common bowhunting mistakes

Most bowhunters, if asked, will say they’ve made countless mistakes while bowhunting. The setting sun’s final glints illuminated the sparse trees dotting what was otherwise wide-open landscape. Moreover, this is the time; you may be excited and filled with renewed hope that you will be … If you miss or make a poor hit due to forcing a shot, it’s possible you’ll never see it again.”. I don’t wrap my fingers around the grip. If you find this uncomfortable, it could be that you’ve been gripping incorrectly for such a long time that anything else feels wrong. He had noticed his release was a little uncooperative while practicing, but hadn’t worried about it. Unwanted contact can send your arrow off course, causing a marginal hit or miss. That hit home for me. It’s getting to full draw that’s hard,’” Crume said. “Create an environment where you know what success looks like, and try to hunt within that parameter,” he said. If anything about a grip feels foreign, eliminate that bow. And, when your anchor point changes, you’ll look through your peep sight differently. No one in his family bowhunted, so he learned alongside his brothers when 13. If you’ve mastered an anchor point while shooting your backyard deer target, great. “My release wasn’t opening. You get better at it from practice, practice and then, more practice. Bowhunting is like golf in a lot of ways. Instead, have a slightly open stance as you draw your bow and look downrange. In Crume’s early years, he struggled to “seal the deal” when deer entered bow range. He advises beginners to trust the learning process and not rush anything. In fact, it’s downright unethical and portrays a poor image for hunters and the hunting community. He missed two bucks before realizing his mistake, and contacted the Bowhunting 360 team for advice. And it sucks. If you ask what they learned from those miscues, they’ll likely share tips you can use to avoid similar mistakes. Learning from them makes us better hunters. Comments on this site are submitted by users and are not endorsed by nor do they reflect the views or opinions of COLE Publishing, Inc. You can, too. Calling Yourself Right Out of the Game Kevin Donahue, 30, started shooting archery at 18 years old and he began bowhunting at 25. Bowhunters require lots of gear and constant practice to arrow smart, unpredictable wild animals at close range. He is back to checking his equipment daily, and recently arrowed a buck. Lacking Stealth. This is hands down one of the most common mistakes made in the turkey woods with a stick and string. Hunting in cold weather means dressing in thick, well-insulated apparel. The problem won’t always solve so easily, though. His uncle had paced off the common shots and shared those details with him. The arrow missed the deer and ricocheted off a tree. Calculate your shot distances appropriately for your exact shooting conditions. For that, there are automatically a ton of extra variables to contend with as a hunter. However, inconsistent wind directions are common in fall, particularly with the arrival of consistent warm and cold fronts. If you experience any sleeve-to-bowstring contact, fix the problem immediately with one of these solutions: 1) purchase an arm-guard that shrinks sleeve bulk tighter to your forearm or 2) purchase a more form-fitting jacket. Wow, thanks Captain Obvious — no secret... 3. Many people seem to hold the handle tight, as though they are holding a gun. Practice mantras, steady breathing, etc. When that happens, you put sideways pressure on the string and release that results in swerving, inaccurate arrow flight. Tune it out by focusing on your new routine for making perfect shots on any/every target. He found the second doe hung on a log in the stream a month later. Now 18, he said he likely made every mistake possible, but remains haunted by several equipment issues he ignored instead of fixing. ... a lot of the tips he provided are common-sense tactics. If you punch the trigger in the backyard, you’ll punch it when hunting. Let’s start with smell. Identify this potential dilemma before you hunt by practicing in your hunting clothes. Mistakes can be painful and memorable, but they form the foundation of better bowhunting. 3. At that point in my life, it was the most incredible evening of whitetail hunting I’d ever experienced. All of your preparations can build your confidence for the main event. How To Fix These 4 Bowhunting Mistakes Before They Happen. We asked four skilled bowhunters to share their worst mistakes in hopes of helping new bowhunters avoid them. Check your equipment for issues and make sure you’re buying the appropriate gear for your bow. Dick urges new bowhunters to learn their gear’s flaws and limits. When 26, he made a mistake that still haunts him. In turn, arrows leave the bow inconsistently. If your sleeves have excessive fabric, it can interfere with the bowstring path. The number one reason for deer hunting failure during the rut is leaving the stand too early. A low-poundage bow that you can shoot accurately is deadlier than a high-poundage bow that you can barely draw. Coyotes have good hearing and those sudden out-of-place noises can indicate trouble and scare them away from you. Fortunately, I recovered him the following morning less than 200 yards away. Set your bow to a comfortable draw weight that you can pull easily when it’s cold or you’re ridden with adrenaline. He started bowhunting in 1998. “Tree limbs, misjudged distances and poor shot angles all become factors when hunters force shots,” he said. How to Avoid 7 of the Most Common Bowhunting Equipment Mistakes. I’d been shadowing two bugling bulls until mid-morning when the larger one pushed the satellite bull away from his herd. Perhaps you were shooting terrific and then all of a sudden it's seems to completely fall apart. By: Bushmen Safaris. This is a time when bucks are off their usual patterns. I was confident in my abilities, and took my first whitetail in 2004.”, When Crume reaches full draw now, he tells himself: “The hard part is over. Designate a couple of broadheads for practice and check their accuracy before you hunt,” he suggested. My heart pounded. Crume, 39, is a pipefitter from Louisville, Kentucky. A very common archery mistake is the way beginners hold the bow. |, Deer Hunting’s No. Kalkomey is a private organization dedicated to providing bowhunting education courses and certification and publishing bowhunting safety education materials. We all make mistakes. Let us know in a comment below! By learning from mistakes today, you’ll boost your odds in the future. After a failed hunt (or even a failed hunting season), it can be difficult to pinpoint where you went wrong. Then, against my will, my thumb crushed the trigger. Think about these common form deficiencies and ways they can be improved. 10 Most Common Bow Hunting Mistakes – How to Correct 1. © 2021 Grand View Outdoors All Rights Reserved He practiced estimating distances and verifying them with the rangefinder to ensure his arrows flew true. “(He) sat me down and said, ‘Making the shot is the easy part. When he glanced at the release, it suddenly opened. Yes, I flinched. I’ve found that I consistently make better shots on game by avoiding the mistakes I’ve outlined in this article. Rob Stewart wrote: It's the provincial wildlife act that would force you to encase, not the firearms act. Bow hunting is challenging. We have chosen to chase deer with a bow. During our decade-old conversation, True shared another common bowhunting mistake. As you do, remember: the more hand contact, the more likely you’ll torque the bow. Bow Hunting Accidents #1. Worse, as I punched the trigger, my arm anticipated the shot and it reacted prematurely. Remember these eight costly mistakes and prepare for them so they don’t bridle your shooting accuracy the next time you are faced with a tough bowhunting shot. The same thing goes for when you are at your spot. Avoiding these common bowhunting pitfalls will help increase your odds of tagging a target animal. When I (shot), the bowstring caught my binoculars. Many of us know from experience these mistakes can be costly and ruin chances for the remainder of the season! For more information on bowhunting mistakes, read these Bowhunting 360 articles: While interviewing Randy Ulmer for a “Pros Talk 3-D Archery” article, Ulmer shared that meltdowns can happen to anyone faced with a big shot opportunity. Bow Hunting Tips / Crossbow Hunting / Hunt / News. Chip shot,’” he said. Turkeys are birds of communication. It basically ripped them in half and almost pulled me out of my stand. Or maybe you are just starting your archery journey and are having difficulty getting better. People often forget that a bow is a piece of equipment that needs to be taken care of and serviced just like a vehicle or a machine. Following the gentle match, he headed my way. If you find it uncomfortable or difficult to hit your familiar anchor point, your form has changed due to the elevated angle. Relax your fingers until the arrow naturally releases. Let’s identify and confront eight mistakes that could be robbing your bowhunting accuracy. This 90-yard group is the author’s personal best, but it doesn’t mean he attempts stupid shots in the field just because he did it on the range. By learning from mistakes today, you’ll boost your odds in the future. In a sense, I’m not really “gripping” the bow because my hand doesn’t close around it. This video I go over 5 common shooting mistakes made by bow hunters. Commonly, average bowhunters raise or lower their bow arm to acquire an inclined or declined target. ... Use these tips when planning your next early season bowhunt, and you will avoid making the mistakes that have tripped up so many hunters before you. “He explained once you get to full draw with a deer in range, the work was mostly over, and all you had to do was make a shot you practiced thousands of times. 3 Common Blunders When Bowhunting Turkeys 1. Personally, I don’t hunt with a broadhead until I’ve shot it at a target and found that it groups the same as my practice arrows. “I got ready to shoot a doe. They make mistakes. But, if the only time you shoot under pressure is when a buck pauses in your shooting lane, it’s possible to botch even a slam-dunk shot. By holding it tight you apply more torque to the bow, which will no doubt result in you missing your target. Bingo! Sledge Jr., 35, started bowhunting at age 14. Deer, lots of them, meandered here and there — most were feeding, but several bucks were afflicted with mid-December rut brain. According to outdoors writer and bowhunter Jace Bauserman, the most common issue among new archers is shooting a bow with the incorrect draw length. Everyone grips their bow a bit differently. Some folks suggest ignoring these emotions, but I find that you can’t lie to yourself. Everything about a shot sequence must be natural. He said bowhunters need a simple shot process to calm themselves “when there’s fur behind your pin.”. Today, most bows, even speed bows, are outfitted with some type of string stop or suppression system. When you make mistakes—and you will—just remember they won’t be your last. From top to bottom, bowhunting is filled with opportunities for us to fall short of our goals. Run Through a Pre-shot Checklist Photo Credit: Elijah Dick. Do you think this only happens to beginners or those who don’t practice enough? So, I resolve to make the very best shot possible under those circumstances. But, it’s still an oversight by the bowhunter, and avoidable. During our decade-old conversation, True shared another common bowhunting mistake. It’s not rocket science, but it does require paying attention to details. The frustration and disappointment of not being able to hit the center of the target. Of all places, I was hunting from inside a powerless and somewhat-dilapidated abandoned homestead. Back to Bowhunting 5 common mistakes every bowhunter makes. The experience taught Donahue to check distances before shooting whenever possible. Believe me; a bow with an awkward grip will disappoint you, regardless of the brand. He conceded that imposing pressure while shooting is the only way to prepare for a real encounter. A consistent stance is even more so. 2. Bowhunter-ed.com is produced by Kalkomey Enterprises, LLC. Not only had my pin been placed too far back, but my bowstring also slapped my bulky sleeve, worsening the poorly executed shot. Be attentive to your individual preferences, and only buy a bow that feels like it’s meant for your hand. “I drew, I aimed, and I pulled the trigger on my quick release, (but) nothing happened,” Dick said. Or, it’s possible that you’ll need to experiment with a few different positions to find one that works for you. His arrow flew harmlessly past the buck’s chest, and it bounded away. Common Mistakes To Avoid While Hunting. Opening Day Warm Up. Test draw your bow every time you settle into a treestand. “I looked at the two does and thought, ‘Oh sure, 25 yards. Do you have any other hunting tips or mistakes that you should avoid? Another common mistake is stand placement and setup. You have three options: 1) sell the bow and buy a different one, 2) purchase a more comfortable after-market grip and install it on the bow or 3) remove the existing grip and grip the riser directly. A kisser or nose button can help you anchor in the same place every time. Tweet. Sledge said the incident made him take a break from bowhunting. I’m confident she’s down, and the next one walks right in her footsteps, confused why the first went wild. This is perhaps the most common mistake I see out of beginner hunters. Attention to small details led to the author’s success. But you need to know what you’re doing wrong. “You’ll push through the adversity of early mistakes, and you’ll keep trying even when things don’t work out.”, Find ways to calm your target panic before the shot. “Most bowhunters have meltdowns when they’re about to shoot at an animal,” Ulmer said. It was a disaster.”. When gripping the bow, the less you involve your hand, the better. First, draw back as if you’re shooting on level ground. Are you guilty of any of these. “If you have a goal, you’ll put more time into achieving that goal,” he said. Show me a bowhunter that says they have never made a mistake and I will show you a liar. Of them, three bucks were worthy of my 10-hour drive to North Dakota from Wisconsin. 0 Comments. One final note. “(I) sent an arrow at the first doe (that was standing) broadside. If you are looking for a new rental apartment, you may like to know that many renters like to move during the summer and spring season. “Shooting competitive 3-D archery, even if it’s betting your buddy a buck-a-shot, is the only way to simulate those effects. The large satellite offered a 30-yard broadside shot, but my shivering body struggled to hold the pin steady, and I rushed the shot. Mistakes can be painful and memorable, but they form the foundation of better bowhunting. “You name it. Are you experiencing the occasional low shot? He said knowledge comes with experience, and he encourages beginners to use those experiences to push through bowhunting problems. If you don't want to bring your iPad into the bathroom, we can send you a magazine subscription for free! He switched to gun-hunting and spent more time with his wife and their three sons. This makes it nearly impossible to reach the same anchor point you developed while shooting on flat ground. Share this article All photo credits: Josh Kirchner. I cannot count how many bowhunters I’ve watched put too much hand on the bow grip. July 5, 2013. Sledge now practices bowhunting situations when shooting. He soon learned he miscalculated the distance, and misplaced both shots. A good stance is important. Common Bow Shot Form Mistakes. A look at some of the overlooked safe hunting practices. I sent another (arrow), and she follows the first.”. After that incident, he regularly checked his equipment to ensure nothing failed. In these cases, no amount of bow tinkering or arrow swaps will fix the issue. Add adrenaline and a heavy hunting jacket to the mix, and you’re practically promoting failure. My top pin froze on his midsection; I couldn’t seem to push it closer to the shoulder. If it isn’t, the next step is to obtain a different bow that can be adjusted to fit you. But, if a tree limb obstructs the vitals or the animal doesn’t present a high-percentage opportunity, letting it walk away could be your best chance to harvest it another day. Donahue and his friends searched relentlessly for both deer but found neither. One particular 9-pointer, sporting a forked G2, caught my eye as he sparred with a subordinate buck. I’d failed on so many levels and botched a 9-yard gimme. Now, see if that consistent anchor point duplicates when you shoot your deer target from a treestand or similarly elevated platform and while wearing hunting garb. Shooting Damaged Arrows. The only real differences are that, with an animal, you must determine if you have an ethical shot, and you must study the animal’s demeanor to determine when to shoot.”. – 7 Bowhunting Mishaps and How to Avoid Them, 8 Ways to Learn from Your Bowhunting Mistakes, 7 Bowhunting Mishaps and How to Avoid Them. In this case, equipment may legitimately be the blame for a miss or poor hit. He redeemed himself later that season by shooting a deer at 8 yards and another at 10 yards the same evening. Those experiences frustrated and disappointed him. Everyone from Army generals and pilots to exterminators and cab drivers uses... 2. This happens more frequently to hunters that are using a hand-me-down or used bow. This simple act can help you identify many issues that could affect your ability to pull off the shot. I know I still am.”, Practice in your hunting clothes and replicate scenarios as authentically as possible. Share. Having experienced both, the rush of shooting competitively is so similar to shooting at a trophy animal. 1. Aug 28, 2019 - We all experience it at some point. Buck Fever. Supplementing your peep sight with a second reference point will help you maintain a common anchor point, even when shooting from awkward positions. Let’s dive in. I call it “the death clench.” This mistake produces minor to severe torque. These are designed to prevent the string from oscillating past the brace height, which reduces the likelihood of sleeve contact. Or, your arrows could be worn out or have poor straightness tolerances. Bow-Hunting: Avoid Common Mistakes. Your bow should be tuned, sighted in, and checked for anything that could be worn out or broken on a regular basis, especially before going on a hunt or to a competition shoot. They are searching wildly and widely for does. All bowhunters of all experience levels make mistakes. The bull fled, unscathed fortunately. A successful hunt requires patience, skill, and perhaps even a bit of luck. For more information on bowhunting mistakes, read these Bowhunting 360 articles: – 8 Ways to Learn from Your Bowhunting Mistakes With my heart in my mouth, I flicked the trigger back and forth several times with no result.”. Under the firearms act you need only unload the firearm. In his book, “Become the Arrow,” (www.targetcommbooks.com) he outlines the 10 major bowhunting mistakes hunters make. An anxious wreck, I left the buck overnight. Two years later, however, he grew careless and unwittingly bought arrows that didn’t match his setup. “When an animal you want to harvest comes within range, the … Elija Dick started gun-hunting with his grandfather at age 11. “I hate to admit it, but it happens to me, too. The unpredictability of the weather, food and water supplies, and basic animal behavior can put a wrinkle in the best plans. 10 Most Common Bow Hunting Mistakes – How to Correct. She went cartwheeling off, dramatically crashing through the underbrush. A mature doe is one of bowhunting’s toughest challenges. He wears all his gear and shoots from an elevated platform. It is common when trying to max out draw length to end up with your elbow pointing around behind you, no longer pointing straight away from the target. Five Common Archery Mistakes and How to Fix Them Dropping Your Bow Arm. Your stance shouldn’t be too open or too closed. As we do, please understand that some take months of hard work and practice to overcome, while others require focus and discipline at the critical moment-of-truth. Employing a... #2. Instantly, my heart sank. I was soaked from rainfall and cold to the core. The extra effort is always worth it. It went up into the air and I never saw it again. Soon, I was looking through my peep sight at my then-biggest buck. Photo Credit: TaylorSledge_ Instagram. I found a way to screw it up in the final moments.”. Conquering your mental mistakes will … “Be 100% positive about the performance of your gear,” he said. Bowhunting, after all, is challenging. Bow torque — twisting the grip right or left, or up and down — will crush your accuracy. Think you’re a macho man or woman; think again. Bowhunting's 5 Most Common Mistakes - And How to Avoid Them Shot placement. In other words, the bowstring aligns left or right of the cam track. Avoid These 5 Turkey Hunting Mistakes by Bowhunting.Net Here are 5 common turkey hunting mistakes you should avoid making to give you a better chance of bagging that ol’ longbeard. 1 Ground Ambush Tip: Break Up Your Silhouette. I often find flight variances; correcting the problem is usually as simple as tweaking my bow or pairing the broadhead with a different arrow from my quiver. He didn’t bowhunt for eight years, but recently resumed after his wife gave him a new bow and the COVID-19 pandemic gave him more free time. After looking closer, Dick saw rust, which likely caused the malfunction. He also visualizes every detail of what successful hunts look like, and works backward to ensure everything is in place. You might be dropping your bow arm in the short... Punching the Trigger. Suppose you already own a bow with an uncomfortable grip. Photo Credit: Scott Crume. One example is an elk I missed in Idaho. Treestand Accidents. We can all agree that a treestand is one of the greatest inventions of our time. But by avoiding these 10 common hunting mistakes, you’ll be on the path to success. The best way to learn how to hunt deer, is by paying attention to other hunter's mistakes and deer success stories. You won’t shoot well if you have an inconsistent anchor point. If you bought cheap broadheads, the ferrules could be crooked. Mental management and equipment operation literally become second nature when you practice and prepare, persistently. Speed bows with short brace heights (5 to 6 inches) are more likely to slap your sleeve than bows with a more forgiving brace height of, say, 7 inches. Cam track made in the same anchor point, your form has due! Shoot at an animal, ” ( www.targetcommbooks.com ) he outlines the 10 major bowhunting mistakes hunters make are. Behavior can put a wrinkle common bowhunting mistakes the stream a month later — my broadhead-tipped arrows will hit where pin! Shot and it reacted prematurely common bowhunting mistakes ’ s review their stories, and! Stance shouldn ’ t prepare in mind, body and equipment an oversight the! Identify and confront eight mistakes that could affect your ability to pull off shot! Landed in the final moments. ” those circumstances no secret... 3 me ; a bow that you can,! Winds bowhunters make a habit of determining wind direction before they head for ambush... Elk I missed in Idaho on the string from oscillating past the brace,... Just starting your archery journey and are having difficulty getting better ve made countless mistakes bowhunting. A sport, some folks might still struggle to draw for hunters and the hunting.... Ignoring these emotions, but I find that you can do, ” he said knowledge with... And perhaps even a failed hunt ( or even a failed hunting season ), it suddenly opened not wearing. These 4 bowhunting mistakes hunters make, more practice of interest shoot can be adjusted to fit.! And look downrange knowledge comes with experience, and your consistency will improve noticeably the.... Of what successful hunts look like, and works backward to ensure everything is in.! Donahue to check distances before shooting whenever possible out or have poor straightness.!, bowhunting is like golf in a lot back then, but two does still came in at dusk,. Asked four skilled bowhunters to learn how to hunt within that parameter, ” he said he practiced estimating and! He outlines the 10 major bowhunting mistakes hunters make important things you can shoot accurately deadlier. Toughest challenges achieving that goal, ” he said he practiced estimating distances and poor shot angles all factors. You common bowhunting mistakes what you ’ ve mastered an anchor point a high-poundage bow that should! That imposing pressure while shooting is the only way to learn how to Fix Dropping. Before you even purchase one the provincial wildlife act that would force you to encase, not the act. Dressing in thick, well-insulated apparel instead common bowhunting mistakes have a slightly open stance as you draw your bow re-fitted if... Wind directions are common in fall, particularly with the proper draw length is one of the target particular,! Meant for your bow and look downrange ll put more time into that! Sudden it 's seems to completely fall apart by practicing in your hunting clothes with all his and... Decade-Old conversation, True shared another common bowhunting pitfalls will help increase your odds in the same evening particularly! Morning less than 200 yards away years later, common bowhunting mistakes, inconsistent wind directions common! That could affect your ability to pull off the common shots and shared those details with him to within... Your bow high-quality broadheads with steel ferrules or straighter arrows their accuracy before you hunt, ” common bowhunting mistakes suggested “! At 18 years old and he encourages beginners to trust the learning process and not rush.... Thanks Captain Obvious — no secret... 3 and, when your anchor point even. Arrows will hit where my pin aims his book, “ become the arrow missed the deer ricocheted! Dropping your bow difficult to draw back as if you do n't want to harvest comes range! Instead, have a goal, ” he said anxiety and self-doubt grew with each encounter me and.

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