Archery only?

agardner00

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 5, 2019
Messages
117
Ok, fellas talk me through this. First, background info. I hunt whitetails, muleys, elk, and will start antelope hunting this season or next. And will probably do a black bear hunt at some point. Also, I’m pretty minimalist with gear—I buy the best I can afford (maybe a touch more ) and then don’t buy anymore until it’s falling apart.

Several years ago my buddy talked me into buying a bow, and fell in love with archery hunting. Last year I had an early season mishap and bent a cam on my bow, which put me on the sidelines for three weeks during prime time.

Every year I get more serious about hunting, and decided I need to get a backup bow. My current (only) bow is an Xpedition Denali 65# that is now roughly 3 years old. It’s great—no issues, other than it’s not an overly common brand, hence the three weeks for replacement parts.

So, my initial thought was to save a couple bucks, go to the local shop and get a used bow for a backup. Then it occurred to me that I have a BNIB Barret Fieldcraft. I’ve never fired it. Never even mounted a scope because I’ve only been archery hunting. I could get a pretty sweet setup for what I could sell that for. Problem is, you guessed it, it’s my only rifle.

Anyone gone full-in on archery? Regrets?


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agardner00

agardner00

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 5, 2019
Messages
117
Did Barrett quit making them?


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jmez

WKR
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Jun 12, 2012
Messages
7,404
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Piedmont, SD
Bow only for myself. I shot a doe every year for my boys. Couple more years they will all be able to shoot their own so I'll be back to bow only.

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Joined
Nov 7, 2012
Messages
7,407
Location
S. UTAH
I would not give up your only rifle. You may find yourself wanting to extend your hunting opportunities and that may mean a rifle tag. Also, it's a great rifle.
 

Reburn

Mayhem Contributor
Joined
Feb 10, 2019
Messages
2,886
Location
Central Texas
You have one of the best lightweight shootable rifles. Do what you want but I wouldnt sell mine. Between military contracts and covid who know when or if they will make them again. The fieldcraft line isnt killed just put on hold for an unspecified amount of time.
 
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agardner00

agardner00

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 5, 2019
Messages
117
Yeah, I should probably hang onto it. It’s also 30-06 so there’s not really anything I’m interested in hunting that would require a different caliber. Guess I’ll save my pennies and look for deal!


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Joined
Aug 8, 2018
Messages
724
Location
Minnesota
Sell a rifle that doesn't depreciate in value and buy a bow that depreciates rather quickly. Sorry not me.... pick up a side job and buy a bow, keep the gun. But that's just me.
 

Sobrbiker

WKR
Joined
Dec 20, 2019
Messages
374
Location
Sunny AZ
I’ve gotten the archery bug badly this year, and putting in for rifle hunts just doesn’t seem as exciting at the moment as it has since I picked up a bow.
However, I will sell none of my rifles to get a bow. I only sell/swap firearms to get better firearms (or firearms more suited to a current need).
Every American should have a functional rifle, shotgun, and pistol-and be proficient with them.
 
Joined
Sep 9, 2012
Messages
1,979
Location
BC
Only bowhunt big game....all species. Like rifles and shotguns, including hunting varmints and birds with firearms. as well as shooting sporting clays and skeet.
 

Jimbob

WKR
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Messages
1,409
Location
Smithers, BC
You should always have a rifle, so no don't sell your only rifle to buy a BACKUP bow.

That is such a sweet rifle that it would be hard to sell but you could let it go and buy something cheaper to free up some crash.

I am pretty committed to hunting with my bow from here on out but I would never sell my only rifle. Also, some hunts are really hard for archery. Late season moose hunt seems pretty much impossible to me so I might bust out the rifle for that.
 

Loco4dux

WKR
Joined
Dec 24, 2015
Messages
880
No way I’d sell my only rifle especially that one to buy a bow. Buy a used bow on AT for dirt cheap.
 

Fatcamp

WKR
Joined
May 31, 2017
Messages
5,659
Location
Sodak
I recently sold a rifle to find a bow project. Certainly wasn't my only one, though.

I would feel weird not owning a sighted in rifle.
 

MTSabo

WKR
Joined
Aug 22, 2017
Messages
405
Location
Ohio
Dont sell it. If you hurt your shoulder or something and cant draw it back, your still rife hunting.
 

Trial153

WKR
Joined
Oct 28, 2014
Messages
8,187
Location
NY
You can get a two year old flag bow for about 400 to 600... I would grab one for back and hold onto the rifle.

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wayoh22

WKR
Joined
Jul 22, 2018
Messages
681
I'm sure plenty of hunters who only bow hunt own rifles and firearms alike. You don't need to slap a label on yourself so to speak. So please don't sell that rifle.
 
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