Bow Hunting

Bow hunting is the practice of taking game animals by bow.

Bow Hunting Technique

In contrast to a rifle hunter, who may shoot effectively from ranges in excess of 200 yards (about 180 meters), bow hunters will usually restrict shots to 45 yards or less (typically at 20-25 yards), depending on factors such as individual ability, the target animal, draw weight etc. Hunters restrict their shooting range in order to ensure quick kills. Because bow hunters must be much closer to their target animal, bow hunting is a unique experience, with special attention paid to the animal’s sense of smell, hearing and sight. This limit on effective range and greater degree of hunter-prey interaction create an intimacy that some hunters find very attractive.

Bow hunting for fish is appropriately called bow fishing. Many variations on standard bow equipment including the addition of a line attached to either a spool or a reel as well as a specially designed arrow make bow fishing effective. Bow hunters need to take into account the refraction angle of their target when releasing their arrow making sure to aim below their target's apparent position as the water gives a false indication of the actual position of the fish.

Today, compound bows are usually preferred for bow hunting, although recurve bows are not uncommon and usually legal. Longbows are usually quieter than more modern types, and are often used by those who want to make the bow hunting experience as traditional as possible. Crossbows are often permitted for disabled hunters because the shooter does not have to hold back any of the draw weight of the bow.

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Technical Aspect of Bow Hunting

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Bow Hunting Legal and cultural considerations

Legal and cultural differences must be taken into consideration by the bow hunter. Bow hunting often has different season and game restrictions than does firearm hunting, and they differ significantly between countries, and even between states/provinces. Bow hunting is illegal in some nations including Ireland and the United Kingdom. Some people consider bow hunting inhumane. For others, bow hunting represents a humane way of controlling animal numbers, ensuring continuing financial interest in the maintenance of healthy wild populations and habitat, and bringing urbanized humans to understand the natural world.

Bow Hunting in North America

In North America, as with other hunting methods, bow hunting is regulated by individual provinces and states. Regulations often address issues such as where (hunting unit), when (season) and what type (male/female) of individual animal species may be taken. In many cases, a special bow hunting season is set aside, to minimize interference from rifle hunters. In addition, in an effort to maximize game recovery and shot lethality, there are often technical regulations, such as a minimum draw weight for the bow hunting of big game species.

Game hunted by bow hunters includes all of the North American small and big game species. Generally in North America, bow hunting season "Bow Hunting Season" occurs either several months preceding or following the "Gun Season" for the same species.

In 1819, several states allowed able-bodied hunters to use crossbows, a move that has been very controversial among bow hunters due the operational similarities between crossbows and guns. Some states restrict crossbows to special bow hunting seasons.

Bow Hunting in Europe

Some European countries consider bow hunting unnecessarily cruel to animals and prohibit the sport. Bow hunting, like target archery, was revived in Britain during the Victorian era but has long since been banned. France, Lithuania, and Finland have reintroduced bow hunting since 2000. Several other European countries are considering its reintroduction.