Bow Hunting 101 (For Beginners)

[deleted___account]

In this thread............We talk about what a person needs to get into Bow Hunting. Where does a beginner start? What does a beginner need for proper gear? What are the parts of the bow and what do they do? What kind of arrows does a person get? How do you know if the bow is the right size? What kind should a person get? This should be a good informational thread to help get people started in this particular sport. So.........How does a person get into this, without breaking out a crap ton o money?

 

[Kickemup]

Good luck getting into it will out a couple grand sitting around just a new bow sites arrows and other accessories sitting around it is tough. There Is a reason I'm shooting a 6 year old bow.

 

[deleted___account]

What's a good brand to look for in a bow? Or better yet, what should a person avoid so they don't go to the store and light a bunch of hundos on fire and buy garbage? Arrows? Somebody put a set together so people like me, (there's others on the site, just too shy to ask) don't get stuck with junk? You get what ya pay for, I know. Just don't know if there's certain brands to avoid. Sure I could go looking around on the internet and find the answer, but I'd rather take your guys word for it.

 

[DirtyMike]

Easton axis or fmj arrows. Next question, 701

 

[Petras]

701, if your looking to get setup right in a good bow, take a trip to Williston if you have time. There's a guy out there by the name of Todd Strasburg. He runs an archery shop(Pulse Outdoors) out of his back shop and he deals in Elite bows. This guy is awesome when it comes to setting up a bow for a guy.... I recently went to him to have my bow restrung and in less than an hour of tuning he had my 6 year old bow shooting better than it did the day I bought it. He was a Pro shooter for Matthews for many years before he made the switch to Elite bows. This guys knows his shit when it comes to archery. Next year I plan on making the switch from my Hoyt to an Elite and he will be getting my business.

 

[NDwalleyes]

Please don't complicate archery hunting.

Archery and archery equipment is one of the most marketed sports gear out there. If your bow doesn't shoot 300 fps you wont kill anything. If you don't buy these arrows.....these broad heads....have these clothes. Well then your never going to get a deer, elk or moose. BS!

Guys have been shooting deer with bows for longer than any of us have been alive. They used fixed blade broad heads with wood or aluminum arrows shot off noisy slow shooting bows. Ever hunt with a re-curve? I shoot a 6 year old bow using Scheels carbon arrows and Montac broadheads. Nothing fancy. I generally take a deer each and every year also.

My belief is this is the best hunting sport and every sportsman should at least try bow hunting. It's simple, relaxing, the weather is nice. Buying used equipment you can easily get into the sport for $500. I'm sure there are thousands of 5 year old bows lying in guys basements that they would let you borrow for a season. Don't worry about looking good or shooting a cool bow. Just learn how to shoot your bow accurately.... and then go out and enjoy the sport. Don't complicate it.

 

[Buckmaster]

Don't buy a new bow. There are all kinds of top of the line bows that people are selling to get the next best thing $350 will get you set up with bow sight rest. You will need to get some arrows and a release and a target. Make sure to get a now that you can set to the correct draw length. There is a formula for draw length to get you real close. Have some one help you place your back against the wall and put your arms out parallel to the ground. Have some one measure your wing span. Then take that number and divide by 2.5 and you should be real close to what you need for draw length.

 

[KDM]

For anyone looking to start out, I've got a PSE Pulsar that killed a deer every year for many many many years that someone can have for free. It's a good solid bow. No frills, just a good 20 yard hunting bow. About a 50 lb pull or so. Give'er a checkup at a bow shop and you should be good to go. Could throw in a half dozen or so aluminum arrows that are full length. If nobody wants it, I'll probably take it to the charity store in town. Maybe they can get a few bucks for it.

 

[Account Deleted]

701, no one makes "bad" bows these days. They would never stay in business. The easiest way for you may be to buy the cheaper line from one of the big companies. I am most familiar with Bowtechs and Diamonds. Diamonds and cheaper Bowtechs come with the RAK package. The arrow rest is junk but the rest of it is good.

 

[WormWiggler]

I have often heard that a Mission Craze is a good starter bow. I believe it is very adjustable, and can be used by adults. Why would someone want to move away from this bow. Both my kids have one, and I have been watching for one for myself.

 

[dean nelson]

Didn't read all the post so this may have been said before. But the first thing you should do is go into a good bow shop and get all your measurements. Tell them what you are want to go after and what they would suggest. Make sure when you do this they know your in the looking and learning faze and not the buy. Then if possible hit another shop and compare the two.

 

[deleted___account]

Good info guys. Didn't really want to get ripped off ya know. And dropping $800 on a bow for a beginner sounds stupid to me, think I might pick up a used one after I figure out the whole measurement stuff. Gunna get a ground blind setup and go that route. Already have a spot on private land where they are already coming in so no need to worry bout being late. Waiting for it to cool down a bit more. Something tells me this shits gunna be fun.

 

[DirtyMike]

Be sure to practice while sitting in the chair you'll be using in the blind.

 

[Kentucky Windage]

Good info guys. Didn't really want to get ripped off ya know. And dropping $800 on a bow for a beginner sounds stupid to me, think I might pick up a used one after I figure out the whole measurement stuff. Gunna get a ground blind setup and go that route. Already have a spot on private land where they are already coming in so no need to worry bout being late. Waiting for it to cool down a bit more. Something tells me this shits gunna be fun.

Set up your ground blind and leave it alone for a while. Let the deer get used to it.

 

[Petras]

701 there are quite a few bows on bismanonline.com right now. good prices on them too

 

[muzzyhunter]

If buying a bow for the first time, I would suggest buying one with a fair draw length adjustment, either in the cam or with modules.New archers tend to tweek thier style the first few years, release style, string loop, no string loop, anchor point, ext.Short armed archers might decide to shoot thumb release anchored behind ear to increase draw, many other scenario's.
The bow to buy, is the one that feel's good in the hand, comfortable to draw, hold and shoot, not always the most expensive one on the shelf!

 

[Enslow]

Getting into the sport is easy. Buy a bow and some arrows and a tag. Enjoy the years we have now where you can still hunt every year cheaply. Just last year the NDGF attempted to restrict your right to bowhunt in ND. Enjoy the hunt and all of the other animals, birds, and insects while you are sitting.

 

[Deerwatcher]

For anyone looking to start out, I've got a PSE Pulsar that killed a deer every year for many many many years that someone can have for free. It's a good solid bow. No frills, just a good 20 yard hunting bow. About a 50 lb pull or so. Give'er a checkup at a bow shop and you should be good to go. Could throw in a half dozen or so aluminum arrows that are full length. If nobody wants it, I'll probably take it to the charity store in town. Maybe they can get a few bucks for it.

I am looking for a carp bow let me kno if you still have it

 

[bigbrad123]

I started out buying a used ready to shoot bow for $75, a used target from Craigslist for $20, and a $25 or $30 intro to bow class to learn proper technique. I've searched youtube and other online resources to figure a few things out and read good information on sites like this and archerytalk. My first year I went out onto the small plot of land and sat on a bucket behind a bunch of downed trees freezing my butt off. Never shot one, but saw some not too far away and was instantly hooked. The following year I got a cheap blind for my birthday. Sure, over the years I've purchased a nicer bow, better blind, nicer stands, trail cameras, etc. But....you CAN start cheap and still shoot a deer. Granted, there's a lot of stuff I still don't know, but I've killed a couple deer and am addicted to this great sport.

 

[dean nelson]

Try to practice as long of range as you can. If you can get to the point that you can make consistent groups at 60 yards you will find that suddenly the 20 and 30 yard shots will feel like chip shots.