5 Top Bowhunting Mistakes

            Avoiding bowhunting mistakes is crucial on every hunt and keeping them in mind is the best way of doing it. One simple mistake may cost a game to getaway or miss out on a clean shot that wastes all the effort put in. Not to mention that it will be followed by hours of trailing again.

1. Miscalculating the Distance

            Knowing the distance before firing is crucial in bowhunting. To get a decent shot out of the bow, the prey should be at least 20 yards close. Most hunters misjudge the distance due to lack of experience, but this mistake is easily avoided by equipping scopes that can identify the distance. Some choose to mark trees or other things that can be marked with the guesstimated distance as their hunting posts.

2. Missing the Kill-spot

            When the prey is simply grazed and not subdued on the first shot, it will naturally run away. Missing the kill-spot means that there will be more trailing to follow. The kill-spot is somewhere between the heart and lungs; however, it should be taken into account to mind the animal’s position – whether it is lying down or standing. Moreover, the vital parts to aim for are essentially the same, but it varies accordingly depending on the animal.

3. Approaching the Prey Too Early

            Once the arrow hits the animal in the kill-spot, most hunters would immediately approach it to claim their prize; however, this may only get their hopes up. A rule of thumb for this matter is to wait around 20 – 30 minutes before closing in on an injured animal. Even though they are hit correctly, they will be running on adrenaline when they see a threat nearing in; wherein, they can stand up quickly and run away.

4. Drawing the Bow Too Much

            In bowhunting, most hunters prefer to maximize the speed and power of their shots; however, this may lead to missing the target. As the bow is drawn further, it becomes more difficult to keep it properly aimed. Simply put, never draw the bow too much, because sacrificing accuracy for the sake of an extra gain in speed and power is not worth it.

5. Poor Equipment Condition

            Always keep the bow in good condition; otherwise, it may not function properly on bowhunting trips – especially on sudden ones. Most hunters neglect their bow’s maintenance, and when the bow is out of tune, hunting just becomes impossible.