Nothing quite matches the powerful feel of successfully taking down your intended prey with a hunting tool as graceful as a compound bow. Bow hunting is a highly skilled sport, requiring dedication and practice. It is also incredibly addictive. On the off-season you will find hunters littering the archery ranges fine tuning their skills and technique so that they can be ready for hunting season. Below is a list of compound bows that are ideal for hunting, we have compiled a list of varying equipment for hunters of all ages and experience levels;
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Bow Hunting Practices in 7 Steps
1. Correct Stance: In general, you should be facing your intended target at about a 45 degree angle while holding your feet apart around shoulder length apart with your toes pointing toward the target.In order to become one of the best bow hunters, you need to practice proper form during the off-season. There is always room for improvements in your shooting. Let’s examine those steps:
2. Get a Grip: It is important that you grip your bow with a closed, relaxed hand. If you can’t get this grip just right, you can also try a wrist sling with an open bow hand. The sling will tie your bow to your hand so that it won’t fall during the shot. One thing to consider for hunting applications is that a wrist sling is inconvenient if you need to quickly shoot but accuracy is more important.
3. Drawing your Bow: Your bow arm should be extended toward your intended target and the string should be pulled back in your fingers. Most often, you will use your index finger above the arrow and the following two fingers below. Pull the string back to your face holding the bow steady. Ensure that your draw strength is one you can handle, you will build up your shooting muscles with practice. Do not sacrifice accuracy by shooting a bow that is too heavy for you.
4. Anchoring Yourself: Your string is drawn, so lock your string hand on the side of your face. This is what anchoring means. A right handed archer would anchor on the right side of their face with the right eye sitting behind the string.
5. Aiming: This will depend on if you are using a sight or not. In general, sights are more accurate and some even have laser rangefinders. Raise your bow toward your intended target. Train yourself to take consistent shots. Always raise your bow the same way, ensure you are making smooth, non-jerky movements, take your time, hold your place on target for a couple of seconds and release the arrow.
6. The Release: Release the string smoothly without flinching or jerking.
7. Following Through: This is probably the most overlooked step to accurate shooting and practice. After you have released your arrow it is important to keep aiming until your arrow makes contact with its target.
The more practice and consistency you get, the more natural shooting a bow will feel. When you make it out to the woods during hunting season, your bow should feel as though it’s a part of you. You will raise it almost unconsciously when you spot your target. Take advantage of the off-season by performing slow, deliberate step-by-step practice to ensure that you are committing proper form to muscle memory.
Best Compound Bow for Hunting
1. SAS Rage 70 Lbs 30″ Compound Bow
The SAS Rage is economically priced compound bow typically on retail for under $200. The bow offers draw weights up to 70 pounds. It has earned itself a great rating from very happy Amazon customers with many reviews to reference. Many of them recommend this product and are incredibly happy with the price but do want to warn that this is not an entry level bow. It is important to ensure that you have the strength built up to handle the 55 to 70 pounds of draw strength that this unit offers. Customers are happy with the esthetic appeal as well as the fast shipping time. Customers who were unsatisfied with the bow often mentioned that their string broke on the first pull.
2. Bear Archery Cruzer Ready to Hunt Compound Bow
This hunting bow is designed to accommodate young hunters to adults. It has a variable draw weight from 5 to 70 pounds and the draw length can range from 12 to 30 inches. This is not a cheap unit, ringing in at just under $400 but it has earned itself almost perfect reviews from several past customers. Every customer, young and old, has said that this bow is high quality and a great unit to grow with. It has been purchased for beginners and intermediate level archers, all of which have been happy with what the package offers.
3. SAS Sergeant 55 Lb 29″ Compound Bow
This is one of the best bangs for your buck. SAS states that their CNC machined twin cams will ensure that this bow is one of the smoothest shots ever. The package comes with everything you need for hunting and target shooting. The package has earned a great rating with all of its customers saying that they are incredibly happy with the quality. Their only real complaint are that they found the instructions hard to follow. Customers indicate that this is an ideal package for beginners and intermediate level shooters and it can be adjusted so that the draw weight is less than 55 pounds for those shooters who haven’t built up their strength yet.
Final Thoughts on Compound Bows For Hunting
It’s important to remember that not all compound bows are suitable for hunting. You need to ensure that the bow you do end up choosing has the proper draw weight so that when you do hunt, you’re hunting humanely. Nothing gets me more upset than seeing an animal die inhumanely because of uneducated ‘wannabe’ hunters.
It’s also important to ensure that you have the proper accessories for your hunting compound bow including hunting arrows and in my opinion, a single pin bow sight which will allow to hunt with accuracy.