What Should I know Before Going Bow Hunting?
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Published: 2023-05-17 07:08:08

With a new bow and some practice, you're almost ready to hunt. But first, it's important to check and double-check the gear you'll be taking with you. Making sure you have the right arrows, broadheads, and extras, such as a sharpening stone, can make the difference between a successful hunt and an unsuccessful one.

There are many intricacies to bowhunting that make it different from firearm hunting, and it allows each hunter to develop their own style. It is crucial for a beginner to focus on a strong foundation before going on their first hunt to succeed.

**Learn Bowhunting Ethics**

As far as bowhunting goes, there are some ethical debates; it basically boils down to who shoots the arrow. A bow hunter's ethical responsibilities are just as important as those of a firearm hunter, perhaps even more so. You should always respect the animals and other humans in the process of taking a shot. Take clean shots, don't waste your harvest, and remain aware of what's behind your shot.

There is one part of this ethical conversation that may seem blunt, but it's true: if you cannot hit the kill zone on a target and you are confident and accurate, then you should not try to take out a live target. Shots that do not immediately kill a deer are just not worth the risk. You can wound that deer with a risky shot. Alternatively, it can survive the shot and suffer permanent handicaps for the rest of its life.

Bowhunters, in fact, kill and wound much more deer than rifle hunters, and they do not find many more. Due to the more difficult nature of using a bow, mistakes are more likely to occur. There will be times when your deer will be lost while hunting, but we should all take precautions to ensure that this does not happen too often.

**Practice, Practice, Practice**

Without practice, you will not be able to shoot better as a bowhunter. When you shoot, adjust your bow as needed, but otherwise, leave it alone. Shooting at 20 yards should become extremely comfortable for you, then progress to 30 yards. First-year shooters should probably not go beyond 30 yards anyway, but if they are comfortable with 40 yards, they can go further.

**Test out Your Broadheads**: This is important because you need to be sure that the broadheads fly in the same path as the field points, as any deviation in the arrow flight path can mean a missed shot or worse.

If you practice with a hunting broadhead, the edges will become dulled and won't perform as well when you're hunting. Practice broadheads are designed to be sturdier than hunting broadheads, so they can withstand repeated impacts with a target without losing their sharpness.

**Know Your Range**: By routinely using your rangefinder to measure the distances of clearings or other markers, you can become familiar with the distance and better gauge the range of a potential shot. This will help you become more accurate when aiming and shooting, which could mean the difference between a successful hunt and a missed opportunity.

**Make it Real**: Going through the motions and envisioning the situation ahead of time can help hunters be prepared and have a better understanding of the situation. This allows them to make the best decisions when the time comes, as they will be more familiar with the environment.

When you're up in a tree stand, it's important to be as protective and comfortable as possible. Climbing with your gear can be dangerous and can result in injury. Using a haul rope to bring up your gear helps to ensure you're not carrying too much weight while climbing and makes the process easier and safer.

**Make a Bowhunting-Specific Plan**

To ensure you have a successful hunt, it's important to plan out the details ahead of time. Decide what type of game you're looking for and identify the area you'll be hunting. Make sure to plan for how you'll handle the game after it's caught, especially if you're in a remote area. Having a plan in place will help minimize any potential issues that could occur during the hunt.

The above examples show you the kinds of plans you need to make for any whitetail hunt, but what about bowhunting specifically? Changing your hunting strategy to play closer shots will help you get better results. Depending on your hunting history, your existing stands might not be suitable for rifle hunting. During bowhunting season, scout more to find two or three stand locations where you can have a bowhunting-specific stand.

Taking a quartering to or quartering away shot requires more skill and understanding of the animal's anatomy and the shot angles, and it can be difficult to do that with only limited experience. Sticking to broadside shots ensures that you have the best chance of hitting the vital organs and making a humane kill.

**Bowhunting Gear Selection**

Bowhunting requires some specific gear. While hunting generally requires some basic gear, bowhunting requires some specialized gear. In addition to your bow and quiver, here are some other items you should have when heading into the deer woods:

- Rangefinder - By using a rangefinder, you can quickly and accurately determine the distance between you and your target. This not only helps you pick the right pin for the shot, but it also helps you to practice better-shot placement, which can result in better hunting success.
- Haul Rope - This is necessary because the bow is not only longer and heavier than a rifle but also more awkward to handle. The haul rope allows you to safely pull the bow up the tree without having to climb back down and retrieve it.
- Bow Release - A bow release is an essential piece of gear for a successful hunt. Without it, you cannot shoot your bow, which is necessary for bringing down the game. It is compulsory to make sure you have all the necessary gear with you before you leave for a hunt.
- Safety Harness - The tree stand itself can be dangerous as you are elevated off the ground, and a fall, even a few feet, could result in serious injury or even death. Additionally, bowhunters need to be able to move quickly and freely to get shots, and a safety harness can provide that extra security to ensure you stay safe while hunting.

Having prepared and planned for your trip, you should be confident in your ability to enjoy yourself at your chosen location. The right practice makes a difference and makes your hunt ethical and respectful. You will gain knowledge and experience in bowhunting even if you feel all your preparations were unsuccessful. Keep practicing, planning, and hunting.

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