Getting Started: A Guide for the Novice Bowhunter

Learn the basics. 

Getting Started: A Guide for the Novice Bowhunter

Bowhunting is among the most rewarding forms of hunting and one of the most popular. According to Statista, 4.6 million Americans (aged six years and above) participated in bowhunting in 2018. 

Hunting game with a bow, whether it's whitetails or wild turkeys, requires more patience than firearm hunting. Bowhunting is characterized by sitting atop tree stands, surveying the features of the environment around you, understanding the behaviors of the game you're hunting, and making sure you have an unobstructed path to a vital area of that deer, moose, bear, turkey, or other game. 

If you've never tried the sport before or if you're just getting your feet wet, Step Outside is the place to start. 

Picking out the proper bow

Vin T. Sparano's "Complete Outdoors Encyclopedia: Camping, Fishing, Hunting, Boating, Wilderness Survival, First Aid" is a superb resource for beginner bowhunting (and for a variety of other outdoor sports and activities). Before you get started, learn the basics and figure out what kind of bow is best suited for what you're interested in. 

Archery and Bowhunting Basics: Types of Bows


Archery and bowhunting as sports today are practiced in a variety of ways. There are archers who prefer to shoot at conventional targets; roving archers who ramble through woodlands testing their skill on tree stumps and other natural targets; and field archers who roam a course shooting at targets that simulate hunting conditions. Then there are bowhunters, some of whom have taken every game animal from the groundhog to the bull elephant with well-placed arrows. Read more.

Once you have a better understanding of the type of bow you're looking for, now it's time to make a purchase. 

Buying Your New Bow Made Easy


Thinking of upgrading your old rig or buying your first new bow? Take the hassle out of the process by considering these four simple factors first. Read more

If you're looking for a quality shop to purchase your first bow, click your state below for more information on the top outfitters near you: 

Make time to practice

It might be cliché, but practice makes perfect. From building at-home ranges for target practice to visiting a local range at your favorite archery shop, working on your accuracy helps to boost confidence in your skillset and that will bring you the results you're looking for. 

Find the Best Place to Shoot Your Bow—Archery Tips


Whether you build your own backyard bow range or shoot at a local archery shop, finding a place to shoot is critical for building your archery skills. Read more.

Learning to tighten up your shooting is much easier said than done but a few simple tips can make a significant difference. Ensuring that your bow fits you perfectly and managing your grip are just a few ways you can shoot more accurate, tighter groupings. 

Bow Accuracy: 5 Easy Ways to Shoot Tighter Groups


Follow these five simple steps to dial in your bow-shooting accuracy and tighten your groups right now. Read more.

Have fun getting fit

An aspect of bowhunting that could be forgotten is its numerous health benefits. Shooting a bow with regularity involves substantial work for your back and shoulder muscles. Additionally, the focus required in target shooting and hunting calls for intense concentration which can help in facets of life off the field, too. 

5 Ways to Get Healthy by Shooting a Bow 


Discover how target shooting with a bow can boost both your physical health and mental well-being. Read more.