1 Year to Proficient?
 

I am planning a May 2009 Bear hunt in Alberta. My buddies are using their bows. I dont own one and havent shot one more then 10 times in my life. I typically hunt with a Rifle but I since they are hunting with bows I already know I will hear a ration ofcrap from them about hunting with a rifle especially if I get skunked or kill a lesser bear. Do you think its possible to get proficient enough in 11 months to hunt bear from a tree stand?

I am not opposed to spending the dough on a good bow and am willing to put in the time practicing (I go to the gun range 3-4 times per month, and could shoot a bow in my back yard) but I dont want to wound a bear or waste my money.

RE: 1 Year to Proficient?
 

You could absolutely get good enough in 11 months.

It just takes practice, practice, practice.

Get to know your equipement well, and you should have no problem:D

RE: 1 Year to Proficient?
 

Yes you can become proficient in that amount oftime. I bought my first bow in Februarylast yearand took my first deer on 01 October, opening day of bow season. I'm not saying I was good, but I was definitely proficient enough to put the arrow where it needed to go out to 30 yards. As has already been stated, it takes practice, and should practice every way you can imagine... standing, sitting, kneeling, from a tree stand, in a cross wind, with a head wind and a tail wind. You've got plenty of time.

RE: 1 Year to Proficient?
 

That's more than enough time to get good with a bow. Practice is the magic word though. Good luck to you.

RE: 1 Year to Proficient?
 

Yep, no question.

RE: 1 Year to Proficient?
 

Yes, you can. Like mentioned practice, practice, practice! But let me add that it must be good practice; I would find some one to help you get started with the basics of good form.

RE: 1 Year to Proficient?
 

I think first of all you should use the weapon of YOUR choice. Don't let your buddies sway you to do what they want you to do.

If you choose to bow hunt, I believe you could be prepared if you are dedicated.

RE: 1 Year to Proficient?
 

You can be a pro in 4 weeks......well plenty good to shoot a bear from a treestand.

11 months? no worries.

and I agree, use a gun if you want, you can probably bring both if you wanted too.

I've learned though you should probably have taken game before you book a hunt/use a weapon that has been untested......

ie have shot a deer with a bow before you book that big elk hunt with a bow out west.....etc...etc...or at least it would significantly help to have....

RE: 1 Year to Proficient?
 

The quickest way to being ready is to make sure you get setup correctly to start with. Get good equipment and get it set up right, then focus on form and learning what you need to learn.

RE: 1 Year to Proficient?
 

In 3 weeks I will go on my 3 rd bear hunt...I was successful with bow on my first 2...and I will take a gun this year....because I have not experienced it with a gun...

If you're going on a traditional bear hunt with bait and a stand that puts you in bow range...its a no brainer...just be patient and send that arrow through the lungs...bears are not as physically tough as people say....My Hoyt is only pushing 265 fps and it blows through like butter with expandable heads...

If you can hold 2- 3 inch groups at 25 yards you're fine...get practicing...most of it is mental and in your brain.....when that bear hits the zone you will draw with confidence...

The sound of the death cry of a bear will make the hairs on your ____ stand up...its not a rumor...its true...

By the bug suit :)

RE: 1 Year to Proficient?
 

Depends on how well you get instructed from the get go, if your equipment fits you and how much you actually shoot in that year. If you have no direction, ill fitting equipment and you only shoot 4 or 5 times in a year, then no it's no where near enough time. However if someone helps you that knows what they are doing, you get your equipment from a good shop and you shoot every week or so a year should be plenty of time to get good enough to hunt with a bow.

My advise though is to hunt with whatever you want to hunt with. If you don't want to hunt with a bow, or can't afford to get one then don't do it. Take your gun and have a good hunt. Don't hunt for your buddies, hunt for you.

What if you decide to take the bow just to appease your buddies and you miss out on a nice bear because it is was just out of range, or worse yet you wound one because your confidence was shaken at the last minute or something? You are going to regret that for the rest of your life. Now if you want to hunt with a bow, then by all means do it. If you don't though don't invest that much time and money into something you really are not passionate about. Especially just to keep from getting ribbed by your "buddies". Might be easier to get new buddies in my opinion.

Paul

RE: 1 Year to Proficient?
 

03:

Best advice I could give you (other than what you've already received.....which is great).....is put yourself in position to take animals with your bow.....if you can. I sat for 1/2my first season thinking I was ready and simply waiting for the right animal.

What I found out was.....I wasn't.

Shooting at targets and becoming a proficient "archer" can be done in relatively short order. You have plenty of time. "I" think .....if I could give you any advice.....I'd say to put yourself in position to take a game animal with your bow (even take a deer or two) before you go on your bear hunt. When I finally decided to take a deer with my bow.....I was ill-prepared for the psychological effect the shot had on me.....and I blew it.

Good luck to you.

RE: 1 Year to Proficient?
 

I would make sure that he shoots at targets from a stand if he will be hunting off the ground and make sure his shooting form is good. I do not see why he can't go out and be successful as long as he has practiced.
I shot my first deer with a bow less than a month after getting my first bow and it was my second day on stand. I knew the deer was 15 yards so I set the pin on it right behind the shoulder where I had practiced and double lunged it, only had to walk 50 yards to get it. I have also seen people that have hunted for years get psyched out and miss deer even though they are good shots, so it all comes down to mental preperation in my eyes.

RE: 1 Year to Proficient?
 

Bears are made to Bowhunt!!

Good Luck with whatever you choose.

Dan

RE: 1 Year to Proficient?
 

The accuracy comes with practice. You just have to commit yourself until you are good with the bow. Experience will come with time in the tree or inhunting, that is the part that you need most anyou will have to wait for the oppurtunity to come along.