The Compound Bow

The compound bow has been a real boost to authentic hunting. The growing popularity of bow-hunting deer may have come partially from the perceived advantages of this bow.

Many people seem to be looking for what is easy, automatic, comfortable, convenient... It is refreshing to see bow-hunting increase in popularity. Almost any bow-hunting requires commitment to a higher level of skill and dedication to hunting; the compound scores well.

All bows are somewhat primitive.

The very limited range and need to draw a bow before shooting it, makes a bow safer. Some landowners may grant permission to hunt with a bow only. The bow makes very little noise which is sometimes an advantage. Some bow-hunters say taking any deer with a bow is reward enough.

While a compound is little awkward, heavy, and noisy in comparison; it offers some advantages over a traditional bow.

These bows have been evolving for some time, but will continue to get better. Many people, including bow-hunters, like to think they are on the cutting edge :-)

The top compound bows can achieve arrow velocities which are sometimes twice that of ordinary traditional bows . Impressive, remembering that traditional bows (stick bow, long bow, recurved bow) have been used to take most every animal that walks, and many that swim, or fly.

With their improved arrow speed, and the right arrow, these bows can kill anything on the planet. The increased speed also means the arrow will drop a little less.

But! Even from the fastest bow
an arrow drops quickly.

The compound bow's "let-off" is an advantage in that it allows the shooter to hold considerably less draw weight than a similar traditional bow.

Sights are slower, require a little more time to line up, but may be more reliably accurate for most shooters. Hunters, especially rifle hunters, are comfortable with sights.

Sights; "adjusted for a specific target distance", may allow even an inexperienced shooter to shoot accurately at that distance. Learning to use sights may be easier than traditional instinctive shooting.

The popularity of hunting from an elevated position, or deer stand has probably added to the popularity of bow-hunting. Compound bows seem especially well suited to hunting from an elevated deer stand.

Having a position above the normal sight
of a deer allows for more movement,
such as drawing a bow.

The fixed position of a stand sometimes gives the compound shooter the time he needs. The faster arrow speed, sights, and known ranges may allow a good archer with a compound bow to shoot at greater distances. Still, most archery deer are taken within 20 yards; 40 yards or more is often considered extreme bow range.

Most archery hunters are skilled hunters.
The short range bow forces them to get close
and to learn all they can about deer.

Compound Bow to Bow Hunting Deer
Compound Bows to Score-Your-Hunting.com