Everything a rookie needs to know about bow hunting
 

Please everybody that can out there tell me everything that a rookie bow hunter needs to know to hunt deer. From the arrows to everything I need to do before Hunting Season comes in.

RE: Everything a rookie needs to know about bow hunting
 

Welcome to the board and bowhunting. You have mail.:D

RE: Everything a rookie needs to know about bow hunting
 

First , get books on deer hunting, learn the trade, the signs, the how to's. Information on the topic is very important , read and learn and experiment. Get online and ask questions,nobody here will lead you astray. Above all hunting is not about all the gear and toys one can have, it's about brothership, family, tradition, memories, and much more. My friend your entering the world that many of us love and cherish, welcome aboard and glad to have you as a fellow hunter.

RE: Everything a rookie needs to know about bow hunting
 

I think my website offers some help as far as tuning and broadheads. www.broadheadtests.com This board is an excellent place to learn as well. The best thing to do is pick up a book on the subject , I think wallmart sells one by chuck Adams that is pretty good. Then after reading it over come here and ask specific questions. That way you will be able to cover all your base's and better understand some of the answers you get.

RE: Everything a rookie needs to know about bow hunting
 

Leave the camera at home, we don't want pictures. Carry a knife. Hunt the wind.

RE: Everything a rookie needs to know about bow hunting
 

Practice in the same clothing you will be hunting in.Don't be over bowed(too hard to draw back from any hunting position after sitting for hours getting stiff and cold)--if you have to point your bow to the sky to draw it back you're overbowed!Learn how to judge distance and don't shoot past your effective bow range even if it's 15 yards.Practice,practice,practice.

RE: Everything a rookie needs to know about bow hunting
 

That can't be stated enough.... The first year I got my bow (tail end of the summer - a few summers ago), I didn't even hunt with it. I wasn't that confident to take it into the woods, and would probably end up hurting myself! [&:][:-]

I read books, watched videos, and learned the basics with a buddy in a big backyard with haybales and a cheap target. I watched him shoot and stood behind him watching his form, and figured it out with his help.

One simple word that can't be stressed enough.....

PRACTICE!!!!

Butch A.

RE: Everything a rookie needs to know about bow hunting
 

Boy there is so much to teach you young grasshoppa!!:) I always say there are 4 things a hunter must accomplish to become a true hunter.
1-you must learn how to hunt your prey.
2-you must learn how to cut up you prey for table fare
3-you must learn how to cook the animal you harvested
and when you know you have a true hunter is the fourth reason,
4- they find there own places to hunt there prey, instead of depending on you to take them hunting.
You must practice over and over and get use to your own gear and get comfortable, you also have to learn when and where to hunt I.E. hunt high in the morning and hunt low in the evening. Learn how to hunt during the rut, and what scents to use. All this takes time in the woods, so good luck on your journey to becoming a DEER HUNTER.

RE: Everything a rookie needs to know about bow hunting
 

Welcome to the board and the most addicting yet frustrating type of hunting known. You received good advise so far, as others have stated I will state it once again, practice, practice at all distances, practice from the ground, practice from different elevations. How will you know when you have practiced enough? When you bring your bow up and as you draw the pin falls right where you want it to with out you thinking about. You can never practice to much, one word of warning though, the second you feel your arm getting sore discontinue the practice for that day. The reason behind this is when you are tired your form will change and this can lead to bad shooting form habits which are hard to break.

As others have said, read all you can on your quarry and about bow hunting, any questions you have come here and ask.

RE: Everything a rookie needs to know about bow hunting
 

Practice, Practice Practice...Also, buy a 3D deer target and shoot at all angles that you can think of. Shoot form the stand you will hunt from if possible and in the clothes you will hunt in.
Scent control is vital, buy a pair of rubber boots. scent-lok clothing is great but it can be hot. Wildlife Research makesd some great soaps, anti-perspirants and scent killers. Always try to match your cover scent to the area you plan on hunting. Read as much as you can about setups etc.

It is a never ending learning experience.