Starting bowhunting?

[SAFalconer]

I'm really keen to start bowhunting but don't know where to start. Can anyone here offer any advice for a beginner? The only hunting experience I have is with my African Goshawk catching Indian Mynahs. Thanks in advance.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Since you are in SA. This will be the first place I can suggest you to get some direct instruction.

SABA Committee

 

[Norwegianwoods]

Great advice from BRICKBURN.

Also, don't go and buy a cheapo set in a non pro shop.
You need to make sure that you buy a bow that fits you perfectly.

It doesn't need to be one of the most expensive models, but you need someone that really knows what he/she is doing to help you find the right bow and set it up correctly for you.

To get someone to help you in the start to learn the correct way to shoot your bow is also of great value.

Then it is practice, practice and more practice. Then you can start to consider where, what and how you want to hunt with your bow.

It is a great experience and VERY addictive

 

[BRICKBURN]

You may also want to PM INGOZI. He has picked up a Bow once of twice in RSA.

 

[billc]

buy the best bow you can afford and make sure to use a good rest also.Get yourself a dozen easton fmj arrows to start.

The best advice I could give is dont shoot a bow you cant pull back with ease target shooting.Plus practice practice is the best way to get good at it.Shoot every day or every other if you can even if it is only a few shoots each day.Start at 10yds and work back from there.

 

[SAFalconer]

Thanks for the info guys

 

[Primo661]

I haven't had the chance to bow hunt yet but I am slightly further along the curve than you are but there are a few things that helped me and maybe they will help you too? The first time I shot a bow, I shot a family members 80lb draw compound and being lightly built man that I am, it taught me the hard way, very quickly that heavier is bad. Do not go too heavy, resist the urge at all costs. A 60lb bow is more than enough for most plains game and even that will likely be too heavy, and although the idea of being able to shoot a buff is great, you're probably not going to get the chance with your first bow.
Like was mentioned above, get your bow set up properly by someone who has a good reputation in the field. Corrent draw length is key.
Get someone who knows what they are doing to teach you the basics of shooting form, preferably over a few days or weeks so they can keep bad habits in check - it will make the difference between shooting 10 shot groups the size of an orange at 20m on your first day and losing all hope and confidence because you're making an elementary error that you don't know you are making.
Practice practice and more practice is key. Don't just stand there and shoot until you can't draw the bow anymore as your form and confidence will start to suffer long before this stage. Focus on form for each shot and focus on consistency between shots. Don't shoot too much on any given day, remember a fresh body and mind will always shoot better and learn faster than a tired frustrated one that has been firing all afternoon without a break.

Good luck!!

 

[G Skinner]

As has been previously mentioned go to a pro shop and find the bow that fits and feels right . Then practice ,practice and practice ,when you think you are good practice some more ! I also believe and not sure of the other countries but in Namibia you have to beable to shoot a 65 lb bow with a 450 grain arrow for your larger plains game ie: Kudu , Gemsbok , Eland Ect .
GOOD LUCK and PLAY SAFE
Glen

 

[Wynand Rohde]

Plenty pro shops in SA, and listen to above advice, I bought a Diamond Infinite edge because off my impations to save 2 months longer for a beter bow, I have regular timing problems.

 

[Sable123]

3D bow shoots!! Your local bow hunting shops or organisations usually offer these fantastic opportunities. its a great day out, you meet keen bow hunters, test yourself and get in some great practice. 3D bow shoots are about as close as your gonna get to actually hunting the real deal. Oh and one piece of advice to anyone looking to buy a bow for the first time....If you in the shop and you dry fire a bow (pull the string back and release without an arrow in it) YOU JUST BOUGHT IT! Iv unfortunately seen this happen to someone clueless about bow hunting and left with a bow costing a couple of thousand and broken!

 

[ArmyGrunt]

I've heard for years that dry firing is a bad thing. It obviously causes problems, and as Sable123 posted it damages the weapon. Does anyone have a simple "dumbed down" explanation for why the bow comes apart with no load? Is the energy transfer to the arrow's flight really THAT substantial, and do you get similar problems from shooting arrows too light? This idea has always kind of intrigued me, but I've never thought about it when near someone who knows.

 

[Sable123]

It really does alot of damage. That energy is what gives the arrow its flight, speed and power. If you think about it most arrows travel at a speed of more than 250 feet per second, thats fast and requires alot of energy to be achieved. You hit a golf ball with a club, the energy generated fom your swing transfers into the ball and it goes flying (In my case the ball doesn't go straight) you swing that same club into something solid like a wall, the energy doesn't get transfered and the club shatters. Its fairly similar to the bow. If you shoot a lighter arrow, it simply goes further and faster!

 

[ArmyGrunt]

Thanks! Might make for a cool slow motion video to shatter a golf club on a wall. I might need to check with my friend, Mr YouTube...

 

[Norwegianwoods]

If you shoot a very light arrow for your bow, you very much can experience that your bow derails and cams, cables, string and other parts can break or bend.
The arrow can also break and if you are unlucky, you can impale your hand/arm with carbon splinters and back end of arrow.

So shooting a very light arrow for your bow is something you by all means should avoid.