| Bow hunting is one of the most popular sports | | | | of fatigue. One more advantage of the compound |
| for the sportsmen. The number of individuals who | | | | bow is it is capable of shooting much faster than |
| participate is growing each year. There are many | | | | the recurve bow. The faster an arrow is in flight |
| reasons for this growth. Let us discuss a few of | | | | means a flatter trajectory. A bow that has a flat |
| the reasons. | | | | arrow trajectory allows the hunter more room |
| Most of us rise each morning, go to work, and | | | | for error in judging distance. There are many |
| come home again. We do this day in and day out | | | | models of compound bows available on the |
| until the need for escaping the everyday routine | | | | market today. |
| comes into play. Some people escape to the | | | | The recurve bow has been used for many years |
| resorts for relaxation, but for those of us who | | | | and is making a come back in popularity. This bow |
| just want to eliminate the hustle and bustle of | | | | does not have the "let-off" of the compound bow. |
| being at a certain place at a certain time this | | | | Because it does not have this release point, the |
| might not be the answer. If you have ever spent | | | | archer usually needs to get the shot off faster. If |
| time just walking through the woods or sitting | | | | the bow is a 65 pound draw weight then it stays |
| around a camp fire sharing your day's | | | | at 65 pounds until the string is released. This is |
| experiences, then you will know the peace which | | | | different from the compound which releases from |
| can be yours. For those of you who don't wish to | | | | 65 to about 50 pounds at full draw. |
| hunt, there are activities for you. Target shooting | | | | This brings us to the crossbow. This particular |
| and competitive shooting is a very popular activity | | | | bow has been used for years. It is a cross |
| and one which can be very rewarding. | | | | between rifle and a bow. It is for this reason, |
| Most states will extend the bow hunting season | | | | many states do not allow cross bows to be used. |
| beyond the regular season. For example, in Illinois | | | | The one exception in Illinois is for the handicapped. |
| the deer season for bow hunters begins in | | | | A special permit may be obtained. I would |
| October and ends in January. The gun season is | | | | suggest that you check with your State |
| two times with one being in November for three | | | | Conservation Agency to determine whether |
| days and again in December for four days. For | | | | these may be used. |
| those who like to hunt this gives a greater | | | | Now that you have selected the type of bow, it |
| opportunity to engage in a sport of great | | | | is time to consider the weight of the bow. The |
| challenge. | | | | draw weight for a recurve bow is the number of |
| I have talked with many hunters of both the bow | | | | pounds it takes to draw the bowstring back to |
| and gun and almost to a man, they tell me that it | | | | about 28 inches. If your draw length is longer or |
| is a greater challenge to bow hunt. The hunter | | | | shorter, then add or subtract two pounds for |
| must get much closer to the game and then | | | | each inch difference. For compound bows, draw |
| have the shooting ability to complete the hunt. | | | | weight is the amount of weight you pull through |
| The white tail deer is one of the most elusive | | | | until your bow lets off. |
| animals and the mere challenge of finding one | | | | An archer should select a draw weight that is |
| often is reward enough. I have heard more | | | | comfortable. The higher the draw weight will result |
| stories of the one that got away than the one | | | | in a faster arrow flight, but you still must be able |
| which did not. | | | | to handle the draw with comfort. If you are |
| No matter your preference there is an activity | | | | considering a recurve bow, you need a draw |
| for you, all you have to do is give it a try. Those | | | | weight of between 45 to 50 pounds. If you select |
| who are new to the sport, I will have tips on | | | | a compound bow, it should have a minimum peak |
| finding the right equipment and gear. | | | | weight of between 50 to 55 pounds. As your |
| SELECTING THE PROPER EQUIPMENT | | | | ability improves, you may find that you can |
| The first choice you will have to make is, What | | | | increase the poundage by 5 to 10 pounds. |
| type of bow do I want?" There are basically | | | | One more very important point to consider is the |
| three types of bows being used today. Those are | | | | draw length. This is defined as the distance from |
| the compound bow, recurve bow and the | | | | the nock and string to the front of the bow at full |
| crossbow. | | | | draw. To determine your individual draw length, |
| The compound bow is probably the most popular | | | | you can stand at right angle to the wall and place |
| of the three mentioned for a couple of reasons. | | | | your knuckles on the wall. Measure the distance |
| This particular style has what is known as the | | | | from the wall to the corner of your mouth and |
| "let-off". Basically, what this means is that when | | | | this should give you your draw length. Remember |
| the archer pulls the string back there will be a | | | | when you select your arrows, make them about |
| point when it will become easier to handle. This | | | | three or four inches longer than your draw length |
| allows the archer to hold the bow at full draw | | | | to prevent overdrawing of the arrow. |
| with little or no pressure on the arm muscle and | | | | You are now ready to begin target shooting. More |
| thereby helps eliminate the up and down motion | | | | tips will be given for the beginning hunter. |