Bow hunting.

Vertisce · 07-02-2005, 06:27 AM

I'm thinking of taking up bow hunting. Hunting with guns just doesn't challenge me enough. I happen to be a real good marksman and hunting deer and pheasants with a gun is just too easy. I've been thinking of taking up archery to start bow hunting for deer and turkey but im not sure what kind or brand of bow and arrows I should be buying. Anybody out there bow hunt and maybe have some suggestions or websites I can look at?

FlyersFan2009 · 07-02-2005, 09:39 AM

I shoot a PSE Thunderflight bow and like it, however it shoots very slow compared to other bows yet it is still very accurate.

The only other bow I would shoot would be a Hoyt.

As far as arrows, check out some carbon Eastons. The only thing with carbon arrows is that you should lube the shafts before target shooting as they are a pain in the *** to pull out.

The is no comparision to bow hunting, I still very much enjoy rifle hunting but bow hunting is the best. You can climb a tree and sit in a stand and get 20-30 yards away from the deer. In Michigan during bow season you can go completely camo without any blaze orange during bow season which is also very nice.

Good luck.

Jon

SmithersGS · 07-02-2005, 12:07 PM

You people actually shoot stuff at the deer? I just get out there with a stick. You gotta be a bad sum***** to kill a deer with a stick.

phlex234 · 07-02-2005, 12:31 PM

i usually tear its head off with my bare hands and than eat it raw

jdub_cj · 07-02-2005, 02:26 PM

I understand what your saying, because a few years ago I was in the same boat.

I shoot a Browning Eclipse, I think it's a 2002 model. For arrows I just use aluminum Easton shafts and Muzzy broadheads. It takes a lot of practice, and even though you can hit the bullseye every time on a target, you should keep practicing because it is a whole diff. story with a deer out there. Anyway it is a lot harder because it is harder to get the game within shooting distance. It seems like the deer know where your limit is, and seem to stand about 10 yards outside of that. I was bad and after getting a bow, I hunted for 2 years with it a lot during the bow season, (which starts earlier than gun season in SC), but after that I got lazy and just started using the guns. What is really fun is bowfishing, I liked that a lot better than deer hunting. As for turkey's, good luck with that, make sure you have a good blind and are in the shade if you want to draw back.

Anyway, go to a local hunting forum and do some "web hunting" and ask some locals for tips on what they use. I got a lady who was a state champ. target shooter to help. And one last thing: don't worry too much about trying to get a higher drawweight, because I've heard stories of elk being killed with a 40 pound drawwieght.

FlyersFan2009 · 07-02-2005, 06:42 PM

Like Jdub said, you can hit a target all day long but it's a different story when you're in a tree stand and you see a deer you want to shoot.

First you have to stand up without making a lot of noise.

Second you have to draw your bow without making a lot of noise.

Third you have to judge the angle of your shot since you're not shooting straight at the target.

It really does take a lot of practice.

My bad about not recommending Browning, I forgot.

Jon

**wherndon** · 07-02-2005, 09:00 PM

I've a bum shoulder, so some years ago I got a special permit to use a crossbow.
Couple of years ago, Georgia changed the rules so that anyone can hunt with a crossbow.
I use a Barnett RC-300.
Deadly accurate.

cjb7804 · 07-02-2005, 09:28 PM

Anything made by Matthews especially the Matthews Solo-cam. The Outback or the LX is an awsome setup, also the Switchback is a very nice bow too. Can't get a better bow setup than what they offer. Go to a archery shop and most good shops will let you try a few bows to see what feels good to you, and get you the best bow for your price range.

Chuck2543 · 07-02-2005, 09:36 PM

Anyone know where I can get those explosive bolts that Rambo used in one of his movies?

I used to be a pretty big target shooter, just as a hobby. I've got a few friends that bow hunt, I coulden't stand still that long.

jdub_cj · 07-03-2005, 08:00 AM

yeah, from what I have mostly heard, PSC, Matthews, and Browning are the three big ones. Matthews can get pretty expensive though. Personally I like the solo cam as oppossed to the double cam, bc I have had friends with the double cam who's bows aren't accurate bc the cams aren't matched up correctly, making the string shake ever so slightly when shooting, but causing some inaccuracy in the shot. But if you can match them up right, then they are fine.

**LoneJeeper** · 07-03-2005, 08:21 AM

eh, find yourself a low-tech old school wooden recurve; it's fun instinctual shooting, and you can shoot *cheap* simple wooden arrows. It's more challenging than the pull it back pick a pin and pluck it method of high-tech hunters.

you could also try muzzleloading. in PA, muzzleloaders are few and far between, you can hunt on public land all day long and never see anyone. I really got into it when my college x-mas break gave me all season to hunt

It's the same way there, you can go high-tech inline or old school flintlock. I'd suggest flintlock. My old man uses a matchlock, but i don't have the patience for that.

anyway... good luck!

FlyersFan2009 · 07-03-2005, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneJeeper

eh, find yourself a low-tech old school wooden recurve; it's fun instinctual shooting, and you can shoot *cheap* simple wooden arrows. It's more challenging than the pull it back pick a pin and pluck it method of high-tech hunters.

you could also try muzzleloading. in PA, muzzleloaders are few and far between, you can hunt on public land all day long and never see anyone. I really got into it when my college x-mas break gave me all season to hunt

It's the same way there, you can go high-tech inline or old school flintlock. I'd suggest flintlock. My old man uses a matchlock, but i don't have the patience for that.

anyway... good luck!

Fred Bear was a recurve man

Nothing wrong with a recurve. Takes balls to shoot a brown bear or Grizzly with a recurve.

FlyersFan2009 · 07-03-2005, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdub_cj

yeah, from what I have mostly heard, PSC, Matthews, and Browning are the three big ones. Matthews can get pretty expensive though. Personally I like the solo cam as oppossed to the double cam, bc I have had friends with the double cam who's bows aren't accurate bc the cams aren't matched up correctly, making the string shake ever so slightly when shooting, but causing some inaccuracy in the shot. But if you can match them up right, then they are fine.

Don't leave Hoyt out. In my opinion they are the Cadillac of bows.

Nothing wrong with the 3 you listed though; I shoot a PSE. Precision Shooting Equipment.

YJBlues · 07-03-2005, 09:03 AM

I used to shoot a carbon limbed PSE with an overdraw and reworked cams. Like some others have said, it doesn't shoot as fast as most others. It was however, deadly accurate and easy to shoot. I can't bowhunt anymore though

, took some shrapnel in my right eye, destroyed the lens and scarred the cornea, docs have fixed me up to 20/60 so its not all bad, but I couldnt make the switch to a left handed bow. I miss the challenge a lot, even left handed a gun is way too easy.