Bowhunting 101: Essential Equipment & Beginner Tips for a Successful Hunt

Do you have all the gear you need for your upcoming bowhunting excursion? It’s important to make sure you have prepared the essentials. For those fresh-faced newbies or the grizzled bowhunting veterans, having a checklist can make the task of preparing a relatively simple process. It removes the burden of remembering everything you need, and for veterans, makes a good way to check gear for any required maintenance, replacement, or upgrading before the hunt.

Bows, Arrows & Essentials Add-Ons

Bows/Crossbows: Incidentally, the foundation of a successful bow or crossbow hunt is, of course, your weapon of choice. Whether you prefer the high-tech combination of power, speed, and accuracy of the compound bow or crossbow, or you want the traditional experience of a recurve bow, you’ll need to make sure your weapon is in working order before your next hunt.

Further Reading: Want to know more about how to choose a compound bow? Check out our Guide to Compound Bows to learn more.

Arrows: Choosing the right arrows for your bow is likely one of the most difficult decisions you’ll have to make after getting your bow in order. There are a lot of brands and styles of arrows on the market. Regardless of what you choose, be sure to select the right arrow spine for your draw weight and length. Refer to the chart on the arrow’s box or chart included in the online product details available on our site.

• Carbon arrows offer a lightweight, durable construction with excellent speed and accuracy.
• Aluminum arrows are a popular choice due to strength, durability, and resistance to changes in weather.
• Aluminum-carbon hybrid arrows combine the stiffness of aluminum with the lightweight construction of carbon.
• Wood arrows are for those using recurve bows. These aren’t suitable for high-velocity compound bows, as they can split upon firing.

Further Reading: Want to know more about choosing the right arrows? Check out our Arrow Buyer’s Guide to learn more.

Broadheads: Once you’ve locked down your choice of arrow, you need to choose the broadhead that works for you.

• Fixed-blade broadheads usually feature a smaller cutting diameter and have no moving parts. These types of broadheads are more durable and offer consistent results upon impact.
• Expandable broadheads generally offer a larger cutting diameter and a smaller profile in flight, so they fly in a similar manner to field points.
• Hybrid broadheads typically include 2 fixed blades and 2 expandable blades that aim to offer a mix of the best qualities of fixed-blade and expandable broadheads.

Quiver: A quality quiver will simply keep your arrows protected while enroute to your stand or blind. For the spot-and-stalk hunter, a quiver will keep arrows locked tight to reduce noise while moving, while being lightweight and easily detachable.

Sights: Sights help improve accuracy by providing a reference point for aiming. Consider adjustable sights that allow you to fine-tune your aim based on distance and shooting conditions.

Rests: Rests support the arrow while it is being shot. Popular options include drop-away rests and containment rests. Choose one that suits your shooting style and preferences.

Release Aids: Release aids improve consistency and accuracy by ensuring a clean release of the bowstring. There are various types available, including wrist straps, handheld releases, and thumb releases. Experiment with different options to find the one that feels most comfortable for you.

Bow Case:For transporting and protecting your bow, a quality bow case is essential.

Essential Hunting Gear

Camouflage Clothing: Look for hunting clothing that matches the terrain you’ll be hunting in. Camouflage keeps you hidden from the keen eyesight of animals.

Boots: Invest in a good pair of hunting boots that provide comfort, support, and durability. Look for boots with insulation and waterproof features to keep your feet dry and warm.

Gloves: Choose a pair of gloves that balance dexterity and insulation, enhancing your ability to handle your bow.

Mask and Face Paint: Consider using a camo face mask or face paint to hide facial features.

Tips for Success

Practice Regularly

It should be obvious, but successful bowhunting lies in regular practice. Instilling the muscle-memory required for precision shooting at any distance doesn’t happen overnight. If you have the space, consider transforming your backyard into a practice range. Focus on improving accuracy, consistency, and aim.

Be sure to add plenty of variety to your practice routine. Shoot from varying distances and different positions to prepare for the unpredictable nature of hunting. You never know when you’ll have the chance to draw on a target in the field.

Master Stealth and Patience

Learning to move slowly and deliberately is a skill that every hunter should strive to master. Animals are incredibly perceptive and are more likely to spot sudden movements, meaning that it is crucial to move with patience and be mindful of your movements. The last thing you want to have happen is to have a twig snap under your weight as you come up on your target.

This Guide is a Starting Point

With the help of this bow hunting checklist, you'll be fully equipped for your next bow hunting adventure. Whether you're planning a quick day trip or embarking on a week-long journey into the wilderness, this checklist will ensure you have all the essential items packed. Every bowhunter will have their own personal preferences and specific equipment, so feel free to customize this checklist to suit your needs.