1 year to learn to bow hunt deer

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GymB

Picking it up slowly.
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As a child I hunted squirrel and pheasant on a few occasions, that’s the limit of my hunting experience.

Friend of mine in TX lives on 1,000 acres inside high fence with a sizable deer herd, they like to take out 80-125 each year. It is bow hunting only, state issued tags, and except for feeders and blinds it is free. He doesn’t hunt.

There is only a month left in season this year and their usual hunters have taken only about 35, so I’ve set him up with some other friends that can help solve his problem for this year. BTW, a few years back one guy took 80. For next year I’m thinking it’d be fun to organize something, but to do that I need to learn to hunt with a bow.

Terrain is rock and thorny brush, few trees.

Need to ask about crossbow, but I’d be the odd man out as the other guys are all traditional or compound.

So, pretend I’m your 11 year old nephew and tell me where you think I should start.

Unfortunately, there is no opportunity for me to tag along at the end of this season, but I have access to the property all year.
 
Place stands closer to food plots or traveling paths. Go talk to a pro at the archery store and get a bow that can be adjusted to your draw length. (Not an issue for most people but if your a big guy like me it limits your choices) A draw weight in the 40-50 lb range is great for beginners as you can practice without getting fatigued. Still plenty of speed for hunting. Much like rifles, the modern bow choices make it hard to go wrong, but you will want to spend the money and a good sight and at least a decent drop away rest. The archery pro will let you try out all the different types of releases to see which feels more natural to you. The arrows will have to be bought and/or made based on your draw length. Make sure you match the weight of your practice tips for whatever hunting tip you choose.
 
Its pretty simple, just get fitted the bow that fits you and your budget, get you a decent backstop and shoot shoot shoot!!
 
Do you have a local bow shop? Small mom and pop place? Ask around to be sure it's a decent shop. Then go talk to them. Don't be scared to buy a good condition used bow. I had a Mathews that was a year old when I bought it and I shot it for over 10 years. Killed a pile of deer with it. My 2 current bows, target and hunting, were bought used.

If you can find a good shop, get lessons. It will really speed up the learning curve. There is a ton of things to know and master. Fit, grip, tuning, stance, release, follow through. It takes a lot of trial and error to do it on your own.

If you like to read and see others questions head over to Archerytalk forum. But keep in mind, you can overload yourself with info too. Everyone has an opinion. Some are better than others. There is a generally accepted "right way" to do most everything in archery. After you learn the right way, you can start tweaking things a bit to find your way. Nearly none of the world class pros shoot the "right way". But none of them would tell you to shoot their way either, because it's their way they found through thousands of shots and hundreds of hours of trial and error.

If you have questions, just ask.
 
Goofyfoot2001 said:
Compound bows are for girls so...
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Hey! I resemble that remark. Of course, as a gun girl, I have not sought out a recurve bow fitted to me. And, have not used one since college.

Crossbow or adjustable compound bow are my top choices.
 
Barefoot archery is close, no idea if it is good. Anyone have an opinion?
 
I've only been bow hunting for a few years and have never been to Texas, so I'm not an expert on any of the relevant items here. But I will say that the excitement of having a deer come in so close to you cannot be compared with anything other type of hunting in my opinion. I love my rifle and my muzzleloader, but the rush from trying to be that stealthy and completely fooling them is awesome.
 
Looking at both websites it does look like Barefoot has the upper hand on selection. Skip's pretty much has Bowtech. Still worth checking out, maybe you love one of them. Try to shoot a few if you can. If it does not feel right, keep looking. Fit and feel are the foundation to shooting well. But do keep in mind that the bow grip has a huge influence on feel and they are easy to change. I've switched to a flat back grip or just the riser if it's flat. Used to love the Matthews round wooden grips. Can't shoot them to save my life now.
 
Get a crossbow and do work. If they were legal to use during archery season here I would have a Benjamen airbow so you might condsider one of these depending on regs.. Hunt the wind and you should be good out to 45-50yds. Buy a good range finder or figure ranges before hunt. Keep in mind that when hunting I prefer to be effective rather than sporting.
 
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My ex shoots at barefoot all the time....ill ask her who the best person to talk to up there would be.

Edit: She said talk to Jessie Smith (the owner) and tell him Charlene sent ya.
 
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So far I've seen a good bit of archery advice, which is good since that is your intended manner of taking. The other end of the equation though is the actual hunting skills.

Bow hunting is more difficult than gun not only because of the limitations of archery tackle, but because of the need to make several gross motor movements without being detected while the deer is within the limited range of your weapon. It becomes about learning and knowing when to stand up, when to draw, etc. when the deer will not bust you for the movement. You also mention the terrain there is mostly scrub brush and rocks and such. That may compound those difficulties further as you may be on a level plane with deer instead of elevated in a tree stand.

If you have the opportunity to spend some time on the property scouting/observing deer behavior in the offseason that may be helpful.
 
rantingredneck said:
So far I've seen a good bit of archery advice, which is good since that is your intended manner of taking. The other end of the equation though is the actual hunting skills.
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Yup. I have few issues with being quiet, still and downwind, but will need to figure out how to time movements. Can’t really start plann8ng that until I get the shooting basics down.

I’ll be on the property at the end of the month, if I get a chance i’ll Post satellite images.
 
concepthomes1 said:
Barefoot is good - Skip's Archery down near you is better, IMO.

I used to visit Skip when he operated out of his accessory building out in Hemby Bridge. He may or may not have passed but I believe the store is still going. Always helpful, no pressure.

Barefoot sales guys can be too pressuring sometimes and they tend to push one or two brands over any else.

https://www.skipsarchery.com/
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Stopped by there a few times in Mineral Springs and no-one is ever around (gave up) not worth the wasted time !
 
waxhaw said:
Stopped by there a few times in Mineral Springs and no-one is ever around (gave up) not worth the wasted time !
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Probably explained by this on their home page:

It is with great sorrow that I announce the passing of Jim Skipper. Please keep his family in your prayers. If you have unfinished business with the shop, or need to pick equipment that has been serviced, please contact Ann Hasty at 704-201-1957.
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Barefoot Archery has been in Charlotte since I grew up there. So that's at least 29 years! Actually nearer 40+. You don't last like that if you don't have something on the ball. I have not been there in 20 years, but they were good back in the day.

I would also add that the key to getting broadheads to fly as much like field points as possible is to properly size the broad head to your fletching, and most importantly to have a well tuned bow. My son bought a bow a few years ago and got a drop away arrow rest (Ultra Rest I think it was). It was kind of expensive, but man did it make tuning easy. No trying to twist 4 inch fletching through the rest without deflecting.

He was shooting bullet holes in paper at 5 ft, with an unfletched arrow, in no time with that rest.
 
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