Hunting season is upon us; Bow? Rifle? Let the butchers do it, I want mine from the grocery store? Who's game?

Maj Kim Patterson — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 06:00:56 -0500

Deer season is in full swing here with the cold front, moon phases and freshly cut fields. Do you like the challenge of a bow? The simplicity and accuracy of a rifle and scope? Or do you prefer your meat out of the grocer case at the local market? (Other choice: do you eat their food and allow them to go hungry as vegetarians?) I'm from a family of hunters. Do you have your trophies taxidermied?

Response by PO1 John Miller made Nov 15 at 2015 7:49 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 07:49:11 -0500

Though I have not been in years, I always went rifle hunting. Some of my best memories with my Dad are of "deer camp!"

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Nov 15 at 2015 10:34 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 10:34:26 -0500

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Nov 15 at 2015 11:05 AM

LTC Bink Romanick — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 11:05:42 -0500

Maj Kim Patterson I am currently recovering from an amputation but I really enjoyed sitting out with the black powder gun. Nothing like venison sausage on Christmas morning.

Response by MSgt Daniel Attilio made Nov 15 at 2015 11:23 AM

MSgt Daniel Attilio — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 11:23:24 -0500

We've gone the route of vegetarian during the week and only get our meat at restaurants on weekends or on vacation. We're not fully committed. I've never come across a doctor that advised an increase of red meat in my diet so decided to take their advice and cut it way back. Initially difficult, (cannot endorse the vegan option -that was yuck, cheese should not curl UP in the oven) but now we like it.
I only have rifles and they're only for sport/fun shooting.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Nov 15 at 2015 5:49 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 17:49:31 -0500

Maj Kim Patterson, I know something about weapons and the outdoors, but I'm with you. We'll just do all our hunting at the grocery store!

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Nov 15 at 2015 9:42 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 21:42:03 -0500

I'm guilty of liking the hunt but also a little chagrined this year. My oldest son was up and we were headed out to the 2 seater to go hunt when a great one was eating one of my apples. So the hunt lasted less than a minute with a shot by the hot tub. Son said something unmentionable to me as last year's hunt was 12 minutes thinking that would never be beat. Hang for 2 days, butchered, vacuumed sealed, and in the freezer next to everything else. If you haven't had top strap stir fry, you're missing out on something special. Have no idea what next year's encore will be.

I'll admit hunting isn't for everybody but up here in Northern Idaho, most do.

Response by SGT Cody Skinner made Nov 16 at 2015 8:32 AM

SGT Cody Skinner — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 08:32:03 -0500

I love to hunt, no taxidermy yet, and I have someone else process my link and pan sausage. That being said. There is nothing better than fresh cooked game that you harvested and processed yourself. If it's a game animal I will hunt it, though if I find I don't care for the taste and/or I can't find a recipe I like for that specific game I will no longer hunt it. As of now the only thing I haven't found a good recipe for is Ducks. I have really only had the opportunity to hunt with a rifle and/or shotgun. I would love to get my bow out and work on getting my skills back up to hunt with it. I also recently purchased a Boar Spear I am looking forward to using.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Nov 16 at 2015 9:11 AM

Maj Chris Nelson — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 09:11:04 -0500

I hunt bow, right out of the beginning of the season, then as tags go unfilled with bow, move on to rifle during rifle season. I enjoy it all for different reasons, but all of it boils down to enjoying getting out into the woods!

Response by SFC Terry Fortune made Nov 16 at 2015 9:25 AM

SFC Terry Fortune — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 09:25:47 -0500

I like using my rifle when deer hunting. My two sons and I enjoy the time in the woods. Teaching my grandsons to hunt now.

Response by MSG Tim Gray made Nov 16 at 2015 9:53 AM

MSG Tim Gray — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 09:53:01 -0500

Rifle, grocery store for beer, yes my walls are covered with bear, pheasant and antlers

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Nov 16 at 2015 10:41 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 10:41:11 -0500

I have tried all but rifle...just where I live...had the best luck putting meat in the freezer with black powder, but my black powder is as close to rifle as one can get without being called a rifle?

Response by SSG Selwyn Bodley made Nov 16 at 2015 9:15 PM

SSG Selwyn Bodley — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 21:15:06 -0500

Love hunting! First year with a bow and I am enjoying it! Been hunting with a rifle for a while but the challenge of a bow is great!

Response by CAPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2015 4:25 PM

CAPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 16:25:03 -0500

I will use whatever it the season allows. I typically do better with my muzzle loader than I do with the shotgun. I rarely have any luck with the bow, but I keep trying.

Response by SPC Allen DeMasi made Nov 18 at 2015 8:16 PM

SPC Allen DeMasi — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 20:16:19 -0500

I personally like the rifle fast and easy, however the Bow shows the true nature of your skills and whatever weakness you have it will exploit them it actually hones your skills and makes you a better hunter.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Nov 20 at 2015 9:18 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 21:18:03 -0500

Maj Kim Patterson I am a bow hunter,love the challenge required to hunt white-tails with a compound bow.It has been my passion for over 40 years.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2015 6:40 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 06:40:49 -0500

Rack is a nice bonus but I hunt to fill the freezer.