Bow Hunting Tips
Bow hunting is a great way to get up close and personal with your target. The sport requires skill and stealth, but patience is definitely a virtue for bow hunters looking to hit their target.
When it comes to bow hunting, most people are unclear on the requirements and what it takes to excel. Without expert advice, it could be a long learning curve to success.
What makes bow hunting so special is the fact that you need a lot of skill to accomplish the task. Instead of shooting from a hundred yards, you will be closer and you have a limited amount of time to make your decisions.
In this article, we have discussed some of the top bow hunting tips to help you excel in this wonderful, adrenaline filled sport.
Bow Hunting Gear That You Will Require:
Having the right equipment is fundamental and it makes life so much easier when hunting.
As a bow hunter, there are certain items that are required and a few that will make life easier for you.
Here are a few bow hunting tips on the gear you will need:
The Bow Itself
One of the first things that you will need to have is a bow and this is also the most expensive part of the kit. There are different types of bows for bow hunting and each of them will be ideal for different circumstances that you choose to hunt.
- Longbow: The longbow is also considered the traditional bow and it is one of the most affordable options you could find as a beginner. The legacy style longbow is a piece of wood with a string attached and it can even be self-made. However, more modern longbows are much more durable and they are constructed from composite materials.
- Recurve Bow: The recurve bow is considered the evolution of the longbow and it is much easier to use and offers a greater deal of power. With curves on each end, it adds more stability. Most modern recurve bows are made from carbon fiber and fiberglass to reduce the overall weight. Some purists like the challenge of using a recurve longbow for hunting.
- Compound bow: The compound bow is the newest model on the market and has been around since 1966. It is perfect for reducing the weight that you need to hold and it makes it much easier for beginners to start with. The compound bow is expensive but gives much better accuracy at longer distances.
Bow Sight
Bow sights have evolved over the years. It is possible to use the arrows to aim at your target, but this will lack some accuracy. When it comes to bow sights, there are multiple models on the market. This includes simplistic simple dot sights or the more advanced sights with a rangefinder included. Depending on your skill, you need to decide which one will work for you.
Bow Stabilizers
The bow stabilizers are 5-8 inch screws that mount in the stock of the bow and they offer a great deal of stability. Along with the stability factor, they also allow you to silence the sound of the bow, which may allow you to hit more than one target. Bow stabilizers are always used for target archers, but they are becoming popular for hunters too.
Arrows
The arrows are what will propel your broadhead to the target. You should choose these with real care. While there are many different types of arrows to choose from, carbon arrows are some of the best. They are much lighter, but durable and can be reused as well if needed.
Broadheads
These additional pieces are attached to the arrow and they will make the first impact. While you can have some of the sharpest broadheads, you can also find broadheads that will expand once they make contact. These are a little more expensive, but they do more damage and should ensure a kill.
Top Bow Hunting Tips & Tactics That You Could Use on Your Next Hunt
Now that you have all your bow hunting gear sorted, you should be ready and excited for your first bow hunting experience.
However, before you go, here are a couple of bow hunting tips that you should keep in mind before you head out and buy your bow hunting gear list and hit your first target:
Tip 1: Preparation Is Key
When it comes to bow hunting, practice makes perfect and this is all part of the preparation process. By practicing regularly, you will become much more accustomed to your bow and this enables you to be more accurate in the field.
Practice is very important when bow hunting so you minimize the chance of just injuring the animal.
Once you have completed your practicing and you have a found a place to start your hunting expedition. It is important to scout the area. This should give your insight on where you might find your targets and where you could set up your stands.
You can find out information on the animal behavior from locals in the area you will be hunting, as well the property owner.
Tip 2: Check Your Gear
Nothing can be more frustrating than having your gear fail on you in the middle of a hunt. It is not only frustrating, but it can be dangerous.
This can be countered with regular gear checks and to ensure that everything is up to standard before you set out for your hunt.
Make sure your bow and arrows are in good condition before heading out. Here are a few things to check:
- Check your bow for cracks or breaks.
- Check your bowstring and make sure it isn’t frayed.
- Check your arrows for dents or cracks.
If you aren’t comfortable, then have your bow tested and checked at your local archery shop to ensure everything is fine. They might charge you, but things like wear and tear can easily be spotted before it becomes a real problem.
Tip 3: Setting Up Your Stand
Once you are ready to start your expedition, you will need to set up your stand. A portable tree stand will give you the most flexibility.
It is recommended that you set up the stand around 20-yards from where your expect the target.
Measure or walk off the distance from your stand to a few key markings on the game trails. This will help you select the right sight bead when the action starts.
As we have already mentioned, patience is key here and you should learn to wait for the target. Don’t rush and decide to get out of your stand too early.
Tip 4: Bagging Your First Kill
After the shot, give it about 30 minutes before you search for or check your kill. With bow hunting, you will likely need to follow a blood trail. You are less likely to drop the animal with a bow than a gun.
Search for your arrow in the area where you shot the animal. There is a good change the arrow went all the way through the animal and stuck in the ground.
If you don’t find the arrow, then be very careful when gutting the animal. The sharp broadhead might still be in the chest cavity and it can cut you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
If you are a beginner or intermediate bow hunter, you might have a couple of questions that need to be answered. While researching our bow hunting tips and gear, we came across a couple of questions that seem to be on everyone’s mind.
Q. What type of game can I hunt with a bow?
A. With the advancement in the technology of bow hunting, modern bows are now much more powerful and the broadheads are razor sharp. With these advancements, most game species in the US can be hunted successfully with a bow. Check with you local DNR (Department of Natural Resources) to be sure you have the right tags.
Q. Is bow hunting legal or considered cruel?
A. Some people might consider it to be a cruel way of hunting, but it is no different than hunting with a firearm and missing a shot. That is why we include practice in our bow hunting tips. Bow hunting of some type is legal in all of the US states.
Q. Is bow hunting harder than hunting with a firearm?
A. Bow hunting takes you up close and personal to your target and you will need to have a little more patience to wait for the target to get in close before you take the shot. A lot of people become anxious and they might scare off the target, which might be a little damaging or problematic for your chances of hitting your target.
Wrapping It Up
While hard, bow hunting can be one of the best ways to get that adrenaline pumping and experience the outdoors. With these bow hunting tips and our bow hunting equipment list, you should be able to easily hit your target without any troubles and have some fun whilst doing it as well.
We would like to thank you for reading this article and we would like you to share some of your knowledge on bow hunting. Let us know in the comment section your favorite bow hunting tips for beginners.