Bow hunting large animals - is it ethical?

firehuntfish said:
Ado,

Just as you recognize the different capabilities of the various rifle calibers, you must realize the same goes for archery equipment. All bows/arrows/broadheads are not the same and different set-ups are capable performing different jobs for different game animals.

From your above comment I believe that you are assuming all bows are the equivalent of a .270 caliber rifle or less...? That's absolutely not the case...

Are brain shots an option on an elephant with archery gear? No... However, an 1,100 grn arrow/broadhead from the proper set up, placed just behind the crease of the front leg will bury up to the fletching and easily take out the heart and usually both lungs. It's a very ethical shot and the same goes for hippos, cape buffalo, etc..
Click to expand...
Yes - I am fairly ignorant of the power of bow hunting - guess that is what spawned the thread.

I am stunned that a bow can take out an elephant - particularly as the rifle hunters quiver at the thought of a 300gr 375H&H!

Thanks for the responses all...

Ado
 
There are major differences on how an arrow kills vs a bullet. An arrow kills mainly by hemorrhage while a bullet causes shock and force. Think of an arrow like an axe, it splits with little impact serface. A bullet mushrooms (generally speaking) needing more energy to penetrate.
 
Yes, it is ethical. Hunting elephant with a bow? I have guided one with a bow, to be truthful I don't know if I agree with it or not! The shot placement is vital, the distance is vital. Basically you got the soft skin behind the front leg, not easy to get the target. Because of the distance, you putting yourself close enough for a charge. Twice I nearly had to shoot a charging elephant. I think the reason I am not fully with hunting elephant with a bow, is because of the chance that you might have to shoot a charging elephant, yes it can also happen with a rifle, but with a bow you really pushing the limits.
 
Is it ethical to hunt Big 5 with a bow?
Yes and no.

First of all when it comes to all sorts of hunting, with bow or gun, you need to be skilled enough with your choice of weapon to hit where you need to hit.
Then you need to know when is the best time to fire the shot or release the arrow.

Then it comes down to having the right tool for the job, both when it comes to bow or gun.
You don't want to hunt a elephant with a 243 and a 70 grain bullet and you don't want to hunt one with a 50 lbs bow and a 300 grain arrow.
You need to go bigger and heavier.
And you need to use the right ammo/bullet and arrow/broadhead for the job.

Then comes the big question.
Are you still able to be accurate enough with the big gun or heavy bow needed for such a critter?
If you are, then they both will kill the animal quickly and it is ethical in my opinion.

Some people should never hunt with a gun bigger than a 30-06 and they should stay away from hunting any of the Big 5.
Many people are not able to draw and/or shoot well with a 80 lbs and heavier bow and they should also stay away from hunting any of the Big 5.
If they still decide to do so, is it unethical in my opinion.
 
Norwegianwoods, can't see lumping all the big five together as you say, the difference between a 180 # leopard and a elephant just doesn't compute, you don't need the same equipment.
 
I agree with that :)
For some reason I don't consider the Leopard to be a Big 5 even if it is :)
You don't need a very heavy bow or large caliber for Lion either.
But you need it for Elephant, Rhino, Hippo and Buffalo.
 
Hank2211 said:
... self-imposed limits rather than ethics ...
Click to expand...

Simple but VERY useful clarification in terminology!

I really like the question what are our collective and individual self-imposed limits on hunting large AND dangerous game with archery and crossbows.
 
now im not a bow hunter so i dont have as much of a say in this as many here but...

i consider the bow as acceptable for large game but im not sure i agree with those saying its acceptable to hunt dangerous game with them. im not trying to pick a fight here but i would NEVER hunt a dangerous game species with a weapon that was not suitable to stop a charge from that animal. while most of the time animals will not charge a hunter you do run the risk of having to defend yourself from that animal or we wouldnt call it "dangerous game". i dont like the idea of completely relying on your PH to protect you from your prey.

now i admit to being ignorant when it comes to bows. while i could see a heavy bow possibly stopping a cat. is there a bow capable of stopping an attack from a buffalo or an elephant?

-matt
 
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Matt85
now im not a bow hunter so i dont have as much of a say in this as many here but i consider the bow as acceptable for large game but im not sure i agree with those saying its acceptable to hunt dangerous game with them.

im not trying to pick a fight here

now i admit to being ignorant when it comes to bows.

Looks like you are throwing out a bunch of negatives. Why say anything at all then!
Tom
 
bhfs300, your answer was even more pointless then my question. welcome to my ignore list.

-matt
 
Because we're sharing our opinions here in a friendly and cordial manner :D :eek: ;)
Sorry, couldn't resist being a smart ass.
Here's mine. I believe it can be perfectly ethical, bowhunting large animals. A broadhead through the heart is every bit as lethal as a bullet through the heart. Probably not much difference.
In fact, I would argue that shooting a large animal like a giraffe or elephant with a proper bow set up at an acceptably close range may be every bit as ethical as what proponents of "long range" hunting suggest is ethical.
Once again, just my opinion. I happen to love long range shooting and I do a lot of it. Both for fun and competitively. But I see stuff on tv and DVD that makes me shake my head. I would sooner hunt a large animal with a bow than shoot an elk at 900 yards. And I happen to feel I'm a pretty competent long range shooter.
Not trying to start a fight over long range hunting, or be divisive, just stating an opinion.
 
A bow is not a charge stopper, but it kills the intended animal very quickly if a bow setup suited for that animal is used and the arrow is placed where it should be.

When it comes to stopping charges in general I would think that the PH is the one that most of the time stops the charge and not so much the hunting client.
Even if the latter fires a shot or two in the animals direction during the charge :)
It is also my impression that the large majority of charges are done by wounded animals and that indicates that the client most likely is not the best suited to hit a charging animal in the right spot anyway.
 
Norwegianwoods said:
When it comes to stopping charges in general I would think that the PH is the one that most of the time stops the charge and not so much the hunting client.
Even if the latter fires a shot or two in the animals direction during the charge :)
It is also my impression that the large majority of charges are done by wounded animals and that indicates that the client most likely is not the best suited to hit a charging animal in the right spot anyway.
Click to expand...

I completely agree, but I believe the hunter should at least have some kind of chance of stopping a charge. PH's are human too and will not always be able to stop a charge. if only one of the two armed parties is equipped to stop a charge and he fails to do so then what happens? I suppose if your going to use a bow on something like a cape buffalo or elephant you could have two PH's covering you in order to increase the chances of stopping a charge. long gone are the days of "gun bearers" but using a bow with a brave gun bearer carrying a 450 or 470 right next to you would seem like another viable solution.

back to my question, It may have been a stupid question but I was serious. is there a bow/arrow combination powerful enough to make head shots on large game? I would think a very powerful bow with a specialized arrow would be able to punch threw a decent sized skull at close range. im thinking of something like the arrow equivalent of a "solid". again, the question may be stupid but I really don't know squat about bows.

-matt
 
There is a lot of talk about bow setup, and that a bow cannot stop a charge.

This thit like saying a 30-06 can kill an elephant, and rely on the PH to stop a charge?

What am I missing? It sounds like a bow is worth a solid 200gr from a 30-06?

Ado
 
A bow has no "knock down" power. A arrow and broad head was designed to cause death by blood loss,cutting arteries and piercing lungs and other vital organs.
I am sure head shots have been taken at soft skin game with a bow and worked,on DG the skulls are far thicker and better protected. Screw a 500gr solid onto a arrow and see how it does as far as penetration goes,you would be lucky to kill a bird. Can't compare bullets with arrows,two tools working on completely different principles.
 
First off. I have respect for the bow hunters out there. The reward in taking any game with a bow is "twice the reward" as I consider it twice as difficult to bag whatever game you are after than the rifle hunter.

That said, in the case of any Dangerous Game I believe the PH,Trackers, Trophy Fees etc should also receive "twice the reward". Meaning that if you want to hunt Elephant with a bow you should be willing to pay twice as much as the rifle hunter because the level of danger and the work is twice as hard.

Now, I am sure I will get some sort of backlash from this stance so let's here it gentlemen. :V Sword Fight:

R.
 
Redruff, if you get any backlash I'm quite certain it won't be from the PH's out there! ;) :D
 
or the outfitters
then agian the way the aussie dollar has plummeted , we near are paying twice as much
 
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