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Are you interested in learning how to hunt with bows? If so, you have come to the right place! In this guide, we will teach you everything you need to know about hunting with bows. We will discuss the different types of bows available and the equipment you will need to get started.
We’ll also go over some basic safety tips so that you can stay safe while out in the field. Finally, we’ll provide a few tips on how to improve your accuracy and make sure that your shots are always on target.
Table of Contents
What Do You Need To Bow Hunt?
1. A bow
2. Arrows
3. A release
4. A target
5. A quiver
Types of Bows
1. Compound Bows
Compound bows, unlike recurve bows, have many parts. They have a system of pulleys and a bowstring that meanders between them. The force that you have to exert to draw back the string is greatly reduced once it has been pulled halfway thanks to the pulley system. When you are learning to hunt, compound bows are a good choice. We did a review of the best recurve bows and you can read it from this link.
2. Recurve Bows
Recurve bows have a simple design with a pair of curved limbs, a handle, and a bowstring that connects the ends of the limbs. With their simple design, recurve bows have fewer moving parts compared to compound bows. Recurve bows are lightweight and require little maintenance.
Compound Bow vs Recurve Bow
| Compound Bow | Recurve Bow |
|---|---|
| Has more parts | Has fewer parts |
| Heavyweight | Lightweight |
| High maintenance | Low maintenance |
| Ideal for beginners | Not ideal for beginners |
| Technologically advanced | Traditional bow |
| For hunting larger game | For hunting smaller game |
| Not ideal for target practice | Ideal for target practice |
Factors To Consider When Choosing A Bow
1. Draw weight
The draw weight is the force needed to be put on the string in order to draw the bow back. A good rule of thumb is to opt for a bow with a draw weight between 20 to 30 pounds.
2. Length of arrow
The length of the arrow determines how far out you can shoot the target. A good rule of thumb is an arrow length that is between 24 to 30 inches.
3. Type of bow
There are two main types of bows- the recurve and compound bows.
How To Hunt With Bows
1. Place the arrow on the bowstring while putting the shaft on the arrow rest.
2. Securely hold the bow in your non-dominant hand while holding the bowstring and arrow (one-act) with your dominant hand.
3. With your back straight, bring the bow in front of you to cheek level, take a deep breath, exhale and pull back the bowstring.
4. Line up your eye with the arrow, the sight pin, and the target.
5. Then let go of the arrow.
Bowhunting Tips
1. Get comfortable with your bow. When you want to learn how to hunt with bows, the first thing is to really get a feel for the bow and arrows.
2. Always be aware of your surroundings and know where you are in relation to your target.
3. Practice regularly. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will become with shooting a bow.
4. Practice shooting in light and dark conditions. This will prepare you for any situation you may encounter while hunting.
5. Find a spot for target practice. It should be a spot where you can shoot from different angles and distances.
6. Consider taking a few lessons from a professional before heading into the woods or getting a mentor.
7. Never shoot at an animal that is moving directly toward you.
8. Start by shooting from a distance that you are comfortable with. Gradually increase the distance as you gain more confidence with your shooting.
9. Be patient and wait for the perfect shot; don’t rush the shot. A poorly taken shot will result in an unethical kill.
10. Remain calm and composed when the target is within your sights. You will make a clean shot and take down the target if you maintain your composure.
11. Always wear clothing to blend with the area and also wear some bright clothing so other hunters can easily see you.
12. Get a license before you go hunting and follow the rules and regulations of the area.
The Bottom Line
Hunting with a bow can be exciting and rewarding. It requires regular and consistent practice to develop the skills to hunt with a bow. However, once you have mastered it, hunting with a bow will pay you dividends.
In this article, we discussed how to hunt with bows, tips for hunting with bows, how to choose a bow, the different types of bows, etc. To help you take more deer home during the deer hunting season, we discussed the best whitetail deer hunting tips that you can read from this link. You can also read how to maintain your crossbow and how to track deer after the shot.
