I have been rifle hunting for several years now and love to deer hunt. A couple years ago I bought a browning bow off a guy at work I shot it several times and really enjoyed it I was very accurate with it. Long story short needed some cash so I sold the bow.Regretted it ever since. Anyhow I now have the chance to pickup a Mathews DXT for a decent price off my neighbor. I really like the fact that I can shoot the bow allot more often than I can shoot my rifles. Several of my buddies have land but its in city limits so-no shooting. A bow I could shoot on a daily basis if I wanted- it was a good stress reliever in the past. I like the idea of an extra month of deer season but I have never shot a deer with a bow and am very concerned with the fact that when you shoot a deer with a bow they generally take off unlike rifle season where 99% of the time they drop where they stand. I really would hate to waste a deer by not finding it, where I hunt there is property lines within 50-100 yds from where we have our greatest chance of gettin a shot. I guess it would come down to shot placement like anything else. Just looking for some advice from some veteran bow hunters for a possible newbie. Sorry for the long post- first one. Thanks in advance

I just picked it up about 3 years ago, but within the last year really committed to hunting. I shot 3 does this past year, one javi and one mule deer doe. It is a rush like no other and does not compare to rifle hunting, imo. The thrill of the animal being sometimes within arms reach, shot placement, wind, scent and a stick with a razor at the end, how much better then a heart humping expierence does one need?? I like shooting in my back yard, also to relieve stress. I say give it a chance, but make it a honest chance, not one where you pick it up once or twice and done with it. You may suprise yourself and find that the rifle may take a backseat. Best of luck

Once you get a taste of it. It is about all you will want to do.

+1 Rifle kinda gets boring for whitetails after you have a few , very close (within 10 yards) encounters. You learn so much more about the animal at close range too. Movements, vocalizations, fights that make your hair stand on end, interaction between them, dominance, all kinds of stuff.

You will like bowhunting. If you hunt enough though you will lose a deer. Of course that happens with a gun sometimes as well.

Just get out there, there are chances in everything we do, the only problem I see is the fence line being close, one might run that far before killing over, but if you get permission from the neighbor on crossing over, than that would not be a problem. Go for it.

BOW BOW BOW!!!!!

Shot placement is the key. If you double lung a deer it shouldn't go more than 50 or 60 yards. They can't run if they can't breathe. A heart shot is a smaller target but will still put them down in a very short distance and within your property lines. I have never seen a deer go more than 100 yards or so if it was a double lung or a heart shot. If you shoot them in the liver, only get one lung or gut shoot them then you are in for a long wait and a more difficult recovery. Once again, shot placement is the key. Put the arrow where it is supposed to go and you won't have any problems.

Practice, practice, practice.

And after you shoot your first deer with a bow I'm betting the rifle sees the safe alot more than it will see the field.

It's one of the coolest things you can do with your clothes on. Try it...you'll like it.

I have a deer on my wall that scores mid 160s I shot with rifle. I got more worked up about my first doe with a bow. There is just something neat about getting 10 yards from a wild animal. I still hunt with rifle some but if I had to only do one I would bow hunt and never look back.

Bow hunting is some great family fun. It's easy enough to get your kids involved in it. My kids have picked it up and love to shoot with me.

Bow is fun and gets your heart pumpin' for sure.

I think I elect to move away from the boundry lines a little more if you can. A little too low of a shot will be a heart shot and they can go up to 200yds or more. Not that you can't find it, but you'll need permission to cross the property line to find it. I'd start making friends w/ that landowner now prior to picking up the bow and see if it's gonna work for you to retrieve them on their property.