new to bowhunting
 

hi i am new to bohunting.i have been shooting bows for awile though.i am from pa
and archery starts this fall i have a 50 Lb bow,a treestand and a place to hunt and i
need some tips on what to do (calls,equiptment,) can anyone help me

RE: new to bowhunting
 

Hi Mike
I' m new to Bow Hunting also. You are at the right place to learn. If you ask more specific questions, no matter how dumb you may think they are, these guys will help you out. I have learned a lot on this board and still have a bunch more dumb questions to ask.:D

Welcome aboard and good luck

RE: new to bowhunting
 

Welcome Mike

What part of PA are you from?

3step is right - give us a better idea on what you are looking for and I am sure you will get the answers you need.

RE: new to bowhunting
 

Just generally/generically :
Make sure your equipment is tuned and shooting good before you go out.
Be patient and wait for a good shoot and don' t rush it.
Learn the travel patterns of the deer you are hunting, bedding and feeding areas....identify the wind direction and learn how to hunt these areas based on the wind direction.
Also place your stands close enough to get a good shot and make sure you have some clear shooting lanes.
And PRACTICE,PRACTICE,PRACTICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)

RE: new to bowhunting
 

HI,
If you could give us an idea of what you need advice on would help get things rolling.As far as getting prepared you need to practice your butt off and try to learn how far you are able to shoot with pretty good accuracy--then you can set up to hunt in your effective range.Maybe it' s 25 yards,maybe it' s 20 yards or less.Just for starters, maybe you know someone who can help you out a little as far as tuning your equipment?

RE: new to bowhunting
 

Like others have said a little more info would help.
For a starter, keeping things simple is best. I' ll suggest a quality fixed blade head like muzzy or thunderheads, a grunt call, and whatever quality accessories (sights/rest) you can afford. With the help of someone in the know get your bow shooting properly and practice your shooting. I suggest not shooting over 20 yds at a deer for starters, practice as far beyond that as you' d like though. Any camo will do, a good pair of boots(rubber) and you' ll be set.
Feel free to ask any questions about stand placement, scouting, etc. And if you don' t remember anything else but these 2 things.....Don' t force your shot, and if the deer doesn' t fall within sight, wait at least 30 minutes, preferably an hour.
Good luck.

RE: new to bowhunting
 

martin cougar im from around smith port pa a little way from punxsutawney.
ive been seeing a pretty nice buck up behind my house for the last month or so it at least an 8 pt could even be a 10 or better and i know where his general roaming area is.there a deer trail near where ive been seeing him but im not shure when archery season starts if he will be there.there is some oak trees near there to, should i try there first?any distance from the trail or oak trees that i should be from them?

RE: new to bowhunting
 

Hi . I' m from Brockway a short distance from you. I would say that if have a trail leading to where you' ve seen him, get out there and scout it out.Try to get an aerial of the area,first to find general lay o' the land. If you are familiar w/ the area and have a good idea where he' s bedding then set up accordingly. Unless mast drops early, he' ll more likely hit Ag crops. When scouting try to do it near the trail but not on and down wind of it. YOU WILL LEAVE SCENT!!! But if it' s done now and with a little care, change to his habit should be minimal and short lived. Once you find the goings on, find stand tree on the downwind side with good cover or up high. Distance from travel area depends on cover availability and your shooting capabilities. Set up well within your max range not on it' s fringes!!!Large deer don' t get big by being stupid!! Stay out of his bedding area this late in the game.If you find his exact spot by accident then exploit it.This is usually his comfort zone he' ll be a little more vulnerable here. But these areas are best found in late winter early spring. If you go trekkin beds now he may vacate and find new access and then it' s back to the drawing board.As far as calls , the can has worked well as well as the Hardwoods grunter. The mastering the art series of videos will help understand what calls when? Most of all practice everyday, become proficient with what you have , you owe it to the animal,yourself, and bowhunting!!! GOOD LUCK

RE: new to bowhunting
 

To my way of thinking, the only dumb question is one for which you already know the answer . . . and sometimes not even then.

RE: new to bowhunting
 

I' d make sure you keep that spot with the oak trees in your memory. If there aren' t many oaks in the area - you will see deer there once those babies start dropping. I' d keep them w/i comfortable shooting distance. If you max is 25 yards - you should be no more than 20 from there.

You may not see the buck there initially but rest assured - if the does use that area - at some point that buck will use that area too.