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Deer and Elk Bow Hunting Starts

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: Sep 4, 2010 at 8:39 PM MST

Story Updated: Sep 4, 2010 at 8:39 PM MST

Deer and elk bow hunting started today in Montana, and is expected to be busy. "We've been fairly busy, people want to buy a license, sometimes they wait until the last minute or they need some information about where to go,” FWP Public Affairs Officer Bruce Auchly.

Auchly says a certain group do like the bow hunting season. “Bow hunting season is very popular among a certain population, but the number of archers is fewer than the number of people who hunt with rifles,” he says.

FWP says the main draws are deer and elk, but that's not it. “There are some other species, but they are not as popular, among archers, black bears, moose, sheep and goat can be hunted during September, but in particular its mostly deer and elk,” Auchly says.

Frank Machuga manages Big Bear Sports and bow hunts, he says using a bow is a lot different than a gun. Saying, “It's more personal; when you bow hunt you have to be inside 50 yards or so to be effective.”

At Big Bear the empty posts show the season is off to a good start. “They’ve been here and were certainly out in force yesterday. Yesterday would best be described as explosive,” Machuga says.

Having hunters wait until the last minute seems to be typical. “It starts early August, a little, its soft. Then it builds to the end,” Machuga says.

He says carbon arrows and scent away seem to be hot items. Adding, “Right now, yea, more than anything broad heads and arrows.”

Machuga is always looking one step ahead, preparing for gun season. “Get the archers out there in the field and then start calling attention to all the gun hunters,” he says.

Rifle hunting season is set to begin this year on October 23rd. You can buy licenses for bow hunting or rifle hunting season at FWP, Big Bear, online, and at other hunting stores around town.

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