Switching to my bow

[kykako]

Switching to Bow from Modern Firearm. Anything I should expect or look for differently?

[Ravin R10 man]

Range and shot placement, you need to know your abilitys, and getting to full draw can be a challenge also. Bow hunting is far more a challenge than a rifle...it aint just flingin an arrow. Then stand placement, you need to be in tighter to where they feed or travel without getting winded.

I would not advise going out to the field if you have not practiced with your bow all summer, hope that's not the case. If so, there is always next year.

above all else...a HUGE dose of PATIENCE along with learning WHEN to draw, and shot PLACEMENT that comes with getting busted...learning curve can suck...lol

Edited October 29, 2014 by Mathews XT Man

[RangerClay]

Yup! An empty wallet. One of the most addictive sports I have ever participated in.

[kykako]

I won't attempt until next year. I have plenty of practice time. I'm just wondering for the actual hunt

[fly]

The key is picking the perfect moment to pull back. I just learned a trick and I've been bow hunting 25 years. Once at full draw on a deer and he's behind something an your arm is tired, instead of letting down simply lower your arm that holds the handle toward the ground. Takes the pressure off.

[jfrawley]

String jumping is a real thing. The speed of sound is roughly 4x faster than your arrow speed so the deer will hear you shot and if you have made the deer aware of your presence, they are likely to jump. If you are hunting over a feeder (another debate) the deer will show up nervous so you have to be extra careful when taking your shot. The other most important thing is shot placement; an inch can make the difference between hearing your deer crash and having nightmares about never finding that monster you've had your eye. The best thing you can do is shoot...a lot. Once you get your distances down, shoot from funny angles, turn your body, shoot sitting (especially if you are going to hunt from a blind) and SHOOT FROM AN ELEVATED STAND! Shooting from the heavens is different than shooting from the ground. Now hunting is more muscle memory than rifle so I would wait until next season and put a lot of arrows down range before the 2015 opener. God bless

[kykako]

awesome replies! it will definitely be 2015. not going to "think" I can because I have owned a Bow for 10 years (fishing).

[smha6784]

if you want to get a jump start try hunting closer ranges with your rifle. you know set up a good bow stand and hunt it with your rifle. and pay real close attention to the prevailing wind patterns in your hunting area this year. so next year you can some what predict wind movement.