Bow Hunting

[Metdawg44]

I've been ready about all of the bow hunters on the hog and turkey forums and it's got me to thinking that I think I'd really like the challenge of hunting with a bow. Not knowing one thing about the equipment or the techniques, where would a guy start?

 

[PorkChopper]

I would look up one of your local archery shops.

I live in the central valley otherwise I would gladly give some instruction and some time on a range with my spare bow.

However i am sure you will get other offers from many of the friendly folks here at JHO.

 

[Speckmisser]

Don't do it, Metdawg! It's a madness, a disease! You'll never be the same.

Save your money and your mind. I mean, think about it... why step down from a perfectly functional firearm... the product of centuries of innovation, design, and technological evolution?

Why trade that in for a stick and a string, a faulty and defective technology with limited range and lethal capability?

Heck, with a gun you can sit on a hill and shoot animals that don't even have a clue you're there from so far away you don't even have to worry about things like wind direction, noisy clothing, or fancy camo. You can shoot them head on, broadside, quartering to or quartering away...heck, you can even shoot them in the butt.

I mean, with a bow you're gonna have to get close enough for them to smell you! You're going to have to worry about the wind, minimizing movement, utilizing cover and shadow and then, when you get close enough, you've got to wait for the perfect shot!

With a gun you can often drop your animal right on the spot. It's instant gratification! Shoot 'em, load 'em, and head for home!

Archery hunters usually have to trail their game after the shot, crawling on hands and knees to find the tiniest specks of blood, broken grass, or overturned rocks. You finally get your shot, wait a bit, try to find your arrow and sniff it (gotta see if you hit guts), then wait a bit longer to let the animal lay down, then start tracking. Usually around midnight you might find the animal. Then you've gotta field dress it and pack it out through the roughest terrain in your hunting area. Many hours later, you pull in tired, filthy, covered in poison oak, and still have to tend to your animal.

Gun hunters are pretty much normal. Archery hunters get an inflated sense of their worth as sportsmen, with bloated egos (just look at Arrowslinger!), and a condescending attitude toward anyone who takes the easy way out. Compound hunters look down on crossbow hunters. Trad shooters have utter disdain for those who use "training wheels" on their bows. And all archers have the utmost disregard for gun hunters.

It warps your mind, ruins your relationships, and leaves your freezer bare more often than full.

Archery is hard. You don't want that.

 

[Metdawg44]

Spec,

You're every bit as good as a writer as Pat McManus is in outdoor life.

 

[BirdDawg]

Metdawg44.......pay no attention to spec.........he's been out in the sun way too long.......

............check out your local archery shops........try out different bows......don't jump at the first one you find.......make sure to get fitted for your draw length.........important to get the right arrows........talk with other bow hunters and get there input..........and make sure you buy a martin jaguar......LOL.......j/k that's what I have........an excellent bow but there are alot to chose from.......be prepared to spend some cash..........bow hunting is not cheap to get into.........I can say one thing......spec is definately right about "Don't do it, Metdawg! It's a madness, a disease! You'll never be the same"........you'll look at hunting in a whole new way..........

 

[beastslayer]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Speckmisser @ Apr 25 2007, 09:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

... try to find your arrow and sniff it (gotta see if you hit guts...[/b]

Madness indeed. And I thought I'm hog-crazy when I tried to sniff dried pig scat to confirm their presence.

 

[Jagermeister]

Taking back technology about 10000 years is an experience, let me tell you. You have to get close to your prey to where you can feel their breath on your face. Then you may not quite get them right and take it out in the brush, getting chased back! At least if you shoot a longbow as badly as I do. I started recently and just went to a local archery shop for some lessons. There I tried the different bows and decided to stay away from the paraphernalia laden compound bow and go back to basics with a longbow and some cedar arrows.

[attachment=41451:attachment]

It took a couple months until I had some success, but trust me, it's very rewarding. No blood shot on bow kills either!

George

 

[BirdDawg]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

No blood shot on bow kills either![/b]

well I wouldn't go as far as to say that.........I was surprised last year when I skinned that buck and it looked like I shot it..........not as bad as a rifle but still blood shot.

 

[Jagermeister]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BirdDawg @ Apr 25 2007, 10:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE

No blood shot on bow kills either![/b]

well I wouldn't go as far as to say that.........I was surprised last year when I skinned that buck and it looked like I shot it..........not as bad as a rifle but still blood shot.
[/b][/quote]

Maybe this is different with the higher energy of a compound? Another reason to go traditional.

George

 

[bigtusker]

A lot depends on where you hit 'em. A nice pass thru usually doesn't blood shot but blow through a large bone and watch out.

 

[BirdDawg]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

Maybe this is different with the higher energy of a compound[/b]

was a compound bow...and possibly hit bone.........was my first big game animal with a bow and was awsome.........watched the arrow go in slow motion and the deer didn't make it 100 yards..........kinda like the T.V. hunting shows............at any rate traditional or compound Metdawg44 is in for a treat.

 

[SDHNTR]

You're screwed!

Head to your local bow shop with at least a few hundred bucks in your pocket. Shoot every bow they have to offer in your price range before making your decision. Do not rely on what your buddy likes or reputation. A bow is all about feel. You need to shoot several to figure out what feels best to you. Spend as much as you can afford. The higher priced bows are usually better quality and worth it in the long run.

Then take a lesson and learn to shoot. Once you have some confidence and can get your broadheads to go where you want them to, you are ready to hit the hills.

 

[BirdDawg]

all this talk about bow's has my blood boiling.........hey specmisser........I challenge you........first hog of the year with a bow wins.........

...........we'll decide the prize........what say ye?

 

[beastslayer]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jagermeister @ Apr 25 2007, 10:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Taking back technology about 10000 years is an experience, let me tell you. You have to get close to your prey to where you can feel their breath on your face. Then you may not quite get them right and take it out in the brush, getting chased back! At least if you shoot a longbow as badly as I do. I started recently and just went to a local archery shop for some lessons. There I tried the different bows and decided to stay away from the paraphernalia laden compound bow and go back to basics with a longbow and some cedar arrows.

[attachment=41451:attachment]

It took a couple months until I had some success, but trust me, it's very rewarding. No blood shot on bow kills either!

George[/b]

Congrats!

So soon? Where did you get the harvest?

 

[Speckmisser]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BirdDawg @ Apr 25 2007, 11:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

all this talk about bow's has my blood boiling.........hey specmisser........I challenge you........first hog of the year with a bow wins.........

...........we'll decide the prize........what say ye?[/b]

Dang, that's just too much fun to turn down! Maybe I should take the bow instead of the rifle this weekend. Or I could hop the fence at your place and shoot one in your backyard.

I'm always cautious about betting on a pig in a poke, but what the heck... it's ON.

 

[Speckmisser]

Oh yeah... Georg, I didn't know you'd already taken one with your longbow. Congrats on that!

 

[hogwild757]

METDAWG44,
My name is Pat Alcisto( staff )
You should call 408 842 7733 Predators Archery ask for Curtis Campisi(owner) Mike Pierce(owner)Jim Martinez(Shop Manager). They will help you on deciding whats the right stuff for you. Everything is done custom for that individual/You.Customer service is # 1 you get 5 free lessons with the bow of your choice.
You won't be disappointed I know a bunch of guys here on this forum shop there. Good luck!!!

 

[BirdDawg]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

I'm always cautious about betting on a pig in a poke, but what the heck... it's ON[/b]

guess I better dig out my bow.........

ummmmmmmmmm...........you huntin hogs with a bow in Texas? as for shootin one out of my back yard......it don't look too promising this year.

 

[Jagermeister]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Speckmisser @ Apr 25 2007, 02:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Oh yeah... Georg, I didn't know you'd already taken one with your longbow. Congrats on that![/b]

Yeah, I had to recover from it before I could post the pic. If I would have known you guys have a bet on "who kills the next hog with a bow", I would have held it back until tomorrow.

So, is there a way to get in on the BirdDawg / Speckmisser bet? You know I am a bad shot!

Mon - this was on private land close to my house. That's all I am going to say.

Cheers, George

 

[Metdawg44]

Oh no, the madness. What have I gotten myself into?