When hunting, you need to have specific skills that are highly tuned. You need to make sure you have incredible accuracy and can work well under pressure.

When the season comes around you need to be prepared, this means honing your skills during the off-season.

You need to make sure you maintain your equipment well and get the best possible tools available such as the Best Recurve Bow.

It is a hobby that is intense and not for the faint of heart.

In this article, we cover tips that can help you to become a better bowhunter.

Master The Basics

This is the most obvious tip, but it is one that many people forget. You need to get the basics down before you can start mastering other techniques. Too often people try to focus on a certain aspect of bowhunting and ignore the other parts, you need to be competent in all parts of bowhunting.

Even if you have previously mastered the basics, it is a good idea to refresh your memory and skills. You can do this by attending classes or seeking the advice of professionals.

When getting advice from other people, they might be able to spot areas where you are lacking that only require a few tweaks to fix.

There is nothing wrong with asking people to analyze your performance and offer advice on how to improve.

Practice Every Distance

When practicing distance, it is a common mistake to only practice even numbers like 20, 30, and 40 yards. When hunting, the target won’t be a perfect distance from you and you need to be prepared for that.

Try hitting at odd distances like 25 and 35 yards. You can even use a random number generator to really practice at different distances. The more distances you can accurately hit, the better prepared you are for any hunt.

Make sure you also focus on hitting shorter distances accurately. Try at 5-15 yards and add these distances into your training routine.

Focus On Breathing

When in a tense situation, people tend to increase their breathing. This can raise your heartbeat and cause you to have lower accuracy.

What you want to do is have slow and even breaths. Don’t hold your breath when firing. Having deep and even breaths helps to steady your nerves.

You want to have steady nerves because it increases your accuracy. In high-tense situations, your hands may shake which isn’t want you to want on a hunt. Steady breaths also help with focus, that way you can accurately predict movements and know the best time to strike.

Have A Shot Routine

Hunts are adrenaline packed and that can make you forget small things since you are filled with anticipation.

While they are small, they can be critical to a successful hunt. Creating a routine can help you to remember them.

During practice, have a mental checklist that you go through before you take a shot. While it makes you take longer, remember that you only have one shot and it is crucial you get it right.

Over time you will become better versed with your routine and you will be able to perform it like it was second nature to you. Until then it is better to take the time to get it right.

Work On The Release

A common mistake even the most veteran hunters make is ‘punching’ the release. This is when they pull the trigger in one swift motion.

This can cause you to have slightly less accuracy and may make the target panic.

What you want to do is slowly apply pressure to the trigger while aiming. This will lead you to have better accuracy and naturally fire your bow when you put enough pressure on the trigger.

You are aiming to remove the ‘shoot now’ moment in your head. It should be a snap decision and instead a planned motion.

This ‘punching’ of the trigger is a difficult habit to break and may take practice until you don’t instinctively do it. However, there are moments when the thrill of the hunt gets the better of people and they ‘punch’ the trigger without meaning to.

Final Thoughts

For bowhunters, consistent practice is pivotal to the success of a hunt. Only with practice can a person improve their craft.

Practice can also help to prepare for any situation. Hunting is an exhilarating sport and you need to expect the unexpected. Always prepare for both successes and failures.