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Practicing bow hunting

Originally, archery was practiced for warfare, but also for hunting. Then, firearms replaced this ancestral weapon, which led to the end of its use for military purposes and related to hunting.

Bow hunting was long prohibited because it was considered poaching. Legalized since 1995 in France, and revised by a decree dated August 18, 2008, bow hunting now attracts more and more young hunters due to its sporting and ecological aspects.

Do you want to know more about the practice of bow hunting? That's what we're going to discover now in this article.

Bow hunting: why return to this ancestral practice?

Currently, France has nearly 17,000 bow hunters and this number continues to increase. Here are some reasons to try bow hunting.

A silent practice

Silent hunting or stalking or ambush hunting aims to discreetly track an animal to approach it as closely as possible in order to take it down. This practice is generally done from a raised hide placed in a location frequently used by animals. It's an effective way to conceal oneself in order to hunt game more easily.

Know that silent practice is only possible after a long period of observing animals and their environment.

A practice closer to our roots

Historically, it was the Native Americans who created the practice of bow hunting for survival. They had the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully approach animals at very short distances to loose an arrow and hit the target. To be effective, modern bow hunting practice was inspired by this ancestral practice.

Currently, bow hunting is taking an important place in the national French hunting landscape and attracts more and more young enthusiasts. The latter aspire to become one with nature and to be predators among predators without artifice or sophistication.

A more ecological practice

Being good at bow hunting requires perfect knowledge of the territories and the animals that live there.

The hunter must remain silent (odorless, invisible). In fact, it's the only way to get close enough to the game to be able to loose a winning arrow. Unlike hunting with rifles or crossbows, this practice requires great effort and demands self-control at all times. Moreover, the arrow is not as fast as a bullet, which gives the animal time to react. It's normal that the rate of animals killed in bow hunting is low compared to rifles or crossbows.

Moreover, bow hunting is silent, and will not leave powder and bullet deposits like with a rifle. Arrows can be reused. Indeed, bow hunting must be carried out with the utmost respect for wildlife and flora.

What are the rules for practicing bow hunting in France?

Practicing bow hunting on one's hunting domain requires possession of a specific permit. For more information, it is advisable to inquire with the hunters' federation.

Obtaining the hunting license

The hunting license is an exam that covers all hunting practices. It's a mandatory step for a hunter regardless of the type of hunting to be practiced.

Subscribe to civil liability insurance for hunting

The civil liability insurance contract for hunting obviously allows you to hunt and validate your hunting permit

While hunting, the hunter must carry their insurance certificate in addition to a valid hunting permit. Subscribing to optional insurance depends on your profile (individual accident guarantees, legal protection, etc.).

Validate your JFO (Mandatory Training Day) for archery

The JFO "Mandatory Training Day" which is a mandatory training organized by your Federation. It's a one-day training, open to all hunters and non-hunters, so it's not necessary to have a hunting license to participate.

At the end of this training, you will have a "Certificate of participation in a bow hunting training session".

What equipment to choose to start bow hunting?

Hunting bows must comply with regulatory standards.

A bow adapted to the level and type of hunting

According to the type of bow

There are different types of hunting bows:

Traditional bows: Preferred weapons of hunters, it's a classic bow made from wood species. The traditional bow is both difficult to master and not upgradable, which penalizes beginners.

Recurve bows: resembling traditional bows (often one-piece), recurve bows can be disassembled, thus evolving according to the model. For beginner hunters, opt for a bow with a power of 40 pounds.

Compound bows: it's a marvel of mechanical engineering. This modern weapon is ideal for those who want to get into archery or bow hunting. Having great power, this type of bow remains at least easier to manage (drawing, aiming, etc.). Depending on the model, its power can go up to 75 pounds (for more experienced hunters).

According to legislation

For bow hunting, the only ones authorized are those with a draw and hold in drawn position that are due only to the archer's strength alone.

The law does not impose a minimum power for bow hunting. However, it is recommended to take a bow of at least 50 pounds for roe deer and 60 pounds for other big game in France.

The best hunting bows

Model Type Power Min/max draw length Weight Price
Ek Archery Take Down Recurve Bow Recurve Bow 30 pounds 23 to 32 inches   104.90 €
Pro Stinger Max SS compound bow package Compound Bow 55 - 70 pounds 21.5 to 30 inches or 54.61 to 76.2 cm 1724 grams 454.90 €
Ragim Cobra 64 inch Longbow Competition Longbow 25 to 60 lbs   740 g 255.00 €
Bear Archery SuperMag Fieldbow One-Piece Recurve Bow One-piece recurve bow 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 lbs     379.00 €
Mathews V3 31 Compound Bow Compound bow 60, 65, 70, 75 pounds 26 to 30.5 inches or 66.04 to 77.47 cm 2041 g 1,109.00 €

The right type of arrows

Arrow weight

Practically, a heavier arrow allows better penetration, but requires more power. This balance takes time and depends on the physical conditions of each hunter.

It is recommended to take, for a traditional bow, 8 to 10 grains for each pound of draw weight. Know that the weight of arrows is expressed in grains (1 grain = 0.0648 g).

Arrow shaft diameter

A smaller diameter allows better penetration on the game and less wind drift on longer shots. The choice of wood species and sizes may be imposed by the arrow diameter (wooden and aluminum shafts). 

Then, it happens that the heads are slightly larger than the shaft diameter, but they must never be undersized otherwise they will reduce penetration, slightly reduce accuracy or even damage the shaft in a target.

The right type of hunting point

According to legislation, the authorized bow hunting points are those:

With a stunning effect without cutting or piercing, including those equipped with claws or multiple points;

Cutting (in plunging shots);

Equipped with large fletching aimed at slowing the arrow's speed (non-plunging shots). Check that the widest part does not exceed a circle of 6 centimeters in diameter.

For bow hunting of big game, only cutting hunting points with at least two blades are authorized. They must have:

·Either a cutting diameter greater than or equal to 25 millimeters;

·Either a cutting length of each blade greater than or equal to 40 millimeters.

For all forms of bow hunting, they are prohibited

·Target shooting points;

·Points or arrows equipped with toxic or explosive devices.

A quiver

The quiver is installed on the belt and gives more practicality to hunters in the wild. It optimizes aerodynamics and stores arrows close to the body while keeping discreet silhouette contours. Since shooting is very occasional, the hunter will not need to have many arrows.

While hunting, the archer will not always be safe from potential repairs. The quiver will then be ideal for putting repair tools, hanging distinctions, etc. This accessory is sold in different forms, colors, materials of choice.

Optional: a release aid and a chest guard

For those using compound bows, using a release aid is very practical. These accessories allow for easier drawing. This promotes safety, drawing, and pressure on the trigger to release the string. The effort for aiming is optimized and accuracy improved.

As for the chest guard, it is placed at the chest level to protect the chest or clothing from friction with the string. It's a non-mandatory accessory, but it can be useful. The hunter can choose different colors to effectively integrate into the hunting environment.

Conclusion

A survival technique practiced since prehistoric times, and an instrument of war, the bow gradually lost its fame to the detriment of firearms. More focused on hunting, the use of the bow underwent numerous legislative battles, as it was comparable to poaching. It was around 1995 that bow hunting was legalized in France.

Before practicing bow hunting, the beginner archer must be aware of a lot of information. There's the part related to their equipment (beginner hunting bow) and those related to the current legislation on bow hunting.

Bow hunting is returning to an ancestral, authentic, and patrimonial hunting mode. It requires strong knowledge and mastery of the use of a hunting bow. Above all, it is practiced in compliance with the law, the hunting environment, and the animal.

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