Bow Hunting Tips for Beginners

Hunting with a bow is a tradition that goes back a long way, right back to the time when humans first starting using the bow and arrow to hunt in the Paleolithic age. Today, bow hunting is still one of the most popular hunting methods, with millions of Americans participating.

When you’re a beginner, it can seem like there is so much to learn it can be overwhelming. However today it’s easier to start learning how to hunt with a bow than ever before. With practice and dedication, you can become a proficient shooter. The first thing to note is that bow hunting is going to be a challenge. It is certainly more difficult to bring down prey than hunting with a gun, but there are also many benefits, some that you may not realize until you begin.

The season for bow hunting typically begins much sooner than firearms seasons, and the season as a whole is longer. This gives you plenty of time to get out in the field. The season can also coincide more naturally with the time of year the animals are in rut, making them more vulnerable and easier to hunt. There is also something to be said for connecting with our ancestors way of hunting, taking your time and doing it the hard way.

How to choose a bow

Most bow hunters use compound bows. Compound bows use a series of pulleys to limit the percentage of the actual drawback weight of the bow. This allows you to hold the bow at full draw for much longer. There is no one bow that is best for hunting, it all comes down to what is best for your individual skills and requirements.

When choosing a bow, some important factors to take into consideration are the primary use, the bow’s grip, draw length, total weight and length, arrow speed, and other specifications that will be important to your particular situation. It’s critical that you are able to shoot the bow you chose accurately.

Draw length is very important to get right, and a good shop will measure you to determine the draw length that best suits you. Remember that this is a guide, and it’s still important to try different bows within that draw length. Don’t forget to take into account what you’ll be wearing when hunting, and make sure there’s still enough clearance on your arm to accommodate this.

Most people will recommend a thin grip on a hunting bow. This is because a thin grip tends to help your hand limit torque, however everyone is different. It’s important that the bow feels comfortable in your hands.

The draw weight is the actual weight that you feel when pulling back. Remember that compound bows will take some of the overall weight for you. More weight is usually an advantage, as it gives you a faster shot, however on the flip side too much can lead to bad technique and introduce inaccuracies when shooting. Seventy pounds is about the maximum you would need for any big game in the USA, and for smaller animals you can go for less. Some states also have minimum requirements, and so make sure to check your local bylaws and regulations.

Make sure that you can draw the bow smoothly for the entire cycle, and that you can hold it at full draw for at least a minute without shaking. Finally, make sure you can pass the ‘sit test’. You should be able to sit on the ground with your legs straight out and draw the bow with the same results as standing.

What bow length and weight you chose can depend on your shooting technique. In general compound bows have gotten shorter as technology has evolved. Shorter bows also weigh less than longer ones, and this can make carrying the bow over long distances easier. They’re also more maneuverable and so can suit hunting from blinds or tree stands. However, if you’re shooting from longer than forty yards away, then a longer bow will give you better accuracy. There is one exception to bow length. If you are very short or very tall, this can influence the minimum or maximum bow that will work for you regardless of the situation.

When taking into account arrow speed, the first thing to realize is that manufacturer’s increase the number as high as they can get away with to try to stimulate sales. Most however believe that they are all increased by a similar amount, and so taking off around 25-50 feet per second from the advertised speed will give you a more accurate reality.

In the end, what it comes down to is accuracy. There is no point being able to shoot faster if you miss. Instead of going for maximum speed and at the sacrifice of accuracy, work on improving your yardage estimation skills to get the best of both worlds.

To become a good bow hunter, there are three main categories of skills to master. These are before, during, and after the shot.

Before the shot

Hunting with a bow is far more up close than other methods. You need to be able to get very close to your prey while still remaining undetected, to even have the chance to take a shot. The shot also needs to be clear, you can’t shoot while hiding in the trees. Finally, you also need enough space around you so you can draw your bow, but at the same time not be spotted by your prey noticing the movement.

Hunting with a bow requires excellent accuracy. Although it varies based on your choice of bow and arrow, an error of just a few yards can easily result in you missing your target altogether. Although many hunters do use laser rangefinders, there’s not always time to use them in the heat of the moment. Therefore, to be a successful bow hunter you should train yourself to be able to accurately assess range under many different conditions.

Taking the shot

There’s no way around it, learning to shoot accurately with a bow requires dedication and significant practice. Many serious hunters view it as a year-long commitment, and practice often outside of hunting seasons.

Just how perfect a shot you need to be depends on your hunting tactics. Do you plan on shooting in the open country, or from a blind or tree stand? Regardless, the key to being a successful bow hunter is to take the time to properly develop your technique. At minimum, you should practice for a few months leading up to hunting season. If you’ve never hunted with a bow before, then it’s likely that you’ll need to prepare for around a year before you’re ready to first take to the field.

When practicing, it’s important to make sure that your efforts are going to be worthwhile to achieving your goals. Firstly, you should dress as you will when in the field. This will help prepare you for what shooting a bow in your hunting clothes will feel like, including potentially having something heavy covering your arms.

You should also practice from various angles and positions, so that you’re aware of your limitations before you hit the field. Make sure to practice regularly using the same method and positioning you want to use in the field, including the use of any equipment like a tree stand. You should also pay attention to body position and try different things, such as kneeling.
As well as honing your technique, don’t forget to experiment a little. By shooting outside your range and from new positions, you will challenge yourself and your technique. Practicing shots that you’re not used to can also improve your technique for your preferred shot, making it seem much more assured and comfortable.

After the shot

When bow hunting, shooting a well placed arrow is often only half the process. While the animal may only travel a short distance, they can also run a much further distance away from where you originally took the shot. You now need to be able to track it down and recover it. As a hunter, you owe it to the animals you hunt to follow up on every shot. Shooting with a bow is a lot different than with bullets, and this extends to the type of trauma each creates. When shooting with a bow, the animal dies from blood loss, which can take a lot longer to occur than when hunting with a gun.

To successfully blood trail an animal, you’ll need all your senses. If you still have the arrow, this can be the most important clue. Hair left behind can also help you determine entry and exit, especially on some breeds of deer. Different colors and consistencies to the blood drops can tell you where the animal has been hit. This will help you figure out how long you should wait before going after your animal. The best time will vary widely depending on the shot and other things, such as weather conditions.

Learning how to hunt with a bow can be a frustrating experience at first, but the rewards are well worth it. With the proper practice and experience, you will soon be out afield on your first bow hunt