Any Tips For Getting Into Bow Hunting?

[martintheduck]

Frankly, I don't find it that exciting to shoot a deer from any type of distance --- sure, if I'm trying to fill the freezer, I have no problems with it, but I'm not trying to do that.... I crave a chase, a game of wits, and I think bow hunting might be just that. Any pointers from some salty veterans about getting into bow hunting? I'm sure there are plenty of articles on it, but I really just want to know what you fellas on BassResource.com have to say --- since you've been so helpful before!

 

 

Thanks!

[Bluebasser86]

Do you have areas to hunt? We have quite a bit of public land in KS but I just don't trust other people enough to deer hunt it. I've had enough problems with people stealing stands and equipment from private land, can't imagine it's any better on public. Plus, I'm afraid of those shoot first, ask questions later types that I've occasionally heard of.

Get a bow that is comfortable for you to shoot and shoot it a lot. If you can go to a store and handle and shoot several then I would highly suggest doing so. It's expensive to get into, all the equipment needed for the bow, then the arrows, broadheads and practice tips, stands, harnesses, cover scent products, cameras if you want them, and a ton of other equipment that you can buy if you want. Once you have most the equipment though it isn't so bad. If you have a local bow shop I'd try to go pick the brain of one of those guys to help you select the correct bow and arrows for you, the bow you choose, and your shooting style. 

I love bowhunting deer and would highly suggest it. Unfortunately, it's a lot like bass fishing in that a lot of what you're going to need to know will be learned through trial and error. Scout a lot in the off season, I prefer to set up cameras to find highly traveled areas and try to note most used times so I know when to be there. Don't just throw a stand up because you find scrapes or trails, this is when a camera is extremely useful to find out if they're still using the area or not. Deer are like bass in the sense that if you find the cover and the food you'll find the deer, and they'll often use cover and edges to get to and from their food and bedding areas. Buy comfortable stands, you'll be spending a lot of time in them, unless you're uncomfortable, then you'll be less willing to sit and wait. Make sure you hang your stand correctly and buy a harness, we lose too many hunters each year to falls from their treestands with so many quality safety harnesses around. Practice shooting as much as possible so you can make a quick, clean kill, it's your responsibility as an ethical hunter. Try to get access to private land if you don't already, lots of farmers are willing to let you hunt and remove deer that eat a lot of their crops, but it's probably going to take a little more work than knocking on their doors and asking. Offering to help out on their farm a little or at least letting them get a know you a little bit will often get you access. Read up and learn as much as you can about hunting in your area. Find a friend to go with if you can, it will help to be able to compare observations and, for me anyways, it's more enjoyable to have a buddy to share the experience with. 

If it's something that you're interested in I would certainly suggest giving it a try. It's about the only thing I look forward to when it gets cold out each winter  I'd especially suggest giving it a try if these pictures get your blood pumping!

[martintheduck]

That second picture .. what a freakin' slob! Thanks for that Blue! 

 

There's huge plots of public land up here that's pretty much exclusively bow hunting deer. You do get the occasional dog runners and small game hunters looking for squirrels and rabbits. Sometimes if the rain starts coming in pretty regularly, the river will get high and flood the land out, but that is a rare occurrence. I'm just really interested in the bow aspect because I figure it will be more of a cat&mouse deal and it will open up a TON more public land for me to hunt. Most of the areas are rarely hunted for deer, except during the two day special rifle hunt.... and the special late season hunt on the waterfowl refuge. 

 

Also have some family friends with land up in North Missouri/Nebraska border. Never taken a yankee deer before and I figure it would be AWESOME. They tend to NOT rifle hunt up there..

 

 

That was some great information... thank you.

[RoLo]

Frankly, I don't find it that exciting to shoot a deer from any type of distance --- sure, if I'm trying to fill the freezer, I have no problems with it, but I'm not trying to do that.... I crave a chase, a game of wits, and I think bow hunting might be just that. Any pointers from some salty veterans about getting into bow hunting? I'm sure there are plenty of articles on it, but I really just want to know what you fellas on BassResource.com have to say --- since you've been so helpful before!

 

 

Thanks!

 

If at all possible, give deer archery a try, I'll bet you'll get hooked.

 

In most states the archery season has many benefits: the woods are alive with game: grouse drumming,

geese honking overhead, the climate is pleasant, the season is long and the bucks are in the rut.

The deadliness of an arrow is remarkable, which has a broader lethal pocket than a bullet.

 

Roger

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Definitely try with a bow. Stalk hunting is my prefered hunting method. Its a freaking blast. Especially cause your not stuck sitting in a tree all day long. It does take time to learn to do it correctly though. Heck I'm still learning how.

I love my compound bow to death. I love shooting it and love how it shoots. Especially in brush and dense cover. However my go to bows for deer are one of my two horse bows or my custom long bow. All three hit harder than most any compound bow will. The skill to use them and be proficient is in my opinion way above a compound. Especially with the horsebows when using a thumb ring. I fe the more primitive bows give the deer a fighting chance. If I want to distance shoot a deer I'm using a rifle not a bow.

For swine its the compound bow hands down. Its honestly the whole reason I purchased it. Mainly because if you make a mis shot on a deer its not gonna try an rip you apart like a pig will. Plus I can get better accuracy at range with the compound over the traditional bows.

Best of luck to you. If I can be any help let mr know.

[martintheduck]

Probably a pretty "beat-to-death" question.. but... what's your opinions on a good first bow? ---- "The _______ is to bow hunting, like the Remington 870 is to shotguns." Would be okay spending a bit more $ to buy something that will last a long time and will perform top notch.

 

I don't have the time at the moment to jump in and do much research right now (between school and winter fishing) so I'm just trying to get a quick brief from y'all.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Probably a pretty "beat-to-death" question.. but... what's your opinions on a good first bow? ---- "The _______ is to bow hunting, like the Remington 870 is to shotguns." Would be okay spending a bit more $ to buy something that will last a long time and will perform top notch.

 

I don't have the time at the moment to jump in and do much research right now (between school and winter fishing) so I'm just trying to get a quick brief from y'all.

Depends what you want and what you wanna spend. Depends what type bow you want and what you wanna hunt. My horsebows were built for me in europe. I think I paid 650 for one, and 700 for the other one. The draw weight is well over what a stock bow will handle. Ones at 95 the other at 125.

My long bow was custom made for me in exchange for some electrical work I did for him.

My compound bow is a PSE. I personally prefer their compound bows over the other companies. Matthews makes some freaking amazing compound bows. They are probably the most popular of all the bow brands. I just personally don't like the way they feel. I would have no problem dropping a grand on a Matthews Safari. It just doesn't feel right to me. Hoyt makes some awesome compound bows. Many people swear by them too. My buddy swears by Bear bows. He won't shoot anything else besides them.

Your best bet is gonna be go get measured for a bow and go shoot the different brands available. Get what feels good to you. Dont buy it just cause its the "cool" thing. Find what feels best to you.

[retiredbosn]

Raider pretty much summed it up, regarding what brand to buy. Also consider that u are looking for a new challenge. IMO hunting with a modern compound or crossbow sitting up in a tree, really isn't anymore challenging than a gun hunt. For a much more challenging hunt go native, a long bow and still hunting. To me the term still hunting is basically a silent stalk. In other words pit your skills against the deer's senses. The long bow with wooden arrows and no sights, now you have to get much closer, and it's your instinct and skill against theirs.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Raider pretty much summed it up, regarding what brand to buy. Also consider that u are looking for a new challenge. IMO hunting with a modern compound or crossbow sitting up in a tree, really isn't anymore challenging than a gun hunt. For a much more challenging hunt go native, a long bow and still hunting. To me the term still hunting is basically a silent stalk. In other words pit your skills against the deer's senses. The long bow with wooden arrows and no sights, now you have to get much closer, and it's your instinct and skill against theirs.

You need to try a horsebow with a thumb ring. Its archery backwards. I'm telling you its a pain to figure out. However once it clicks its awesome. I agree with going traditional. Stalking is way more fun then tree stand hunting.

[Capt.Bob]

Raider has you on the right track, stick with the brands he mentioned, I prefer Hoyt over the last 25 years with 7 new bows in that time and never a problem. The Brands he listed are all good bows and built to last. I think like he said, do it right at a pro shop. I would prefer a shop that deals in nothing but bow's! Period, you are more assured of not getting a jack of all trades, but a true master of the industry. Then shoot em all, find the one that draw's, hold's, and shoots the best for you and go with it. If you want to be happy don't look for a cheap get you buy bow, spend the money for a top of the line bow, it will be easier to master that a cheap bow that most likely never will shoot like you expect,,,,,,spend the money up fron,,,,,practice, practice, practice, and a top of the line model from any of these bow companies will more than amaize you at what is possible with archery equipment!! GOOD LUCK and be prepared to have a new addiction!!!

[RoLo]

You need to try a horsebow with a thumb ring. Its archery backwards. I'm telling you its a pain to figure out. However once it clicks its awesome. I agree with going traditional. Stalking is way more fun then tree stand hunting.

 

You said a mouthful.

Every deer I ever took was while standing on the same ground as the deer  (no tree stand, no salt lick, no feeding station).

 

Roger