Once this sport was reserved for the King, and commoners were not permitted to hunt in the King’s forest.

Archery Hunting has become a popular sport

Now however it’s actually quite a popular sport. Some people have the idea that it’s a barbaric or uncivilised sport, but in fact it has a long and upstanding history. There are many rules in place that restrict how bow hunting can be carried out, and bow-hunters abide by them.
The goal is to minimise suffering and archers must only make a shot when they are able to hit the kill zone, and then must track the animal and ensure a quick death. This often means trekking for miles after the prize, but it is done without fail.

The strict rules in place and the fact that they are obeyed, coupled with the huge skill involved actually mean that archery hunting is more of a sport for gentlemen.
There are a few important differences between using bows and using firearms. Not least, is the archery hunting equipment. Secondly then, in the United States there are different times when each weapon can be used. In most cases bow season opens earlier than firearms, and so archers have the opportunity to hunt an open field without worrying about being caught in crossfire.

The tactics used are also very different.

The predominant hunting style used in archery hunting is the ‘spot and stalk’ method, where the hunter attempts to get as close to their prey as possible. This not only ensures a better chance of letting loose an arrow but also that the shot will kill the animal as quickly as possible.

If you're new to bow hunting, it's worth practising as much as possible first

Another tactic is using stands, often in trees, which have been carefully placed on top of regularly used trails or near water sources. Both methods require a lot of patience, where the archer will perhaps have to wait for hours without even sighting a buck. This, along with the appropriate gear, is actually one of the most crucial attributes that any budding archer will need.

Any experienced hunter will tell you that to be successful you need careful, slow and precise movements – nice easy actions as opposed to overconfidence.

There are a variety of different bows you can use, check out this article on HUNTING BOWS here for more information.

Once you’ve checked your gear thoroughly and headed out to the field, set up in your stand or spotted your prey on foot, you have the difficult task of shot placement. Accurate shot placement is difficult even using rifles, and using a bow is even harder.

People of all ages can succeed at the sport

Probably the biggest reason hunters miss their mark is that they didn’t judge the distance properly. Getting a good measure for distance comes with practice, but having said that you need to ensure you’re up to a good standard before taking aim at a living creature to make sure you can deliver a quick death.

Using range finders can be useful, especially if you’re using a stand or blind.

Even if you are not, you may have the opportunity to measure out the distance between yourself and several trees around you. Doing this regularly will improve your judgement to such a level where you‘ll be able to accurately judge a given distance at a glance.
When taking aim at the actual buck, it’s important to aim for the kill zones. A lung shot is probably the most commonly executed kill shot. It’s very important to learn from an experienced hunter before heading out to the woods archery hunting as it is a sport that requires much practice and skill.

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And now, check out this video of a well-executed take-down of a large whitetail using a compound bow.

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