New bowhunter: Must haves

[huntingheards]

I'm a new bowhunter, and have only a hunted a little bit in the past. Interested in hearing what gear folks think is a must have. Bowhunting specifics are great, but I'm also open to apparel suggestions as well. Thanks in advance!

 

[Oakman]

Welcome aboard,

 

[rookieforever33]

Three things
Time in the woods
Time to practice
A state of mind that helps you smile when you blow deer out, but learned from the experience

 

[Beendare]

1) The knowledge how to BH tune your bow for perfect hunting arrow flight- no Mech heads do not always fly like FP's...and no paper tuning with FP's is only the half way point

2) a jig to spin your BH tipped arrows on to make sure your BH's are on perfectly straight

3) sometimes not a necessity....a bow press

 

[KyleR1985]

Most important thing to have: animals within bow range.

Ways to get animals within bow range:

- Private land access with little or no hunting pressure and high target density.

- significant experience hunting public land and reliably being able to get animals within bow range.



Second most important thing:

Thousands of shots down range with a bow, with some significant portion of those under pressure (time, competition, in hunting scenarios, etc)


Third most important thing:

A well tuned bow and arrow system.


Fourth most important thing:

Razor sharp like shaving sharp surgically sharp broadheads.



Fifth most important thing:

Understanding that Youll wound and lose many animals if you bow hunt long enough.



300th most important thing:

“Apparel”

 

[CB4]

I like the broadhead tuning mentioned above. However since in the gear section I would say...

Rangefinder
Qualtiy Sight
Quality Release
Target (practice, practice, practice)

Clothing is very specific to where and when you will be hunting. It is a system but can be as cheap or exspensive as you want. I would focus on the archery specific tools above first.

 

[mulveymo]

Most important thing to have: animals within bow range.

Ways to get animals within bow range:

- Private land access with little or no hunting pressure and high target density.

- significant experience hunting public land and reliably being able to get animals within bow range.



Second most important thing:

Thousands of shots down range with a bow, with some significant portion of those under pressure (time, competition, in hunting scenarios, etc)


Third most important thing:

A well tuned bow and arrow system.


Fourth most important thing:

Razor sharp like shaving sharp surgically sharp broadheads.



Fifth most important thing:

Understanding that Youll wound and lose many animals if you bow hunt long enough.



300th most important thing:

“Apparel”

I'd disagree. I think what you wear directly impacts how comfortable you are, which correlates to time in the woods. Also, apparel has to be quiet since (especially as a new hunter) op is gonna have to get close for shots. I'd put apparel sixth lol

 

[mulveymo]

Don't go down the rabbit hole with all of the technical aspects of arrow builds/weight/helical direction/foc etc etc etc. Find a local archery shop, and have them set you up with something that tunes well in your bow and is a forgiving, middle of the road build in terms of weight/foc etc. . Get broadhead that comes with practice tils that saves you the trouble of having to broadhead tune (g5 dead meat comes to mind), and replaceable blades so you don't have to worry about sharpening. Then shoot. A lot. Learn your release and your bow, and you'll be fine. I couldn't shoot better than a 4" group at 20 yards when I first started. So I shot my first deer at 10 yards. As I got better, my range increased.

As far as gear- get stuff used on marketplace or on here. Get what you can afford and it'll work. A bino harness with pouches for a rangefinder and windicator is a good place to start.

Other than that, it's all details. Don't get too caught up in all of them, just shoot your bow and wear out your boots and glass. You'll be set.