Aloha, I'm trolling for advice and tips for a beginner. For a long time I've wanted to try my hand at hunting - not only to learn survival skills and spend time outdoors, but also to bring home game as a source of food for my family. In the past I've benefited from the generosity of friends who are hunters, and I'd like to be in a position to return the favor. I realize that I could probably get better results with rifle hunting, but there's something about bowhunting that I feel would be a lot more satisfying. There's no shortage of information out there for newcomers to the sport, but I thought I'd post here for additional advice. What do you feel would be the best process for getting into bowhunting for a guy in the suburbs with some money to spend on equipment? I don't want to get near an animal before I'm capable of bringing it down, so it seems like I should spend a lot of time at a range. I've found a local target archery club, but it's not related to hunting. Are there special venues for bowhunters to practice? Is competitive target archery a good way to start? Will I need one bow for hunting and another for target archery? Thanks for your time. PS I apologize if this is the wrong forum for beginner advice. I did a search and couldn't find these sorts of questions answered in another thread.
SM, I think you're goung about your trolling the proper way. Never stop asking questions and never stop searching for answers. What you'll find is a million different ways to skin a cat. Every bow shop owner and archer will have an opinion. You must try everything-every bow, every rest, every sight, every broadhead, so on and so forth until you find those pieces of equipment which gives you the utmost confidence! This trip may take you several years, but patients is an absolute trait of a bow hunter. Do not settle, ever. Practice, practice, practice. When you think you have it, practice some more. Finally, there is no subsitute for actually being in the woods. The classroom education you will learn there is priceless. Best of luck!
Welcome to the site and this wonderful sport! I was in your exact same position only 3 years ago. Having never hunted or even known a single hunter I found myself wanting to get into something that I had zero knowledge of. I decided to take it on 1 thing at a time. I knew getting a bow was my first step. I went out and purchased several magazines and started visiting all the local shops trying to get as much knowledge as I could. I then started shooting as many bows as they would let me. Only problem I found was because all of this was so new to me I really didn't know what I should be looking for. So I decided to give myself a budget that I was comfortable with. A budget that if I didn't enjoy the sport I wouldn't be out a fortune. I purchased my first PSE and was on my way. I then found a few ranges that I could go shoot at. I spent the entire year shooting almost daily by myself just trying to learn how to hit the target and develop some consistantly. I finally felt that I was comfortable enough with my shot that I could go out and hunt. I went and purchased some cheap camo and hit the woods. Not even sure where I should set up or what I was looking for when I arrived. The first year in the woods by myself was amazing. I got to experience things that I will probably never get to again. Even though I didn't get to shoot a deer it was worth every minute! Finally I found this site and a few others. I have become great friends with so many great people and hunters that my hunting career has advanced so quickly. I have already upgraded my bow now that I know what to look for and what I like. I managed to take my first deer last season on public land and had the pleasure of a few guys coming to the site to assist me in the recovery and enjoy the experience. I encourage you to continue to ask questions. You have definetly found the right place to do that. We are all more then happy to help!!! And good luck!
If you have some trustworthy friends or relatives that hunt, you should hunt with each of them as much as possible. A hunting partner provides extra safety, motivation, expertise and help with the physical labor of hunting. Your hunting bow should be entirely adequate for target and hunting. For instance, you could shoot the 'Bowhunter' class of local 3D events with your hunting rig. You will meet fellow bowhunters and sharpen you field shooting. Recommend you sign up for a state-sponsored hunter's safety course. You will need this to get a license anyway and you will meet hunters while attending. Welcome home!
I would recommend that you find and go check out as many archery dealer/pro-shops in your area as possible and ask them for help picking out a bow and accessories. Create a budget before you go so you know how much you want to spend and let them know this as well. Some shops try to steer people to the most expensive equipment and that is not always necessary. You do not need different bows for hunting, 3-d, and indoor target archery, it depends on how seriously you are going to get involved in archery and if your primary focus is competition or hunting. I know plenty of people who only have one bow and do everything with it. The better you know your equipment, the better you will be with it. Try to find a good club in your area so you have a place to practice and people to talk to, the friendships you will develop are awesome. Get out and shoot; 3-d, spot targets, whatever. The more you practice the better you will be. I also agree with kw16, take a bowhunter safety class, it is necessary in many states and you will learn alot. Welcome to the sport, you're gonna love it!
Saint, Stopping here was a good first step. Keep visiting this site and others and read as much as you can. You will begin to pick up a bunch of tips pretty fast. I wish I had the interest as a resource 26 years ago when I started hunting. Your next step should be to start visiting the local archery shops in your area. A good archery shop should have the following things... 1) GREAT customer service, willing to spend the required time with a rookie to earn his business and get him started the "right" way. The only way you will be able to know this is to start talking to hunters/archers in your local area. Joining a 3D club, bow hunting club, target club is without a doubt your best start. You will also pick up more tips and you will find that people involved in these types of clubs are very excited to introduce new people to the sport we all love. 2) A range, so they can work with you on your form. Also, so you can shoot a bunch of their bows to find the "perfect" bow for you. 3) They should carry several bow lines. This way you can shoot a bunch of bows from different companies at different prices to find one that feels good to you and fits your budget. Here are some answers to the rest of your questions. I don't want to get near an animal before I'm capable of bringing it down, so it seems like I should spend a lot of time at a range. - Great attitude for a newbie. I wish more people felt like this. I've found a local target archery club, but it's not related to hunting. - I would take the time to talk to the club and explain what you are wanting to do. Target archery is a great way to sharpen you skills. Are there special venues for bow hunters to practice? - I am sure there are some local 3D clubs/shoots in your area. The above mentioned target archery club will be able to point you in the right direction to find them and to get involved with them. Is competitive target archery a good way to start? - It is a great way to start. A true hunter should be concerned with making the quickest/cleanest kill possible and the only way to do that is to be able to hit what you are aiming at. Shooting at a target will help for sure. Will I need one bow for hunting and another for target archery? - Not at first. Get your hunting bow and start shooting. Go to 3D shoots and field shoots and work on your accuracy and form. Don't compare your scores to others, as this would be a great way to get disappointed quickly. Once you have been doing this a few years you may feel the desire to get more into target/3D shooting and at that point you may want to purchase a specific bow for targets, but that is down the road right now. Good luck and please come back often and ask as many questions as you want. Hunters as a whole love to share their knowledge and help others, specifically people new to the sport. Adding to new hunters is the only way we can ensure the sport we love will continue to be around.
Good advice from everyone above. At least you won't have to relearn how to hunt going from a gun to a bow. That can be as bad as just starting out. Lots of bad habits to break. Don't be afraid to ask more questions and have a blast bowhunting.
Guys, I almost screwed up big time. Here's the story... A couple days ago I went to my local big-box sports store and talked to the guy in the hunting department. I told him I wanted to pick up archery and then eventually bowhunting, and could use some help selecting a bow. He measures my draw length to 23", and then hands me a compound bow he says is set to 45 pounds. I couldn't draw it. The thing was like pulling back on a dump truck. He says I'm going to have to exercise in order to work up to the 45 pound draw, and that's about the minimum he'd recommend. I head home a little discouraged, thinking that maybe I should just get a rifle. I poke around online and find instructions for how to measure your own draw length, and I come up with something in the 26-27" range. I'm 5'8" and 150ish pounds. Average guy but by no means out of shape. Surely I can pull a 45 pound bow. If he's wrong about the draw length, what else is he wrong about? Today I go to the closest proshop, which isn't all that close. Turns out my draw length is 26" and I could pull a 50 pound bow, no problemo. Now I'm feeling much better. Cheers, SM
I am not confident at all in the big box store here...wouldn't even think of letting them touch my bow. Glad to hear you got some better advice and are back on the road.
And that is the problem with the big box stores. I watched a sales guy at a big box store (no names) sell a guy a 30" draw bow, the guy could not have been much taller than 5'8 or 5'9. It looked like he was going to rip his ear off when/if he released. I did not say anything in front of the sales person, but did make sure to let the guy know that the DL was way too long for him and suggested he return the bow and find an actual archery shop. I am glad to hear you are feeling better, stick with it.
If I saw a guy drawing back past his ear I certainly would have said something to the salesman if front of the customer. I am so glad you got it straightened out and good luck with everything. Great advice above, everyone here is happy to help anyone who wants to respectively learn the sport.
Great advice, and good call on avoiding the big box stores. Not that there aren't ANY competent employees in these type of stores, it's far better off to give business to a local guy who has the time to get you started the right way (the first step is LISTENING to your questions and needs). One additional piece of advice, and this is more or less a philosophical piece. Don't hunt for anyone else but yourself. It can be easy for new guys (even vets) to get burnt out trying to do too much at once. Start simple (one bow, one focus, practice, practice, practice, and LEARN). Don't feel you need to impress anyone or meet any set "standard." Good luck, and stick around here...you WILL learn a lot.
Welcome to the site and to the sport! It is a life long journey and one in which can bring a tremendous sense of enjoyment and excitement regardless of how long you have been participating.All of the comments and advice given have been excellent.Right now you don't know what you don't know so you are at the mercy of those you choose to spend your time and dollars with.I would try very hard to find a club that has an emphasis on target shooters,typically they are more geared to proper fit of equipment and proper shooting mechanics/form.There are really two kill sets one is shooting and the other is hunting.If you are fortunate enough to be in the company of very good shooters and very good hunters that will certainly speed the learning curve. Most all of us here are obsessed with both so reading the commentary here should be very helpful. Best of luck to you!This endeavor is awesome!!!!
welcome to our world! find a good pro shop and tell them what you told us and listen to them. they will be honest and not steer you wrong if they are a good shop. you have plenty of time to work up to a decent poundage on a bow..make sure you get a forgiving bow something with at least a 7.5 to 8.5 " brace height. tell them you want to be able to shoot accurately and that speed is not an issue...Diamond and Parker bows are great for beginners, but there are amany good bow companies with entry level bows that will kill animals easily. good luck!
Saint, good luck man. Get a bow and practice like crazy until you feel comfortable shooting. I would also recommend getting some good hunting books to read here in the off-season. After that, it is getting close to the game you choose to hunt, and that is it! I was in your shoes when I started out bowhunting in 2000. I had shot a lot of other weapons but never a bow. I really had no idea what I was doing, I was even pulling the bowstring back to my ear..
Here's an update. Wow, what a difference a couple months can make. I'll break it down... Gear: I went to the only local pro shop and found them really helpful. I ended up with a 2008 Bowtech Tomkat with a package sight, rest, and quiver. I have since replaced the sight and purchased a dozen more carbon arrows for practice (already broke one on a tight grouping). Rangefinder is on its way. I'm currently researching hang-on stands and camo. Books: burned through Balanced Bowhunting 2, Bowhunting Equipment and Skills, Core Archery, and Modern Bowhunter: Geared Up. So many of the products, types of equipment, hunting techniques, and acronymns actually make sense now. Practice: Every day I put a few arrows in the garage target, blind bail style, to build muscles, muscle memory, and practice a clean release. Every Saturday and Sunday I'm at the only public range in the area. Looking to join a local archery club to get access to their 3D range. I'm 95%+ within a 6" circle at 20 yards, and 70%+ within a 3". I need more practice and at other ranges. What's next: practice at the range. Set up a tree stand in my back yard and practice shooting at an angle. Get some camo and start getting a handle on scent control techniques. Cheers, SM
This is a great start. Where are you going to hunt? Where in Va are you? I may be able to help you with some things. You need to just get on here everyday and listen to us talk about deer and other animals, but I think you will be hunting mostly deer right? PM me or any of us and we can talk.
I'm in northern VA, mired in suburbia. I have a friend down in the middle of the state with enough land to give me a place to hunt, but I'm not in a hurry. What I'd like to do the first few times is gear up, set my tree stand, and "hunt" without actually hunting - just sit and watch the woods. I think there's a lot I can learn without the additional pressure and worry of trying to make a clean kill and harvest the animal. Can I sit in a tree all day? Is there gear I wish I had? I just want to get comfortable being alone in the woods, and confident with my ability to take the animal. That's the goal. I'll probably be doing a couple of those trips before the season starts.
