Better odds bowhunting for big bucks

[Twanger]

I was looking at the Maryland 2003-4 season record book (115 inches or greater), and something interesting jumped out at me. There were 15 bucks taken with a shotgun that were 120 inches or better, and 30 bucks taken with a bow that were 120 inches or better. (Mine was #30 @ 120-1/8" ) The bow hunters took twice as many record book bucks as the shotgun hunters! This really surprised me.

I don't know if this holds up for other years, and will have to check.

Is your state similar?

[freedomrules3]

Did you notice the exact dates of the kills? when were the brunt of the better bowkills made,before or after gun season?

[ncboman]

I agree. The killdate record can be most revealing. One advantage of being in the P&Y Club is seeing the stats on all new entrys as they are updated in the club newsletter. Not all trophy kills are submitted but enough are that one can get a good idea about timing in various states.

In NC bows have no advantage at all as the 2 1/2month gun season opens mid October. I bowhunt thru it when I'm not out of state.

In Ohio and other one week gun states, my personal odds will be much better bowhunting but that could vary for others with the individual hunter's skills and time afield being the pivoting factors.

If 80% or more of those trophy Md deer are bowkilled during any 10day period, that would be very revealing.

[ARO]

twanger, how do you enter a deer in the maryland record book?

[Twanger]

ARO - Tinker (Walter Johnson of Tinker's Taxidermy in Poolesville, MD) entered it for me.
He did the mount for me.
He's in the phone book - if you call him up I'm sure you can get the scoop from him.