Rifle seasons are beginning across the country. However, some devoted archery hunters choose to stick with their bows instead of switching to rifles. Many hunters find archery hunting more challenging and enjoyable than rifle hunting. Here are a few tactics to help archers fill their tags during rifle season. As always, be sure to check your state's game laws to confirm that using a bow is permitted during this time.

Stand Location

Using a bow during archery season requires several strategies. The most important factor to consider is your stand location. To increase your chances of success, you need to have excellent stand placements. When I hunt with my bow during Pennsylvania’s rifle season, I position my stands in two specific areas: bedding zones and draws. 

I particularly enjoy hunting near bedding areas because the deer tend to be more relaxed and move naturally. Bucks often visit bedding areas to scent-check does in the thick cover. Positioning a stand in or just outside a bedding area can significantly improve your chances of filling your tag.

The second location where I like to set my stand during rifle season is at the bottom of a draw. If I can identify a draw that deer use to exit from a bedding area, I place my stand there. I consistently see action throughout the day when I choose this location.

Use A Decoy

Pennsylvania boasts an impressive 850,000 licensed hunters, making rifle season truly dynamic! When I head out with my bow during this busy time, I love using a doe decoy to enhance my chances. Safety is my top priority, so I always hunt from an elevated stand and carefully place my decoy in thick cover. Plus, since bucks are still in rut, a doe decoy can be incredibly effective at drawing in a rut-driven buck for that perfect archery shot. Based on my own successful experiences with this tactic, I can genuinely say that incorporating a doe decoy into your strategy during rifle season can be a game-changer. 

Be Vocal

Don’t hesitate to be vocal while archery hunting during the rifle season. I recommend bringing rattling antlers, a grunt tube, and a doe estrus call with you. Just because it's rifle season doesn't mean that bucks have stopped rutting. I enjoy rattling sequences and using blind calls while hunting. These tactics work well when using a bow during gun season. When hunting in thick cover with a decoy, using calls becomes almost essential. My goal is to attract a love-sick buck to my decoy, making the shot easier. So take those calls with you and use them throughout the day.

Get Comfortable

During rifle season, when I choose to hunt with a bow, I plan to sit in my stand all day. Since I’m targeting a bedding area or a primary travel route, hunting all day increases my chances of tagging a buck. As a result, it’s essential for me to dress appropriately for an all-day sit, ensure I have a comfortable stand, and bring enough food and water.

Dressing appropriately for an all-day sit is crucial. I need to stay warm and dry. I typically pack my heavier jacket and pants and put them on when I reach my stand. I also carry plenty of body and hand warmers in case I get cold. If I get too cold and have to leave the stand, I won't be able to hunt all day from that spot.

Having a comfortable treestand that you can sit in all day is essential. I enjoy using my XOP treestands because they provide great comfort. The seat pad is thick, which I appreciate, and the platform is spacious enough for me to sit or stand comfortably. Sitting all day can be uncomfortable if you’re not used to it.

Food and water are essential when sitting for extended periods. I like to pack a few bottles of water, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, deer jerky, and trail mix. I have found that these foods are quiet to eat, satisfying, and easy to set aside if a deer approaches while I’m munching.

If you are a dedicated archery hunter and want to improve your chances of harvesting a deer with a bow during gun season, consider using some of these tactics to boost your odds. I am always looking for a new challenge, and archery hunting during gun season definitely presents one. Best of luck as you head out to fill your tags!