Using a bow when deer hunting has long been practiced by our early ancestors since the beginning of time; lacking the technology that graces us today, our ancestors had to utilize skill, terrain and luck to bring down their prey.

Today, hunting enthusiast have revived the ancient practice of bow hunting as opposed to rifles and shotguns. Though it might take a while to get used to it, this is definitely challenging and fun.

Knowing your equipment

Before going deer hunting, it is imperative that you are familiar with various equipments used in bow hunting. Unlike using shotguns and rifles which utilize power and range, bow hunting utilizes terrain, accuracy and skill of the hunter to adapt to his surroundings. And the proper tools of the trade will definitely bring out the hunter in you.

There are 3 bows that a hunter can utilize when bow hunting: we have the stick bows, recurves and the compound bow. The stick bows and recurves were used by ancient bow hunters and are made of wood yet they differ in design.

Compound bows are the new development in bow hunting. This type of bow utilizes cams and pulleys to draw the limbs back. The stiffness of the limbs gives the compound bow its power, much more significant than the old-fashioned stick and recurve bows. Also, weight is a crucial factor in handling a bow, since your power and accuracy depends on how you keep the bow steady before firing.

Arrows are also important for a successful hunting. Arrows also comes in 3 types: cedar, carbon and aluminum shafts. Cedar shafts are best used with the old-fashioned bows like the stick bow and recurves; while carbon and aluminum arrows are for the more powerful compound bows.

Bring down the prey

Different prey requires different arrows, especially when you are using a compound bow. When going out for a moose or an elk, then the heavy aluminum arrow would be perfect since the weight will give the arrow its extra power. For lighter prey like deer, a lighter shaft like the carbon arrow would be perfect since you will need the extra range that is more common for lightweight shafts.

Also take note that the carbon and aluminum arrows not only vary in weight and power, but also in price. Carbon arrows are lighter and much sturdier, that's why they're more expensive than the heavy aluminum shafts.

The perfect hunter

When utilizing a bow in hunting a deer, it is best to utilize the terrain rather than brute force. Since you are at a slight disadvantage when it comes to power, you have to use strategy in bringing down the buck.

One method used by bow hunters is shooting on top of a tree. This will give you the additional power and the range that your bow lacks. You can lure the buck out with a deer call or a rattle and wait for them to come into range.

Once you see movement and the buck is coming your way, you have to cock your arrow and pull back on the drawstrings and wait for it to come in your line of sight. This is necessary since you want to be ready when the buck comes into range, and getting the right tension on your bow will definitely take some time.

Waiting for the right moment might take a while to get used to since the compound bow is heavy, plus the force that applied while pulling back will definitely wear you out fast. If you miss the first shot, the buck may not bolt since the bow hardly makes a sound once shot, so you can cock another arrow and take a second shot if the buck is still in firing range.

Bow hunting is definitely a challenge, but the skill and experience that you get out of it is something that you should be proud of.

Today rifles and hunting shotguns are the more prominent way when it comes to hunting deer and other animals, consider the earlier settlers, where instead of a blunderbuss, the best way was using a bow.

Bow hunting is another way when it comes to hunting deer. Meant for the dexterous, bow hunting is a more delicate science and not just a sport, where the hunter must determine what sort of bow would be comfortable to use. This is nothing like Robin Hood and his longbows, I mean those were the only bows back then aside from crossbows. The difference here is to know where your draw length is, or the distance and strength on pulling the bow.

Several bow types like compound, stick types (the English longbows) or something like Rambo would use as long as there are no explosive heads. Never mind the brand for now since a lot of manufacturers have been making some of the best bows out there for hunting. And if a beginning bow hunter thinks it's all about shooting arrows, guess again. Since most modern bows can be tuned according to the weight of drawing, it would be beneficial for those with weak arms or probably of advancing age. Just because a strong or heavy bow will kill just about anything, guess again. There's science involved to know if the arrow's trajectory is as flat as possible depending on the weight of the draw. For instance, killing a whitetail deer with an 80 lb. draw has a high risk of failure or the arrow falling off the rest comparing with a 60 lb. draw. Accuracy is the key when it comes to archery, and a sturdy and easy-to-use bow is the ticket for the perfect kill.

There are other things to consider, like what sort of shaft can be used. Similar to using a certain ammunition for a rifle, arrows can either be the cedar, aluminum, or carbon. Aluminum shafts are sturdy, lighter and much cheaper than carbon, and the best ammo to use for the hunt. In fact, it doesn't stop there. Fletching or plastic type vanes are an integral part to make sure that any arrow shot will be flat and swift. Depending on the condition and user, vanes won't be affected by cold or wet conditions in comparison to feathers, while the feathers offer a quieter shot once released.

It takes practice and being comfortable with a bow in order to hunt the old fashioned way, and it makes no difference if the person lives a modern lifestyle or deep into the woods.

Even with today's modern technology when it comes to designing the most effective broadhead arrows, bows and shafts available, there's nothing that would compare the prey's frenzied animal panic after feeling the arrow piercing through it. Of course any bow hunter would think they made a mistake at some point so they have to go after the buck, but there are some misconceptions and rules before approaching the 'dead' animal.

Haste makes waste as they say. In bow hunting, a hasty aim and release of the arrow may not always work, as the result the arrow's flight may land somewhere far from the intended area of fatality. One point to consider is that animals have the drive to go insane at one point once it's in mortal danger and may run away. If it does, it would be a perfect opportunity to reflect and see what might go wrong. Usually, once the deer or any other animal have been mortally wounded, it will bed somewhere within a 250 yard radius so it's better not to go after it once it's on the run. Just wait it out for a few hours.

Humans aren't perfect, more so with a weapon at hand when it comes to hunting. There's nothing wrong with the notion of thinking back on what might have gone wrong. Unless the hunter has managed to hit the buck through the lungs or the heart, at least it would be a short trip to where it's bedding. Patience is the key when making sure the animal has expired.

Though there are a few things to worry about when it comes to misplaced shots, the only thing that may arise are the presence of coyotes that might take over before the bow hunter reaches it. Instead it may be a perfect opportunity to know where the animal might be if you follow the coyotes, then scare them away once found.

The real challenge when it comes to bow hunting is the fact that patience is the key, aside from whatever equipment a bow hunter has in his possession. There are a few things that may happen, like shooting while the animal is on the run, but mistakes like these is all art of the learning process. It doesn't make for a bad bow hunter to reflect on his shortcomings from being hasty, but at least a lesson can be learned every time he takes aim and allow the arrow to pierce through the animal with a clean kill.

Any deer hunter who wants to start using bows needs a few things that even a rifle user should need: dexterity. But instead on relying on ammunition, the only thing you need to rely on is your strength and keen sense of wind direction.

Bow hunting has been around since the Bronze Age where some of the earlier arrows were made of, well, bronze and other heavy shafts. Of course it's different now thanks to modern compositions such as aluminum and carbon, but there's nothing like the feel of cedar as it flies and hits the target with a clean shot.

Among the best brands for beginners is the PSE Archery brand. This bow has been a favorite for many years with experienced bow hunters. The draw length can be tuned to at least 26 to 30 inches and has a draw weight up to 65 lbs., enough kinetic energy to kill a whitetail deer.

Of course other manufacturers have been competing with what the PSE has started and other brands such as the Alpine Archery have been making some good progress with their bows. The Silverado brand has incorporated some good innovations such as the Upper Velocitec Control Cam for a smoother and quieter draw with minimal recoil.

The key to finding the best bow for the price isn't always the wisest way. One thing to consider as a beginning archer is to know the strengths and limitations. Draw length may vary from one user to another and just because it's heavy doesn't mean it's accurate. To compromise accuracy with power may result in misfires, possibly injuring something else like other hunters in the area. Though PSE understands the mindset of a beginning archer, they often recommend customers to consult with a sporting goods shop in order to test and see which weight, size and draw is needed for the most comfortable bow.

Broadheads for arrows may be common, but a few number of manufacturers have developed a good number of them. Choosing what broadhead to use isn't that hard, as it all depends on the hunter to begin with. As always, consulting with the sporting goods expert would tell you what sort of broadhead that would deliver an efficient and clean kill.

And the last thing needed for the aspiring bow hunter is to practice. Anyone can be a Robin Hood in terms of archery, but even the best has to start somewhere without injuring anyone else because they're too excited.

If a hunter were to forget about classifying which bow and shaft to use, then it would only leave the broadhead, as it's the most important part when it comes to bow hunting.

Today, there are dozens of manufacturers that have incorporated their own unique design and killing efficiency when it comes to broadheads for deer hunting, as well as every shot fired will result in a clean and ethical kill.

The Rage broadhead has a more traditional design but different in one way. When most broadheads open up from the front then backwards upon penetrating, the Rage opens from the rear then forward. This allows the point to pierce through the deer without compromising the loss of kinetic energy and the broadhead is deployed once it hits the target. It's not meant to be pretty, but just the same as it takes down a target with one swift kill.

The Muzzy MX-4 is designed to be a perfect piercing broadhead with bleeder blades. Though the design is a bit lacking, it makes up for the way its aerodynamics likens to that of a bullet even with more powerful bows on the market. This is a great broadhead for the serious bow hunter.

The Rocky Mountain Titanium 100 is similar to the Muzzy, only meaner and comes with a two or three blade broadhead. This is also a perfect broadhead of choice for the active bow hunter.

And for every broadhead has to have a good shaft to screw on. Easton has been around for many years and has been a bow hunter's favorite. The all carbon shaft may be a bit expensive, bit durable and lightweight enough to allow a more flatter trajectory without worrying About wind sheer or gravity influence.

Though every design will make up for improved aerodynamics during flight, there may be some broadheads that are necessary for the kill, depending on the animal. Whitetail deer has a tendency to go ballistic once it feels something just pierced through them. Though there are other broadheads that allow a cutting motion to improve piercing, some broadheads can still be used for stunning when it comes to hunting bears. But that's another story for another time.

It takes a great deal to know some of the broadheads available on the market and the design may influence the hunting success. Though most sporting good owners will tell any bow hunter that this or that is the best, it's better to learn the facts straight from the bow hunters themselves.

For some, the hunt is about experience, memories and enjoying a good time in the outdoors. For other hunters, it's all about the potential for taking a trophy. But who decides what makes an animal trophy worthy? For the bow hunters out there, it's Pope and Young.

The system is fairly simple, but it is important to know no official score can be obtained without the rack being examined by an official Pope and Young scorer. Official scores are only done after a sixty day drying period - but you can rough score your rack in the field, just for fun.

The system is based on measurements taken along the frame of the antlers. The length of tines, main beams and greatest inside spread between antlers should be measured, as well as the circumference of the main beam. Add these measurements together, and then add to them any non-typical points you can measure (measurements must be over an inch). This is your gross score - any disparity in tine length, beam length or abnormal points should be deducted from the score and the result is your net score.

In addition to the bow's handing, draw length and draw weight, there are other variables to consider when choosing the right bow for you, such as:

- The ATA, or axle to axle length, of the bow. Generally, a longer ATA makes for a more forgiving bow, but a shorter ATA is often considered more convenient
- Let Off is the amount of tension released by drawing the bow - common let offs are between 65 and 85 per cent.
- The distance between the string and the back of the riser is the brace height of the bow. In general, a higher brace height makes for a more accurate bow that's easier to shoot.
- Single, dual or hybrid cam bows are available, and choosing between them is up to your skill and confidence. A single cam bow is usually easier to handle, dual cam bows are faster but can be difficult to draw. The hybrid cam bow is relatively new and seems to offer the best features of both styles.
- Brand. This really is a matter of personal opinion - but it's worth considering what reputation the bow's manufacturer has with your fellow bow hunters. Most well-known brands come with a lifetime guarantee - but how easily can you act on this? Find out before you buy to avoid disappointment in the future.