my areas in recent years. This has affected the elk by making 

 them more wary. At the same time, I get into more big bulls and 

 more elk in general than I did in the past. I feel that 

 privitization of public land forces concentrations of hunters, to 

 the detriment of the experience. Still, much of the wilderness 

 is lightly hunted. As long as people overeat, are afraid of the 

 dark and of being alone, there will be places in #311 and #301 

 where I can hunt elk and be alone. Thickets and steep terrain, 

 plus the lack of horse trails discourage the average archer. 

 I hunt with a longbow and feel that there are many compound bow 

 shooters in the woods who, because drawing their bow is easy, 

 don't practice enough to deserve to hunt elk. I think more elk 

 are wounded by archers than killed outright. 



I also believe many archers who complain of hunter congestion and 

 that bull elk don't bugle anymore are the same people who go to 

 the easy, logging road accesses such as Squaw Creek in #301. If 

 they would climb a couple ridges of thick timber & spend the 

 night they would find elk and fewer hunters , 



This was my 1st yr hunting with a Bow, loved it. 



Killed cow elk with rifle enjoyed Bow hunting a lot more than 



rifle hunting. 



Most important aspect of Bow Hunting is the challenge, and the 

 outdoor recreation at a beautiful time of the year. 



1987 was the 1st year I hunted archery hard. 3 days in a row I 

 saw the same 6x6 bull. The 3rd day I missed getting a 10 yd shot 

 when he turned off the trail 20 yds short of my set-up - And he 

 never knew I was there. I am now hooked and can hardly wait til 

 next year. 



I don't feel archery stamps should be required. A hunting 

 license should be all that is required. 



I have never killed anything with my bow. I will not shot unless 

 the animal is real close and I am sure I have a killing shot. 

 But I very much enjoy the opportunity to go out and participate 

 in the sport and I hope that I can continue to enjoy it, without 

 it getting financially prohibitive. I can't go often so I don't 

 really plan on killing anything. I just like the opportunity to 

 go when I can get babysitters and go. 



I think archery hunting should be the Armerican sportsmans 

 priviledge to hunt forever. I think he should be able to ; choose 

 the equptment that works the best for him to ensure clean quick 

 kills. Archery hunting sharpens hunting skills, game habits, and 

 basic outdoor enjoyment. 



Archery hunting is a very well satifying way to hunt. If you bag 

 an animal it is because you did your homework. 



Archery hunting never has a serious affect on the trial game 

 populations, so I see no reason for having to choose between bow 



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