How to Bow Hunt Deer For Beginners: 7 Tips for Bow Hunting Deer
Bow hunting a deer is something that every hunter should try at least once. While using a gun is the modern way to hunt—nothing can match the feeling of landing a hit with an arrow. It’s a much more intimate experience.
Knowing how to bow hunt deer can enable you to connect with Mother Nature. The food you eat feels earned. It’s also a chance to get closer to the animal itself. You need to get in closer for a good shot and that means getting to know the animal.
Bow hunting deer is a test of patience, skill, and determination.
Preparing for hunting season should start well before the season actually starts. In this article, we’re going to go over 7 bow hunting tips you need to know.
1. Learn About the Area
You should do this in the weeks approaching hunting season. Learn about the area. Explore as much as you can. Try to find deer and stalk them.
If possible, locate food sources and carve out potential paths for yourself. If you find a spot you’d like to sit in while you wait, then try to remove any obstructions.
Just knowing about the area, in general, will give you a big advantage. If you spot a deer, you’ll be able to recall which routes are the most efficient. Learning what routes cause the least amount of noise is also essential in successfully taking home a prize.
\ If you want to take it to the next level, put some trail cameras around the place. Study the footage and learn. That’ll be a huge advantage for you.
2. Use a Deer Call
While it’s important to stay low and not attract attention, a deer call might come in handy. With a little practice, you might be able to call a deer into range. Or use it to stop them in their tracks, buying you some time to take your shot or move to a better position.
We would recommend this deer call from Illusion Systems on Amazon The patented Modislide can adjust the noise that comes out of the device. It could sound like a buck, doe, or fawn in an instant. Monitor your prey and see if they’re looking for something or have fawns near them.
The device sounds very realistic. Of course, you’ll need to practice a bit but the learning curve is definitely worth it. Plus, the free Deer Society mobile app has instructional videos that’ll show you how to communicate with deer.
3. Stay Low
Stealth is key when bow hunting deer. You need to get up close and personal to get in a good shot.
You need to stay low and carefully move around. Wear the most amount of camouflage possible. Due to state laws, you might not be allowed to wear full camo. If that’s the case then just make sure you’re covering your hands and face.
Be especially careful during the late season. Deer are at their most aware during the late season. They can’t be tricked so easily.
Even if you’re stealthy, deer might still sniff you out before you get close enough to shoot an arrow. That’s why you need to use scent control. Your clothes also need to be scent-free. We would recommend using these scent covers on the hunt along with scent control soap for at least a week before hunting.
4. Plan Every Movement
This ties back into stealth and learning about the area. You need to plan every single movement you make. You can’t be moving around without a purpose, you might scare off deer.
If you see a buck or doe, then carefully move to a good angle. Note that a deer’s blind spot is directly behind their head. And that they’re excellent hearers.
When you’re looking for a good angle, remember to consider the wind. Aim into the wind but try to get your arrow moving with the wind if you have enough time.
5. Watch What Happens After a Shot
Missing a shot might feel horrible. But that’s no excuse to give up. Watch where your prey runs off to. It’s possible that it might even come closer to you in all the confusion.
If it runs away, then try to stealthily track it down. Look for footprints, use your ears, and stay alert.
If you manage to land a shot (congrats!), then don’t get too excited. Keep your eyes on the prize. They might still be stumbling around the location where they got shot. Or they might have had the strength to run off in a random direction. Or maybe they collapsed then and there. Who knows. That’s why it’s important to watch.
6. Practice Your Shot
Practice makes perfect. It’s important to practice your shot as often as possible. That’ll get you ready for that moment when you’re faced with the perfect opportunity to shoot a deer.
It might be tricky at first, but it’s definitely possible. Remember to try to identify your dominant eye. Keep your arms steady. And let go of the arrow quickly and steadily.
Actually, practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect. There’s a small tweak in wording that makes all the difference.
\ So how can you practice properly?
Every once in a while (or every time), try to practice your shot in the full get-up. Wear your hunting clothes. Shooting an arrow in a t-shirt and shorts is a lot easier than shooting it in full hunting gear.
If you have the means to practice your shot in the hunting field, then go for it.
This archery target might come in handy. It’s a 3D target that’s shaped like a deer. It’s lightweight, easy to set up, and pretty true to the real deal. We would definitely recommend investing in one. They’re very helpful and affordable. Click here to check it out.
7. Be Patient
One of the most important things in hunting is patience. It’s key to understand that if you’re going to bow hunt deer.
As much as we hate to admit it, luck is involved in hunting. At least a little bit.
If you miss a few opportunities at landing a shot, don’t give up. We’ve all been there. Remember that getting home safe after a day of hunting is still considered a success.
Final Thoughts
Now you have a better understanding of what to do out on the field (and before).
You’re going to need to carry some gear when you’re out hunting, so check out this list of the best deer hunting backpacks of 2022. And if you don’t know how, click here to learn how to field dress a deer in 4 easy steps.