Archery or rifle

[CaliOutdoorsman]

I was wondering which season you guys think poses a better opportunity for bulls in northwest colorado, archery or 1rst rifle?

[Indian Summer]

Almost an impossible question because of so many variables. Archery for some people. Some haven't quite grasped the archery tactics or just lack experience so maybe gun for them. The amount of pressure in archery, and even more so in muzzleloader would be a big part of the equation. Things can vary so much from place to place it would be hard to answer. To really get your tag punched don't just think archery or rifle... think archery then rifle. My rifle success goes up tenfold if I have been bow hunting the area. Sorry I can't be of more help.

[ferris bugler]

Rifle.

[JJ Overkill]

this is just my personal opinion. I feel if I can get a bull to come into 30yds of me with a bow in hand, getting a bull to to within 100yds should be no problem. my first yr bow hunting elk. I had a bull at 90yds and didn't want to take the shot with my bow. if I had a rifle he would have been done for. he was a very nice 6. the first elk I had to pass on and wondered if I could have made the shot with my bow. I was comfortable shooting 90yds but its still a long shot with a bow.

[easeup]

there is lots of private land up there that is good all of the time.

all we can safely say is that in a Colorado OTC unit, the success ratio of rifle season is nearly always higher than bow season