A Beginner’s Guide to Bowhunting
Having a hobby is one of the most important prerequisites for leading a happy and stress-free life. All the activities that we take up as hobbies are interesting and they show another side of us that we cannot show doing our regular jobs.
Bowhunting is only one of those, and even though it is not the most obvious choice for a hobby or perhaps the most popular one, it is definitely an activity that plenty of people would enjoy.
Most of the people who like bowhunting learned it from their grandfathers and fathers, but that doesn’t mean that other people cannot learn it and take it up as well.
If you are a newbie who wants to try out bowhunting, take a look at this guide as we will tell you what the most important things to have in mind are.
Bear in mind that not following these rules and not practicing enough might result in disaster, so read carefully.
Always go with an experienced hunter
First things first, never go by yourself or with someone who’s not into bowhunting at all. Having an experienced hunter by your side will only cater to your safety, but you will also be able to learn a lot from them as well.
See how everything works, try to catch as many tips and tricks as possible, and get ready for safe and effective hunting.
What you should also bear in mind is that you need to carry a hunting license with you, as state game officers and officials can request to see it. You can always ask the experienced hunter you are going with for advice on how to get your hunting license (as the requirements and hunting rules differ from state to state).
Prepare beforehand
The best way to be fully prepared when the time for bowhunting comes is to know in advance some of the things that you will be needing or to know what the whole process of bowhunting looks like.
Coming prepared, knowing all the parts of your equipment and why you need them matters a lot, not only for this bowhunting session in particular but for all other future ones as well.
Since this is your first time, it would be very advisable to go with equipment that is versatile, such as a recurve bow, which is deeper and thinner.
In order to get acquainted with the bow and to have a lot of fun, you can try to make a recurve bow – it might be time- and energy-consuming, but it’s an amazing way to spend your free time while getting to know more about the equipment that you will be using.
If you choose to make this while talking to an experienced bowhunter, you will have the chance to ask whatever you want about the sport and to know what else you have to prepare.
Know the parts of the bow
Since you’re a newbie, it means that you do not know how to properly hold a bow, let alone name its parts. The first one is something that you will learn on the spot (or several days before your first bowhunting trip), but you should also be familiar with the parts of the bow as well.
- The riser is the handle of the bow, or to put it in a simpler way, the thing that you hold when you are shooting. This is also the part that features the arrow rest (the part where you place your arrows before you draw them),
- The limbs are attached to the riser and they form the actual bow,
- The bowstring which connects the top and the bottom limbs,
- The nock point is actually the spot on the bowstring where you place the end of the arrow. Bear in mind that this should stay in the same place in order for you to aim without a problem,
- The bow sight is very similar to the scope on a rifle.
Know how to aim
The timing can also be tricky, especially if this is your first time bowhunting. If you have the option, practice shooting a couple of days before the hunt, but if not, you can try and learn it on the spot in case it’s safe, of course.
Once you’re aiming, make sure that you aim for the vital organs of the animal as this is the best strategy.
Be patient
Bowhunting is a game of patience, and if you’re not a patient person, perhaps you might want to choose another hobby. It’s not only for waiting when to shoot the animal that you need patience but after that as well.
After you successfully shoot the animal, be patient and don’t chase it immediately. Give it some time.
Bowhunting is not the easiest hobby, but it is definitely one that is quite popular in certain circles. In case you want to try it out, be sure that you will be able to do what it takes so that you have a successful day.
