Bow hunting is so much better than regular rifle hunting because not only do you have longer seasons, but it’s much more challenging. You have to get closer to the game and if your skills aren’t top notch then you won’t have any luck at all coming away with a kill. Nevertheless, while bow hunting may be difficult you must start somewhere.
The rules and regulations for bow hunting will vary from state to state. It’s best to call up your state’s Fish and Wildlife Department and see what they say. This place is also sometimes called Department of Natural Resources or Department of Environmental Protection in some states. Also if you are hunting on someone’s land you will need to ask for permission and if they have any special requests. Hunting on state land will leave you needing to contact the state parks office.
Beginner Tips:
*Use a compound bow rather than a traditional long bow or re-curve bow. The compound bow has eccentric wheels or cams on the upper and lower limbs.
*The maximum force necessary to draw a bow to its full extent is called the draw weight. Most of the time you will use at least a 50-70 lb weight when deer hunting. You need to use atleast at minimum 45 lbs. Am advantage of a higher draw weight bow is that the arrow trajectory is flatter. Since you have to estimate the distance to game when aiming, a flatter trajectory will make errors less of a problem.
*Don’t practice your archery just in t-shirts and jeans. When you go out to really bow hunt you won’t be wearing it so why practice in it? Wear either your hunting gear, coat, or a sweatshirt to get the feel for having things on your arm. Not doing this will throw off your shot drastically when it comes time for you to really shoot your animal.
*Let the game come to you. Doing your hunting from a tree stand or ground blinds positioned 20 yards downwind from active game trails will give you the best opportunity for a close, well-placed shot at a relaxed animal.
*Know your EKR (Effective Kill Range). What is the distance you can deliver on while under pressure. Everybody is difference so only you will know what yours is. This will prevent you from having to do more tracking than you want or need to do.
*Know the animal’s anatomy that you are shooting. Its important to remember that an arrow kills by hemorrhage, not shock. Missing your spot may only injure your animal and allow it to run off. No recovery, no kill.
*Keep an eye on the wind. Have tree stands set up in different trees in different directions. This will allow you to always have a place to sit depending on what direction the wind is blowing.
*When getting close to a deer it is important not to give off that “human” odor. Please remember to take a shower and use some scent eliminating soap. A popular product is Dead Down Wind Body & Hair Wash as it removes current odors and prevents any future ones.
*Remember to not use the same tree stand every day. Even after your long gone the scent you leave behind will still be there. Its recommended that you don’t go back to the one you just used for about 3 or 4 days.
*Depending on what bow you have, you will only want to shoot at a maximum distance of 40 yards. Yes some bows will allow you to shoot from further away but the idea distance is 40 yards.
*Make your shot count. Believe it or not but your whole season may come down to just that one shot.
