Whitetail deer hunting is perhaps America’s most ancient big game sport.  For over 10,000 years this wonderful animal has provided not only sustenance for man, but a pastime which honors the species itself.  I am not speaking of the “ranch type” hunting businesses which charge exorbitant fees to shoot a buck with a certain number of antler points.  I’m talking about the true “get out there and pay your dues” type of hunters who scorn the previously mentioned hunting establishments.

But even these true whitetail deer hunters have differing opinions on the most sporting method to bag a deer.  Some are bow hunters, convinced their method gives a whitetail deer a better chance to escape than any other.  Some firearm hunters think using a bow may allow the deer to escape and die a slow, painful death.  But these two weapon’s groups can be broken down into other different, but still, related sub-groups with their own ideas of what is the most sporting of methods.

Rifle hunters may use the latest precision high powered rifle to bag their prey. Or they may choose to shoot a muzzleloader, either traditional or modern. A shotgun may be the only firearm allowed in some states and may use either rifled slugs or buckshot. Some whitetail deer hunters use powerful scopes to lower the chance of a miss, while some refuse scopes as too easy. There are even some whitetail deer hunters who use antique firearms because of the history of the weapon.

Deer rifle hunting is perhaps the most popular of the methods used. The type and brand of rifle differs from hunter to hunter according to their own likes and dislikes. Their are many debates about which deer hunting rifle is the best to use if you are using deer rifle hunting as your main method of bagging the trophy you seek.

Bow hunters also have their little cadres of different types too. There are recurve bows, crossbows, combination bows, and in the last decade or so, traditional bow hunting has gained some popularity. Traditional bow hunters use wooden bows, often made by the hunter himself. Some traditional bowyers even make their own bowstrings and other accessories using the same ancient techniques perfected by the Native Americans.

But there is history and honor in all of these methods as it seems men can never completely agree on all aspects of any sport. Which brings us to the question asked in the title. The survey I am asking you to participate in is not intended to decide the best hunting weapon for taking a whitetail deer, but to get an idea of how hunters look at the sporting aspect of the pastime. The results of the poll will be given at the end of the whitetail deer hunting season. (In my state of Georgia of course) Feel free to comment below if you wish. Thanks for reading and voting.