I need your help.

[MA ELite]

I am looking at starting a intro to Bowhunting class. I will give details about location when time is right. What I need is I want to make sure I have everything and anything a new bow hunter would need to know.

First class I would say would be equipment. Then the ins and outs of bow hunting.

Tell me what the most common mistakes are that a newbie would make.

[Texasredneck]

Buying a bow that don't fit them correctly and
getting one that is more than they need to start with.

[dustoffer]

I think the most common mistake new bowhunters make is trying to make up for lack of skill/practice with more and more gadgets. The 2nd most common is failing to hunt the wind. Third is not sitting still.

[BowPro73]

Form...... slamming the string into the forearm. I'm gonna go with that being the most common mistake.

[i Be Profin]

#1 to me is skill of aiming small and missing small. that takes practicing all year. Not a week before season. Moving away 50% of the time and practicing in the woods in real life scenarios. Practice shooting from tree stands, Practicing shooting through trees. And #2 being still. I mean rock still. No moving, no reading books, or listening to music etc. It is smart to have all your senses focused on hunting. I think the biggest detriment to hunting now a days is the cell phone. I love hunting Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Alaska where there is NO CELL SERVICE. It forces you to enjoy the mts, the birds, sounds, etc. You can listen to M and M when you get home. Well thats my 2 cents. Have fun whatever you do!

[txoutdoorsman24]

Buying a bow that don't fit them correctly and
getting one that is more than they need to start with.

Very true.

As a bow tech for a year the most common thing I saw in the shop was to high of a draw weight. "Skyjacking" draws all day long. But it's very hard to tell some guy (customer lol) he can't pull back 70 pounds. Saying they can shoot their buddy's 70 lb bow all day but in actuality it set at like 62 lbs.

Prob the most common problem in the field is lack of practice and precision at certain heights, standing or sitting, quiver on or off, environments, etc. Stuff like that. Making excuses that I missed Bc "I couldn't stand up and shoot. Had to improvise my "normal" shootin routine."

Also, I ran into quite a few shooters that were not same eye, same hand dominant. Right hand left eye. Or vise versa. That really threw people for a loop when they couldn't get set up and would fight the equipment Bc they couldn't see or get comfortable with the bow.

[txoutdoorsman24]

Form...... slamming the string into the forearm. I'm gonna go with that being the most common mistake.

YESSSSSS. Was always funny to see that know it all get a strawberry down the entire forearm Bc he didn't listen to the institutions on gripping a bow.

[MA ELite]

Good info, keep it coming!

[hopedale]

Form...... slamming the string into the forearm. I'm gonna go with that being the most common mistake.

I think you need to distinguish are you going to teach an archery class or hunting class.

Is the class for someone with experience hunting or novice?

I've got a buddy that already knows how to hunt, but his first experience with archery was a bad one. Wasn't holding the bow right and he got educated on his forearm. Slapped so hard he said you can keep the bow hunting.

I do agree the first thing in a bow hunting class would be a review of the equipment; traditional vs modern bow.

I think its worth presenting info on arrows and broadheads; fixed vs mechanical.

Don't forget the other equipment such as clothing, key items in the back pack worth having, such as a set of allen wrenches or other important items, such as a spare release. Provided you're using a release.

Once equipment is discussed, I think you next cover scouting. Where to look for deer sign, then funnels, food resources, bedding area, etc.

Now, blind or stand placement and how to adjust for wind. Next, how to know your distances.

Once distances are known maybe discuss why folks miss from an elevated stand; need to bend at the waist when you go over shot placement.

Now you've shot a deer or hog, what to focus on after the shot. How long to wait and track the game.

There is probably a endless amount of information that could be tought. Stuff folks who've been hunting and bowhunting just over look because its second nature.

I'd say find some books on bowhunting, pull out the info you think a beginner should know and go from there.

Good luck and keep us informed.

[Bill]

Look at the IBEF Bowhunter Ed course for topics.

[Mr. Whiskers]

A lot has been mentioned. Scent Control would be a topic I would cover also.

[MA ELite]

This is going to be more about archery. Shot placement and stuff like that.

[MA ELite]

Ttt