Bowhunting is probably the only way to hunt that puts your skill and patience to the utmost test...

Bowhunting equipment

Long and Recurved bows Compound bow 
WolfThese two weapons are probably the oldest hunting tools (after spears and knives) that have survived till the present. Simple-looking, modern longbows and recurves employ some of the modern-day technology to make them meet the demands of the modern hunters. Still, these bows are pretty much the same as those our ancestors used way before the powder was invented. 
These simple bows consist basically of just two parts: bow itself (with hand grip and two limbs) and a string. The hunter shooting such bows holds the full weight of the string while aiming, therefore these bows require considerable strength and skill for successful hunting (Browning Wolf pictured).		 AfterburnerCompound bows are more complicated than longbows and recurves. There are several types of compound bows, differing in construction. Main elements of compound bows are limbs that are attached (rigidely or hinged) to the hand grip of the bow, string and a system of blocks, or cams, which redistribute the draw weight to the limbs and increase draw weight compared to that of a longbow of the same size. Cams are made eccentric to reduce the effort required from a bowhunter to hold the string while aiming or waiting for a shot (so-called let-off, specified in percent of the total draw weight). Compound bows include other elements that make bows better balanced, increase aiming accuracy and reduce noise. Typically, the weight of the string on modern bows can be adjusted and ranges from 30 to 80 lbs and compounds are capable of speeds up to 300 fps (Browning Afterburner pictured).
 
Crossbows are another type of bowhunting weapon. However, crossbows are illegal to use during bowhunting seasons and only can be used during regular rifle seasons. Check local laws and regulations, as they may empose limitations on the minimum legal draw weight, for the purpose of preventing hunting with uncapable weapons that wound, but can't take, the game.
 
Arrows
 
Maverick arrowsBroadheadsModern hunting arrows are made from aluminum (or other light metal) alloys, carbon fiber or a composite of the two. They are exceptionally straight and lightweight, thus providing for higher velocities and flatter trajectories. Arrow shafts have female threaded ends where an appropriate arrowhead can be installed. Traditional feathers stabilizing an arrow are now made of lightweight plastics and are installed at a slight angle to give an arrow some rotation, stabilizing it similarly to a rifle bullet.
Arrowheads are divided into two main groups: training and hunting. Training and target arrowheads are typically nail-shaped and may have steel wire stoppers attached, to prevent an arrow from carrying too far when missing a target or give additional shock when hunting small game.
Hunting arrowheads consist of several blades installed on a nail-shaped point, and are called "broadheads" (Cabela's Lazer Supreme pictured on the bottom right). Unlike bullets that kill by a shock first and by wounding second, broadheads kill game by inflicting large, heavily bleeding wounds. For that, broadheads blades are made extremely sharp and require the most careful handling. Self-inflicted wounds, i. e. cuts with broadheads, are the most typical bowhunters injuries. Don't become a victim of yet another self-cutting accident: be extremely careful with your broadheads!
The bowhunting market offers newer types of broadheads like folding Cabela's Lazer X-Terminator pictured on the top right. These are safer yet more fragile.

This page was last updated on 10-29-1998
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