow, no matter how good is going to be limited to about 25 - 30 yards until you get good, very good. Then probably 50 yds max for an expert. You can hit at 100 yards easily with a rifle and a good rest. I have killed deer out to 450 yards with my rifle and 125 yards with a scoped pistol.
3) To get within killing range with a bow, you will have to become a deer pattern master and know the wind. Anything less and they are gone. A rifle is much easier to be successful with. Plan on practicing getting close to deer all year long.
4) A bow is really adjusted to the shooter. Find a shop which will help you get started and help you get your bow tuned in right. Then plan to upgrade after mastering your first bow. It seems like you really need a basic model to cut your teeth on and figure out what you need/want on your next one.
5) The low light comment. . .Well, just don't plan to kill a deer right at dusk. Deer shot with a bow need to be waited on to bleed out. Give yourself 1.5 hours min to sunset as your stopping time. Finding a wounded or dead deer after dark SUCKS!

Sorry to gear this so much towards hunting since your post is not.

Answer 2

Given the Illinois firearm laws - you might as well get a bow - or move.

I guess I would recommend getting a .22 air rifle - or pistol.
They are quiet enough that you might get away with shooting it outside. If not, you can make an indoor target using some cardboard boxes stuffed with phone books or something.

It would at least give you some practical practice, which could be applied later if you decide to get a rifle or pistol for hunting (or whatever).

If you live near a bordering state, you might be better off going to a border state for plinking or practice.

The only nice thing about bow hunting is you have the woods to yourself while you freeze your butt off waiting for a deer to come close enough...

It appears that the best method to hunt deer is to kill them with a vehicle. I've done that a couple of times...

More Than a Hatrack is correct. You can primarily hunt only with a shotgun, muzzle-loader, or pistol.

European Starlings can be killed anytime.
If they ask you - that's what you were hunting.

Exceptions: Q. Can I use a centerfire rifle for hunting
in Illinois? Or handguns?
A. Under Illinois law, the following
species may be taken with a rifle or
handgun: coyote, striped skunk, woodchuck,
squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, opossum
and red and gray fox. We do not
regulate the caliber of handgun or rifle
that may be used; except on stateowned
or managed areas, which normally
allow only the use of shotguns or .22
caliber rimfire rifles. Squirrel, furbearers
and woodchuck hunters may use a .17
caliber rimfire rifle on some state-owned
or managed areas. No rifles may be
possessed in the field, however, during
firearm deer season except that trappers
may carry a .22 rimfire rifle to dispatch
animals during firearm deer season.
Certain handguns are lawful for deer
hunting (see pages 11 & 14 for regulations).
In addition to the Department's site specific
regulations, many cities or counties
may have local ordinances prohibiting
the use of certain firearms. It is important,
therefore, that you also check with
your local police agencies before you
hunt. At all times when in possession of
firearms, hunters must also comply with
the other firearms regulations as outlined
in the Illinois Criminal Code.

In summary, you can only use a centerfire rifle when a .22 rimfire will do as well...

However,
Special Permits
The Department of Natural Resources offers two special permits for people with disabilities:

Crossbow: Special permits may be issued by the DNR to qualified handicapped persons allowing them to use a crossbow to hunt species during regular archery seasons. This permit must be carried by the hunter along with all required hunting licenses, stamps or permits. To qualify for a crossbow permit, a person must either have a permanent physical impairment due to injury or disease, congenital or acquired, that renders him/her so severely disabled as to be unable to use a conventional bow and arrow device, or must be legally blind.

Well, it's nice to know if you're blind you can hunt with a crossbow...

Answer 3

My husband has hunted with a rifle for 15 years and last year he started hunting with a bow. This year he didn't even get a rifle permit to hunt deer. You only get 1 week with a rifle and about 2 months with a bow.

Answer 4

I would get a rifle no doubt. Bows are nice and all, but you can't use it everywhere like oyu think. Rifles can get many upgrades for the sights. While a bow is very useless when it gets slightly dark, and from experience can hit things not wanting to hit with an arrow. So yeah, go with rifles.

Answer 5

I do the two besides, yet want bow searching. interior the state the place I do maximum of my deer searching (ND) you get an prolonged season for archery. i will confess i'm many times greater effective jointly as rifle searching. The final time i become homestead for the rifle season I shot 4 deer vs many times in undemanding terms a million or 2 deer a season with my bow. that may not as a results of lacking or something only the actual undeniable fact which you have plenty greater selection with a rifle. That and that i bypass on diverse deer with my bow, yet with rifle we many times shoot any deer that meats the standards. I nevertheless want archery searching. in case you intend on searching this season you ought to get began quickly. in case you opt for archery then you could desire to prepare plenty and your understanding of time earlier the season starts.

Answer 6

Make sure and check your IL hunting laws first.
Bow hunting requires much more patience and skill than rifle.
Of course, there is no comparison for range - rifle wins hands down.
I would consider a crossbow if your law allows. This is harder than a rifle, but not as delicate as a bow.
Just a thought.

Answer 7

I have never hunted with a rifle but I have with a shotgun and bow. I prefer bow. Much more relaxing.

Answer 8

Bow pro rifle rookie

Answer 9

i own rifle, shotgun, bow, pistol, etc.

you may want to check your regulations for where you plan to hunt. i have family in Illinois, and i thought parts of the state are "shotgun" only for long guns.

a bow extends your hunting season, and rifles usually shorten it. i do like the bow since practice is cheap and you can do it in the backyard.

Answer 10

You can look up on the internet - the correct way to shoot a bow and arrow - be careful - good luck!@