How to Choose Correct Bow for Hunting?

Last Updated on March 11, 2020

Once we know the different types of bows that we will find for sale, we can be aware of the enormous variety of models that we will encounter when we decide to buy one. How to know which one is correct in our case?

Here are some basic guidelines for the correct choice of the bow:

General Level

Power: if it is the first time you are going to acquire a bow, we recommend you start with bows whose maximum power is:

In composite bows we will ensure that they can be regulated in a wide range and we will always start pulling in a low power, to increase as our abilities and experience allow.

Openness: it is a priority to be able to know our openness. There are different ways to measure it, although there is no specific rule to do so.

An effective trick that can give us this measure in an approximate way is usually to stand sideways on a wall with our arm stretched and the hand gripped supporting us, the other hand rests on the angle of our jaw and in this way we measure the distance that There are from the wall to our fingers (in inches).

Long Bow

If you are sure you want a Long Bow, we recommend that you take into account the need to look for a quality model, since in this type of bows the difference between a good and a mediocre one is really remarkable. While with one we can make smooth and pleasant shots, with the other each tension of the rope can become a real torment for our joints.

On the other hand, when buying a top rated hunting crossbows must also take its hardness: keep in mind that this bow allows us to hunt from the most disparate positions and this means that you can take hundreds of hits: we must be sure that our bow will hold what they throw him.

For a big game with Log Bow, we must acquire at least one of 50 pounds.

Recurved

When buying a recurved bow should take into account that, on average, every inch more or less than the bower opens on the 28 to which the power is marked, will involve a variation on the same About 3 pounds.

Also, keep in mind what is the opening that you perform in each shot.

If what you want is to use it to hunt in forests and during days that require long walks: we recommend a recurved bow since its weight is not excessive and at the same time, it allows us to use pointing elements.

In case your objective is the hunting of moving parts, the recurving is the best option.

Pulleys

The first advice when buying a pulley bow is that you do not get carried away by the current developments and technical developments. If it is the first time that you buy an bow of this type it is convenient that you opt for one that adapts to the concrete needs of each one.

If you want to acquire a pulley bow, you must take into account that the type of pulley directly influences the ease of tensioning: the wheels allow a softer tension and a quieter shot; The ovoids are used to give the arrow more speed.

The Bow

Parts of a Bow

Tips

Also and depending on the bow model in concrete, there may be more elements.

On the other hand, to get inside the world of the bow, it is necessary to know the meaning of a series of technical terms that you will hear constantly:

Nocking Point: anchor point of the proximal end of the arrow to the bowstring. Its correct location is essential to get a vertical arrow flight.

Draw Weight: or what is the same, power of the bow. That is, the energy that we should perform to achieve the bow tension until its maximum power is obtained. It is expressed in pounds (lb.). As for the hunting bag, in general, we will point out that:

Although this will also depend on the type of bow used.

Draw Length: opening, the maximum capacity of the bow stretch. It is expressed in inches (“). Determine the length of the arrow to use and influence its caliber.

Let Off: term used in the pulley bows. When tensioning this type of bows, there comes a time when the pulleys end up softening the bow, decreasing the human energy necessary to tighten the bow. It is expressed in%.

So, if a bow of 50 lb. it has a let-off of 50%, it will mean that the force to exert to tighten it will be the same as we would need to tense a 25 lb. bow.

Overdraw: The element that will allow us to shoot shorter arrows (with which to obtain greater speed).

Types of Bows

In general, we can talk about three types of bows:

Let’s get to know each of them better:

The Longbow

This is the oldest and simplest bow used today, a descendant of the old English bow used as a weapon of war during the Middle Ages.

Its name in English means “Longbow”, existing within this type, a great variety of different models.

The first thing we should know about the Long Bow is that its use requires instinctive shooting; that is, look at the target and shoot, all at the same time, without there being any moment for reflection.

Undoubtedly, this type of bow requires great experience and skill on the part of the shooter, but has the advantage of the total absence of mechanical complications, which makes its use and adjustment much easier than the rest of modern bows: no screws, no axes, no sights no element that can get out of order at the most inopportune moment.

It is also extremely light, something very appreciated in any day of hunting in which we will be forced to walk long hours in the bush.

It is also a very silent bow (thanks to having no moving parts or accessories), which can sometimes allow us to make a second shot, unthinkable with other bows.

This type of bow requires the use of heavy carbon arrows, which entails two things: a moderate speed and a very stable flight, both characteristics that increase the chances of success although there is a poor release or slight problems during the trajectory (collision with leaves or branches).

The Long Bow also offers the possibility of shooting from any position: lying down, kneeling, face down (only limited by the ability and ability of the shooter).

The Recovered Bow

The main characteristic of the recurved bow is found in the fact that its central part is wide and long, which gives it greater weight and stability, while the lower and upper blades are curved outwards (to provide more energy with less effort)

Recurve is an bow of smaller size than the Long Bow which results in a greater speed of exit of the arrow (allow to reach speeds somewhat above 200 feet per second).

They are usually made of synthetic materials of higher density than wood (fiberglass), which can be used combined with the wood itself to result in more resistant and durable bows, while offering hundreds of different designs, with all kinds of endings, for all tastes.

Regarding the shape or design of the bow, the following are distinguished:

Straight: that in which the imaginary line that joins the link of the two blades with the body passes through the center of the point of support of the hand in it.

Deflex: The line passes behind the point of support.

Reflex: The line passes in front.

You have to be aware that the further this point of support is located, the faster the arrow will be printed. The further forward, we gain in accuracy and stability of the bow.

These bows generally reach their maximum strength (Draw-Weight) at 28 “of the stretch.

The recurved allows to make an instinctive shot or use the help of pointing elements, according to the needs of each moment.

Pulley Bow

Also called “Compound Bow”.

Although many traditional bowers consider it more a machine than a bow, the truth is that in our days the pulley is the most demanded bow.

Its operation is based on the fact that, unlike the other bows, the upper half of the rope does not pull the upper blade, but the lower one, taking as a point of support the pulley.

Thus when tensioning the bow, the rope is unwound from the pulley giving more power arm, at the same time that the cable is wound on the pulley shortening the resistance arm and reducing the effort necessary to flex the corresponding blade.

As in the recurve, there are bows of deflex and reflex pulleys (more common for hunting).

However, the big difference with the recurved bow is that the pulley has much thicker blades, something necessary for them to give a little and thus allow to obtain the desired power.

In the pulley bow, the opening can be varied to the taste, the great majority are graduated inch by inch, for greater comfort of the bower.

The pulleys give the arrow a much higher velocity and penetration energy than could be obtained with other types of bows. In fact, there are bows of this type that manage to shoot arrows at 300 feet per second. Get more details here.

The desired power can also be adapted using the blade screws. It requires constant maintenance, so as not to alter the correct calibration.

The size of these bows is small: between 32 and 41 inches, which makes them somewhat hard to tighten.

Bow Advantages Disadvantages

Bonus

Beside the hunting bow now a days a powerful hunting slingshots can help you to hunt the small preys. This is small in size and sometimes for effective than a bow or even a hunting gun. You also no need to worry about  the accuracy as most of the slingshots available in market comes with great accuracy.

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Campbell John

Hi, I am John Campbell, an outdoor enthusiast. Just like you, I value the habitat, heritage and tradition of great outdoors. I do my best to make sure the correct research, writing, and photo are shown on Tacticalgearslab.com. Indeed, I am committed to preserving a great online experience for you.