Bow hunting tips

By Catalogs Editorial Staff

Bow hunting tips for both the novice and experienced bow hunter

Hunting with a bow and arrow dates back to the beginning of time. Primitive cave paintings depict the ancient archers with fear and reverence. Bow-hunting for deer requires a very specific set of skills and preparation and application of the following bow hunting tips can only help those lovers of the sport to successfully hit the mark every time.

Some useful bow-hunting tips

1- Pre-season scouting
This important procedure should always be completed no later than midsummer because bucks have long memories and can get very nervous if they sense a human presence. Your stand location should be chosen and in place by July as deer are creatures of habit Carefully check out your surroundings; in the spring be aware of what crops are present and in what stage of growth. Use optical tools such as binoculars to guide you. This will help you predict how the deer might adapt to their surroundings.

2- Choosing the proper broadhead to suit your particular needs
Due to the fact that the broadhead is the first thing that comes into contact with the deer, many hunters believe that it is the single most important component of hunting equipment. There are so many to choose from and that is why finding the proper one is a difficult task.

Some factors to consider when selecting a broadhead might include: the type of bow being used, the specific composition of the arrow, the size of game and finally, the cost. Many believe that carbon arrows are superior to aluminum not only because their decreased diameter increases their speed but also because they are much more resilient and forgiving.

3-Finding the right bow
Archers of different experience levels have different demands of a bow. Always look for high speed and superior power. A bow that has an adjustable grip and the capacity to shoot arrows at more than 240 feet per second is ideal. The best bow manufactured today is the one that feels right to you. One test of a quality bow concerns how well the company who makes it stands behind their warranties. Always shoot a bow before you purchase it.

4- Deer attractants and calling systems
Always remember that a deer’s nose is super-sensitive and the best attracting scents are the lighter ones. Do not overuse. Know the scents of the hunting ground. When using a cover scent to help disguise your ?unnatural scent,” remember that your choice should be based on a scent that the deer recognizes and is comfortable with. If the area has foxes, red fox urine is good and cedar if cedar tress abound.

As far as calling systems go, the grunt call is a universal, year-round sound that puts deer at ease and triggers their curiosity. Some grunts are a form of vocal communication between deer while others may symbolize challenges, such as a meeting between two bucks. Still other grunt sounds may relate to mating and breeding.

Grunting is by far the most effective method of calling deer into your shooting radius, but it is not the bow hunter?s only available tool. Antler rattling is a Native-American ploy, which is used to simulate a fight between bucks. Today, synthetics, such as plastic and fiberglass are made into antler rattles and dowel rods in cloth bags and small plastic “rattle boxes” are also produced.

5- The importance of a good bow-hunting attitude
Of all the bow hunting tips in the world, the most important one as far as gleaning enjoyment and satisfaction from the sport is concerned, is the attitude that you carry with you into the woods. Maintain fair hunting ethics and a deep respect for the forest at all times. A bow hunter must learn the virtues of patience and perseverance and must blend in with nature rather than rearrange it.

Remember the traditions behind this ancient sport.

Read about how the ancient native-Americans hunted for game.

There are lessons and more bow hunting tips there for those who take the time to look.

Happy hunting!