Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!crdgw1!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!erb1!osnome!hunting
From: rigg@osnome.che.wisc.edu (Tim Rigg)
Newsgroups: rec.hunting
Subject: Re: [marko@hutch: Bowhunting for the first time]
Message-ID: <451@erb1.engr.wisc.edu>
Date: 29 Mar 91 13:29:37 GMT
Sender: news@erb1.engr.wisc.edu
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Approved: hunting@osnome.che.wisc.edu

[NOTE: be forewarned, I am only a textbook bowhunter.  I have read a
lot but have yet to take my bow hunting.]

   From: marko@hutch (Mark O'Shea)
   I have ordered my bow and should have it in a week or so.  I plan to
   practice at least once a week between now and the season opener-Aug 25.

This an excellent idea.  Too many hunters take up bowhunting just for
te extra season and then don't practice with the bow. The rule of
thumb that I have read in several places is to only take shots within
your range.  Your range is defined as the maximum distance that you
can put 6 out of 6 arrows in a paper plate.  Typically, this is about
20-30 yards. With a LOT of practice, you might be able to extend this
to 40-50 yards.

Also, since you plan to shoot weekly, you might want to join a hunting
league at a local archery shop or club.  Then you'll have to shoot
weekly and you'll have a record of you improvement.

   What I want to know is what should I know about bow hunting that is 
   different from rifle hunting.

There is only one difference:  you have to be close enough to be sure
of a one shot kill.  When you think about releasing the arrow, you
should be reasonably sure that it will be a fatal shot. Given the
added stress and jitters of a real hunt, you should probably try to
stay well short of your maximum range.

   Oh yes, I am buying the bow from Gander Mountain and the book "The
   Complete Guide to Bowhunting Deer" by Chuck Adams comes with it.
   Is this a good book?

I bought my first bow at KMart (a Bear with sight and quiver for $80).
The bow didn't really fit me, I didn't get to try it out, and it was
basically a cheaply built bow.  I got lucky and the cables and strings
were mismatched so KMart took it back.  After visiting several archery
shops, I bought another bow.  I would strongly recommend buying bows
>from archery centers.  They know their products and will provide
support after the sale.

Good luck with your new bow.  I have only had mine for a few months
but I can't stop shooting it.  The only thing that keeps me from
practicing more is that my arm usually needs a while to recover... 

tim