This will be my first year hunting whitetails with a bow. I'll be hunting primarily in south texas near the border for does, hogs and of course, big south texas bucks! I've been rifle hunting for all animals rigorously since the age of 5, but this year will be my first year ever hunting with a bow. I like the challenge it presents rather than taking a 200 yard shot, and I am looking forward to learning different methods and skills required to make a close-range kill. What I wanted to ask is... What are some importants tips and tricks required to hunt whitetails with a bow? At the land I'll be hunting on, we have box blinds on roads with feeders for the rifle hunters, but our bow blinds are limited: one platform above a feeder near a lake and one stand near another feeder in a sort of opening in a tree grove. I have wind indicator and scent cover already from rattling for bucks, but what is some required gear, tips and knowledge in order to make the big kill?!
Every person on here will agree that the most important part of bowhunting is practice. You must Practice alot make sure your equipment is ready. Practice shooting different angles and different positions. You cant kill if you cant hit anything. You really do not need alot of stuff to bowhunt, I think alot of us get carried away in purchasing far too much stuff(myself included) but good sent blocker, cover sents, or attracting sents are some things that have proven there worth in the field. Sharp broadheads and straight arrows. shoot straight and KILL. One more piece of advise, close the distance, if you shoot them from a stand at 100 yards with a rifle that isnt going to happen with a bow. Find out where there moving and get close. Again, Practice and see how far you can shoot accuratly, don't exceed that limit in the woods or you will likely injure a deer rather than kill one. Best wishes
Thanks for the advice! I appreciate it. I shoot on a daily basis in my backyard, and on the weekends I go to a range where they have normal targets as well as 3-D targets. I've already improved substantially and am dead accurate at 20-25 yards. Now I'm beginning to work on different shots from different angles as well as farther distances. It takes a lot of work to correctly sight in your pins I have found out! So excited for Archery Deer season to start this weekend in Texas!
Investing in a camera would definetly be wise so you know what is out there. Your hunting area is very large and you need to narrow your search for the animal you are after...Scout Camera.....for sure! What he is refering to on the existing stands are far too high.... the angle your arrow hits the animal is to great. A ground blind would also be a good investment as it will be easy to move to different locations. Then its all on what you put in for time! Where at in Texas?.... I used to live in a little town called Ricardo, Tx. south of Kingsville. (King Ranch) If you have a questions on your quest do a search for that subject....here...camera..blinds..techniques etc. Tons of information already exists on many things you may want to know! Water holes would probably be good spots also! Good Luck I used to think I was a Ninja Warrior Butt Now I'm just one of the .......but I never get tired! Sheep! Keep in touch! Let us know how you do!!!!!
Do everything slow... even be slow being slow. Let your eyes pull your head around, dont jerk your head to look. think like a ninja. and practice practice practice. Humans have been killing for a long time without all the bells and whistles, with sharp pointy sticks no less. Dont buy into the hype. good stand placement, play the wind, practice your art, stay calm. And invite me to South Texas !
@SilentSling Thanks for the tips. I forgot to mention in my first post that we have 6 or 7 cameras on the feeders on our land, and we have been getting pictures from every camera on a weekly basis since july. Lots of good bucks out there, we're going to have an excellent year. I've been looking into buying a ground blind, but for now all I have are those two stands. It will be difficult I know, but what I'm going to do is take my block down there and start practicing shooting from up in the stand down to the block. Hopefully that will help me adjust my aim for the different angles from being higher than the deer. Also, we are in the Uvalde area in south texas
