Everything about bowhunting: from choosing a weapon to shooting tactics for different game

• April 8, 2020
• Weapons and ammunition
• Igitkhanyan Alevtina

Even in ancient times, our ancestors used bows and arrows to obtain food for themselves. Currently, this type of fishing is also particularly popular. But despite this, it is generally considered less effective. And the reason is that hunting using any bow, including a hunting compound bow, requires certain knowledge, skills and abilities.

In order to learn how to shoot accurately from this weapon, you will need to spend more than one month of training. In this regard, this fishery has a special appeal. In addition, for many people, the process of tracking prey, and even more so shooting, is a real passion.

Choosing a bow model

Many people ask: how to choose a compound bow? In order to quickly master this craft, you need to decide on the choice of the right bow. Moreover, the parameters of this weapon must ideally match its future owner. For the calculation it is necessary to take such indicators as:

• Price.
• Difficulty of learning.
• Prey.

In addition, in order to choose a weapon that is suitable for yourself, you need to analyze this type of weapon. They are:

• Blocky.
• Complex.
• Simple.

Each design has its own individual feature.

Simple bow

For example, a simple bow is a traditional weapon. It consists of a solid arc with a bowstring stretched across it. The main disadvantage of this model is that the arc is solid. If this weapon is transported, it will not be possible to disassemble it.

Once upon a time, the classic bow was made from wood, with ash, oak, elm, birch and cedar being the most commonly used. Today, many modern manufacturers use not only wood, but also other materials.

As for use, this budget bow can be difficult to use. It is rarely used in real hunting. But it is ideal for beginners. With a simple bow you can hone your skills.

What bow draw weight is recommended to consider before purchasing?

In fact, it all depends on the sports training of the future shooter, but there is a certain template that will help with this.

Again, it all depends on the athletic training and characteristics of each person’s body. When purchasing a bow, it is advisable to ask to be stretched and try it for yourself, but the main thing is not to let go of the string without an arrow, this will lead to breakage of the bow and a forced purchase.

Recurve bow

Externally, the bow is very much reminiscent of a simple model, despite the fact that it is also very different from it in many respects.

So, for example, his arc is not whole at all. It consists of three main parts. Moreover, they can be made from completely different materials. This will only increase the power during shooting. This weapon is used for hunting wild animals. The most famous model is a bow with hangers that are bent in the opposite direction. This type of weapon is called a recurve bow.

Compound Bow

Very often, novice hunters wonder how to choose a compound bow? It's not difficult to do this. This weapon is the most powerful, it is used only by professionals.

Let's consider how to choose a compound bow and why is it better? This weapon is ideal for hunting. His arrow is capable of immediately piercing a carcass, even if the distance between the hunter and the animal is several tens of meters.

The shooting technique of this weapon consists of the following important points:

1. First of all, you need to stand up to the shield.
2. Then you need to place your feet approximately shoulder width apart.
3. Next, you should straighten your legs at the knees, and, on the contrary, tighten the muscles of the buttocks, thighs and abs.
4. It is recommended to distribute your body weight. There is no need to lift your heels off the surface.

Once the archer's stance is mastered, you can begin using a compound bow. It must be configured correctly.

Many people ask what should be the setting for a compound bow? First of all, you need to take the weapon by the handle. To do this, you can use the knitting technique.

Next, you need to insert an arrow into the socket of the bow, and then secure it to a stick. You need to cling to the loop with the release, while your left hand should be placed in front of you. You need to rest your left hand on the plane of the entire pad. The left shoulder should be kept at a level just below the right shoulder. Then you need to stretch the bow until the string is fully tensioned. The block mechanism will fix the stretching limit itself.

After this, the release must be applied to the face. Then use your finger to pull the release trigger. With your right eye you should look for the point of impact, this must be done through the sight of a compound bow. While aiming, you must close your left eye.

This weapon consists of the following parts:

1. Upper and lower shoulders.
2. Upper and lower blocks.
3. Shoulder pocket.
4. Sight.
5. Axles and handles.
6. Osprey.
7. Bowstrings.
8. Peepsite.
9. Cable.
10. Retraction.
11. Upora.
12. Shelves.
13. Interception.
14. Runner.
15. Stabilizer.
16. Bow stands.

These are the main parts that make up this weapon. Which specific weapon is right for you personally can be determined from a review of compound bows:

1. Mission Craze. Ideal for beginners.
2. Diamond Infinite Edge. Already something more.
3. PSE DNA. It is rapid-fire.
4. Elite Archery Spirit. It is used mainly by women.
5. Bear Archery Motive 6.

The shot force and tension of this weapon are very high. It also has a fairly high rate of fire. In this regard, you do not need to make any physical effort to shoot. As for the price, the cost of these models significantly exceeds the cost of the previous ones. Having this information, in the future the hunter will not have a question about how to choose a compound bow.

“Just don’t throw me into the thorn bush...” Hare

Photo — Olga Frunze

Andrei Shalygin: Those who are proud of the “Big Five” need to go to the doctor, and not on television to tell how Russian half-cripples are held by local poachers-gamekeepers under the arms with guns on the flyers of the “exhibited” animal, which is not going to run anywhere because people have long been accustomed to it in nature reserves. And the fact that he is being sold to be shot at point-blank range for all sorts of weak-minded and pathetic clowns is the business of poor third countries who are ready to even sell their own mother for three rubles, which is why they set up slaughterhouses from their “reserves” for feeble-minded complexists, who are hunted in their homeland The community doesn’t even consider them hunters. And they go to the blacks to realize their unfulfilled dream of superiority. Only we know very well what kind of “hunt” this is.

The so-called “trophy hunters”, alas, today are poor, complex, and often mentally disabled people, and for the most part completely unprofessional hunters. I can understand a person going with a horn against a bear (from a psychological point of view), but with a screw cutter against an elephant, a buffalo, a big cat... well, why not then go straight to the Moscow zoo with a machine gun? The result and process are almost the same. I got to the place, the flat area is full of animals, the staff are crowding around... 0 hunting, 0 skill, 0 options, 0 skills, 0 sense, but endless show-offs... which only confirm my statements 100%. “African trophy hunter” is a stigma, not a hunting status.

Photo — Olga Frunze

We are not for this kind of hunting - we are for Russian Hunting. Real Hunt. Professional. Workshop. Historical. Here on our logo is a Russian hunter of the memorable days of tsarist and grand ducal hunting from the beginning of Rus' as a state. Who is depicted on it? A rider on a horse with a bow, a falcon and a falcon dog. These are traditional Russian hunts, and they were conducted mainly for waterfowl, hare, wolf, fox, and roe deer. Everything else is much less common. Go find a hunter today who can handle all this at once... I’ll probably go on a horse and hunt, maybe quietly. I am very far from “jumping” hunting, not to mention archery while galloping. I can probably use a bird of prey, as well as a dog, but I don’t have the patience or the special desire to train both of them properly. I remember how I went to the field tests of cops - it was just frustrating. It's easy to spoil a dog, but training it is not easy. So, a little bit of everything, but separately. But, before, these were mass skills. Usual for any war.

Photo — Olga Frunze

I seem to be able to ride a horse a little bit, I also seem to be able to shoot a bow normally, I’ve kept more than one top five dog, I’ve carried a hunting bird on my arm... But so that at least once with everything at once, without stress and easily, I can ride and “walk in the wild” - I’ll hardly be able to do this - you’ll be tortured to figure out what to do and how. It's not the hunting that will work out, but the model designer's. And, although I am not new to hunting, biology, zoology and training, I can’t cope with everything at once, no matter how hard I try. But before it was “like drinking water.” But because practice is the criterion of Truth. Where does a hunter get this practice today? Perhaps on vacation, but for the weekend you get away, and you don’t know where to go - either hunting, or fishing, or shooting, or just looking at Nature... you can’t have time to do everything at once.

Photo — Olga Frunze

It’s good even if one skill can be trained. But today, like today, I went out with a machine gun and a shotgun load to release or baited game, and I’m glad to try. He drank with a setup, gulped down a glass, made shurpa, and that’s what you’re looking for. Or, for the most part, everything just ends in “drunkenness in boots.” “Teterets” of hunting write books, tearing Sabaneev wildly and stylizing them as “The Tsarsukaya and the Grand Duke...”, but what’s inside? But inside there is well-known nonsense, and there is no hunting there - extracts from encyclopedias and reference books, and nothing more. You can’t even use this piece of paper for its intended purpose—it’s a bit harsh. They write volumes about falconry, about training cops, but where are you at demonstrations with your dogs and falcons? No! Just like in the rifle range, just like in general, you’re not in the forest. Because you lie and teach something you don’t know and don’t know how to do. There are only liars, scoundrels, and assessors and TV clowns.

Photo — Olga Frunze

Well, okay, let’s leave the fans of the “shot cloud of dispersion of 3 meters in diameter” alone - let them hit the game with “clouds”. No, of course, I understand that a heaped choke will destroy a hare, a pheasant, or a duck on a “twenty” “into the trash,” so a uniform scattering of a half or even a cylinder in the lower (right) trunk is welcomed up to a diameter of 1.5-2 meters at 20-30 meters... but in my understanding this is not Hunting. Like hunting game for food - yes. Like Hunting - nooo... This is a trade, not a hunt. I understand the word “hit” precisely as hitting EXACTLY the target, and in its killer place. And that is why the hare and duck are the most honorable among the archer’s “trophies.” Just don’t need to tell me something about firearms as an antithesis - I’m a military gunsmith by training, and I’ll tell you so much about firearms that you never knew and will never know, and as much as you know, I’ve forgotten so much, and still know more . I personally transported machine guns and pistols, being the Head of the Surface and Underwater RAV Service to artillery factories for repairs, supervised the technology and accepted more than one five-year plan for repairs and restoration. That's why I prefer onions today. I’ve simply not been interested in firearms for a long time. It's too easy. And too primitive.

Photo — Olga Frunze

Therefore, I am interested in one of the most honorable, difficult and exciting Russian hunts - hare hunting with a bow. Moreover, without a dog, without a horse, without a graduation animal, and even more so without rabbits, huntsmen and graduations. This is real hunting. And even if it is not very rewarding for a beginner, but over time, if you succeed, you will understand what you can really do and whether you are worthy of your ancestors. A hare made from a bow is not like using a screw cutter to cut an elephant from a flyer.

I won’t bore you with the standard list of types of hare hunts and their habits - you’ll learn this without me from any useless book. I’ll just tell you about some of the features of this exciting hunt.

First, winter hunting is simple from the point of view of finding and killing the animal - tracking a hare in winter is not a difficult task. Difficulties can arise with archery - the bowstring is waxed and in severe frost it begins to stiffen, as well as the moisture in the blocks can jam them, and the mobility of the archer’s hands is of paramount importance, which is difficult to achieve in winter, and the left hand, “whether you want it or not” “, but you will have to undress, because the jacket fits under the bowstring, the right release under the jacket does not fit well, special gloves do not solve the problem, we are not America, we have more severe frosts. Therefore, winter hare hunting, like wide archery hunting, is canceled due to its unpleasantness - you need speed, but there is no speed, you need intrigue, but along the white path there is no intrigue, you need ease and convenience, but neither There is no other person in such clothes either, only one is tossing around. It’s possible and interesting to shoot a bear, wild boar, fox, or elk with a bow in winter, but it’s not the same with a hare. It's like playing hockey in a fur coat, or playing billiards in a padded jacket. It’s possible, but, sorry, why the hell?

Photo — Andrey Shalygin

It is better to kill a hare in the fall, when he is fat, when he wanders from the field to the vegetable gardens right across the roads, abandoned and not quite, when he has bred in abandoned gardens and on the outskirts, thorn bushes and apple bushes, corn fields and mulberry fields, raspberry fields and other berry fields... When the very contemplation of this nature and being in it for the hunter is in itself an unfettered and blessed pleasure. It’s not for nothing that in the famous fairy tale the cunning hare (aka Brother Rabbit) asked not to throw him into a thorn bush - after all, that’s where he has the most freedom - a large predator won’t get through, everything is protected by thorns, everyone can be heard, and there’s plenty of food. And the thorns are not a hindrance for us - if we don’t kill the hare, then at least we’ll eat the thorns and then press the thorns.

Photo — Andrey Shalygin

Apple trees with carrion and cabbage gardens - this is a “holy matter” - there is no way to do without a hare. So in the evening, on the outskirts of an autumn apple orchard, the archer-hunter is the perfect place for contemplative rest. You sit, chew an apple rubbed on your sleeve, look at the village sunset, the birds are singing, the trees are rustling, the sun is setting, and here, you look, against the general still background, across the garden path, a bunny the size of a good dog is carefully tottering in the backlight... With apples, you know- Or, it’s just right to bake it (but it’s better to soak it first so it doesn’t smell like game, and then stew it so you don’t have to cut the unchewable meat with a knife).

Photo — Andrey Shalygin

Fortunately, in this case you don’t need to go far for apples or mulberry sauce - everything, so to speak, is lying under your feet if you are too lazy to remove it from the tree. No , ambush hunting for a hare in vegetable gardens and outlying roads where it darts back and forth (“from” and “into vegetable gardens and fields”) is not the only enjoyable hare hunting. A hare can be tracked normally at its own burrow.

Photo — Andrey Shalygin

Hares have different burrows, it all depends on the “caliber of the hare”. Here we have... No, this is not a hare’s hole from above, it’s the miners who dig such holes in the forest. By the way, they are also cryptic, that is, according to science, hiding organisms. They prefer to dig such burrows at night. And the hare, he digs slightly smaller holes, and very often occupies the ready-made holes of various overgrown rodents, so as not to push himself too hard in this direction. But this is mainly during the breeding period. It would be interesting to beat a March hare during the “fighting” period, but it is impossible, just like a molting hare. It’s not even an hour for a spring hare - with the offspring you can put it to rest, or a nursing one, and the molting skin in spring and autumn is half the battle immediately in the minus, which deprives the hunt of half the interest. Everything needs to be done in season, and places should be noted in between.

Photo — Andrey Shalygin

But here's the problem. Even if you know not only where the pheasant sits, but also where the hare lives, they will not always wait for you on the spot. It’s easy to spot them in the fall near vegetable gardens and orchards where they exist. What if they are already tired of eating? Well, all the apple trees and mulberries and sloes were gone... the fat hare, and under every bush there was a table and a house ready... Then we’ll have to go after the fogs. Morning and evening.

Photo — Olga Frunze

It's a nice and beautiful thing. Silence, you don’t even have to hide, and stand right on the road, looking out for hares that are either going to eat, or returning from feeding, crossing the road, or going into a ravine... however, you have to periodically warm your hands - the flexibility of the wrist and fingers is a tool for an archer shot accuracy. Along with the hare, you might get shot at by a pheasant, a partridge, a fox... From the tracks on the dusty road, you will immediately understand who passed and crossed, where they went, whether they came back or not, and how many things were there. There are no traces - it’s hardly worth waiting.

Photo — Andrey Shalygin

But even when the fog has already cleared and day has come, the hunt for the hare still continues. There are two options here - we “trawl” famous places, or we walk along the roads, noticing “defectors”. In the dry season - we listen to the grass - sometimes the cunning little choir tags along behind me a little behind to keep an eye on who he is, where he is going, what is needed... I would have taken him off if, in addition to the vibration of the grass and the sound, he had presented himself with a look... but it doesn’t always work out, mustelids in the grass - the matter is even more complicated than a pheasant - they do not stick their heads out of the grass. After eating, a hare sometimes does not go far from the gardens; it lies down along the edges of the field and rolls around, while away the heat, or basks in the warmth on autumn days. Sometimes it’s not worth walking across the field itself - you walked around the edge 50 meters from the edge - whoever gets up is yours. Here, shooting only offhand - 100% readiness.

Photo — Olga Frunze

We go around all the interesting or previously noticed bushes in a circle, or look out for those who have settled there from cover. Especially the thorns. Bunnies love this thing. You can also pile up the carrion from the nearest bushes, fortunately - you just need to move the carrion from place to place and you don’t need to prepare anything yourself. Here the process is slow, calm, you can shoot even sitting comfortably, with restraint. Just choose your own shelter without relying on camouflage. A hare is not a duck and a pheasant; it has a little more brains. It’s better to find a suitable tree or rubble behind which and get comfortable. This reminds me of rabbit hunting. Although, I don’t like hunting rabbits at all. Rabbits are stupid to the extreme, as a goal they are simple, their psychology is primitive, they run poorly, they are just a walking setup.

Photo - Olga Frunze
About "Lumenok". Of course, for the most part, “Lumenok” is marketing and not a useful utility, but in the case of the hare, it is a useful thing, especially in the mornings and evenings. However, for large animals it is always useful in the dark. but based on the bird, that’s how much you estimate the loss of the arrow and your abilities. In fact, “Lumenok” is used even in bowfishing, as evidenced by the film below.

Luminok bowfishing

“Lumenok” as a tracer shows the flight of the arrow, which can prevent the loss of the arrow, make it clear where the hit was, whether the arrow remained in the wound, what was the lethality of the hit, to a certain extent it signals where the prey is if it disappeared with the arrow, and so on ... But “Lumenok” costs money, and if you lose the arrow, you increase your financial losses quite significantly. “Lumenok” comes in red and green colors, in the form of a simple plug and in the form of a tip - whatever you want, as well as the power source. They produce them either for crossbow bolts or for bow arrows from any popular manufacturer.

Photo — Olga Frunze

If you carefully watch the film above about rabbits, then you will probably notice that there are hits in which the arrow seems to have somehow hit sideways, almost flat, and the rabbit is lying dead, while the arrow seems to , and does not stick into the rabbit at all. For those who are not familiar with hunting a hare with a bow, I will explain what happens.

In fact, there was a hit, but you didn’t see it because of the shooting frequency of the camera, which records well if 24 frames per second, or even less. If you look closely at the end of the film, you will see the tips that the Australian uses. These are locally made shockers, which in our country are usually Chinese and look like the “native” American ones (which, when controlling the weight, makes no difference at all whether they are American or Chinese, as long as they all weigh the same so that the bow does not have to be shot again and get different results from different arrows).

Shocker arrowhead.

Hare and rabbit are mainly hunted with shockers, because they are more lethal for small game than regular and even hunting tips - they tear up prey even when passing by. But there is one more thing that you won’t see in a regular shoot. Very often, when shooting with sports arrowheads (which do not have any blades or notches), the arrow pierces the hare, hits a tendon or bone on the back of the body (the opposite rib, leg) and jumps out of the wound like a rubber ball from the wall, while -due to muscle contractions, it flies sideways like a lever, and it seems that the arrow hit the target almost sideways, flying off to the side.

Photo — Olga Frunze

In fact, the “bounce” of a sports tip during an accurate hit is an absolutely correct phenomenon, and in this case the integrity of the game will be at the highest level. If a shooter shoots a hare, then as a result he receives a “trophy” riddled with a solid injured carcass. If you understand the difference in the taste of injured and swollen meat with normal meat (and hunters know very well that a normal person will not eat the place where it hits a large animal - it is cut out and given to dogs), then there is nothing at all in a hare beaten with shot - it’s just it's not tasty. Also, a shocker spoils the taste of meat by causing injury. Therefore, a sports tip is the right thing to do, although it requires accuracy. But here everything also depends on the place of hunting. In the "bush" - a shocker is preferable - a bad hit and expect a wounded animal, which is then very difficult to get.

Photo — Olga Frunze

Some say that sports tips leave more wounds. I’m not sure, because I didn’t have wounded animals at all. The hare is weak to the wound, and I always remained a meter from the point of impact, even if the arrow jumped out of the wound. In general, such forests on the outskirts of village gardens as in this photo are an ideal place for hare hunting, and the sporting tip here is just right for any small prey from birds to foxes. You can hide behind any tree; there is no underbrush or tall grass - a hare, like a fox and a squirrel, will not escape an archer. Put the bow on your shoulder, and walk for pleasure through such a forest, looking for prey according to your mood. But take what you can and if you want to eat, stop. Measurement is needed in everything.

Where to buy a hunting bow in Moscow and accessories for it: The only official distributor in Russia of the world's best hunting bows INTERLOPER. When delivering in Moscow, the courier of the Interloper store can accept payment by bank card. For details, please call. 8-800-100-00-13, (495) 720 60 88

Andrey Shalygin

Previous articles on the topic of hunting with a bow and crossbow:

• Bowhunting for pheasants - how to hunt, where to hunt, what to hunt with
• Peculiarities of pheasant hunting with a bow... in Russia (PHOTO, VIDEO)
• Fox hunting with a bow: how to hunt a fox with a bow and decoy, where to hunt, what to hunt with
• BEAR MOTIVE 6 2013 recognized as the best hunting bow in the World
• Bear Motive-6 - New TOP bow from Archery company No. 1 BEAR ARCHERY
• INTERLOPER - Hunting with a bow and crossbow in Russia is the only choice
• The newest crossbows INTERLOPER - Tactician and Skald - Viking song
• ATA-2013 — Continuation of the review of the world exhibition of bow and crossbow manufacturers
• ATA-2013 - World Exhibition of Bows and Crossbows - photo report
• BEAR FOREVER, or how to choose a compound bow - answers to reader questions
• BEAR ARCHERY: 110 years of Fred Bear - Happy Birthday FRED BEAR! (PHOTO, VIDEO)
• Compound Bow Components and Accessories
• Choosing a compound bow
• Unobvious BOWFISHING in Russian, or national characteristics of bowhunting in Russia
• Archery - gripping the bowstring. Lesson from the Korean champion.
• Hunting Bows - Perfect Killers (VIDEO)
• BEAR ARCHERY – 2012 – ANARCHY, LEGION, ENCOUNTER, OUTBREAK, SIREN, APPRENTICE-2
• BEAR ARCHERY - Exclusive photo report from the hunting bow manufacturer's factory
• TRU BALL: Only Christ is not limited by anything. Photo report from the manufacturing plant
• Trophy Ridge Catalog
• The Perfect Killer - 100% America (PHOTO, VIDEO)
• Bear Attack: The Ultimate Weapon
• Hunting bows MATHEWS 2011-2012: Monster Safari – JEWEL
• HOYT — It all started with a dream!
• And you won't find better shooters

Andrey Shalygin PhD, DBA, Editor-in-Chief of National Explorer

Types of arrows

They also come in several types. Conventionally, they can be divided into hunting and sports. The latter are most often used for training. This is due to the fact that they are not even capable of injuring game.

The most ideal arrows for hunting have the following characteristics:

• There is a special thread at the front end, plus a sharp tip is screwed into it.
• These arrows have very long fletches. It is thanks to him that they fly over a very long distance.
• Arrows must be made exclusively from durable materials. The bow itself should be perfectly even. This is necessary to make it easier for the hunter to aim and hit the target.

Currently, there is a huge variety of arrows on the market today. It should be noted that there are no universal rules for their selection. Despite this, many experts urge not to buy cheap wood products. That is, preference should be given to those models that were made of synthetic materials. More experienced hunters explain this by the fact that such products are smooth and durable, thanks to this quality they can hit the target more often.

Hunting bows: types and features

There are three types of onions, differing in their design:

1. 
   Simple . In the yard, while still boys and girls, many played “Indians”, etc. It was at this time that many people got their first bows - made by their parents or with their own hands. This is a classic simple hunting bow. Basically, they are made to be full-length, like those of archers of the Middle Ages. However, using such weapons in the forest is very inconvenient, so smaller models have become more widespread. The width of such weapons is 50 mm in the middle and 16 mm at the ends. As soon as the bark is removed from the workpiece, the edges are pulled together and grooves are made for mounting the bowstring. As soon as the onion takes the correct shape, it is immediately coated with oil or fat. The easiest way to make a bow with such a device is to make it yourself.

   Read also:  Inedible, dangerous and poisonous plants of Russia
2. Compound or compound bow . It is not so difficult to make it with your own hands, and such a bow itself is much more effective than the previous version. It is assembled from 3 pieces of wood. The base is a hammer, and all other parts are attached to it.
3. The pinnacle of evolution, the best modern hunting bow is a compound bow . If you still use a complex or simple bow, then you should either purchase a compound bow, or pore long and hard over physics textbooks (especially mechanics) and assemble such a miracle weapon yourself.

Compound bow benefits:

• its string is much easier to pull;
• aggressive and futuristic appearance;
• increased combat range;
• A compound bow is more accurate and allows you to hunt any game.

However, there are also disadvantages:

• Many high-tech devices cannot be installed on a classic compound bow (or any other).
• This weapon must be selected or made individually, taking into account a bunch of anatomical features. This is not a firearm that can be stamped in batches and all problems solved with recoil pads; even a special tuning kit, which is usually supplied with a compound bow, will not always help here.

Hunting tactics for animals and birds

Thanks to high-quality weapons, it is possible to quickly catch any game, even large ones. Even in ancient times, our ancestors used these weapons to hunt roe deer, moose and even bears. However, times are changing, and these days, for the sake of your own safety, it is better to hunt using this weapon only for small game.

The most popular today is bow hunting for hares or birds. This method has some features, but despite this, it is imperative to follow the general rules. These include the following:

1. For example, arrows are not suitable for hunting in winter. This can be explained by the fact that the bow string is covered with wax; in the cold it begins to lose its flexibility. It is almost impossible to make an accurate shot.
2. Secondly, during shooting you need to choose your shooting point. This is necessary so that the arrow hits the target exclusively, but in no case gets caught on anything extraneous.
3. In addition, with a bow you need to sneak up unnoticed. The optical length of a bow shot is about 40 m. It is very important to learn accuracy in order to kill an animal with the first shot.
4. In addition, archery and aiming itself take a very large amount of time. During this time, any animal will simply run away.

Advice from experienced hunters on hunting hare with a bow

It is better to hunt a hare with a bow in winter and autumn. True, winter time is not always good for such a hunt, since in most cases the string on a bow is waxed, in extreme cold it becomes stiff, it is very difficult to string it, and the results of the hunt can be very unpredictable. That is why the tactical and combat qualities of a bow are best used in the fall. This applies not only to hunting hare, but also to other animals.

If you are using a bow to hunt a hare, it is best to try to catch a small dodger in an open and flat space, in this case there is a high probability of making the most accurate shot, since there will be no foreign elements in the path of the arrow.

Video of hunting a hare with a bow

In autumn, hares are most often found in abandoned gardens, agricultural fields, and various berry patches. To shoot a hare, choose a secretive, convenient place for an ambush, hide in it and wait for the desired guest. As soon as he appears, take careful aim, take aim at the hare and shoot.

You can hunt a hare by hiding near its hole, if you know where it is. The hare digs a hole when the breeding season begins, although the law prohibits hunting during this period, but if you are careful and attentive, everything will work out.

Hare hunting is very interesting, exciting and exciting. We suggest watching a video on our website on this topic, where you can gain experience from professional hunters.

If you are interested, then buy a bow, learn to shoot correctly, study videos and try your hand. Maybe soon your family will have the opportunity to enjoy a hare baked on a fire, hunted by your own hands. Happy hare hunting!

Animal hunting

Features of hunting some animals:

1. Beaver hunting. This rodent is a waterfowl mammal, so they prefer to hunt it with a bow and arrow. In order for the hunt to be successful, the hunter must take the choice of weapon very responsibly. Since when an arrow hits an animal, the latter begins to drown, so as not to lose the prey, a rope or fishing line should be tied to the arrow. Therefore, it is very important that the arrows are long and heavy, and that the weight of the rope in no way interferes with the flight. In addition, the hunter himself should under no circumstances touch the rope while pulling the bowstring.
2. Hunting for hares. This mammal is a cautious and very timid animal. If a hare senses danger, it can run away at a speed of 60 km/h. Therefore, to prevent this from happening, it is necessary to sneak up unnoticed on your prey in advance. Most often they hunt a hare in the fall. It is at this time of year that it is possible to quickly spot this mammal in leafless bushes. In addition, it is allowed to use bait or catch this animal from a hiding place.
3. Boar hunting. This type of hunting is extremely dangerous. The wild boar itself, not only when it is healthy, but also when it is wounded, poses a very serious danger to humans. You can hunt this animal with a bow only from ambush. As for the weapon itself, its tension force must be at least 30 kg. Despite this, the animal may not die during the first shot.

Hunting large game using this weapon, especially a compound bow for hunting, is very dangerous in itself. A wounded animal can become aggressive and attack the hunter. Therefore, if he does not have any skills and knowledge, as well as sufficient shooting skills, he must limit himself to hunting birds and small animals.

Bow hunting

Hunting with a bow is much more dangerous than hunting with a firearm. Trying to bring down an animal, a hunter may not kill it or even cause significant injury with the first shot. In such a situation, it is possible that the animal will notice the person and attack, and then the animal may no longer become prey.

In order not to flirt with luck, modern bow hunters, when going after a dangerous animal, take a gun with them in case of emergency. Or a partner can be armed with a gun to cover the archer if necessary. For this reason, hunting a bear or wild boar with a bow will be a very dangerous activity.

For the hare

The smaller the target, the more difficult it is to hit it. And if the target is also moving, then it becomes three times more difficult to hit. In the case of a hare, hunting with a bow is complicated not only by the small size of the target, but also by the fact that a running hare will rush through the grass and bushes, and any obstacles, even very thin branches of bushes, change the trajectory of the arrow and reduce its destructive power.

Only a hunter with first-class shooting skills with this weapon can hit a running hare with a bow.

Otherwise, hunting a hare with a bow is no different from ordinary hunting with a firearm. The preferred season for hunting is autumn-winter. If the winter is frosty, then using a bow is made difficult by the low temperature, at which your fingers freeze and it becomes much more difficult to shoot accurately. Frost also has an adverse effect on the bowstring, so it is better to choose the autumn period.

One of the simple ways to hunt a hare involves several conditions:

1. Bait is placed in the hare's feeding areas.
2. 50 meters from the bait they take a camouflaged position convenient for observation. Camouflage should not interfere with archery. It is forbidden for anything foreign to touch the bowstring or arrow.
3. The hunter waits for the hare to appear and, when it appears, fires a shot.

Depending on the goals and level of professionalism of the hunter, shooting is carried out either at a stopped hare, or after it runs, in order to complicate the task. An arrow from a hunting bow is powerful enough to pierce right through the carcass of a hare. After defeating a hare, like any animal, its carcass must be skinned as soon as possible so that the meat and skin do not disappear.

On the beaver

The cardinal difference between hunting a beaver and hunting other animals is that there is a possibility that the beaver will be hit in the water, and then it will go to the bottom. Even a beaver struck on land, if it has not been mortally wounded, will immediately rush into the water and dive, then it will be almost impossible to get it. To prevent this from happening, beaver hunting with a bow is carried out using special reels with fishing line, the end of which is attached to the arrow.

Having hit the beaver, the hunter pulls the line and pulls the beaver onto land, even if it was in the water. This device also has negative sides. An arrow with a fishing line loses its speed and strength much faster, so an effective shot must be fired from distances not exceeding one and a half dozen meters. To make an accurate and effective shot from such a distance, you will have to set up an ambush in beaver habitats.

The best time to hunt these animals is morning and dusk, as they prefer to rest during the heat of the day. Clear weather is preferable, since beavers rarely leave their homes when it rains.

Their eyesight is weak, but their sense of smell is well developed, so the ambush should be set up in a place where the wind will blow in the face, and visual camouflage does not require much attention, it is enough that the hunter’s silhouette is blurred by bushes. While waiting, you should not move suddenly or make noise. When a beaver appears, you need to slowly take aim, draw the bowstring and fire the shot.

It should be remembered that the beaver is a very stocky and powerful animal, as it is adapted to hard work with the forest. Its thick and strong bones will significantly slow down the arrow, so the hunter needs to know that a beaver can be fatally hit only in the area of ​​the brain, lungs and heart, and this all occupies only a small volume in the front part of the carcass.

It is advisable to use arrows for beaver hunting with a tip that is notched back, so that an arrow that enters the body cannot slip back through the wound when the hunter pulls the fishing line.

On the boar

Hunting a wild boar with any weapon is fraught with serious danger. This wild animal is very fast, strong and dangerous, therefore it poses a great threat to the hunter. Hunting a wild boar with a bow is dangerous because it is very difficult to land a fatal shot on such a powerful animal with the first hit.

You should always shoot at the side of the body so that the arrow can pass through its weak points and hit the lungs or heart, since the front of the boar has very thick bones and skin, as well as huge muscle mass. Hunting with a traditional bow will not be as effective as with a compound bow.

To pierce a wild boar, you will need a very large shot force, which cannot always be obtained with simple bows.

The safest way to hunt wild boar using a bow is to ambush it in a tree or tower. At a height, an angry boar will not reach or notice the hunter.

To organize an ambush on a wild boar, you need to do a little preparation:

• First you need to find a boar path and a place where they feed. Wild boars often travel in groups to the outskirts of farmers' fields, feeding there and damaging crops.
• Having discovered a place where wild boars constantly go, it is necessary to build a shelter for an ambush, preferably at a height where, if something happens, the wild boars will not be able to harm the hunter.
• When the place is known and the shelter is ready, you should take an ambush position before dusk and quietly wait for the animals to appear.

When a group of wild boars comes in the evening for their daily meal, you need to quietly take aim and make an accurate shot at one of the animals in its weak spot - the side of the body, under the shoulder blade. After this, the wild boars will probably run away, but the dead one will remain in place.

If the boar was only wounded, which is quite likely, it will still be able to run some distance, sweeping away everything in its path, so it will not be difficult to find it by a noticeable mark on the ground or with the help of a dog.

When the animal is found, you need to make sure that it is dead. If a boar is lying down, but its ears are pressed to its head, then it is probably still alive and, when a hunter approaches, it will try to attack it, which is very dangerous, because the blows of the sharp tusks of this wild animal can literally tear a person apart. Before approaching the wild boar, it is better to make a control shot in the heart area. After this, the carcass should be skinned and cut up as quickly as possible.

Is this kind of hunting allowed or not?

Many hunters are interested in the question, is bow hunting legal? Modern legislation currently practically does not regulate this. That is, it turns out that bow hunting is not prohibited, but at the same time there are some restrictions.

For example, a bow with a draw weight of no more than 27 kg will not be considered a weapon. This fact is confirmed by documents that the owner can receive at the time of purchase. In addition, under no circumstances should a sports bow be used behind the sports field. This is prohibited by law.

However, the law does not clearly stipulate that this fishery requires any permission. In addition, bow hunting cannot be carried out during research work, but it is almost impossible to prove the fact that a person was simply hunting and not studying forest inhabitants.

From this we can conclude that it is possible to hunt with a bow on the territory of our country. In addition, lately there has been a lot of talk about classifying this type of weapon as a hunting weapon.

Arrows for hunting - which arrowheads to choose for a hunter's bow?

So, you have decided on a bow for hunting, now it’s time to choose the right arrows. It is worth saying, despite the fact that the law prohibits hunting with a bow or crossbow, many hunters somehow manage to use this type of small arms in our forests. According to statistics, bowhunting is allowed only in some countries, the legislation of which is not so strict regarding this type of entertainment.

From all that has been said, it becomes obvious that all bow models differ in their area of ​​use and their design. These characteristics also apply to their ammunition. If for sport it is better to use the same arrows, then arrows for hunting may differ slightly. True, despite this, the design of all arrows is the same, they consist of the following elements:

• tip;
• a tube;
• shank and tail;
• insert;
• bushing for the shank or other parts for better shooting.

More detailed attention should be paid to the tips, since it is in them that some differences are hidden. There are hunting arrowheads and sports arrowheads. The second type of tips can be used for arrows intended for entertainment, reaction shooting, and sports competitions. They do not have a big impact on the arrow's flight range and trajectory and are small in size. The cost of such tips is affordable for everyone; they can be used for a long time.

Photo. Bow hunting

Hunting arrowheads are a completely different matter. The shape of such tips is quite wide, with cutting blades located at the edges. As a rule, hunting points must have an appropriate weight, which means making them heavy. Such characteristics of arrows significantly affect the arrow's flight range, its balance and trajectory in the air. Before going hunting with a bow and arrows with hunting tips, experts recommend shooting with these arrows. It is worth remembering that wooden targets are not used for zeroing, since they cannot withstand the power of the shot and the flight speed of such an arrow, so for zeroing it is best to use a sports arrow, but of the same weight as a hunting one. We invite you to watch a video review about the correct choice of arrowheads for hunting arrows.

How to hunt a hare with a bow - how to aim with a bow, watch shooting video

To hunt a hare, it is not enough to aim correctly; you need to take into account and remember some of the features of this type of entertainment. Although our legislation has strictly prohibited hunting with a bow or crossbow, we think that if you decide to hunt a hare in the nearest forest, nothing strange will happen. The main thing is that you remember about safety measures and try not to catch the eye of the guards of your forest, but for this it is best to first take care of the appropriate ammunition.

Photo hunting with a bow for a hare

Hunting a hare is not such a simple matter, I think each of you understands why. The hare is such an agile creature that keeping up with it is very problematic, but you can track everything if you have patience and hide in a secluded place. In addition, when hunting a hare, you must learn to walk almost silently; this is where the fighting qualities of a bow and arrow come in handy, because a small animal with long ears can hear the slightest rustle in an instant. Hares are also very agile and cunning; if they have the slightest suspicion of being followed, they will confuse their tracks so much that you will not be able to figure out where he came from and in which direction he ran away. You can shoot a hare with only one, accurate, aimed shot; any mistake will not allow you to fire a second shot, since you will no longer see this hare. A video of the features of hare hunting can be viewed on our portal.

How to make a bow with your own hands

A professional bow and equipment for it are quite expensive. Not every hunter is ready to spend that kind of money to purchase it. Therefore, in order to experience this type of fishing in practice, you can use a homemade bow of the simplest design. Such a weapon is not so difficult to make yourself.

The only thing is that before its manufacture it is necessary to take all measurements and be sure to select the right materials for it. For the latter, it is best to use durable but flexible wood. May be suitable: elm, cedar, birch and even oak. Well, in order to determine what the length of the future product will be, you need to measure the distance from the fingertips of your outstretched hand to the thigh.

After these manipulations, you need to read the instructions on how to make a bow intended for hunting:

1. First of all, you need to clean the wood from the bark, then you need to coat it with animal fat so that it softens.
2. After this you need to cut out the grooves. The bowstring will be pulled through them in the future. In this case, you need to drill one and a half centimeters from the edges of the arc.
3. As for the bowstring, it can be made from rawhide or a material with similar characteristics.
4. Arrows must also be made of wood. As for their length, it should be identical to the length of the hunter’s arm.

After all the necessary materials have been prepared, the wooden arch must be bent and the bowstring attached to it. At this stage, the bow manufacturing process can be considered complete, but it must be remembered that this simple model is not suitable for hunting large game.

Choosing the right bow

If a shooter has decided to prove to the world and himself his endurance and love for truly wild hunting, then the first thing he should think about is what type of bow is suitable for him. The selection criteria may be different, but the main ones are: mining ability, difficulty of training, cost of weapons and equipment for them. The hunter should also be interested in the question of whether such hunting is legal. After all, the permissibility of using a bow for hunting purposes depends on the strength of its tension. This topic will be covered later. There are three main types of hunting bows:

• simple;
• difficult;
• block models.

The design of each should be discussed separately.

Simple

A simple, or traditional bow, is a solid arch with a bowstring stretched across it. This type of weapon does not have any bends or horns, and the non-demountable arch makes it inconvenient to transport. Hunting with a traditional bow originated on the American continent, when it was made of wood. Now, of course, a variety of raw materials can serve as the main material. This bow is the simplest in design, but the most difficult to use. Therefore, it is rarely used for real hunting, but it is better to learn to shoot with it. After mastering it, working with more modern types of throwing weapons will seem like child's play.

Difficult

Assembled from three parts, which can be made of different materials. Variably curved ends enhance the power of the shot. Nowadays, a recurve bow for hunting (with hangers curved in the opposite direction) is popular. Modern compound bows are certainly more effective for hunting.

Blocky

The most powerful type of bow in existence, it is capable of piercing through the carcass of a large animal from 50 meters away. Hunting with it is much more promising than hunting with a traditional or compound bow. The force of the shot is increased due to the elongated bowstring and the rollers that tension it, located at the ends of the arc. The firing speed of such a bow exceeds that of its predecessors. However, its use does not require great physical strength.

Naturally, such a bow is not cheap for the owner. In addition, in addition to it, you need to buy:

1. aim;
2. shelf;
3. stabilizer;
4. peep site;
5. slip;
6. quiver.

What these parts are and how to use them is always written in the instructions that the weapon comes with. The parts of a compound bow require individual adjustment, so before you shoot from it, you will have to tinker for some time.

Proper care of compound onions

They don’t break down very often, but it’s not worth risking such an expensive and powerful weapon. Compound bows are always carried in a special case that protects them from mechanical damage and the scorching sun. In winter, some hunters wrap warm fabric around the blocks.

Tips and tricks for hunters

Hunting with a bow in the winter is practically impossible, due to the fact that the string begins to freeze and lose its strength. However, if a hunter nevertheless decides to try his hand at using this type of fishing, he needs to know the following practical tips.

When shooting game with a compound bow for hunting, the following must be considered:

1. Under no circumstances should you lose sight of your goal. Especially when the animal is large and potentially dangerous.
2. It is necessary to keep your index finger on it while stretching the bowstring. This must be done in order not to release your arrow ahead of schedule.
3. During the shooting itself, you need to maintain the position of your body in the shape of the letter T. Tilt, if necessary, is best done only with the lower back. This makes it possible to shoot more accurately.

It is necessary to choose a position in such a way that no trees, branches, or other objects interfere. This space should be as clean as possible. Thanks to this, there is a huge chance of catching good prey.

What's Really Happening

Taking into account the fact that sellers of all gun stores provide a certificate that gives the right to use throwing weapons without permits for sports and recreational shooting, we can conclude that a bow purchased in a store will not bring problems with the law to the new owner. To prevent licensing authorities from having many questions when importing throwing weapons into the country, manufacturers resort to tricks, reducing the power of the shot; the bow comes with a reinforced set with complete installation instructions. Sometimes weapons, especially professional compound bows for hunting, are sold in parts. In any case, it is important for a novice hunter to remember that an administrative violation under the article “poaching” is given to any person who is caught with a weapon and a carcass at the scene of a crime. “If” they get caught!