Recurve Bow Hunting Guide: Techniques and Equipment
Recurve bows are good for hunting big animals like deer. They have a shorter range than compound bows, so you need to get closer to your target. Practice shooting from different distances to get better. Also, learning to understand wind patterns and animal tracks will help you sneak up closer for a successful shot.
Hunting with a recurve bow offers a mix of heritage and challenge, often overlooked in modern archery. If you’re stepping into this style or have been around the archery field, you might ponder whether this type of bow suits your hunting ambitions. I’ll walk you through why opting for this simpler yet skilled bow type could elevate your hunting game and yield profound satisfaction from ethical, successful hunts.
These bows are celebrated for their lightweight and ease of handling, perfect for sneaking up on your prey where precision and patience are key. You’ll need to master stealth and deepen your understanding of animal movements, as getting physically closer is necessary.
With recent improvements in materials and design, modern recurve provides enhanced accuracy up to 50 yards, often matching the efficacy of compound bows, which explains why a growing number of new archers are choosing them.
Recurve vs. Compound Bow for Hunting
The main difference between recurve and compound bows in hunting primarily stems from their structure and mechanical functions, affecting performance across various hunting conditions. Let’s break down these differences to help you decide which bow might suit your hunting style, especially if you’re starting out or have moderate experience.
Power and Efficiency
Compound bows, with their extra strings, cables, and cams, offer greater power and efficiency. This design allows for a heavier draw weight to be managed more comfortably, favoring larger game and extended range shots—characteristics that make the compound bow a popular choice among new hunters.
Simplicity and Finesse
On the other hand, recurve bows have a more traditional design, which contributes to a sleeker profile. This simpler setup enhances the directness of your shot and demands a more hands-on learning approach to master, particularly beneficial for close to medium-range targeting, commonly chosen for smaller to medium-sized games.
Choosing the Right Bow
Selecting a suitable bow involves considering the game size and the typical hunting situation. For example, the compactness of compound bows makes them ideal for confined spaces like tree stands, while the agility and minimalism of recurve bows are advantageous in open spaces or when stealth is required.
Both bows work well in most weather, but compound bows can be tricky if it’s wet or snowy because of their complex sights.
Setup and Equipment for Recurve Bow Hunting
Selecting the right gear is important for any bow hunter, aiming to ensure ethical shots and efficient outcomes. Let’s dive into the essentials, focusing on how to equip yourself for targeting various game sizes—from ducks to deer.
Essential Recurve Bow Setup
Choosing a recurve bow means considering draw weight, which varies by the game. Below are general recommendations to help you start. The ideal draw weight for you may vary depending on your physical strength, shooting style, and specific hunting conditions.
| Hunt | Draw Weight Range |
|---|---|
| Small animals Rabbit / Squirrels / Turkey / Ducks | 30 – 35 lbs |
| Hogs / Boar | 35 – 45 lbs |
| Deer/elk | 40 – 50 lbs |
| Moose / Reindeer | 60 – 70 lbs |
Another important factor is your bow’s draw length, which generally should be within 28-32 inches, fitting your height and arm span.
Material-wise, there’s no significant difference in effectiveness among Wood, Metal, or Laminate. Each offers different benefits in weight, durability, and maintenance, though all can perform admirably in the field.
String Type and Arrow Rests
Dacron strings are generally quieter, whereas Fast Flight strings are faster. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities. For example, if hunting in close quarters or needing a quieter string for stalking is crucial, Dacron might be ideal.
Arrow rests also vary:
Matching Arrows and Broadheads
Arrows should have a spine that complements the bow’s draw weight and length to maintain accuracy. Broadheads, critical for the hunt’s ethical aspect, should be chosen based on the game’s size; larger animals require broader heads to ensure clean, humane kills.
Additional Gear
Techniques for Getting Close
Understanding animal behavior can significantly increase your chances of getting close and making that perfect shot. For instance, did you know that elk are more tolerant of close encounters during the bugling season? That means late summer or early fall could be your prime stalking time. And during the rut, whitetail deer become more active and predictable, giving you more opportunities to close in.
Now, let’s talk about staying hidden. Camouflage and scent control are important as well. Whitetail deer can sniff out human odor from a quarter-mile away! Using scent-eliminating sprays and washing your clothes in scent-free detergents can give you the edge.
When it comes to stalking techniques, slow and steady wins the race. Renowned bowhunter Dave Nasty recommends moving in short bursts of 2-3 steps at a time, then pausing to assess your surroundings and animal behavior. And always pay attention to the wind—it can carry your scent straight to your target.
And don’t overlook the power of ground blinds and tree stands. Well-positioned blinds can increase your shot opportunities, while strategically placed tree stands can help you stay hidden and downwind from your prey.
Bow Hunting Ethics
When hunting with a recurve, the priority is to make clean and ethical kills. This starts with understanding the right shot placement. The golden rule here is aiming for the vitals—broadside shots are your best friend because they offer a large target area, including the heart and lungs. Such shots not only ensure a quick takedown but significantly reduce the animal’s suffering. Steer clear from frontal shots; they’re risky and can lead to wounding the animal without a fatal blow.
Knowing your limits is just as important. The ethical recurve shooting range typically doesn’t exceed 40 – 45 yards. Within this distance, experienced hunters recognize high-percentage shot opportunities that lead to successful and humane kills. Pushing beyond this range can tempt fate, not just in terms of missing the target but also violating ethical hunting practices by risking a wound rather than a kill.
If a shot does go awry, tracking becomes your responsibility. Following a blood trail might be challenging, but with a well-placed shot, you can ensure recovery within 100 yards if you give the animal time to expire—this patience aids in easier tracking and minimizes unnecessary suffering.
Additionally, every ethical bow hunter must know and follow local hunting laws and regulations.
Tracking Wounded Animals
Tracking of wounded animals in bowhunting is a crucial skill that demands patience, precision, and respect for the animal. When your hunt is wounded, it might not drop immediately, so understanding the signs of a hit is essential for a responsible recovery. This begins at the moment of impact—marking the animal’s location and observing the type of blood on the arrow or the ground, which tells a lot about the injury.
Signs of a Hit: Bright red, foamy blood generally indicates a lung hit, suggesting the animal will not travel far and may expire quickly. A darker color can mean a muscle or organ hit, potentially leading to a longer tracking path. Greenish residue? That’s a gut shot—these are particularly tough, requiring extended wait times to allow the animal to lay down, minimizing suffering, and making tracking more straightforward.
Tracking Techniques: Start from the last known location of the animal. Look for broken branches, displaced leaves, or a blood trail. These signs can help you understand the direction the animal is headed. Move slowly and methodically, keeping noise to a minimum to avoid startling the animal further.
When to Call for Help: If you lose the trail or if the blood signs are unclear, it might be wise to call for a more experienced tracker. This ensures you’re adhering to ethical hunting practices while also maximizing the chance for recovery.
Tip for Recurve Bowhunters
I follow some basic tips when on the hunt to boost efficacy and adhere to the ethics of bowhunting. First and foremost, selecting the right bow is crucial. A well-suited bow ensures better control and effective energy transfer to the arrow.
Good form is important, too. Keep your grip relaxed, maintain a straight posture, and ensure your drawing hand consistently pulls back to the same spot every time.
Practice is key to maintaining good form. For instance, high winds can push your arrows off course. In such cases, adjusting your aiming point to compensate for the wind is necessary, which only comes with plenty of practice.
Effective Distance
For a clean, ethical shot, you should know the effective range of your recurve bow. If you’re aiming at larger animals like a big deer or elk, you’ll need a bow with a heavier draw weight to ensure your arrows travel with enough energy and penetration. It’s wise to practice at various distances to see how your arrows perform in different conditions.
Broadhead Tuning for Optimal Performance
Choosing the right broadheads is another critical aspect. Fixed-blade broadheads are ideal for recurve bows because they’re sturdy and reliable. Make sure to tune your broadheads to ensure they fly straight and true with your arrows. This might involve adjusting the weight of the broadhead or experimenting with different arrow spines to find the best match for your bow setup.
Conclusion
When you decide to take up hunting with a recurve bow, remember that it’s all about precision and ethical practices. Choose a bow that fits your body and strength to ensure you can handle it comfortably. Whether targeting a rabbit or a moose, selecting the right draw weight and maintaining a sharp broadhead are crucial for clean, humane kills.
Here’s a quick checklist: ensure your arrows match the bow’s draw weight, use broadheads that are right for the game size, and practice your shooting to know your effective range. Remember, good shots mean aiming for the animal’s vitals and staying within a distance where you’re confident and accurate—usually not more than 45 yards.
Staying hidden and downwind from your target increases your chances of a successful hunt, as does understanding animal behavior. Always follow local laws, use scent blockers, and practice tracking skills for those times when shots don’t go as planned.
By adhering to these guidelines, you’ll not only respect the wildlife but also enhance your experiences in the field.
Happy hunting.
