How Late to Shoot (with a bow)

[Snapset]

I tried to post this under another thread but it kept taking me back to the Community Page. One tip for a begining bowhunter is to be prepared to track your animal. I once shot a deer from an old logging road about 15 minutes before pitch dark, and noticed after I saw the arrow angle forward through the liver, that I had no light to track with. The deer bolted into the deep woods and I had to make a quick choice, give the animal time to die, or try to find the trail. I luckily made the right choice and went right after the animal, found a skid track, and figuring a hard hit animal would take the straightest path through followed it. It was too dark to look for blood or tracks, so I just followed that skid rut until I tripped on my deer. A couple lessons I learned, was: !. Always have a couple of lights, plus a lantern in the truck. 2.) Ask yourself if you want to spend the next couple of hours in the blackdark, rainy, cold forest soaked in deer blood with a Bow and a pocketknife for self defense.

That animal went about 400 yards, with what I thought was a perfect hit, with the tip of the arrow slashing both lungs as it ran. Because of the time it took that deer to die, I mostly shoot the bow just for fun and shoot with a rifle when I am hunting to kill.

[Fish Hunter]

Good tips!
I know that I will miss my scope at dawn and dusk, this being my first bowhunting year. The peep aperature seems too small to let enough light in, has anyone ever drilled them out a little? Did it affect your accuracy much?

[alwyze fishin]

Yes I have just dont do it while it is in the bow string. if possible see if you can find a old man peep sight I got one this year and love it

[Osprey]

I can't comment on the peep,since I shot bare bow with a fingers over-draw,It gives me a very fast reaction and shot time,I know my limitations and keep my shoots within my comfort zone.
Part of the equipment I carry is 2 flashlights and extra batteries.I pack enough parachute cord so I can spead eagle that big bull to make workin on him easier.......BTW I've spent 2 nights in the woods with 2 different animals,just ended up too far from camp,I sure didn't sleep much and I never stay with the animal ( if that cougar wants food he can eat it instead of me)......Os

[ 08-23-2001: Message edited by: Osprey ]

[Hoosier Daddy]

I went to bare bones too. But I know they make an adjustable peep. It has a slot and a slide with different sized holes in it, so you can slide to a different aperature. Just don't lose the slide! How many hunts are ruined by guys forgetting their releases? I've seen it happen, that and I don't like the feel of them, so I shoot fingers too. If you lose them, you probably should call it a day.

[Norm]

I shoot all the time with a big peep. I drilled mine out to 1/8". Anything smaller you'll have trouble in thick dark brush, dawn, or dusk. I can see all of my pins through it, but you get used to it with practice. If you trailing a wounded animal, leave it for at least 30 minutes unless it's raining. Cary a small mag light that comfortable to carry in your mouth ( I put duct tape on my mag light) for night gutting and spare batteries. If you gutting a animal in the dark by yourself, safely build a small fire. I had a bad experience with a bear at night carrying out a elk. When your covered in blood in thick brush with only a bow and a hungry bear stalking you, you'll know what I mean. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]