Bowhunting Tips: Take the Right Shot This Deer Season

Hunting season is an exciting time. There’s nothing quite like hunting an animal with nothing more than your bow, your arrows, and your wit. While whitetail and mule deer are the two most common deer in the US, no matter what you hunt, it’s important to make sure you take the most ethical shot possible. Read on to learn our whitetail hunting tips so you’re prepared for the season.

Pre-Season Prep

Taking the right shot begins long before you ever hit the field. The best  bowhunting tips in the world won’t help you if you’re not starting early.

Get Your Permits

Make sure you have all the necessary licenses and permits to hunt in your area. Also, double-check local laws to make sure you’re legally allowed to hunt, as they can change from season to season. Nothing will ruin your hunt quite like getting completely prepared, only to have the game warden tell you there aren’t enough deer this season so you’re not allowed.

Practice

Even the most experienced hunters should practice with their bow. This not only gives you ample opportunities to find and repair any issues with  your gear but will also make sure you can take a clean shot. A lot of bowhunting tips recommend practicing with 3D targets, and you absolutely should, but don’t neglect the importance of circular target practice.

When you practice on a circular target, it’s easier to hone your skills. Shooting at the ideal part of a deer’s side, which is roughly the size of a dinner plate, is a lot easier if you’re practiced at shooting a target that’s roughly the size of a quarter. You’ll be more accurate and able to practice at your desired yardage.

Where to Aim for an Ethical Kill

The best place to aim to drop a deer quickly and humanely is the heart and lungs, also called a broad-side shot. This  bowhunting tip allows for rapid blood loss and a quick death. Deer hit in these vital organs usually fall within 50 and 200 yards. Aim for the center of the body, just behind the shoulders.

Sometimes shots don’t go where we intend. Other potential areas you may hit include the deer’s liver, stomach, spine, or kidneys. Each of these shots can take hours for the deer to fall, as blood loss is less rapid, and spinal shots will require a second arrow to the vitals to end the deer’s life. That’s why it’s important to follow whitetail hunting tips to ensure a quick kill.

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