Can You Use A Bow During Rifle Season? What Is Its Benefit?

You are too indulged in your favorite sport – bow hunting, so you aspire to always hunt with  your beloved bow. 

The common problem is: Can you use a bow during rifle season? Like other archers, this wondering still confuses you. Luckily, our article will solve the issue. Without further ado, let’s get started.

Can You Use A Bow During Rifle Season? 

Depending on different regions, the rules allowing bowhunting vary greatly. You can freely use a crossbow during rifle season if your local government permits. Take Maryland in the USA as a typical example; archers can hunt deers during firearm season like Maryland, but under provided restrictions. 

In general, it is safe to bow hunt, but some places still prohibit this activity due to a few potential dangers. This season is when a mass of rifle hunters appears crowded in the woods. So the risk of accidentally getting shot by a rifle is extremely high, which will injure you badly.  

What Does Bowhunting Benefit You During Rifle Season? 

Cultivate Skills

This special time seems a good opportunity to challenge yourself with arrow shooting skills. Hunters need to put a lot of effort into taking down games during rifle season. 

Despite having fewer competitors, the prey hunting can be significantly challenging. By that, we mean the deers are getting much more skittish, maybe because they become more sensitive during this season, which hinders an exact shot. Hence, this special extra practice will hone your skills.

Furthermore, archers also sharpen the “spot and stalk” technique, know how to draw the arrow quickly, estimate the appropriate distance for the shot, and many other core elements.

can you use a bow during rifle season
Take advantage of this time to honing your archery skills

Longer Hunting Gration

Plus, you get extended periods to enhance your arrowing skill. As usual, once the bow season ends, archers have no place to do some practice. If you go bow hunting just for entertainment, it is totally fine. But if you are an enthusiast and desire to fire all the time, rifle woods will be an ideal choice. 

Instead of less time in bow season, archers can also utilize the rifle season to satisfy their passion. With extra experience, your skill gradually rises; maybe you will become an expert one day.

Added Places To Bow Hunt

Thanks to this special permission, arrow hunters get extra places to kill games. Normally, states choose urban areas to set up the hunting field due to small woodlots. Another reason is the short bow path, which is much shorter than bullets. That’s why hectic areas are acceptable to hold bow hunting during rifle season.

However, those states specify the areas for solely bow archers to prevent overhunting. They also want to protect the flora growing in those zones.

Safer Than Rifle

Several possible dangers exist while bow hunting, yet certainly less than its rival – rifle hunting. Although sharp arrowheads may cut you while moving around, the shooter never fires a sudden arrow to hurt you or your partners. It is under your full control. That’s why you rarely hear about accidents happening on the arrow field, but not for firearm hunting.

Rifle hunting, on the other hand, will cause some serious injury if you are careless sometimes. Most hunters rack their guns to fire once detecting the prey immediately. The bullet is always ready in the chamber, which easily shoots out by just a sudden trigger pulling. Consequently, other hunters from a distance away or even your buddies will get injured.

Where Is The Best Place To Bowhunt?

where is the best place to bowhunt
Thick wood is a great place for archery hunters

Most experienced archers will prefer the field filled with thick trees and busts. This type of habitat brings more advantages for bow hunters than firearm ones who need open land for the shot from a far distance. Thick trees shield their sight, allowing archers to shoot the prey from a short distance.

Moreover, thick areas are an ideal shelter for most deer. They have many places to hide, such as the bedding area. Once you position the right bow range, be patient to wait until the deer move out. By then, aim its movement and shoot perfectly. 

Must-Follow Rules While Bow Hunting During Rifle Season

Each area has different rules for bow hunting. But in general, arrow shooters during rifle season should follow these two most common regulations:

Wear blaze orange

As we mentioned, you will encounter many other hunters using firearms. It is hard to detect among hunters, especially in the low-light and thick environment. Therefore, mistaken shootings are likely to happen. 

Visible clothing from a distance enables other rivals to see you and avoid unfortunate shootings. The color of blaze also diversifies from orange to chartreuse and fluorescent, considering that they are seeable and bright colors.

Avoid hectic areas

Bowhunters should avoid zones involving vibrant activities like hiking trails or near streams and roads. As rifle shooters usually gather around this area and go hunting. Keeping a proper distance will help you to stay safe. 

Read More: My Crossbow Is Stuck On Safety? – Here’s What I Did!

Closing 

Can you use a bow during rifle season? The answer differs depending on each region. If your local government allows this exceptional activity, it will be a good chance for hunting enthusiasts.

Remember to check the regulations of where you live to grasp all the regulations. So you will avoid violating the rule and stay safe while bowhunting.

Leave a Comment

Read more