What % of hunters are also bowhunters?

[waterninja]

Was just wondering aloud to wife about how many hunters might be out on local opening day for big game bow hunting (sept 1 here). Then I got to thinking what would be the % of people who actually hunt with bow. I imagine that esrd would know how many people buy a hunter certificate and then how many of them then also buy a bow permit. Off the top of my head i guesstimate that only 20% of hunters bow hunt.
What would be your guesstimate, and does esrd release this kind of info?

[cknibbs]

The statistics are available from My Wild Alberta and it seems like a consistant 16%

http://mywildalberta.com/BuyLicences...tatistics.aspx

[pikeslayer22]

20% would be a pretty good guess for the people i know that hunt

[dmcbride]

http://www.afga.org/pdf/2014Conferen...al%20D.Kay.pdf

[Lefty-Canuck]

What about bow only (strictly) vs. hybrid hunters that do both?

LC

[Mike_W]

Dang thanks for this thread .....just made me remember I for got my bow cert when I purchased my license's the other night.
I am a hybrid hunter no question I only hunt with a bow during bow season ....if I can hunt with a gun that's what I will be hinting with!!

[dmcbride]

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

What about bow only (strictly) vs. hybrid hunters that do both?

LC

Not sure, but my guess is more people do both. I don't think there is anyway for ESRD to actually know. They would need to have a general season permit or something.

[Preux86]

I know a few guys who strictly use bow only. And some just blackpowder during rifle. I imagine its a low number for Bow Only. Im pretty sure the number of bow permits bought was 16-20% of overall hunters in past 5 years if my memory is correct.

[HunterDave]

Originally Posted by dmcbride

http://www.afga.org/pdf/2014Conferen...al%20D.Kay.pdf

Just to throw a curve ball into it.......Hunters with a crossbow permit do not require an archery license. I suppose that you'd have to find out how many crossbow permits were issued and add that amount to the bowhunters. I suspect that the number would be minimal though.

[Dacotensis]

I count myself as a hybrid as well.
But stricktly x bow usage in the bow dept.

[Zuludog]

I consider myself both but only pulled out the rifle for two days last November. I will try and use my bow as much as I can but I also won't hesitate to use my rifle too. I have friends that only rifle hunt and if I stop in at their camp I only bring my rifle.

[winger7mm]

Myself im a first time bow hunter...... Sure wouldnt hurt my feelers if the only gun I ended up shooting this year was my shotty chasing birds with the dog Iv got almost 2 months of bow season to get'er done. Probably extremely high hopes for a first timer but thats ok lol. Besides if 16% of hunters are bow hunters spread out through all of alberta....... Sounds to me like low hunting pressure As an fyi im headed out in 110hrs to try and get a deer..

[Red Bullets]

In 2013 there were 119,057 hunting licenses sold in Alberta. 19,095 of those licenses were bowhunting licenses.

[Mountain Guy]

Originally Posted by waterninja

Was just wondering aloud to wife about how many hunters might be out on local opening day for big game bow hunting (sept 1 here). Then I got to thinking what would be the % of people who actually hunt with bow. I imagine that esrd would know how many people buy a hunter certificate and then how many of them then also buy a bow permit. Off the top of my head i guesstimate that only 20% of hunters bow hunt.
What would be your guesstimate, and does esrd release this kind of info?

You obviously have nothing else to worry about

[waterninja]

Originally Posted by Mountain Guy

You obviously have nothing else to worry about

just have a curious mind.

[Preux86]

Originally Posted by winger7mm

Besides if 16% of hunters are bow hunters spread out through all of alberta....... Sounds to me like low hunting pressure

True. And even if they werent spread out,you can shoot an arrow at game without scaring everything within a mile. You also could have a chance again if you miss or they get spooked.

[Alberta Bigbore]

Ive traditional bowhunter for years when i was young.

2006 i gave compounds a whirl. Then dropped it.

This year will be my first attempt at using the compound bow until ive just had enough lol.

Then rifle last resort.

I have some serious permission in Strathcona county that is going to help a farmer out....and hopefully harvest a big ole buck in there!! Some is in the bowzone.. some is in the bow/shotgun/muzzleloader zone.. but im going bow only even if it gets stupid cold!

[happy honker]

Originally Posted by Mountain Guy

You obviously have nothing else to worry about

Bow Hunters have LOTS of time to think of wierd stuff. What else you think we do in the stand??

[SportHuntingHelp]

I will spend more time with the bow but rifle hunt too. I love to bow hunt and can do it close to home all the way up until the end of hunting season in the bow zone.

[AlbertaWhitetail]

strictly gun hunter, but wouldn't mind trying bow hunting, especially for moose. Only thing is i would hate to be hunting & have a trophy animal come in but stay out of range with a bow lets say 80+ yards & not being able to harvest that animal but with a rifle that's not an issue.

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by AlbertaWhitetail

strictly gun hunter, but wouldn't mind trying bow hunting, especially for moose. Only thing is i would hate to be hunting & have a trophy animal come in but stay out of range with a bow lets say 80+ yards & not being able to harvest that animal but with a rifle that's not an issue.

That's why it is called hunting! Not just about the end result for me...more about the journey to get there.

You gotta know when to pass on a shot and regroup for another day.

LC

[winger7mm]

Originally Posted by AlbertaWhitetail

strictly gun hunter, but wouldn't mind trying bow hunting, especially for moose. Only thing is i would hate to be hunting & have a trophy animal come in but stay out of range with a bow lets say 80+ yards & not being able to harvest that animal but with a rifle that's not an issue.

Been a rifle hunter all my life. I went out with my buddy last season during archery. Once was for deer, we didnt find a buck. The second hunt was a cow elk, we were successful. As soon as we got into service I called the wife and said im buying a bow just an fyi. If you are thinking about giving it a try I HIGHLY recommend you do. I wish I woulda picked it up sooner!

[Zuludog]

Originally Posted by AlbertaWhitetail

strictly gun hunter, but wouldn't mind trying bow hunting, especially for moose. Only thing is i would hate to be hunting & have a trophy animal come in but stay out of range with a bow lets say 80+ yards & not being able to harvest that animal but with a rifle that's not an issue.

LOL I had that exact same thing happen to me last year. Broad side moose for 15 minutes at 72 yards but I was in the blind and couldn't get closer & I couldn't coax him any closer. That was both pretty cool and very frustrating too, especially since I haven't shot anything with my bow yet and have also never gotten a moose. Still its a cool memory and has heled keep me motivated all through the winter months.

[A Sittn Duck]

Its one thing to ask who does what... But I wonder how many pure rifle hunters try bowhunting and then stick with rifle? I used to strictly hunt with a rifle. I started with a bow 2 years ago and am totally addicted! I use both now. Its nice to slow things down a bit with the bow and actually watch the deer and how they interact. With a rifle... As soon as I've identified species through the binoculars, I'm scoping and firing.

I'd wager very few rifle hunters who try a bow, ever entirely give it up

[Mountain Guy]

Originally Posted by happy honker

Bow Hunters have LOTS of time to think of wierd stuff. What else you think we do in the stand??

I have lots to think about too. Getting my arm in shape for pulling my bow, getting my peep to stop rotating, my broadheads POI to match my field points. It goes on and on..... and oh ya..... I need to figure out the % of bowhunters who rifle hunt too

[BigRackLover]

I only hunt with arrows.