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Bowhunting for a Complete Amateur (Advice)
Posted on 10/1/17 at 2:31 pm
Posted on 10/1/17 at 2:31 pm
To all the bowhunters on the board, I am hoping to get some advice for getting into the sport. The bowhunting thread has been a great read for me, so hoping to pick your brains.
I have zero background with bowhunting or hunting at all for that matter, but I have recently become super interested in the idea after listening to Cameron Hanes on the Joe Rogan Podcast several times.
It’s becoming super intriguing to me to go for a high altitude bowhunt for Elk within the next 3-5 years. My outdoor history revolves around alpine mountaineering (recently summited Mount Rainier and The Grand Teton), so the idea of an intense multi-day hunt at altitude is an interesting idea to me. Something I would have to train extensively for and would get me out of bed in the morning.
For somebody completely new to the sport, do you have any advice on getting into it? I have thought about taking lessons at an Archery shop to learn how to shoot first and foremost (year 1). Then I would try to take my skills local on a guided hunt here in Texas (year 2). Then finally, hoping to go for a big hunt at altitude in years 3-5.
Is this feasible? Anything I should know? Resources you would recommend?
I have zero background with bowhunting or hunting at all for that matter, but I have recently become super interested in the idea after listening to Cameron Hanes on the Joe Rogan Podcast several times.
It’s becoming super intriguing to me to go for a high altitude bowhunt for Elk within the next 3-5 years. My outdoor history revolves around alpine mountaineering (recently summited Mount Rainier and The Grand Teton), so the idea of an intense multi-day hunt at altitude is an interesting idea to me. Something I would have to train extensively for and would get me out of bed in the morning.
For somebody completely new to the sport, do you have any advice on getting into it? I have thought about taking lessons at an Archery shop to learn how to shoot first and foremost (year 1). Then I would try to take my skills local on a guided hunt here in Texas (year 2). Then finally, hoping to go for a big hunt at altitude in years 3-5.
Is this feasible? Anything I should know? Resources you would recommend?
5
Posted on 10/1/17 at 2:37 pm to Lawyers_Guns_Money
You don't need to spend years training to shoot a bow. You can learn in a few hours, and then just hone your skills at the house. Just like everything else, pay attention to the fundamentals.
You also don't need to spend $10k on something that does what a $500 bow would do.
As far as hunting in general, I'd start spending a fair amount of time in the woods (not during hunting season) just walking around and paying attention to everything. You'll start seeing, smelling, and hearing much more after a while
You also don't need to spend $10k on something that does what a $500 bow would do.
As far as hunting in general, I'd start spending a fair amount of time in the woods (not during hunting season) just walking around and paying attention to everything. You'll start seeing, smelling, and hearing much more after a while
This post was edited on 10/1/17 at 3:17 pm
Posted on 10/1/17 at 2:47 pm to Lawyers_Guns_Money
See if you can find someone local in your area who is an experienced, knowledgeable bowhunter that will take you under their wing. They can share their wisdom and advise you on what to do, or not to do. With any kind of hunting, fishing, or outdoor recreational activity, you only get better with real world experience. You learn from your mistakes and become wiser.
I've been bowhunting since 1984 and still learning things today. To become proficient with a bow you need to practice, practice, practice. For the newbie, a range finder is highly recommended to judge distance and you should limit your shots to < 25 yds. Elk hunting is a whole different animal on a completely different planet !
Your best oppty to gain experience and confidence is bowhunting for hogs. Millions of available targets in Texas. Join Texasbowhunter.com and become a sponge.
I've been bowhunting since 1984 and still learning things today. To become proficient with a bow you need to practice, practice, practice. For the newbie, a range finder is highly recommended to judge distance and you should limit your shots to < 25 yds. Elk hunting is a whole different animal on a completely different planet !
Your best oppty to gain experience and confidence is bowhunting for hogs. Millions of available targets in Texas. Join Texasbowhunter.com and become a sponge.
Posted on 10/1/17 at 3:03 pm to Hammertime
Hammertime speaks truth. Archery is a lot like computers. Each year the latest and greatest comes out and what you have is "obsolete". I have a bow that I bought 14 years ago and it still works like a champ and shoots like a dream.
On the high altitude archery elk hunt. My suggestion is this. Unless you have someone that lives close to an area you plan on hunting....use a guide.
Several of my buddies and I drove from Alabama to Colorado on an archery hunt a couple years ago. We hunted at 10-12k feet. We studied and prepped for one solid year. The experience was awesome, but we were always a day behind the elk and only saw one (not in bow range) the entire week.
You are going to pay one way or the other. Either by going and gaining the experience on what to do and how to do it. Or by paying a guide and being successful first time out.
On the high altitude archery elk hunt. My suggestion is this. Unless you have someone that lives close to an area you plan on hunting....use a guide.
Several of my buddies and I drove from Alabama to Colorado on an archery hunt a couple years ago. We hunted at 10-12k feet. We studied and prepped for one solid year. The experience was awesome, but we were always a day behind the elk and only saw one (not in bow range) the entire week.
You are going to pay one way or the other. Either by going and gaining the experience on what to do and how to do it. Or by paying a guide and being successful first time out.
Posted on 10/1/17 at 3:25 pm to Lawyers_Guns_Money
If you are in the Houston Area I can’t recommend Westside Archery enough. A good bow shop is worth it’s weight in gold. The shop will have price point bows as well as higher end models. But even with a price point bow you can easily drop a grand once you buy all the things needed for a bow.
If you go high end bow expect to drop over 2k since it’s your first bow and you will need everything.
A bow shop will get you fitted correctly and show you how to shoot and make sure whatever bow you get is tuned properly. Places like bass pro / cabelas / academy sometimes are very hit and miss on the level of guys in there bow shop area.
If you go high end bow expect to drop over 2k since it’s your first bow and you will need everything.
A bow shop will get you fitted correctly and show you how to shoot and make sure whatever bow you get is tuned properly. Places like bass pro / cabelas / academy sometimes are very hit and miss on the level of guys in there bow shop area.
Posted on 10/1/17 at 4:03 pm to TexasTiger
I agree with Westside they fit and rigged out my new Hoyt last year. Guys are great and they will let you shoot whatever bow you want prior to purchase
Posted on 10/1/17 at 5:23 pm to MorningWood
Appreciate the advice so far. Lot's of good actionable feedback in here.
Agreed it won't take 3-5 years to shoot a bow. But I think it is a large jump to go from no hunting history to a multi-day trip at altitude going for Elk. But I think a lot of you pointed out the logical progression.
I am actually in Austin, but go to Houston every now and then so will try to stop by Westside if I am in town.
Agreed it won't take 3-5 years to shoot a bow. But I think it is a large jump to go from no hunting history to a multi-day trip at altitude going for Elk. But I think a lot of you pointed out the logical progression.
I am actually in Austin, but go to Houston every now and then so will try to stop by Westside if I am in town.
Posted on 10/1/17 at 5:35 pm to Lawyers_Guns_Money
The shooting a bow part is easy. The hunting part is what's hard 
Posted on 10/1/17 at 7:39 pm to Hammertime
Practice a lot and learn some patience for sure. Deer will piss you off when bow hunting, but it’s all worth it when you hear that impact.
Posted on 10/1/17 at 7:41 pm to Lawyers_Guns_Money
modern lazer range finders are worth their weight in gold.
Posted on 10/1/17 at 8:10 pm to Lawyers_Guns_Money
Find a bow shop and have them help you with draw length, you need to get a bow that fits etc etc
Just watch out for them selling you expensive stuff you can buy at Walmart for 1/4th the price.
I started shooting again this year with a new bow after 5 years off, I was dialed in within a few hours
The hardest part is finding a place to hunt (In my case)
Just watch out for them selling you expensive stuff you can buy at Walmart for 1/4th the price.
I started shooting again this year with a new bow after 5 years off, I was dialed in within a few hours
The hardest part is finding a place to hunt (In my case)
Posted on 10/1/17 at 8:42 pm to Lawyers_Guns_Money
1. Go to a bow shop and buy a bow. Have them fit you, and shoot it there with them helping you out.
2. Go home and shoot a bunch. You should be able to group on a 1/2 dollar at 20yds after a bit.
3. You're in hill country. With the abundance and the stupidity of whitetail in that region I would not be surprised if you killed a deer on your first hunt.
Deer hunt around there as much as you can this year. You will learn a ton about how to be within 10-50 yds of an animal on high alert and not blow them out of there. The shooting part is the easy part.
2. Go home and shoot a bunch. You should be able to group on a 1/2 dollar at 20yds after a bit.
3. You're in hill country. With the abundance and the stupidity of whitetail in that region I would not be surprised if you killed a deer on your first hunt.
Deer hunt around there as much as you can this year. You will learn a ton about how to be within 10-50 yds of an animal on high alert and not blow them out of there. The shooting part is the easy part.
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