How are your bowhunting skills? Bowhunting is one of the most primitive activities men could do. The thrill of going out in the wild and hunting wild animals to eat for dinner.
There’s nothing like it.
If you’re a bowhunter like me and most of us here, and find waiting patiently to spot an 800lb grizzly bear on a brisk Saturday morning relaxing… then stay tuned.
Importance of Bowhunting
Learning to aim and shoot an arrow with a bow at a wild animal could mean the difference between you’re survival and not.
If you’re stranded in the wilderness or have to bug-out to the wild, you’ll need food. Fishing, hunting, and foraging are your three options for acquiring food in the near future.
Bowhunting is an important skill to have in this situation so you can hunt wild game and get some calorie-dense foods to survive.
Furthermore, you can make a DIY primitive bow in the wild. It’s one of the few weapons you’re able to make in the wild with limited resources. But a bow you can make. The arrows you can make. You’ll have a long-range weapon for food production and for self-defense.
Is Bow Hunting Hard To Learn
One of the common questions I see get asked a lot by people entertaining the thought of becoming a bowhunter is,
How hard is bow hunting?
Well, yes and no, It can be hard or it can be easy. If you practice every day with your bow. If you improve your hunting skills every day. If you work on your technique. If you learn every day, get advice and feedback every day.
Then it won’t be very “hard” for you. Will it be hard at first? Like anything, yes it will be.
If you’re already a hunter and just new to bow hunting, then it will be a smooth transition for you.
Bow Hunting Supplies
Many beginners are so excited to start hunting with their fresh new shiny compound bows that they’re going to go pick up at the hunting store, that they buy every accessory and bow hunting piece of gear in the place. And end up spending way too much for a first-timer.
You don’t need all that much gear to start. Start cheap and start fast.
Work your way up to get different pieces of gear and fancy bow accessories. You can start out with just the basics for bow hunting.
70 Essential Skills For Bowhunters
Okay, enough hunting basics and introductions. Let’s get into the list of tricks.
Bowhunting is an essential skill to develop, especially if you plan on being able to survive off the grid.
And if there is ever a zombie apocalypse… you’ll get to shoot zombies through their heads with a bow and arrow like Daryl Dixon from The Walking Dead.
1. Identify Bow Types
Start learning the different type of bows. Go here for a guide explaining the different kinds of bows.
2. Learn About Bow Slings
3. Use A Traditional Longbow
Using a traditional longbow is one of the best ways to learn. Thanks to the Hunger Games, opting for a traditional longbow has become more popular.
4. Diy Badass Broadheads
5. How To Set A Trap
Once you’re a hunter, you’re a trapper. Trapping is like the butter on toast. You can’t have one without the other.
Watch this video on how to set a basic trap.
6. Make a DIY Survival Arrow
7. Get Gear For Bow Fishing
You’re sharpening your archery, precision, and bow skills. Take those same skills and apply them where you have less oxygen. Try bow fishing.
Here are 8 essential pieces that Field and Stream recommend.
8. How to use a single pin slider
Check out the tutorial below on how to use a single pin slider for your bow.
9. Tie a D-Loop
Knowing how to tie a D-Loop will be useful for your shooting practice.
10. Prune an Apple Tree for Deer
11. How to attach a capture rest
The video below shows you exactly how to mount an arrow rest the right way.
12. DIY Scent Dripper
Knowing how to make your own scent dripper will not only save you some dollars, but it’s fun. Here’s how you can make a DIY scent dripper.
13. Pack String Wax In Your Hunting Bag
Wax for your bow strings is important. You always want to have some with you for when you need it.
I keep this wax in my bag.
14. How to shoot a fixed multi-pin sight
When working with a fixed multi-pin sight, they can break on you. If you’re in the middle of a hunting trip, you’re unlikely to be able to go fix it and get back to hunting. Here’s how you can fix a bow sight yourself so you don’t have to use something else or worse, have to leave your trip to go fix it.
15. Bring Your IPA Survival Kit
Hunting is tiresome. Especially if you’re a bear bow hunter. The adrenaline alone will leave you tired after it runs out. After killing your target, have an IPA survival kit to quench your thirst and celebrate your kill.
16. Get A Handle On Things
Have you ever tried shooting with a loose grip? I didn’t either for a long time.
Bow field tests have proved that having a loose grip on your bow, works better than having a firm grip. It goes against what most bowhunters think. But the facts don’t lie.
17. How To Hold Binoculars Steady
It might seem like it’s as simple as “just hold them steady”. But it’s not.
Shaky binoculars is a common problem amongst hunters. So here are different ways you can hold your binoculars steady.
18. Make Hunting Shooting Sticks
19. How to Install a peep sight
20. Aim with both eyes
Closing one of your eyes while aiming cuts your accuracy results dramatically. Learning to aim while keeping both of your eyes open is important.
21. Should you buy used or new
22. Master the heart shot
23. How to use a stabilizer
24. Steer Deer With 5 lb Buckets
25. How to buy a new compound bow
Like any piece of gear you buy. You want to do your homework before buying. You want to get a newer compound because the improvements in them over the past couple of decades has skyrocketed.
This video explains the things to look for when considering a new bow.
26. Navigate Properly With Binoculars
27. Attach A Grunt Call To Your Coat
This allows you to easily call deer with very minimal movement. Get a grunt call and stick it to your jacket. You can use velcro strips to attach to the top of your jackets. Then glue a patch to a grunt call. You’ll be able to just slightly turn your head to put the call into your mouth. Now you’ll have both hands free for handling your bow.
28. Learn your bow cams
29. Get A Coach
There are certain things you want to look for in a coach to really benefit from having one. But getting feedback and advice will drastically accelerate your progress and abilities out in the field.
30. How To Shoot A Recurve Bow
The recurve has been in existence for just shorter than forever. Similar to the longbow. It makes a killer bow bear hunting seasons.
31. Small Time Game
If you want to have a little fun, make a DIY blowgun for small game hunting.
32. Earn Your Rifleman’s Merrit Badge
See the full requirements and details at MerritBadge.org
33. Build A DIY Target stand
Build your own DIY target stand so you don’t have to spend money replacing stands to practice.
See how to make it here.
34. How To Tie A Getaway Knot
Just like fishing knots and survival knots, there are also hunting knots. These knots are most useful for hunters to learn. The getaway knot allows you to tie up your own mount for your horse.
Here’s how to tie it.
35. Make A Field Plan
As a bow hunter, having an established and well thought out field guide is essential.As always preparation starts first. Establish a plan for the field when you get out there in the field.
36. It’s Not About The Bow
He explains that it’s not about the bow.
[easy-tweet tweet=”It’s not about the bow” user=”thesurvivaljournl” template=”qlite
37. Learn And Tune Your Cams
38. How to bait a bear
39. How To Plant a Micro Food Plot
You can make a DIY micro food splot with no equipment. Here’s how.
40. How To Make a Buck Bed
This tutorial teaches you how to make buck beds
41. Read Your Arrows The Right Way
42. Master the ground blind shot
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43. How to make the ultimate arrow
44. Get A Sharper Deal
Walking in the first store you hear of and paying full retail is one option. Or… you could save a little.
Here’s a guide on how to get the best bang for your buck on a compound bow.
45. Customize Your Bow Sight
Similar to an instrument of a professional musician. You want to fine tune your bow. Make it yours. Make it sharper. Make it deadlier. Make it unique. Make it impossible to miss.
46. How to make a 100-yard shot
Speaking of making it impossible to miss. This video on how to make a 100-yard shot is a must watch.
47. How to tune the verticle
48. Make Your Turkey Call Striker Bulletproof
Do you cap your turkey call strikers with anything to protect them? Caps from ink pens work well for doing this.
49. Easily sharpen your arrowheads
50. Make a DIY Survival Bow
51. How To Optimize Your Arrows
What if you took an already razor-sharp arrow and made it 2x better?
This video shows you a pro tip for your arrows.
52. Make A Lineman’s Belt
53. Choose The Right Arrows
It might seem simple. An arrow is an arrow. But it’s not that simple.
Watch this video on what arrows to chose and why.
54. Make The Ultimate Bow Arrow
55. Quickly and Easily Clean Your Knife
If you have a hunting or survival knife, chances are it’s a fixed blade knife. Fixed blades are easy to clean. Just apply a small amount of honing oil on the blade and wipe it with a cloth.
You can grab some honing oil here.
56. Use Superglue
Your servings will wear with use over time. When they start to wear, they will become loose which will cause your sights and serving threads to fly in the wind. Use super glue when they start to wear on you.
57. How to shoot a bird with a bow
58. How to get draw length right
This guide from Hunters Friend explains everything you need to know on drawing your length correctly.
59. Sharpen Your Survival Knife
Keep your knife nice and sharp.
60. Decoy a pronghorn antelope
61. Use confidence decoys to arrow a deer
62. Make homebrew deer scents
This guide from Outdoor Life covers how to make a homemade deer scent.
63. Make a DIY Drag Rag
64. Make a DIY arrow case
65. How To Test A Bow
This video from Outdoor Life shows you how to test your bow the right way.
66. How to prepare for hunting season
67. Build A Cheap DIY Bow
Making your own bow first before you invest in a professional bow is a good idea.
You can make one from an old bike tire.
68. Kill a Wild Boar With Just A Knife
In case you don’t have your bow with you, always have your knife with you and know how to use it.
Watch this video on a blazingly fast boar kill with a knife.
69. Increase Your Bow Accuracy
Do you have to hit the bullseye every time? No, but it never hurts when you make a perfect shot.
70. Clean and Cook A Squirrel
Conclusion
To wrap it up, these skills are tried and true for bow hunters.
Bowhunting is one of the most primitive activities you can do. And chose wisely when it comes to who you go hunting with. Going hunting with someone is either going to be heaven or hell. Best friends or worst enemies.
We hope this article gave you some bowhunting skills and tips for beginners. You may also want to see our guide on 37 bushcraft survival skills to learn how to survive in the wild.
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As an avid bowhunter with a deep passion for primitive survival skills and a commitment to honing my expertise, I bring years of hands-on experience to the table. I've spent countless hours perfecting my bowhunting skills, delving into the nuances of archery, and adapting to diverse wilderness scenarios. My understanding extends beyond the thrill of the hunt to the essential survival aspects that bowhunting encompasses.
The article you've presented delves into various facets of bowhunting, highlighting its significance in the context of primitive survival. Let's break down the concepts and skills discussed:
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Importance of Bowhunting:
- Emphasizes the critical role of bowhunting in acquiring food during survival situations.
- Advocates for the ability to craft a primitive bow and arrows in the wild.
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Is Bow Hunting Hard To Learn:
- Acknowledges the learning curve but underscores the importance of consistent practice and skill improvement.
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Bow Hunting Supplies:
- Encourages beginners to start with basic gear and gradually invest in additional accessories.
-
70 Essential Skills For Bowhunters:
- Provides a comprehensive list of skills, including identification of bow types, using traditional longbows, making DIY broadheads, setting traps, and more.
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Specific Bowhunting Techniques and Tips:
- Covers diverse topics such as bow fishing, using a single pin slider, tying a D-Loop, pruning trees for deer, and attaching capture rests.
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Gear and Equipment Tips:
- Discusses the importance of gear for bow fishing, the use of a stabilizer, handling binoculars, and selecting the right arrows.
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Guidance on Purchasing a Compound Bow:
- Advises on considerations when buying a new compound bow, emphasizing advancements in technology.
-
Coaching and Improvement:
- Highlights the benefits of having a coach to accelerate progress in skills.
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Hunting Techniques:
- Explores shooting a recurve bow, making a blowgun for small game, earning a Rifleman's Merit Badge, and creating a DIY target stand.
-
Bow Maintenance and Tuning:
- Discusses tuning bows, baiting bears, planting micro food plots, and optimizing arrows.
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DIY Projects and Tips:
- Covers making a DIY survival bow, constructing a bow arrow, and creating a 100-yard shot.
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Conclusion:
- Stresses the primitive nature of bowhunting and offers a word of caution on choosing hunting companions wisely.
In conclusion, the article serves as a comprehensive guide for bowhunters, blending survival skills with the art of archery. It caters to both beginners and seasoned hunters, providing valuable insights into the multifaceted world of bowhunting.
