Bow hunting is a very exciting exercise. It really is. Those who have hunted using rifles and bows as well can attest to the fact that bows trounce guns in the thrill factor.
The idea of being in full control of how fast the bow moves, how far it goes and when you do hit the target, you feel like Robin Hood. A rifle, though exciting in its own right, has its drawbacks. For instance, a rifle is loud. I mean, when you fire a shot, you had better hit your target, or every other animal within your radius will scatter for safety.
What a bow offers you is the benefit of stealth. You silently aim and shoot the arrow without alerting other prey. And if you do miss, you only need to worry about finding a new target.
So we’re in agreement, right? Bow hunting is the in thing. It’s what cool people are doing. Real hunters use bows and arrows. I’m not trying to hate on the rifle lovers; everyone is entitled to their opinion. I’m just saying that for anyone to truly savor the hunting experience, bows make for much better weapons.
But using a bow and arrow isn’t just a walk in the park. It takes a great deal of skill that is only honed after tons and tons of practice. And already you’ve done that, function some more.
For you to return successfully from a hunting expedition, there are certain bow hunting tips and tricks that you can employ. They will shift the odds in your favor and help you sharpen your skills at the same time.
Get the Right Bow
A beginner might think that a bow is a bow but you pros out there know this isn’t true. Bows come in different shapes and sizes. Each form offers a specific feature that might not be present in another one.
As a bow hunter, you need to figure out whether you want a bow that is faster or more accurate. Shorter and lighter bows are, of course, easier to carry and shoot out their arrows faster than longer and heavier arrows.
However, the heavier ones have greater precision. So, would you trade off accuracy for speed? That depends on what you’re hunting and the distance you’re hunting from.
Smaller animals like rabbits are agiler thus what you need here is more speed. On the other hand, larger animals like elks require more accuracy. Still, it’s not just about the bow.
Get the Right Arrow
The perfect arrow for the hunt is important as well. Again, an arrow isn’t an arrow. The varieties of arrows offer either speed, momentum or penetrating power.
And just like the bow varieties, you might have to trade off one feature for the other. Lighter arrows and heads offer greater speed but in effect have less momentum and penetration power. What this means is that these arrows are better for close up shots rather than distant ones.
You’re probably hunting a smaller animal that will feel the effect of the arrow’s penetration. Heavier arrows and heads have less speed, but they can maintain their momentum and have a deeper penetration.
So, clearly, these are better for hunting from a distance. Larger animals like deer are easier hunted with the heavier arrows since the penetration is more likely to put them down.
Improve Your Accuracy
When all other factors are constant, accuracy will always be more important than speed. No matter what type of arrow or bow you’re using, make sure you maintain the highest level of accuracy.
Whether you hit your target or not depends on you. Yes, the heavier arrows have more accuracy as they momentum is maintained but if you’re in a hurry to shoot without aiming properly, you won’t hit the target.
Take your time to focus. Ensure you have the perfect line of sight. And at the very right moment, shoot. By keeping your accuracy up, you’re raising your chances of going back home with your kill.
Sure, being fast is good but being accurate is better and being both fast and accurate is perfect so practice, practice, practice.
Practice in Low Light
While we’re on the subject of practicing, get more time honing your skills in low light situations. Why do you ask? Well, by handicapping yourself during practice, you heighten your ability to aim for a target without the need for total visibility.
And when there’s proper lighting, you reduce your chances of missing. Practicing in low light makes you more accurate, and it prepares your senses for any eventuality. Still, a lot of buck hunting takes places in the wee hours of the morning or the late evening.
During such hours, the sun is low in the sky, making it all the harder to view your prey. All in all, you’ll learn how to focus without having bright light thus giving you an edge.
Practice Long Shots
Move back to a distance of 100 yards between yourself and your target. Practice from there. If you can get those shots, imagine how good you’ll be when you’re closer.
The distance is an advantage when hunting since the animal will have less chance of sensing your presence.
Still, by sharpening your long shots, your accuracy level rises giving you the ability to get your target from whatever range. And a distance of 100 yards is perfect to get your shooting skills up to scratch.
Also, when practicing, try knee positions as well. Hunting on your knees gives you a position that hides your human form, concealing your presence from the prey. You remain out of sight. When you have the right angle, take the shot.
Accessorize
This tip comes in handy when all else is done. Getting accessories for your bows improves the arrow’s accuracy and boosts the shooting speed.
Accessories like bow hunting compounds are easy to set up and reduce the effort you have to put in so as to get maximum speed from the arrow. When employing the compounds with great precision, chances of you missing your target are minimized.
Ultimately, to remain on top of your bow hunting game, you need to practice. And this doesn’t mean that when you get good at it the practicing ends. Endeavor to get better and better.
Remember, when it comes down to a choice between speed or accuracy, go for accuracy. Only work on your speed once you’re accurate enough. Happy hunting!
