Are you an experienced rifle hunter who is ready for a new challenge? It’s time to think about bow hunting. This can take your hunting skills up a notch to make bagging that game a little more interesting.
There are many reasons that people bow hunt over using a regular rifle or shotgun. You actually don’t have to choose, it’s perfectly fine to switch back and forth between the two depending on the terrain and what you are trying to go after.
Let’s look at some of the details of bow hunting that will get you excited to try your skills at archery out in the wild on your next big hunt.
Types of Bows to Choose From for Hunting
There are four basic types of bows to choose from if you are going to go hunting. Those are the traditional bows, recurve bow, compound, and crossbow.
The traditional bow is the most challenging, because it’s the most basic. This is the “longbow” you probably used as part of an archery lesson in gym class growing up. When taking this out for a hunt, it’s mainly going to be used to nab small game.
The recurve bow is the one that is used during competitive archery like in the Olympics, but some people enjoy using it for hunting as well. The unique design allows you to shoot an arrow pretty far from this type of bow. Another benefit is that this bow is easy to use, quiet, and lightweight.
A compound bow is a little more complex, with different parts that help you shoot. You can easily shoot deer and other larger animals with this type of bow. There is a pulley system as well that makes it require less arm strength to shoot, but delivers more force. Sight pins can also be added to a compound bow which will allow you to aim for far off targets better.
Finally, there is the crossbow. This weapon is very different from all other bows, because the firing mechanism makes it similar to how a gun is actually fired. It has a trigger that projects the string and arrow in a simultaneous motion. You can get a lot of force and accuracy with a crossbow. They are quiet and can take down a larger animal with ease.
Some Key Differences Between Rifle and Bow Hunting
Hunting with any kind of bow is going to be a more physical experience. You do have to be more accurate with shooting when you are going hunting with a bow. Take the time to practice with the bow you have on a shooting-range with different types of targets.
Another benefit to archery hunting is that usually it’s open before rifle hunting season. You’ll get a chance to get out there in the woods sooner to test out your new skills.
Ultimately once you become more accustomed to bow hunting, you may find that you prefer it over rifle hunting for the sheer unique challenge of the sport.
