First Year Hunter

I'm almost 28 years old and I plan on trying my hand at bow hunting this year. I've always fished through the Fall and Winter and never got into hunting but I thought Id try it this year. I've done some research on deer patterns and tendencies and got me what I consider a solid bow for a beginner. Any general tips or tricks for me? I live in Tuscaloosa so I'm just going to try Oakmulgee WMA since its close and free. Suggestions on whether to use a tree stand or ground blind? If so brands you would suggest that wont break the bank or anything that a first timer might overlook? Thanks.

Use a treestand and play the wind. As for bows, go shoot as many as you can so you can get a feel for what you like. Then try to find yourself a 3 or 4 year old used bow. Also get yourself measured properly for your draw length while you are at the shops trying out bows.

Aim low. Lower than you think you should. Especially shootin a doe.

Yep, always aim low for the heart. When shooting from an elevated position, always make the angle by bending at the waist. Never drop the bow arm to make the angle. Doing so will cause you to shoot high. Always use a body harness when hunting from an elevated stand.

Like Shaw said get one that feels good and fits, don't go with the coolest looking one or the one used on your favorite tv show.

be patient

My best advice is to make friends with an experienced bow hunter and go with them.

I didn't start bow hunting till later in life. One of my good friends finally talked me into it and gave me some great advice on a starter bow. He had a ladder stand in his back yard and I would stop by his house after work and we would practice shooting. Makes practicing from a elevated stand a lot more fun if you have someone to retrieve your arrows. After all that, I still missed the first real deer I had a chance to shoot. I quickly discovered live ones won't stand still.

Hunt the WIND!!! If you don't just stay at home! Don't over shoot (shoot too much) in my experience when you get tired you end up picking up bad habits. Work your way up with shooting just a few times to start with then shoot more and more as you get stronger and more confident!

agree with the bad habits thing.. much like golf, its probably best for your first time to be with someone who can give pointers. bad habits are hard to break

Good advice so far.

I would get a quality climber. The Summits are nice and not to expensive. Be sure and practice some from the climber. Also be sure you practice some with your broadheads as more than likely they will have a different point of impact than the field tips. You will need to broadhead tune your bow. Just google it, lots of info out there.

Be patient. It took me a while to kill my first with a bow. You must be "stealth like". I got busted the first few times I drew on a deer. You must wait until the deer is looking opposite way or goes behind a tree to move.

Be aggressive when it comes to drawing your bow. Get it drawn first chance the deer gives you.

I took up bow hunting this past year and i love it. I researched and shot several bows and settled on the bear attitude, which is very easy to shoot and didnt break the bank. Solid advice all of these guys give but ill add that you should practice with your cold weather gear on or at least jacket, gloves, bogan and face mask.

Stick with it, bowhunting is a whole nother level of hunting... closer ranges and alot more movement on your part, not to mention your heart pounding and nerves kicking in when your drawn back with a deer in your sights. Good luck!!

Don't try to use to much draw weight. Set on a bucket and hold the bow as if you're aiming at the target, then draw the bow back. If you can't do it without skying to bow or any extra movement then the draw weight is to much. Also, take the first shot opportunity the deer gives you. It just may be your only chance. Practice as much as possible to build confidence and learn where your effective range is and don't shoot past that when hunting.

Good info on the draw weight. An old guy that worked my dad told me the same exact thing when I got my first compound. Took me about 8 years to figure out that old dude was right.

Tuscaloosa is having a 3D shoot this weekend at 13040 Eugenia Faucett Drive, Northport, AL. Would be a great time to get some practice in on life like targets. I'll be there Saturday with my wife and daughter sometime between 8:00-9:00 am if any of ya'll want to walk through with us.

Yea Shaw, I learned that one the hard way myself.

Try not to get frustrated oakmulgee and the tnf will chew you up and spit you out

This!! Spent more time in the woods of the national forest than anywhere else... alot of lessons learned in them woods but im a better hunter because of it

The deer seem to be in isolated pockets. If you can find one of those pockets you'll be alright.

One of the most handy tools to have is a solid range finder. You may think you can judge distance good, but it takes a long time to be able to consistently tell the difference in 20 and 30 yards from a tree. Also invest in a hunters safety life line and a good harness. When I was in my teens id climb 30 ft in a tree without either. Now that I'm older I realize that was the dumbest chit I ever did

Oakmulgee is a very good place to start during bow season. Find a large white oak that has tons of piles of poop under it. I would not Hunt until I found 4 or 5 places with tons of deer poop so you can Hunt the wind. It does not have to be far off the road in bow season. Sit as long as you can over trees that are dropping acorns with tons of poop below them and you will have opportunities to take several deer in bow season.

Rangefinder. Be confident when you take the shot. Don't be doubting your ability. Play the wind. Stay as scent free as possible.

Enjoy learning about hunting as much as the hours actually hunting. Each time is a learning experience.

Oh and the hunting TV shows are hunting porn.

I forgot to add. BUY A THERMACELL. Night and day difference.

Those PSE Stinger Ready to hunt packages are great bows to start with and won't break the bank