First Timer

[kazpilot25]

So I finally shot my new bow this weekend, which was also my first time ever shooting a bow. All I can say is I'm hooked! It's a blast.

 

Can't wait to try my luck in January.

 

Any pointers for a first time Archery hunter?

[BowNut]

Keep shooting. A lot! That's not a lot of time. And I would limit your shots to what you feel your skill level is to make an ethical shot. What ever it may be.

[Codywhi]

Shot everyday even in the off season....even if ucan only shoot 10 yards in ur backyard.... learn your limits and never push them in the field. Getting a buck in bow range is one thing getting an arrow in him is another... oh yea and buy to pig tags....

[Scooter]

Shoot more 3D or walk-through courses with all of your camo and gear in place... Really make an effort to focus on the little things that standing/static practice cannot teach you.

 

1. Develop your sequence of quietly stalking up, quietly and gracefully getting into a solid shooting position whether it be sitting on a chair/the ground, kneeling, or crouched down.

 

2. Practice using your rangefinder and/or binos then transitioning to the bow and knocking an arrow and connecting your release.

 

3. Work on slowly drawing your bow and limiting the amount of movement it takes to come to full draw.

 

4. If you plan on hunting from a blind- shoot from the blind in the same chair.

 

5. Shoot steep uphill and downhill angles and get familiar with what high wind does to arrow flight. (these details alone alone have been my downfall on completely missing 4 bucks since 2011)

 

 

That's all I can think of right now. As you get closer to the hunting season, put more of your practice into bow "hunting" rather than bow "shooting".

[kazpilot25]

Shoot more 3D or walk-through courses with all of your camo and gear in place... Really make an effort to focus on the little things that standing/static practice cannot teach you.

 

1. Develop your sequence of quietly stalking up, quietly and gracefully getting into a solid shooting position whether it be sitting on a chair/the ground, kneeling, or crouched down.

 

2. Practice using your rangefinder and/or binos then transitioning to the bow and knocking an arrow and connecting your release.

 

3. Work on slowly drawing your bow and limiting the amount of movement it takes to come to full draw.

 

4. If you plan on hunting from a blind- shoot from the blind in the same chair.

 

5. Shoot steep uphill and downhill angles and get familiar with what high wind does to arrow flight. (these details alone alone have been my downfall on completely missing 4 bucks since 2011)

 

 

That's all I can think of right now. As you get closer to the hunting season, put more of your practice into bow "hunting" rather than bow "shooting".

 

All great ideas. Thanks for the pointers. I'm quickly realizing this is a totally different ball game than rifle hunting.

[capoeirajosh]

+1 Scooter

[Scooter]

Oh my gosh... I forgot to include broadhead tuning. Gotta shoot your broadheads and figure out whether to move your pins or tune your rest.

[PRDATR]

Go to an Archery Shop and have them observe your form when you shoot before you pick any bad habits. I know it is tempting but try not to sneak in closer than 15-20 yards as they can sometimes hear you breathing and hear the bow as you draw it back. Never walk with an arrow nocked because it you loose your footing you could potentially fall on the broad head, happened to me.

[coatimundi01]

Good tips scooter! I'm in the same boat as the OP as this is my first season trying to kill anything with a bow. I'm at the broadhead tuning phase and having a bit of trouble. I finally bought a cheapo black hole target so now I can sling a few everyday at 10-15 yards in the back yard. 20-whatever if I head to my mom's place and set up in the alley!

[Scooter]

You really want to tune broadheads at 30yds. I have found that if you can get one to fly perfect at 30, the arrow is stable enough for the longer ranges without having to tune much else. The only reason I personally shoot a few at 40-60 is to see if I'm getting any excessive drop in elevation due to resistance. Broadhead tuning is where things can get expensive. It is a necessary evil though- you may have had your mind set on what broadheads to choose... but your bow and/or arrows may not "like" the head. Especially with 2" Blazer or equivalent vanes. I haven't had a whole lot of trouble when using 3"-4" feathers and 4" vanes set on a 3 degree helical- but you have to give up a little speed and noise.

[coatimundi01]

I'll give it a shot maybe tomorrow. It's a little windy today and I want to eliminate variables in this. I don't plan on shooting at anything living past 40 yards or so, should I still BH tune at 30yd. I assume to give the arrow time to react and really see what it's doing?

 

At 50 yd I feel like a medieval archer aiming in the air and then waiting for the arrow to hit. It's kind of cool though. I can usually get all of them in the circle though, just 40 is about where the groups start getting too big for shot placement on an animal.

[trphyhntr]

I'll give it a shot maybe tomorrow. It's a little windy today and I want to eliminate variables in this. I don't plan on shooting at anything living past 40 yards or so, should I still BH tune at 30yd. I assume to give the arrow time to react and really see what it's doing?

 

At 50 yd I feel like a medieval archer aiming in the air and then waiting for the arrow to hit. It's kind of cool though. I can usually get all of them in the circle though, just 40 is about where the groups start getting too big for shot placement on an animal.

how do you get 40yds from them?

[coatimundi01]

I haven't tried yet... Lol.

 

Wear all grey and slather in synth doe piss... Don't let them get too close though, they might get a little frisky...

[Coues Kid]

/>I haven't tried yet... Lol.

 

Wear all grey and slather in synth doe piss... Don't let them get too close though, they might get a little frisky...

 

 

Let me have the video camera ready so when that buck smells you I can get it on tape haha.

[dieselroe]

Shoot Ulmer Edge mechanicals.