So, you want to know how to get into bow hunting but don’t quite know where to start.
This overview will help you with your first steps into bow hunting; you’ll learn some bow-hunting basics.
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Types of Bows
As you may know, bows come in different shapes and sizes depending on the primary use. You can also select a bow based on your skill-set and preferences as well.
But the main motive or goal when selecting a bow should be its primary use. There are those meant for advanced, novice, and beginner hunters. So, you need to ascertain where you stand to find one that suits your needs best.
Here, we’ll look at the best types of bows to help you learn how to get into bow hunting.
Crossbow
Crossbows are the go-to bow type not only in hunting but in archery as well. It’s the traditional bow when it comes to bow types and is usually made of wood. This bow’s strings are pulled back with back muscles and fingers combined.
This then requires the archer or hunter to have fit and strong muscles in both their arms and back. As a beginner, one thing you’ll love about a crossbow is its small nature, which enhances its usability.
This makes practicing hunting with a crossbow a more intuitive and practical activity. Because the crossbow is the foundation of all types of bows, getting knowledge on how to use it makes it easier to learn any other style of bow.
Compound Bow
The compound bow is the latest addition to the bow family. Its design mostly focuses on precision and speed, making it a preferred option by most professionals. The compound bow is widely used in destination shooting and major shooting competitions as well.
This type of bow’s build quality enhances functionality with cams and cables to make it more robust. Because of the cams, the compound bow is more powerful and accurate in use. What’s more, this bow is designed in such a way that it’s able to mitigate itself against inversion and moisture.
It also features a high let-off percentage, which has made the compound bow more popular by the day.
Longbow
As the name suggests, the longbow can be as long as the archer’s height. Therefore, the crossbowman can easily form a long draw when using this type of bow. The longbow is recurved to a great extent and can only curve if a twine is connected.
The longbow’s build quality or design is pretty straightforward, with wood being the primary construction material. This implies that to develop an efficient and robust longbow, the piece of wood should be highly flexible and less dry in nature.
Finally, the strength and accuracy provided by this bow is decent for any level of hunters.
Recurve Bow
The recurve bow curves on the limbs once unstrung by the bowman. What’s to like about this type of bow is that it can store immense energy levels and deliver it when shooting.
Recurve bows have one thing in common, and that is to function strongly. However, they have distinguished looks to easily identify one from the other.
The build quality of recurve bows features durable materials to make them robust and last longer. Such materials include aluminum, fiberglass, or wood layers.
Recurve bows are very popular, and they are also used in the Olympic archery games. It’s usability, and diverse functionality also adds to the bow’s positives when it comes to learning.
Essential Parts of the Bow
Now that you’ve learned about the common types of bows used for hunting let’s dig deeper into their parts. Although parts of the bow vary in different bows, there are still particular parts found on all bows.
These are the parts that are universal in use and must have inclusions on all the bows. Therefore, the following are some of the usual features found on all bows:
- Riser – The part of the bow held when shooting. It’s located in the center of the bow. The riser is the handle or grip of a bow, and it’s usually designed with carbon or aluminum. It is the core of a bow, making it the most functional part among all others.
- Limbs – Connected with the riser, the limbs are responsible for creating the bow’s cam conformity. The limbs are located on the lower part and upper part of the bow. When a bow is drawn back, the limbs are flexible to gather the energy needed before releasing the arrow. Bow limbs can be single shaped or split in two, and they are usually strong enough to handle any pressure thrown their way.
- Nock Point – This is the spot where you place an arrow’s end. The nock point needs to be similarly positioned for a better shooting experience.
- Bowstring – This is the string a bowman uses to pull back the arrow and release it when shooting. Bowstrings feature different material designs with strong and flexible qualities.
- Bow Sight – The bow sight enables you to see the target, and it’s usually beside the riser. This bow part can be adjusted to suit your preferences or upgraded to a more accurate one.
Summary: How to Get into Bow Hunting
As you’ve seen, there are different types of bows for hunting or archery purposes. When it comes to learning how to get into bow hunting, the above bow types are some of the best options for beginners.
Besides bows, you also need to have a grasp of different types of arrows for learning. In total, there are three arrow variations based on the build material. They include aluminum, carbon, and wood arrows.
When starting out, aluminum arrow type will best serve your needs. They are compatible with any kind of bow and offer ease in usability when learning how to shoot.
Now you have some basic information on how to get into bow hunting, get out there, and start learning how to shoot.