I am going (somewhat) primitive this deer season...

[Captcurt]

When Arkansas invoked their first black powder season it was known as a Primitive Weapon Season. As in every sport, someone has to push the envelope. Now there is nothing primitive about it. You have in-line guns shooting jacketed bullets in sabots pushed by 150gr of triple 7 and wearing scopes. Guns capable of shots out to over 200 yards.

Then you have crossbows that shoot over 400 fps and they also wear scopes. Even my compound bow is a far cry from the recurves that I started with. We went from wooden longbows casting wooden arrows to bows with cams, synthetic limbs, drop away rest, fiber optic sights, mechanical releases and shooting carbon arrows.

Gone are the days when I shot squirrels, groundhogs, coons, and rabbits. I cringe now when I release a $20 arrow at a deer. If a person really wants to go primitive you have to decide how far back in time you want to go? I'll keep my compound but I can live with a percussion Hawken or even a Flintlock and I might slip a recurve into the closet when the wife isn't looking.

 

[theotherwaldo]

Primitive?
I took my last deer with a thirty pound chunk of granite, primarily accelerated by gravity but initiated by a would-be practical joker who misjudged how quickly a deer could turn and walk under a falling rock.
All of this was compounded by my inability to retrieve my accidental kill.
At least some of the other wildlife ate well.
Yep, primitive weapon plus primitive logic gave primitive results.

 

[Big_Al]

My perspective of deer hunting (or any hunting) has evolved to that of the OP; the most difficult part is getting the animal to walk in front of you - shooting the animal is simple, almost embarrassingly so. I have taken to BP and compound bow hunting but even with that equipment, a simple-minded animal has not a chance. The last couple of years, I have just let deer walk that could have easily been killed. I don’t know, it must be the aging process - out waiting/ out thinking a deer has lost that youthful magic but I still enjoy thinking about it.

I would agree except I need a couple for the freezer.

 

[Nature Boy]

I hunted last year with a .308

Talk about primitive!

 

[Gordon]

I was in Big Sur in 71. USAF at the Presido of Monterey. Big Sur was my first (surprise) introduction to a nude beach. Knocked my sox off so to speak.

I was at the presidio 66-68 as a Vietnamese liguist. After I got out of active duty in 1971 I got that job in Big Sur. It was most beautiful place in the world to me.

 

[MacAR]

I too am going "primitive" this year, at least for my two meat deer. The old 1897 Winchester, loaded with #4 buck, will make a good combo for the thickets and cane brakes. My old '06 and its Williams peep sight can handle the longer range stuff. I don't own a muzzleloader or a bow, so a shotgun or iron sights is about as "primitive" as I can get.

Mac

 

[Choctaw]

My perspective of deer hunting (or any hunting) has evolved to that of the OP; the most difficult part is getting the animal to walk in front of you - shooting the animal is simple, almost embarrassingly so. I have taken to BP and compound bow hunting but even with that equipment, a simple-minded animal has not a chance. The last couple of years, I have just let deer walk that could have easily been killed. I don’t know, it must be the aging process - out waiting/ out thinking a deer has lost that youthful magic but I still enjoy thinking about it.

Steve, several years ago I abandoned my stands and began to still hunt. It's much more fun and satisfying for me.

 

[illinoisburt]

Steve, several years ago I abandoned my stands and began to still hunt. It's much more fun and satisfying for me.

This -- exactly.

Hunting, especially for whitetails, in most places now is mostly sitting in elevated blinds (some of which have heat and electricity) watching over a prepared field or bait station for an opportunity to shoot an animal. Pick your particular weapon and have at it kind of takes the challenge and sport out of it. Sure we can limit the gun or such, but it's still watch an animal walk out and shoot at your leisure.

Funny how I was given grief as a youngster for shooting a compound bow (too easy) and putting up a tree stand (unsporting) from my grandfather and great uncle. They were pretty adamant hunting was supposed to be an enlightened undertaking to connect with nature or be out with friends, and other than birds it was intended to be a physical challenge. We really don't do that too much anymore.

 

[mustanger98]

Well, some guys are lucky enough to live where they can sit on their back porch, drink coffee, and watch a huge "backyard"... or step off their back porch and take a walk... and get their deer. And I'm not saying it's not nice to be able to share it. But hunting, defined as "the pursuit and taking of game", aside from respective state's regulations, has never quite been "one-size-fits-all".

 

[Captcurt]

There is nothing that I like better than still hunting or spot and stalk when conditions permit it. When you take a whitetail while it is in it's bed, you know that you have done something.

Steve, several years ago I abandoned my stands and began to still hunt. It's much more fun and satisfying for me.