BowHunting is the practice of hunting game animals with Archery
Bowhunting requires a hunter to be much closer to a target than with a rifle, often aproximately 20-25 yards in total, and so an entirely different skill set comes into play when hunting big game. A bowhunter has to pay attention to detail to a much greater degree including smells, sounds, location etc.
A bow has a much smaller range than a bullet, mistakes often mean a missed opportunity and the target has less far to run before being out of range. Overall bowhunting is an exhilerating sport if done properly.
1. Bowhunting with a compound bow
The compound bow is likely the most widely used bow when hunting big game due to its ease of use, compact size and repeatable accuracy traits. Some bowhunters prefer to remove the sights and stabilizers used when practicing on targets in order to make it more compact however if you prefer hunting in this manner it’s best not to use the sights and stabilizers when practicing either.
2. Bowhunting with a recurve bow
The recurve bow is also a popular choice, though not as widely used for bow hunting, because of its compact shape and higher velocity shot power. The recurve bow will give you a few additional yards over a compound bow while losing only minimal power and accuracy. The tradeoff of course being that a recurve bow is slightly harder to master and requires a stronger archer.
3. Bowhunting with a longbow
The longbow is the choice of bow for hunters wanting to retain a sense of tradition. The longbow is the most powerful bow and has the longest range of all bow types however it is cumbersome, requires greater strength to weild and is not as accurate in the additional range it provides. Mastering the hunt with a longbow however does add a sense of pride to each successful hunting trip, it takes great skill to forgo all of the modern bow enhancements available today.
4. Bowhunting with a crossbow
The crossbow isn’t a legal hunting weapon in many places unless the archer is disabled in some manner and cannot handle the pull weight of a bow.
Legal consideration and ethical concerns surrounding bowhunting
Bowhunting is illegal in some countries including the United Kingdom because it is seen as cruel to the animals when done by a novice or intermediate archer. The thinking is that it takes the game longer to die, and often the game doesn’t die with a less than perfect shot, which leads to needless suffering.
This argument is completely with merrit however a complete ban is also seen as extreme because an archery expert and bowhunter will not take a shot unless relatively sure of a kill each time. A master hunter will also have learned how to track an animal that isn’t felled right away in order to finish the game.
A non-critical shot can become lethal after several days of bleeding and infection, which is cruel, and there is no concealing an arrow sticking out of a live animal, it’s disturbing to see. To keep the sport of bowhunting alive, and to continue being able to hunt like your ancestors did before you (see: archery history), obey all local laws and leave an area in better condition than you found it. Also, be sure not to target any animal that isn’t in season even if the chance presents itself, the seasons exist with good reason. Set a good example.
Take the time to do it right
Bowhunting isn’t for the complete archery novice. Take time to practice with your bow regularly and include moving targets if you can. You’re going to want to study as many archery tips as you can and I recommend contacting your local archery clubs to see if there are any archery games taking place near you.