Category Archives: bow hunting

bow hunting

Accessories for Your Bow Hunting Experience

Leave a comment

Bow hunting is described as the activity wherein you kill game animals by archery. Archers have limited shots ranging about 20 to 30 yards. Some of the factors that affect distance include the person’s ability, bow setup and type, weather and the target animal. Bow hunting for fish is known as bow fishing. Variations can be added to your archery equipment based on your goals. You will need different accessories for complete experience.

The Bows

Although some individuals prefer using modern compound bows to hunt game at present, there are still old school followers who prefer to use the crude materials. There are longbows, crossbows and recurve bows that can be used by disabled hunters or by hunters who prefer a little more challenge in their trips. The bow is the most important equipment you need for the sport. There are plenty of models available depending on your personal preference and goals. Compound bows are the most common and have long been proven to be easy and reliable.

The Arrows

You will need arrows with your bow to shoot the game with. The standard arrow is made of a shaft with an arrowhead at the front end and fletching at the rear end. There are different kinds of arrows. Fletching give a certain amount of drag to stabilize the arrow’s flight. The arrow size can range anywhere from 18 inches to 5 feet. Modern arrows now measure about 2.5 to 3 feet long.

Arrow Types

Broadhead arrows are the most commonly used in modern hunting. These used to be more common during warfare and have 2 to 4 sharp blades to cause massive bleeding in the shot game. These arrows also have a very wide cutting edge to kill as immediately as possible. These arrows are quite expensive and are used to kill, instead of just target practice.

Hunters usually invest in either mechanical or fixed-blade broadhead arrows. The mechanical blade is more streamlined and flies better, but results to less penetration. The fixed-blade broadhead have rigid and unmovable blades. If you want to practice first, you can get target point arrows with bullet-shaped arrowheads that do not cause huge damage.

The Outfit

You will need to wear protective suit and camouflage to ward off external elements. The camouflage will help hide you from your target as you draw closer. Usually, long sleeve suits, pants and combat boots are very ideal to keep you steady as you focus on your target. There are different accessories that can go with the outfit such as a hat or helmet, gloves, scarves and goggles for night hunting.

Hunting Supplies

Other supplies that you have to prepare include repair gear, arrow rests and bow hunting lights. The bow will need some tune-up while you are in the woods so you need tools for it like spare arrows, allen wrenches, pliers, adhesives and release aids. Bow hunters should also pack their own water and food. Field tip arrows are needed to practice in the field. First-aid kits and communication or navigation devices like a GPS or map is very important.

Bow Hunting Packs

There are different types of bow hunting packs. The basic model is made to carry the bow and arrow, as well as additional arrows. Other packs allow you to store more things like skinning tools and food. These packs are generally designed to fit the human body and for easy mobility. The usual bow hunting packs has a shoulder strap where you can hold the bow and arrows. The external pockets let you hold more gear and arrows. These are different from backpacks in the sense that you create less noise when moving around.

More Accessories

There are several other accessories that you may want to invest in to improve your skills in bow hunting. Included are binoculars, deer or game decoys, game ears or hearing aids, game calls that attract animals to you, hearing protection and enhancements, night vision tools, lights and cameras. There are stands and other accessories that help you establish your hunting spot quickly. Be sure to bring enough maps and other emergency devices just in case you land into some kind of trouble. It is always recommended to bring a buddy along in all hunting trips.

bow hunting

The Fine Art of Bow Hunting

Leave a comment

Bow hunting is often seen as one of those “manly” sports, but there is a small contingent of women that partake in bow hunting and take the sport to new levels. With bow hunting, people are getting in touch with the control of the hunt and are learning all sorts of new things about getting in tune with themselves and using their own bodily power to get in touch with the hunting aspect. Without the use of a firearm, people find that there is less to hide behind with a bow and find that the psychological aspect of bow hunting can be somewhat intimidating.

With bow hunting quickly becoming a new favorite in those seeking old-fashioned adventure, there are many new additions to the sport that people interested in it should get to know. One important aspect about bow hunting is the breaking of the “safety zone”. This must be done to get a clean shot at the prey. While traditional firearms hunters can stay at a relatively safe distance from their prey, a bow hunter must creep up on the prey and get inside a danger zone with the animal. This means that the animal could charge or attack at any moment within the danger zone. The hunter should be aware at all times because of this.

With some of the new additions in bow hunting, however, some of the guesswork from the hunt is being removed. While many bow hunting traditionalists may be against such new additions as GPS sensors and nigh-vision, others welcome any ally that they can muster in this fight for survival and adventure. There tends to be two different schools of hunters, but all hunters have the same goal in mind whether they are traditionalists or “new school” hunters. The ultimate goal of bow hunting is, of course, to bring down the ultimate prey.

There are several types of hunts that people go on. Big game hunts are popular and include elk, wolves, mountain goats, caribou and mountain lions. Other more dangerous hunters tend to go bow hunting after bears. There is a lot of demand for bear hunting these days, especially archery related hunts. This is because the danger involved with bear hunting delivers more of a rush than elk or caribou hunting. Like running with the bulls, bear hunting brings a sort of insane glee to the hunter and delivers certain thrills that they are not likely to get anywhere else.

Many people book bow hunting trips or excursions with a variety of trip-leading companies. These companies typically take a group of hunters into a particular area that is noted for having a great deal of the animals they are seeking. The hunting company trips come equipped with a guide that monitors the action from a position of expertise and offers tips to the hunters in the party. Hunting trips are often very reliant on the seasonal aspect of hunting, so those seeking a bow hunting excursion should make sure they are paying attention to the top seasons of hunting.

Much of bow hunting is reliant on the baiting or trapping aspect. The aforementioned hunting trips typically supply bait to the hunting party. This includes a knowledge from the hunting guide of placing the bait and finding a spot to wait for the prey. As hunting guides are professionals, their advice should always be heeded.

Typically, a hunting guide will take his or her party to a location in which the density of the hunted animal is known to be highest. They will then set up a camp or “base” and begin to look for baiting locations. Once the bait has been placed in a variety of locations, a hunting area will be designated for the bow hunters. As the hunters set up shop, the guide will typically go through a few of the ground rules and safety techniques. After a short period of time, the animals tend to appear and the hunt is on.

bow hunting

Selecting a Hunting Crossbow

Leave a comment

by Deb Vadnais

Crossbow hunting has the excitement of traditional bow hunting, without the strain associated with repeatedly firing a traditional upright bow. With a cocking device (a device to load the bow), even children or older hunters can enjoy a full day of bow hunting. There are a wide variety of crossbows available these days, and choosing the right hunting crossbow may initially seem like a daunting task. This article will lay out some of the most common features of modern crossbows, their pros and cons, and what the right hunting crossbow is for a given situation.

The main consideration when choosing a crossbow is going to be the draw weight. The draw weight determines the speed and power released when the bow is fired. When it comes to crossbows, the rule of thumb is that you’ll want the draw weight to be about double the draw weight of a traditional upright bow. So, for example, if the game you are hunting traditionally requires a 75 pound upright bow, you should look towards a 150 pound hunting crossbow, which is ideal for deer hunting. Hunting crossbows have a minimum draw weight of 125 pounds, so small game hunters should be able to find a crossbow that meets their needs as well.

Like upright bows, hunting crossbows come in both recurve and compound style. Compound limbs for crossbows can either be solid or split, and provide for greater accuracy and efficiency. Quality can be an issue, however, as cheaper split compound crossbows may not always be satisfactory.

The sights on the crossbow should be the next consideration. Modern crossbows offer traditional scopes like those you would find on a rifle, as well as peep sights or red dot sights. Red dot sights are excellent for low-light environments, so if you are doing some early morning or dusk hunting, then red dot sights are the way to go.

Finally, in selecting your hunting crossbow, cost is also going to be a big consideration. The highest quality bows can cost a thousand dollars or more, but you need not spend that much in order to find a good hunting crossbow. Many shops, as well as stores on the Internet, have quality crossbows available for four hundred dollars or less. While purchasing on-line is a great option, it’s recommended that you try out a few crossbows at a local store. So get out there, try a few hunting crossbows, and find the one (or two!) that are right for you.

bow hunting

Hunting Cross Bow Style: Pros and Cons for “Outlaw” Bow Hunters

Leave a comment

Hunting Cross bow style has gotten a bad reputation among traditional bow hunters, who claim hunting cross bow style gives an unfair advantage to crossbow users over more traditional bow hunters. The debate had continued to fire heated debates throughout the hunting cross bow and traditional bow enthusiasts. When statistics concerning specific hunting cross bow and hunting traditional bow users have been checked, the results have some hunting cross bow enthusiasts singing a victory song. It seems there is an advantage for crossbow users, but that advantage is very small, and negligible.
Hunting cross bow users were evaluated over traditional bow hunters in the state of Ohio, where crossbow hunters, to the chagrin of traditional hunters, have been somewhat vindicated. In spite of the cries of ‘foul’ within the bow hunting community’s traditional bow users, the most current research, done by impartial parties, shows a 23% success rate for hunting cross bow users and a 21% success rate for bow hunters, leaving traditional bow users with just a bit of egg on their faces. While most people believe this research will do little to stop the controversy between the two opposing parties, it is interesting to note that:
• 155,000 registered hunters participated in bow season hunting.
• 70,000 of them practiced crossbow hunting exclusively.
• 55,000 registered hunters used a vertical bow
• 30,000 registered hunters used both a vertical bow practiced cross bow hunting.
Senior Citizen Hunters who received free hunting licenses:
• 4,000 used a cross bow
• 1,000 used a vertical bow
• 1,000 used both
From these statistics, it is clear that out of the 55,000 registered hunters who participated in vertical bow hunting, a whopping 30,000 used both bow and crossbow. From the 6,000 registered bow hunters who were senior citizens, a huge majority, 4,000 used a cross bow, and 1,000 used both traditional bows and crossbows. It is clear this is a preferred method for seniors.
With so many people enjoying crossbow hunting and the statistics in the single state with the most available statistics over a large block of time showing that there is little realistic difference in hunting cross bow style and traditional bow style as far as kill rates go, it seems that there is no conclusive evidence to support the traditionalists viewpoint on the positive effects of prohibiting crossbow use during bow season.

bow hunting

Bow Hunting Equipment: To Buy or Not to Buy

Leave a comment

Bow Hunting Equipment is a major area of importance in the sport of bow hunting. There are many choices to be made and many myths to be expelled. It is not the brand name that counts; it is the quality of the bow hunting equipment you choose. It is important that your bow hunting equipment correlate with its purpose, and is equally important that it ‘fit’ you.
When choosing bow hunting equipment, it is important that you do your homework and get expert advice. If you are lucky enough to have grown up around bow hunting and gotten hands on experience and advice from an expert as you learned, then you probably are not going to be reading this, so this article will be largely focused on new bow hunting enthusiasts. The novice faces a much different set of concerns and needs then does the experienced bow hunting aficionado.
The average new bow hunter is understandably concerned with costs. With that in mind, several factors should be considered when choosing bow hunting equipment. If you are really not sure how much you want to invest, consider renting hunting equipment initially. That way, you can have a relatively small investment until you see if you want to invest more money in your sport. Just be sure, even when renting bow hunting equipment, that you choose equipment that is both a good fit for you, and appropriate for the hunting you plan to do with it. Be certain you take an authority with you, or get exact advice on what is best for you, before you rent. Rental agents are rarely experts, so be prepared before you go to the rental agency.
Many times Pro Archery shops require the personnel be experts and even require that they receive formal education so they can help customers make good choices when they are about to purchase equipment. Often, if you go in at a time when the shop is not really busy, you can explain that you are a new bow hunter, and want to rent bow hunting equipment initially to be sure the sport is for you. Once you tell them that get their card and agree to purchase from them later if you decide bow hunting is for you, they will help you determine what you need and what equipment is a best fit for you. That way, you can get the advice and help you need to rent equipment, while putting off big investments until you are sure.
That way, when you are ready to purchase bow hunting equipment, you can go to the store with a little experience under your belt, already know what you like, what you need, and what would be the best choice for you. Expert advice in fitting bows to your needs, getting the proper pull weight, the proper type of bow, etc. and fitting all that to the type of game you will be hunting, etc. will make it easier to afford good quality bow hunting equipment when you are ready to buy, and you can buy the best you can afford, while not feeling tempted to settle for lesser quality, because you are afraid if the sport of bow hunting may not be for you.

bow hunting

The Pursuit of Bow Hunting

Leave a comment

Those looking for a method of hunting that offers great challenge will find just what they are looking for in bow hunting. Before there were guns, hunters used a primitive yet effective bow to take down their quarry. The skill required for this type of hunting has a long history in many cultures. Through the years, the evolution of technology and bows has brought many advances, allowing them to be more accurate than ever. The aspects and elements of materials and construction have helped to improve the bow hunting experience for many. From the beginner to the seasoned bow hunter, there is nothing more satisfying than to be able to use one’s skills effectively.

There are many places in bow hunting where just buying equipment can get tricky. While equipment is sold for right or left handed users, when bow hunters pick out their equipment, they do so by determining which eye is most dominant. Although it is not always the case, right handed people tend to be right eye dominant. Right handed equipment is also more prominent than left handed equipment. When one is right handed while being left eye dominant, the choice is to buy left handed equipment and shoot with the left hand or buy right handed equipment and still use the left eye. It is simply a matter of preference and comfort.

The draw weight of a bow, or the ability to pull the string back, is measured in pounds. The smaller the person, the lower the weight should be. Males and females also have different draw weights. A release aid is a common piece of equipment found on a bow that needs to be considered although it is not absolutely necessary when one is just learning the basics. Many start by releasing the bow with the fingers and then move up to a release aid later on. Other accessories such as sights or stabilizers are a good investment when one decides to take bow hunting more seriously.

When one is first getting acquainted with their bow, arrows need not be an expensive investment. With the help of a professional, one can find a good set of aluminum or carbon arrows to practice with. Depending on their purpose, arrows come in many different sizes and lengths. Upon deciding to enter the world of bow hunting to hunt a particular type of game, a more specialized type of arrow can be used. Often, equipment can be found used and in excellent condition, allowing one to wisely invest their money in other essential equipment should it be decided that bow hunting is a sport that suits them.

bow hunting

Bow Arrow Hunting: Past to Present

Leave a comment

Bow arrow hunting is vastly different from that of the Native Americans of the past. It is a wonderful sport that has enthusiasts from all facets of life, from survivalists to those who embrace technology. No longer are bows made of wood and sinew, and no longer are arrows made of burned and sharpened wood or flint. Technology has made its way into bow arrow hunting, and the advancements are amazing.
From alloy arrow tips to composite bows and crossbows, to complex sights and scopes, bow arrow hunting has evolved in exciting and innovative ways. For example, I doubt even a vision quest could have envisioned the hell razor broad head or similar arrows. Made specifically for the modern super fast speed bows, today’s arrows are made of high quality materials to maintain sharpness and remain true in flight. This arrow is formed using a laser weld system called photon blade bonding. It creates an arrow with a ferrule and blade joined in such a way that it is one piece. Sharpened in such a way to have a razor like, flat beveled edge, this arrow is designed to be super sharp and remain that way.

Pin guards are another area in which the tried and true has given way to the marvels of modern technology and scientifically designed advancements. Many hunters use a round peep sight on their bow, and now use a round pin guard as well, making it easier to line up the inside the peep and increasing accuracy.

Though most bow arrow hunting enthusiasts who are not target archers do not use scopes, most of the target archers are also bow arrow hunters and use their target sights and scopes hunting as well. Though if you are not interested in target archery, you might not want to invest in such an expensive high end item, there is definitely a place for them in the sport of bow arrow hunting.

Target Archery Sights and Scopes are another thing bow arrow hunters will find advanced. Most target archers will choose fancier sights and scopes and use them for both purposes, though they are certainly more expensive and unnecessary for bow arrow hunting purposes. Most of the high end sights have second and third axis adjustment capability or gang adjustable pins. Many sights have fiber optics, with the typical red dot target sights, some even have magnification lenses.

Many target archers are also bow arrow hunting enthusiasts. They may choose a fancy hunting sight to use for both purposes. High end hunting sights have come along way. They have 2nd and 3rd axis adjustments, bubble levels, fiber optics and individually adjustable and/or gang adjustable pins. Some even have magnification lens that you can add. Just remember, when it comes to bow arrow hunting scopes, the lens is the most important part, and also the most expensive part. Scopes can be as inexpensive as $50 and as expensive as $250 and up. The quality is reflected in the cost, though, so for the best scopes, remember that technology is expensive!

bow hunting

Bow Hunting: A Natural Hunt

Leave a comment

Bow hunting is a popular sport, but there are many things to consider if you are a new bow hunter looking to get set up in the sport of bow hunting. Laws and hunting seasons differ from state to state, and to get state specific information, you should contact the game and fish commission or other regulatory agencies, to ascertain the accurate regulations, hunting seasons, and other state laws. Every state requires hunting licenses, with the possible exception being some privately owned hunting clubs designated for organized bow hunts.

The next thing is educating yourself concerning the different bows available. It’s true that the type, brand, and selection of bows will depend on individual tastes, but also on the season you are planning to hunt, the animal you plan to hunt, and state and federal regulations regarding that. There are four general types of hunting bows. Let me tell you about them.

• Stick bows
• Recurves
• Compound bows
• Cross bows

Stick bows are the most basic bows. An example of a stick bow is the English long bow. They are about as tall, or taller than an average person, ‘D’ shaped, and have little or no recurve.

If you look at a recurve bow from the side, the ends curve away from the archer at the tips. This gives a greater amount of cast to the arrow. Many people prefer recurve bows when bow hunting, especially when traveling in wooded areas or on horseback, because they are considerably shorter than a regular stick bow.

A compound bow is a more modern bow. It uses a standard bow construction in conjunction with a system of cams, pulleys, and cables, to make it easier to draw, creating a higher velocity arrow trajectory.
It’s important to consider the draw weight and draw length of the bow you choose, and it is best for the draw length to be determined by an experienced professional. Bows are not one size fits all.

Crossbows are used for target shooting and sport bow hunting. A crossbow consists of a stock, upon which a bow is mounted. The bow shoots arrow-like projectiles released when a trigger on the stock is activated.

Once you’re familiarized with hunting laws, fulfilled any obligations prerequisite to hunting legally, such as licenses and hunting safety courses, and chosen the proper bow for your needs, you should consider the type of arrows you’ll need for bow hunting.

There is cedar, aluminum, and carbon shafted arrows. Research to determine which arrow shaft will work best for you based on your bow, where you’ll be hunting, what you’ll be hunting, and any regulations by the government or hunt club. It is a good idea to check with a professional archery dealer, until you are comfortable you can choose the arrows best for your bow hunting experience.

bow hunting

Choosing a bow

Leave a comment

In addition to the bow’s handing, draw length and draw weight, there are other variables to consider when choosing the right bow for you, such as:

– The ATA, or axle to axle length, of the bow. Generally, a longer ATA makes for a more forgiving bow, but a shorter ATA is often considered more convenient

– Let Off is the amount of tension released by drawing the bow – common let offs are between 65 and 85 per cent.

– The distance between the string and the back of the riser is the brace height of the bow. In general, a higher brace height makes for a more accurate bow that’s easier to shoot.

– Single, dual or hybrid cam bows are available, and choosing between them is up to your skill and confidence. A single cam bow is usually easier to handle, dual cam bows are faster but can be difficult to draw. The hybrid cam bow is relatively new and seems to offer the best features of both styles.

– Brand. This really is a matter of personal opinion – but it’s worth considering what reputation the bow’s manufacturer has with your fellow bow hunters. Most well-known brands come with a lifetime guarantee – but how easily can you act on this? Find out before you buy to avoid disappointment in the future.

more about bow hunting….