Bow hunting check list
Contributors to this thread:West Virginia
From: mwoods269
27-Sep-17
Hello, I am new to bow hunting and currently working on acquiring the necessary equipment. I'd like to have some suggestions for the following: Hunting from tree stand in WV November 2017 - I have a tree stand being provided, boots etc from severe cold rifle hunt in WV -safety harness lg/x-large? -fixed pin sight for my used bow. nothing special? -release? -gloves? -minimum recommended item checklist?
Thanks in advance!
From: David Mitchell
27-Sep-17
Hmmm, just starting and you plan to hunt this season?? That may be rushing things. Have you had the bowhunter education course? Not required legally but it will answer all of your questions and make you a better and safer hunter. If you are going to do this, practice relentlessly until your form is grooved in and consistent since you plan to start bowhunting right away..........the safety harness needs to be whatever size you need to fit you--no way for us to know what that would be, but most are adjustable to allow for layering in colder weather. Assuming your bow is a compound bow you will no doubt need a release as most modern compounds are too short to be shot with fingers. Start with a single pin sight and sight in at a reasonable hunting shot distance--just starting I would suggest nothing beyond 20-25 yards absolute max. I have bowhunted for somewhere around 40+ years and still keep my shots to that distance. Bowhunting is a close encounter endeavor and lots can happen very fast with a deer at the time of the shot and it only takes a small movement to make the difference between a clean kill and a gut shot. Gloves may not be needed, again it depends on temps at the time you hunt but I always carry a pair of brown jersey gloves in a jacket pocket if evening temps cool off enough to need them. I would suggest field dressing gloves to keep things neater in the process, a pull-up cord for your bow once you get up to the stand--DO NOT climb or descend with bow in hand. A knife, of course, and beyond that not much is needed, but after folks have hunted a while they tend to need a large pack to carry all the junk, I mean gear :o), that the advertisers and TV celebrity hunters will tell you you just have to have. I like to take a compass along to get a direction on the last place I saw the deer after the shot. When you get down things look pretty different and where you think the deer went may not be. Wait at least 30 minutes after a hit unless you see the animal go down which is rare with arrow shot game. Push it and you may never find it, and that leaves a bad taste in your mouth for sure. Others here will perhaps disagree with me but all of the latest "necessary" camo clothing is not necessary. Quiet stuff is important, and plaids work just as well as the most expensive camo out there to be quite honest. Deer do not wear camo and when they stand still in the woods they virtually disappear. I have friends who hunt strictly on the ground and never wear camo and kill deer within 15-20 yards pretty consistently. I hope this helps.
From: Babysaph
27-Sep-17
Can't add much to that. Dave has it all covered.
From: hookman
27-Sep-17
You should have some kind of safety rope hung from above your stand so you can be attached while climbing in and out of your stand. A Prussic rope attached to a larger rope will slide up and down as you move. Most falls happen when getting in and out of stand. Make sure your rope is strong enough to absorb the shock of your weight coming to an abrupt halt. You cannot be too careful, your life depends on it.
From: WVBOWHUNTER
28-Sep-17
I would say Dave and hookman pretty much summed it up for you. The only thing I would add is a handheld GPS especially if your hunting on some public ground or private that you are unfamiliar with. I do not have any phone service when i hunt public in Wyoming county so i usually take a handheld GPS if i decide to move to a new unfamiliar location. Always wear a safety harness!
From: Little Bear
28-Sep-17
Razor sharp broadheads and at least one set aside for practice to make sure it shoots the same as field tips. Practice, practice, practice!