A Beginner's Guide to Bowhunting: Tips and Techniques for a Successful Hunt

March 24, 2023

Bow hunting is carried out in more than 132 countries around the world. In more than 85 of them, this is spelled out in law as an inalienable right. In 20 developed countries, it is such a significant share of the income of the hunting segment that the number of archers (bowhunters) in such countries reaches 70% of the total number of hunters, as cultivated and encouraged by governments specifically. On the Internet, there are a lot of interesting materials about hunting with a bow and crossbow. But not all hunters, even in the era of technology and available information, know how to properly hunt games with such weapons because, in the vast majority, when they go hunting, they take firearms with them. Probably everyone already knows what to do with the usual double-barreled shotguns and carbines while hunting. But how to hunt with a bow or crossbow? Below we will consider the most pressing issues, what you need to know, how to behave, and what equipment should be.

Bowhunting for beginners
Of all the types of hunting known today, the real challenge to the hunter is precisely hunting with a bow. If preparation for hunting with a gun takes a maximum of several months, then practice for bowhunting can take a whole year. We are talking here not only about how this technique can be mastered in a couple of months of training but mainly about the behavior of an archer hunter in the very process of hunting. So, let's take a closer look at everything a novice bow hunter needs to know. This type of hunting is sometimes considered a sport. A man put on his back a twenty-kilogram duffel bag stuffed with all sorts of food and accessories, and the hunter with a bow walks kilometers through the forest in search of prey. And when the frozen and aching muscles lose their elasticity, he can no longer realize the moment and make a successful shot - his hands are trembling, and his eyes are flooded with sweat. Professionals recommend carrying 10 kilograms without much effort so that your hands do not tremble with fatigue. Equipment will only be helpful if it can be used. If your strength allows you to carry an extra 10 kilograms without any problems, take it to your health. If not, dare to admit it to yourself and take the load according to your strength. Important tip: start practicing archery as soon as you buy it. It is necessary to focus on two things: to shoot accurately and to strengthen the muscles of the hands to control the bow freely. Once the bubble has already been bought, and the beginner is serious about doing this, one of the most exciting leisure activities. It's time to do the most important thing after buying equipment: develop shooting techniques—archery professionals practice shooting on the so-called 3-D models. 3D animal archery teaches you how to properly aim at an animal to hit it from any distance cleanly. When it comes to shooting from different distances, one cannot fail to mention how important it is to determine at what distance you are shooting most effectively. The noble animal you are hunting is worthy of your best shot, not a hastily fired shot from the wrong space, in the hope that you can hit the target no matter what. Another vital circumstance to remember when learning archery is constant training during the hunting and off-season. In many countries, the bow hunting season is relatively short, so if you stop training in the off-season, don't be surprised to find how much weaker your hands have become, not to mention the loss of accuracy. Regular training and scouting in the woods before the start of the hunting season will ensure that you will have a good chance when you are within the bow range of an animal.

How to choose a bow for a beginner?
Suppose you are just starting in this beautiful sport. In that case, the best thing you can do is to purchase all the necessary archery equipment in a specialized crossbow (archery) center for professionals to save much time and avoid much trouble. You may have to pay a little more than in any large retail store, but you will be sure you bought what you need. In a good bow, everything should match your personality. It must be borne in mind that in addition to the length of the bowstring, many other subtleties must be taken into consideration before you start thinking about hunting. All costs will pay off in the long run if you use the help of experienced archers from the very beginning, whose advice is worth its weight in gold. After all, you don’t become professionals overnight; you won’t recognize all the subtleties of a rhinestone; you need time and competent advice. So, before choosing a bow, let's take a closer look at the types of bows.
The traditional hunting bow is one of the most common types of a hunting bow. Its design has survived unchanged to this day, and it is a silent option for this business. This is the most ordinary bow, without balancers, sights, and other accessories. This bow is great for beginner shooters as it is affordable and the best choice to start your first training. After all, the loss of arrows is inevitable, and you will not immediately go to the big game either. Here it is essential to start training your skills. Such bows are considered non-separable, and they are straight in design. The shape of the traditional bow almost identically echoes the historical models of the English, Korean, and Mongolian hunting bow. Such samples are made from a solid, multilayer, and composite base, for which only natural materials are used. This bow also exists in a longbow version. Its elongated design with rounded shoulders appeals to experienced shooters skilled at handling heavy arrows. When choosing a bow, you must pay attention to the bowstring, shoulders, and address. They should be as comfortable and easy for you to manage as possible.
The recurve hunting bow is an advanced variation of the traditional bow. It has flexible arms; by their design, they are curved in the direction of the arrow's flight. This form was invented long ago, so lovers of the traditional model with a historical past often choose the recursive form, which has the necessary power to hit the target. These models are designed for hunting small game - hare, fox, and ungulates. And also for waterfowl, field, marsh-meadow, and upland game. If the small game is your target, be sure to consider the range of the arrow. The above bows' average flight rate is up to 250 meters. This is quite enough to get a trophy of the specified type. A compound bow is recommended for hunting big game - roe deer, deer, wild boar, and even bear. In the modern version, the flight of an arrow from such a bow can exceed 350 meters. The compound arrow flies with the highest acceleration and gives the charge the maximum energy. Such models' appearance for big game hunting has firmly won the palm over traditional classic bows. The shooter needs less effort to stretch the bowstring on a block structure, and the effectiveness of shooting a large animal is much greater. It is essential to consider the shooter's weight, height, and skills when choosing a bow for hunting. But it is equally important to determine the type and method of hunting, the object of this hunt, select the required arrow speed, etc.

Equipment for a beginner.
The first, not the most important, but also worth mentioning is the bow and its " equipment. « Perhaps you have long looked after the bow of your dreams, which, with its very appearance, draws rich trophies and exciting adventures in your imagination. But pay attention to a couple of important nuances. The bow is quite large, which can easily unmask the hunter. Therefore, it is necessary to take care of the camouflage of the bow in advance; it is desirable that the camouflage merges with the clothes and matches the season. It is also necessary to purchase a decent case for the bow; it will protect the bowstring from damage during carrying. Do not save on arrows - buying special hunting arrows with a carbon tube shaft and a removable, fully collapsible tip is best. Their perfect geometry and precise weight distribution ensure unparalleled shooting accuracy. The main advantage of carbon arrows is that they all fly the same way, and you can have absolute confidence in each arrow. Continuing the conversation about ammunition, mentioning such a useful thing as "release" is necessary. The release is the trigger mechanism with which you cling to the bowstring during the tension and with which you release the arrow. The freedom provides a smooth, almost rifle-like trigger, making shooting comfortable and accurate, but it also eliminates the possible errors associated with nervousness before a shot. In the cold season, when the fingers are numb from the cold, the release is simply indispensable - by putting it on a collar over a glove or holding it in your hand, you can aim for as long as you like without the risk of completely frostbiting your fingers. Also, the release does not require much practice, unlike finger shooting. For beginners and experienced archers, the release is an indispensable assistant in archery hunting.

Conclusion
A bow is not only a beautiful but also a reliable accessory. It brings the owner pleasure to use. Even the fact that it is not cheap and you first need to learn how to use it correctly does not reduce the number of lovers of such hunting or recreation. In addition to the critical aspect of choosing a bow for hunting, there are many other rules and recommendations. Still, they are already the same for any hunting, so the masters of gun hunting can also teach the beginner. They mainly concern with safety precautions, ways to lure the game, rules for their processing, etc.