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BOWHUNTING
Do You Measure Up?
I like bowhunting for deer, so much
so, I often mourn when my state’s deer season
makes the transition from archery-only to the
firearm season.
Of course, I hunt with a rifle,
too, but rest assured a world of things change in
the deer woods when the firearms begin going off.
The deer go into a more pressured
mode, and the woods just aren’t as peaceful as
before.
But of course, there’s more to my
affection for bowhunting than peace and quiet.
Another reason I like the sport is because there
are so many sides to it. And from where
I sit all these sides are good (especially when I
happen to be sitting in a tree stand on a crisp,
autumn day.) Sure, there’s always the shear fun of
being outdoors, but there’s much more to it when
using a bow and arrows. At its foundation,
bowhunting offers many hunters more opportunity.
For example, throughout the country many states
offer archery-only hunts at times of the year when
other firearm seasons are closed. Early archery
seasons often give you a head start on the other
hunters. And what more does any outdoorsman need
than another opportunity to hunt…another season to
take part in?
But really, there’s more to bowhunting than simply
extending your season. More notable is the fact
that when you grab the bow in place of the firearm
you’ve moved onto another playing field—a field
where you soon learn the saying, “a whole new
ballgame” really carries a lot of truth.
Everything becomes up close and personal and
learning to be successful comes in volumes, taught
hunting trip by hunting trip, rather than
page-by-page.
It’s no doubt, there’s a frustration factor
involved in bowhunting. Beginners soon learn to
understand the meaning of so-close,
but-yet-so-far.
You also celebrate your successes and failures,
because both teach you a little more. It can also
be addictive.
Oh sure, like that famed blind hog, every hunter
finds an acorn now and then…and gets lucky and
takes a game animal. But trust me on this; to be
routinely successful, season-in, season-out, with
a bow, you have to become a better hunter. For me,
that alone is bowhunting’s greatest reward—
lessons learned.
Here’s a look at a few more things that bowhunting
teaches.
- The ability to judge distance. True laser
rangefinders have made it easier, but you still
have a limited range you need to know, normally
within 30 yards. You have to know when game
animals are in this range and when they are not.
- Patience. Unlike with a gun, bowhunters
seldom can shoot a deer, turkey or other game
animal as soon as they see it. With a bow you
have to wait, for the right range, the right
angle, the right moment to draw, etc. Bowhunting
can even help some hunters overcome the troubles
sometimes caused by buck fever. Because of the
close quarters required, many hunters learn to
become more at ease when game animals are at
close range.
- Limitations in lethal range and firepower
force you to watch—and learn. Of course, there
is much to be learned from simply watching the
animals we hunt, and we certainly have to watch
them closely when bowhunting— especially when it
comes to waiting for the right shot. It’s true,
you will get a better understanding through
bowhunting (even if it is only because we are
waiting for a better shot). It is very likely
you will say to yourself when you first take up
the sport, “Why I never knew deer did that,” or,
“I’ve never seen that before.”
- All-around woodsmanship. Bowhunters have to
know more about their game. They have to know
where and why a game animal will be—and at close
range.
You do this through learning food sources,
habits, feeding areas, bedding areas and all
routes in between. Also in the skilled woodsman
department, bowhunters have to learn how to hide
better. You soon learn when you can move, when
you can’t and what you can do to otherwise go
undetected within bow range (for example taking
advantage of wind direction and scent control).
For some, bowhunting carries a frustration
factor, and you really have to work harder at
being successful. A lot of effort goes into it.
And oh yeah, these are the same reasons some
people enjoy it so much.
- Strategy. Bowhunting requires the hunter to
put some thought into the game. You have to
combine all of the above into a plan. Sometimes
you win. Sometimes you lose. But regardless of
the outcome, it’s always a lot of fun.
SELECTING YOUR FIRST BOW
Younger hunters looking for a first bow have
several things to consider reports Art
Henderson, warranty technician with Mathews,
Inc.
The physical weight of the bow in hand and
the poundage or amount of pull it takes to draw
the bow are the first and foremost factors to
consider.
Getting exactly what you want to shoot
accurately and comfortably also falls into this
category. It’s also a reason young hunters may
want to consider purchasing a bow at a business
that can set it up for them—match the draw
length to the shooter’s arm and the draw weight
to their strength.
“Having to shoot a bow that’s uncomfortable
and inaccurate can give anybody a sour taste for
the sport, and that’s unnecessary,” Henderson
said.
“Hunters of all skill levels should want
their bows almost tailor-made.”
Henderson also added that Mathews’ new
Mustang model is great for young hunters
starting out. It is available in draw lengths
ranging from 19- to 26-inches and has draw
weights from 20- to 50 pounds.
“If you have a growing factor, as in you
think you might outgrow your bow, the Mustang
also works with you. You can change limbs, for
relatively little cost (especially in comparison
to buying another bow) and crank it up to max.
Another thing to consider when buying your
first hunting bow is, “How easy is it to tune?”
The easier you can tune a bow, the better
performance you are likely to get out of it.
ARCHERY ACCESSORIES
So you have got the bow, now, what to go with
it? Yep, arrows, but that’s a given.
Since it’s your first bow you need to keep it
simple—you need an arrow rest and sights.
In regards to an arrow rest, don’t get
anything too complicated or expensive. Get a
rest that works and can take a lot of abuse.
Today’s fiber optic sights certainly make it
easier to see your target. There are some really
good ones on the market with affordable prices.
Starting out, use only one or two sight pins.
Incorporate more pins as your skill progresses.
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