I finally got a bow!

Well I have wanted a bow for some time now, but haven't been able to afford a new or find a used one. I am right handed, but left eye dominate so I needed a left handed bow. To my surprize my church bought me one for Christmas! It is a Martin Magcat Solocam. I plan on practiceing all year so I will be deadly come next deer season. I can't wait to get it sized so I can start shooting. Things have been so busy with work and the holidays that I have been able to take it to the bow shop yet.

Do any of you bow hunt? What tips do you have for someone just getting into it?

God bless,
Chad

I have killed four rabbits, and three squirrels with my bows, but cannot hit a deer to save my life   

I haven't bow hunted in years, after this incident:
I was in my stand, and had a 6 point buck walk up and start feeding 20 yards from my stand. (I had placed range markers, and practiced shooting at the ranges marked from that stand in that exact location) I quietly nocked an arrow, drew, aimed with the correct pin, released...shot 3 feet over his back. He turned and looked in the direction the arrow went, nocked a second arrow, aimed again (the deer has not moved a step, just turned his head), released, shot under him. He jumped and trotted over about 30 feet, now he's about 25 yards from my stand. He slowly starts walking back towards the second arrow. I nocked a third arrow, drew and waited. He started smelling of the second arrow and looking around. I released the third arrow, the pin was on his shoulder...I distinctly remember this last release. As I began to release I remember glancing at his antlers. I had been concerned with watching the flight path of the arrow, instead of following through on the shots like I would with small game and targets. So when I released that last arrow, it rattled through his antlers and off he ran.

So my advice...Practice, practice, practice, and learn how to track via blood trail. Also be patient after the shot, it can take up to an hour for a deer to bleed out. The sharper the broad head the less the deer will run (less pain and less startling) stay away from mechanical broadheads, they do not penetrate as well as fixed blade types. Same with the chisel points, use "cut on contact" types.

Thanks for the advice. I really like your idea of marking/practiceing from your stand. I will have to remember that.

remember also to focus on a spot on your target, not the entire animal, and follow through.

Yeah, my shooting (gun) has improved since I adopted your "aim small, miss small" aproach. I just need to master the art of pausing slightly after the shoot.

LOL, it really makes a difference. If I can do it, anybody can learn to do it

 

 Me too!