NOT a gun/ammo post - bow hunting advice needed

[cisco]

I was a bit psyched about taking the bow out later this week for the first time.....until while helping a local service organization with their booth at a county fair, one of the best hunters I know shared that on his first bow hunt he'd missed a large buck with 2 successive shots (must have been rut or the deer was deaf) at 15 yards. Yee gags, this could be really humiliating.
Anyhow, I appreciate the advice given. I do use the practice broadhead (a Rage) about every 5th shot, and it only hits about 2 inches lower than the practice tips at 25 yards. I had not anticipated a deer flinching when the bow string snaps against the cushion (it ain't loud), but then again there are probably many things I'm probably gonna learn the hard way. So, I'll now aim (where the arrow hits is another matter.....) about 2-3 inches in front of where I want the arrow to enter (and I do know deer anatomy - do my own deer processing).
As to holding the bow "locked and loaded" from when I first see the deer - that ain't going to last more than a few minutes (tried it today), so I'll probably hold off on the maneuver for awhile.
Seems I'm going to need to stay put in the stand for a half hour after shooting, assuming I actually see/hear the arrow hit the deer. What does one do for that time - guess I'll stuff a few beers into my rucksack.....just kidding (maybe).
When I head into the woods/briars/bog (what fun) to track a deer I assume that I ditch the bow and carry a 357 or similar - or are the TexasBowHunters true purists? Again, just kidding, and I think I'll join that organization IF it accepts "bi-hunters" (no sexual connotation!), i.e., one who uses both gun and bow, which I'll need to be until I develop decent bow skills - the alternative being a vegetarian diet.

 

[/pine]

First you should be able to consistently hit a regular paper plate at 35-40 yards...

You will rarely if ever get a good shot if a deer has winded you...always carry something that will expose the slightest movement of air on calm days...a puffer bottle with chalk dust works or a down feather on a silk thread etc...etc...don't use dryer sheets etc. when you wash your gear...store them in a box with some pine cones etc...

Deer will almost always "slouch down" when they hear the arrow coming (and they will hear it)...so aim at the bottom of the target point...or lowest point of the kill zone on broadside shots...

Good luck...

It's "primitive weapons" week here...that means anything goes...including spears...! (reg gun season opens Sat.)

 

[nybirdman]

You must remember; a fast bow is 300fps,most are less.My new bow IBO rating is 340fps.but my set-up at 50#,28.5in.draw and 420gr.arrow is 260fps.Deer can react to the sound but not always.
My state doesn't allow firearms carry during bow season,yours may.If a second shot is required the bow is capable.
I hunt bow,muzzle-loader and rifle during the season,so I guess I am not a purist.Our muzzle-loader opens Saturday and that's what I will be using.

 

[tractorshopper]

A few lessons learned:

Always knock a second arrow, even if you miss with first shot. I dropped an arrow one time trying to knock it shortly after getting in my stand and it tinked on every branch of my tree all the way down. Buck heard it and took off. I didn't knock another arrow as I was languishing in my sorrow for a blown opportunity. Buck was confused about all this and came back perfect broadside at 30 yards and there I sat with no 2nd arrow knocked and missed my window.

If you can afford scent free type clothing - buy it. Bowhunting is close range, so any advantage you can gain will pay off. If you can't afford it, try buying some Carbon Synergy and either dip your clothes in the mix and let hang dry or spray it on your clothes.

A long time ago when I started shooting, an experienced bow hunter told me to go practice daily or so, but only shoot a few arrows each time, no more than 5. As you're building your bow draw muscle, this is a great tip. If you practice too long, your arrows will be all over the place and you'll want to change your sight settings and then never figure out where your sights should really be. I speak from experience on this one. That advise was very good. You'll also gain confidence by being fresh each time you shoot.

And the best thing I ever did was buy a drop away arrow rest. It was expensive but worth every penny. Made me a much more consistent shooter by eliminating any torque or hand twist after the release. I have a trophy ridge drop zone. Whisker biscuits are awesome for holding your arrow in place and all, but any hand torque and your shot will miss the mark. Drop aways are best IMO, especially for a beginner.

Also, check your field point weight. Your arrows should not be 2" off between your "practice tips" (field points) and broadheads at only 20-25 yards. I use Muzzy 100 grain broadheads and may switch to the Rage, but I have so many Muzzy's to work through first. My field points need to be the same weight. They make various weights and this will throw you off. A lot of shops have 85, 100, 125 grain field points and maybe even others. I had to make sure I bought them at the proper weight.

As others stated about string-jump with deer, I aim for lower 3rd of vitals. That way if a deer starts to drop, my arrow will still be in lethal area. Also need to think of the deer in 3D sense when practicing and shooting from a stand. Your arrow will continue on a downward path through the target and you need to take this into account when deciding where to aim and still get the vitals as the arrow passes through. If deer is right under you, you may need to shoot high on the ribs to catch heart and lungs as the arrow goes through.

I've been doing this a long time and find it very challenging and rewarding. I'm still learning. I bowhunt almost all season and if I still haven't got anything come December, I start carrying my rifle.