Practicing bowhunting

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.

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

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

Bowhunting: why return to this ancestral practice?

Currently, France has nearly 17,000 bowhunters and this number continues to increase. Here are some reasons to try bowhunting.

A silent practice

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

Be aware 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 bowhunting for survival. They had the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully approach animals at very short distances to release an arrow and hit the target. To be effective, modern bowhunting practice was inspired by this ancestral practice.

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

A more eco-friendly practice

Being good at bowhunting 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 release a winning arrow. Unlike hunting with rifles or crossbows, this practice requires great efforts 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 bowhunting is low compared to rifles or crossbows.

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

What are the rules for practicing bowhunting in France?

The practice of bowhunting on your hunting grounds 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 license

When hunting, the hunter must carry their insurance certificate in addition to a valid hunting license. Subscription 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 compulsory training organized by your Federation. It's a one-day training, open to all hunters and non-hunters, so it's not necessary to hold a hunting license to participate.

At the end of this training, you will receive a "Certificate of participation in a bowhunting training session".

What equipment to choose to get started in bowhunting?

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: Hunters' preferred weapons, it's a classic bow made from wood species. The traditional bow is both difficult to master and not evolutive, which penalizes beginners,

Recurve bows: resembling traditional bows (often in 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 started in archery or bowhunting. Possessing great power, this type of bow is 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 bowhunting, the only ones allowed are those with drawing and holding in the drawn position that are due only to the archer's strength.

The law does not impose a minimum power for bowhunting. 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

The right type of arrows

Arrow weight

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

It is recommended for a traditional bow to have 8 to 10 grains for each pound of draw weight. Note that arrow weight is expressed in grains (1 grain = 0.0648 g).

Shaft diameter

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

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

The right type of hunting broadhead

According to legislation, the authorized bowhunting tips are those:

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

Cutting (in penetrating shots);

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

For big game bowhunting, only cutting broadheads 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 bowhunting, they are prohibited

·Target shooting tips;

·Arrows or tips equipped with toxic or explosive devices.

A quiver

The quiver is installed on the belt and gives more practicality to hunters in the wilderness. 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.

When 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, and materials of choice.

Optional: a release aid and a chest guard

For those who use compound bows, using a release aid is very convenient. 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 rubbing against the string. It's an optional accessory, but it can be useful. The hunter can choose different colors to blend effectively into the hunting environment.

Conclusion

A survival technique practiced since prehistoric times, and an instrument of war, the bow gradually lost its renown to firearms. More focused on hunting, the use of the bow underwent many legislative battles, as it was associated with poaching. It was around 1995 that bowhunting became legal in France.

Before practicing bowhunting, 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 bowhunting.

Bowhunting is a return to an ancestral, authentic, and heritage hunting method. It requires strong knowledge and mastery of using a hunting bow. Above all, it is practiced in compliance with the law, the hunting environment, and the animal.

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