Topic: Any bow hunters?

[S'Raek]

So, I'm thinking about picking up a compound bow to do some bow hunting this fall.  I need to get one soon as I'll need to practice a good bit to get comfortable and proficient enough with it to take it into the field.  But I don't know how to measure what draw length I need.  Anyone know how to measure this?  Thanks.

[J. Carney]

So, I'm thinking about picking up a compound bow to do some bow hunting this fall.  I need to get one soon as I'll need to practice a good bit to get comfortable and proficient enough with it to take it into the field.  But I don't know how to measure what draw length I need.  Anyone know how to measure this?  Thanks.

Don't bow hunt, but I can give you a rough idea.

Grasp a measuring tape in your off hand, and take the end of it in your dominant hand between the thumb and forefinger. Extend your off hand out till the arm locks, and bring your dominant hand back towards your face till it touched your cheekbone below the eye, letting the tape play out.


I'm no bowhunter, but that should give you a starting point as to draw length, since that should be the position that you wind up in when the bow is drawn.

[S'Raek]

Carney, I was kind of hoping you would answer this question for me.  lol  If anyone on here was a bow hunter I figured you might be it.  I had the same idea as you, but wanted to see if anyone knew for sure.  Thanks for the help. 

[J. Carney]

LOL... np, Sarek. I don't bowhunt, like I said, but I've shot a few and know where it should wind up so you can use the sight aperture in the string.

[Dracho]

Also, forget the big sproting goods stores and find a local archery shop.  A lot of them will have someone who knows just about everything, and they may even have some demo models.  For instance, because you need a 36" draw will not tell you how comfortable the difference is between a 60 lb pull and an 80 lb pull.

[J. Carney]

Also, forget the big sproting goods stores and find a local archery shop.  A lot of them will have someone who knows just about everything, and they may even have some demo models.  For instance, because you need a 36" draw will not tell you how comfortable the difference is between a 60 lb pull and an 80 lb pull.

LOL... yeah, DON'T FORGET DRAW WEIGHT! Bigger isn't better if you can't draw without making too much of a scene!

[Mackie]

i've hunted with crossbows, i just know how to hit things with them but thats about it :p

[GE-Raven]

One big fact... if you are a weakling like me... don't let some dirt-head tell you that only a wuss would have a bow less 100 lbs. of draw.  The whole point of the compound bow is to minimize draw to maximize force to the arrow.  50 lbs. of draw is enough to kill any mammal in North America (assuming you can aim it to a soft spot and not the back of the skull).

I know that in my archery days I had a 40 lb. draw bow in scouts (hey I weight about 130 lbs then) was enough to bury the arrow to the flights in a the earthen bank behind the target.  (Hey I was just learning)

Rule of thumb... don't have a draw that you can't pull when you are dead tired.

GE-Raven

[Dracho]

You could always learn to use an atl-atl.  Some states are evening allowing a season again.

The Aztecs could put a projectile through a Spaniard's Steel breastplate with one.

http://www.onagocag.com/atlatl.html

[Just plain old Punisher]

This here is what I hunt with...

[Dash Jones]

I've used a bow, typically with a 65 pound draw weight, but I use it more for shooting and targets than hunting.

I would suggest instead of using the forum to go to a good sportsman store or shop that specializes in Bows and archery equipment.  There is a LOT more than just draw length that you need to be concerned with if you are wondering about that.

I would suggest starting with a starter bow, or at least a more generalized type of bow, I started with a Bear brand, fourty five pound draw when I was first introduced to archery (always used a compound, never the other stuff myself).  I then moved up to a sixty and now a sixty five.  I suppose I could move up to a higher weight, but there really isn't a need for what I do.

You'll want them to teach you how to replace parts on your bow.  You'll ALSO NEED TO LEARN the correct WAY to draw.  If you draw wrongly, the most obvious thing that will happen is that you will quickly develop a bruise on your forearm.  It can get worse inclusive of straining your back, and other portions of your anatomy.

The key is to be able to pull without moving the bow itself (keeping eyes on target).  However, one thing that you'll need to do also will be to set your sites, and if you haven't done it before, it would be best to have person on person teaching, as yes, one could tell you how to do it here, but it doesn't show (and it really should be shown) how exactly it should be done.  The same goes for the correct way to use a bow and to care for it.

For beginning since mistakes are apt to be made, be sure to invest in an armguard.  I would also suggest a release, but that's just a suggestion.

Just my thoughts on the matter.