Gun Hunting vs Bow Hunting - Which is the Best Discipline?

This post may contain affiliate links. Buying something through these links doesn't cost you anything and helps support Know Prepare Survive. For some light reading, check out our affiliate disclosure.

If there is one practice that can be traced back far in time, it’s hunting.

Hunting is a tradition for many families.

While you may find it in the history books as part of the aristocracy, it’s still very much alive in the worlds of both the poor and the rich.

In fact, hunting has become an “elite” sport anybody can practice.

There are two main weapons that are used to take down prey: Firearms and bows.

If you’re new to hunting and want to decide on which discipline to follow, read on to learn what makes them so different.

The Basic Difference Between Gun and Bow Hunting

I’ll be blunt:

Whether you choose to hunt with a gun or a bow is very much up to you and your personal preferences.

The individual hunter has to make the choices to which way they turn when it comes to hunting.

Comfort and confidence are key in the hand of the hunter, and whether they are hunting for big game or small prey it does make a difference.

However, there is no wrong or right choice as long as you follow safety precautions.

There are two considerations that are most important when it comes to choosing whether you hunt with a gun or hunt with a bow.

Time is one of them, and cost is the other.

Generally speaking, bow hunting takes more of your time. Gun hunting costs more money.

This doesn’t always apply, however.

For example, if you’ve inherited your grandfather’s hunting rifle, that’s a large expense out of the way.

And many people practice archery for the fun of it.

But if you have nothing pushing you one way or the other and neither cost nor time are big impediments, the choice may not be easy.

So, let’s delve into the pros and cons of both hunting methods in the hope that you’ll be able to make the choice yourself.

Gun hunting vs bow hunting bows can be cheap but take practice — Though you can buy expensive compound bows and many accessories, you can also hunt with little more than a simple, inexpensive recurve bow

What Is Bow Hunting?

Bow hunting is exactly what it sounds like; you use a bow and arrow to hunt for prey.

Some hunters feel that using a bow and arrow is more natural and more comfortable while others will argue that it is more authentic to the outdoor experience.

It allows them to focus and feel the movement of the bow in their hands, drawing that energy through the arrow and into the prey they are aiming for.

A lot of hunters will discuss what it means to feel that adrenaline rush when using a bow and arrow to hunt¹.

To be able to hunt with a bow and arrow, you develop and hone your fine motor skills while also learning how to aim very precisely.

You will need to spend time strengthening the muscles of your arm because drawing back an 80-lb bow isn’t all that easy to do without practice.

Some bow options are quite heavy, which means there is a lot of stamina involved in using a bow and arrow for hunting, which may be a drawback for people with physical limitations.

However, a benefit for bow hunting for some hunters is that it levels the playing field between the hunter and prey.

This could actually improve your skills when it comes to stealth.

Hunting with a bow is a challenge if you are new at it, as it takes some time to learn how to do it accurately.

It can actually take a few years to become skillful at using bows for hunting animals, particularly big game hunting.

Bow Hunting: Pros and Cons

Pros of Bow Hunting

Bows are a silent method of hunting, so you won’t disturb anything other than your prey or any people around you
There is a longer hunting season for bow hunters in most states throughout the US
You will improve your motor skills
If you primarily hunt down stationary animals, the bow is the perfect tool for the job
You can reuse arrows
Bow hunting requires more stealth and you learn to be very quiet when you are using a bow and arrow
Some bows can be heavy, but you have to become stronger to use them, improving your physical fitness

Cons of Bow Hunting

It can take a very long time to properly learn how to use a bow and arrow
Shooting from a long distance more difficult with a bow
It’s not the best tool to use against moving animals
Wear and tear of a bow means that you are replacing cams and strings more often
The weather can affect your accuracy
A fancy compound bow isn’t particularly cheap to buy
You generally only get one shot; if you miss, the animal will flee

Pros and cons of bow gun hunting which should I choose — Firearms can be an expensive investment but offer great precision at long range

What Is Gun Hunting?

When it comes to hunting, guns are efficient, effective, and expensive.

They have been around for over 200 years, not nearly as long a lineage as traditional bows.

They have evolved massively over the years, and with modern advancements it’s very easy to see why people choose guns when it comes to hunting.

The most popular gun when it comes to hunting is the rifle, as their scopes make long range hunting easy. Though, even iron-sighted rifles can outrange bows².

The mechanical structure of the gun makes them easy to use so you can become very good at hunting with a rifle in a much shorter period of time than with a bow.

If you want versatility while you hunt, gun hunting is a fantastic option.

You can kill more prey both at rest and when they are moving.

Many hunters choose gun hunting over bow hunting.

Gun Hunting: Pros and Cons

Pros of Gun Hunting

Guns shoot much farther than bows
It’s so much easier to learn how to use a gun than a bow and arrow³
You can gain more accuracy and precision with a gun
They’re more durable than bows
Versatility is higher with guns
Follow-up shots are easier if you miss with your first shot

Cons of Gun Hunting

There is a much shorter hunting season for guns
Hunting season can become crowded when gun hunters are hunting is limited to specific spaces
Rifles and their accessories can be fairly expensive
Firearms make lots of noise, which can scare away potential prey
You are more restricted in where you can gun hunt
Ammunition is not reusable