A beginner is just a handful of equipment and a few weeks of practice away from enjoying the thrill of bow hunting, out there in the DEEP, DARK woods. So, this blog post will get you started with the basic equipments needed, but the practice and hard work is on you, and with the right amount of practice you can become just like the ARROW(Yeah, I am a fan too or wtf! you don’t watch Arrow).
STEP 1 – If you don’t watch Arrow, watch Arrow (just for fun).
The Bow
Now, who am I kidding, even a fool knows you need a bow for bow hunting (duh!), but there is lot to a bow apart from the limbs, the grip and the long string. As a beginner you should opt for a compound bow instead of the traditional long bow or recurve bow, as the former is easy to master.
After buying, you have to adjust the bow according to your comfort, for that you can take some professional help or you can take the easy way out, doing it yourself(pun intended). To things of high importance in a bow.
1. Draw length
You and your bow have a draw length, which is – The length of your arm span divided by 2.5. So, a longer person has a longer draw length and vice versa.
Compound bows unlike their counterparts can only be drawn up to the adjusted draw length, no more and you don’t shoot it from the middle. Remember, that is exactly what you do, draw it back up till the draw length(don’t worry, it gets stuck on reaching the draw length), aim and shoot.
2. Draw weight
Which is the maximum force required to draw a bow to the draw length.
Choosing a draw weight that uses ’75{44d5f3c0cbe1484525f62703005e0488698940916da0c476437feed1ea072408}’ of the maximum strength, is considered near perfect for beginners, choosing a one above that will leave your sore after a day of practice and a one below that will feel too light.
The Arrow
Choosing the right arrows are a crucial part of bow hunting as beginner, you don’t have to spend a fortune on good quality arrows till you are a seasoned archer, because you are gonna lose a lot, in the beginning.
There are mainly three types of arrows – Carbon, Aluminum and a hybrid of carbon cover with an aluminum core.
You should start with carbon arrows as they are quieter, tougher, faster and cheap if money is a concern. The one problem with carbon is that they develop splinter, which can hurt the archer, so check them every time you take a shot. Choose an arrow with the correct spine stiffness according to the draw length and weight of the bow.
The Broadhead
There are two main categories of broadheads: Mechanical and fixed blade. The difference being, the blades in the mechanical ones get deployed when they come in contact with the target(cool, right), and it more or less flies like a point.
This is the one thing that does all the dirty work- Piercing the flesh. So, choose it wisely.
The Release
Initially, choose a trigger-type release. The wrist strap makes it easier to draw the bow and gives a feeling of better control.
Choose the trigger-type release carefully, as some of them are too light and simply fall open as soon as the trigger is touched and keep your comfort in consideration too.
The Target
No, don’t go for hunting without practice, I know you won’t, but again – don’t go for hunting without practice. You need a few weeks of practice on a target, before you can try your hand at hunting.
The target comes in two categories: Canvas with material filled inside and foam type design.
The canvas with materials filled inside it, cannot stop an arrow with broadhead on top, for that you need a foam type design.
Green Hood The ones who watch Arrow will get it and the ones who don’t – Caught you!.