Bow hunting is an exciting and fun sport that not only challenges you but rewards you at the end of the day. As a first-time bow hunter, you may be overwhelmed and feel quite intimidated by the sport itself, but with the proper mindset and preparation, you are sure to have a good time. Whether you are going bow hunting to pass time, provide food for your family, or simply chase the adrenaline rush, these essential tips will help you navigate this experience successfully.
Here are 10 essential tips that you must know for first-time bow hunters.
Choose the Proper Bow for Your Skill Level
The very first step to being a successful bow hunter is to choose the right bow. Choosing an incorrect bow will not only frustrate you but may lead to you quitting the sport.
When looking for a bow, there are two main types to consider: traditional bow and a compound bow. First-time hunters are usually better served with a compound bow as they tend to be easier to use in the beginning and will allow you to focus on building skills and homing in on an accurate shot.
As you look for a bow, consider these things:
Draw Length: This is the distance between the grip of the bow and the point where the bow’s string is fully drawn. You want to make sure you have a proper draw length to ensure both accuracy and your comfort as you hunt.
Draw Weight: This is how much force is required to be able to pull the bow’s string back. The recommended weight is anywhere from 40 to 60 pounds for beginners depending on the game you plan to hunt and your strength.
Bow Size: Compound bows come in numerous sizes, and you should test several of them out before you choose one. You want your bow to feel comfortable and balanced when you hold it.
Have the Proper Bow Hunting Gear
Having the bow itself is just the tip of the iceberg. You also need to make sure you have all the gear that will allow you to properly bow hunt.
Here are some of the things you will need to get yourself started:
Arrows: You should choose arrows that are compatible with your bow. Most beginners are successful with carbon arrows as they are lightweight and durable making them an ideal choice.
Broadheads: These specialized arrow tips can assist you in hunting and it is recommended that beginners choose fixed blade broadheads as they are reliable. Another option is mechanical broadheads, but these require more skill and experience.
Quiver: This piece of equipment will hold your arrows while you are hunting and is a great tool to keep you organized.
Bowstring Accessories: There are several bowstring accessories you can choose from to improve your overall experience including a bowstring loop to make shooting easier or even a release aid to help release the string consistently and smoothly.
Sights: A quality sight can help you aim much more accurately than without. When shopping for your compound bow, you will find that many of them come with built-in sights.
Practice, Practice, and More Practice
Never underestimate how much practice is needed to become precise and accurate. Bow hunting is not easy and does require time, patience, and lots of practice. No matter where you are bow hunting from, an accurate shot is essential to being able to bring home a prized buck or dinner for the table.
To build your confidence, you will need to set aside time to practice often. As you practice, focus on your posture and stance, shot consistency, and the timing of your shots.
You also want to practice shooting from a number of different positions and angles. Practice as much real-life hunting situations as you can because remember, hunting in the wild is not going to be as simple as a straight line shot.
Get Used to Your Bow and Maintain It
As you practice, work on getting used to your bow. You want to feel comfortable with it and you want to spend time fine tuning it as well. The more tuned your bow is, the more accurate you will be when using it. You may find that you need to periodically adjust your bow and gear to meet your needs.
Just as you need to tune your bow, you also need to make sure you maintain it properly as well. Proper maintenance helps avoid injury and allows you to hunt safely. Every time you pull out your bow to use, you want to quickly look over it and make sure the string is in good shape and all parts of the bow are functioning properly.
Gain Knowledge on Animal Behavior
Before you jump into hunting with both feet in front, you want to spend some time learning about the animals you plan to hunt. Understanding animal behavior can help you not only increase your chances of landing a shot, but it can also help you predict their movements.
For example, if you plan to hunt deer, it helps to know that they are generally most active early in the morning and at dusk. It also helps to take note of their feeding patterns or where they eat. Furthermore, deer have a keen sense of smell, so you want to pay attention to the direction of the wind and also minimize noise.
Inspect Your Planned Hunting Area
While theoretically you could hunt anywhere you want, it is best to have a location in mind as not all locations are ideal for hunting. Before you even start to hunt, you should spend time scouting out the area to identify any trails, feeding, or bedding areas. Some hunters like to set up trail cams to assist in identifying if an area is a prime spot for hunting.
Scouting helps you decide where you plan to set up to hunt and can allow you the best opportunity for a good shot.
Utilize the Right Hunting Techniques
There are plenty of hunting techniques used for bow hunters and the technique that works best for you will be a personal choice. Sometimes, you need to try a few of them before you settle on what works best for you. Once you know which technique you like best, you can utilize that technique each time to hunt.
Some of the most common bow hunting techniques include:
- Spot and stalk
- Stand
- Ground blinds
Again, the right technique to use is up to you and what you feel most comfortable with.
Remember to Hunt Ethically
With hunting comes responsibility. When you decide to hunt, you are making a commitment to hunt in an ethical manner, which means there are “rules” you should follow.
As a bow hunter, one of your goals should be to minimize the amount of suffering that an animal endures. Therefore, you want to hunt with the goal of a clean and humane kill. To do this, you need to fully understand shot placement. You should always aim to hit an animal in a prime place to ensure a quick and clean kill.
For example, aiming for a vital organ such as the heart or lungs ensures a quicker and cleaner kill than if you shoot them somewhere else that will only wound the animal and draw out the kill leading to suffering on the animal’s part.
Additionally, you want to make sure you also understand how to properly dress an animal once you have killed it to preserve the meat. Failing to do this can lead to spoilage of the meat.
Furthermore, you should always respect and follow local regulations and laws that are set in place for bow hunters.
Be Patient and Be Ready for Failure
One of the most important virtues for any hunter, especially bow hunters, is patience. You need a lot of it as you wait for the perfect moment. You may find yourself spending many hours waiting for the perfect shot and even then, you may ultimately miss.
You do not want to rush your shot as this will lead to failure, but it is also important to understand that failure does happen and that does not mean you should give up either.
Being patient allows you to focus on your shot and improve over time as well. Perseverance is key to successful bow hunting.
Always Be Prepared and Stay Safe
Bow hunting can be dangerous, especially if you are brand new to the sport or you find yourself hunting in unknown or rough terrain.
Whenever you go hunting, you want to make sure you prioritize your safety and keep these things in mind:
- Make sure your equipment works properly
- Wear a harness if using a stand
- Bring all essential supplies including snacks and hydration
- Hunt with another person when possible
Get Out There and Enjoy Bow Hunting for the First Time
Becoming a successful bow hunter requires patience, practice, and dedication but with time and effort, you will be there in no time. These 10 essential tips are designed to help you get started as a newbie bow hunter. Above all else, remember to have fun and enjoy your time hunting.
