Bowhunting

Bowhunters face the ultimate hunting challenge. A bow lacks the accuracy and range of a modern firearm, so you must fine-tune your skills to get close enough for an effective shot.

Yet bowhunting is rapidly gaining popularity. Most states and provinces consider the bow and arrow a primitive weapon. They allow bowhunters to take big game weeks before the regular firearms season. Many states also conduct post-season bow hunts.

Another reason for the expanding interest in bow hunting is the compound bow. Cams and pulleys on the compound produce more energy than a conventional bow with the same draw weight, or the pounds of pull required to bring a 28-inch arrow to full draw. On some compound bows, hunters can substitute special elliptical cams to increase energy even more.

Cams also result in let-off. At full draw, you must hold only one-half to two-thirds of the bow's draw weight. This enables you to use a more powerful bow. It also reduces muscle fatigue, so you can hold steady at full draw while awaiting the opportune moment for a shot.

Some hunters still prefer recurve and long bows. They are lighter, quieter to shoot, and less prone to mechanical failure. These more traditional bows increase the challenge and add nostalgia to the hunt.

For deer hunting, choose a bow with a draw weight of at least 40 pounds. For elk, you need a draw weight of 50 pounds or more. Do not select a bow with a draw weight heavier than you can comfortably handle.

Always match your arrows to your bow. When choosing arrows, consider stiffness, or spine. The more powerful the bow, the stiffer the arrow. The spine of your arrow should be rated within 5 pounds of your bow's draw weight.

Arrow weight is also important. A heavy arrow penetrates better, but drops more than a light one. Check an arrow chart at an archery shop to help you select the heaviest shaft that still matches your bow.

Most bowhunters use aluminum, fiberglass, and fiberglass-graphite arrows. These shafts come in a wide variety of weights and stiffnesses, and they never warp. Some hunters still use wood shafts. They are inexpensive, but sometimes vary in weight and stiffness, and may warp. Unmatched or warped shafts cannot be shot with consistent accuracy. Of all the materials, aluminum offers the greatest consistency because the shafts can be closely matched in weight and spine.

Before buying arrows, measure your draw length. This is the distance from the string to the back, or far side of the bow, as you hold at full draw. The arrow should extend just beyond the back of the bow.

Many arrow shafts come with a threaded coupling on the end, enabling you to switch points for target shooting or hunting.

Equipment for Bowhunting

BOWS include: (1) long bows, (2) recurve bows (3) compound bows. Compounds deliver the most energy for a given draw weight; long bows the least. A compound's limbs are fiberglass or fiberglass-wood laminates. Long bows and recurves are usually made of fiberglass-wood laminates, though some long bows are solid wood.


ARROWHEADS include: (1) blunts for small game, (2) broadheads with razor inserts for big game, (3) target points, (4) Judos® for birds and small game. Fletchings include: (1) and (2) feather, which provides the most stable flight; (3) plastic, which is waterproof and durable; (4) flu-flu, which slows the arrow.	BOW QUIVERS hold the arrows so they do not rattle. A plastic cover protects the points. You can remove an arrow quickly and with little motion.


GUARDS for arms and fingers protect your skin and improve accuracy. Finger guards help you release the bowstring smoothly. Arm guards prevent the bowstring from catching your sleeve or slapping against your arm.	ACCESSORY KITS attach to a belt. They can hold extra bowstrings; bowstring wax, which preserves the string and keeps it dry; bottled scents to mask human odor camouflage makeup; and interchangeable arrowheads.