Bow hunting UK.

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I’m of the same opinion as the op myself, I have bow hunted deer successfully (abroad of course) and I’ve shot a fair few with the rifle as well and believe me there is nothing that gets the heart going quite as much as drawing a bow at close range on an animal.

And from the reaction to the shot it didn’t even know it was hit, just walked off and fell over 20 odd yards away. The broadhead went straight through both lungs the top of the heart and 6 inches into frozen ground. I think it’s a lot like when you cut yourself with a very Sharp knife you don’t realise it’s done until you see the blood.

as lucky Eddie said there’s too many numptys in the uk who will be wounding deer all over the place and deer running around with arrows stuck in their backs after someone has had a crack with a 25lb draw weight recurve bow and a field point is not going to go down well with joe public.
 
I’ve bow hunted in Canada for Whitetail deer. And can tell you a properly placed shot with an 80 pound compound bow at 40 yards will stop a full grown Buck in the same distance as a deer shot well with a .270. I know I’ve done both! A broad head makes a 35mm hole through the vitals and the shock wave is un believable. This being said it takes a lot of practice to shoot a bow properly. We used to practice all summer for the autumn hunt. Its all down to respect for your quarry. We even bounced tyres down a hill with a balloon inside to practice moving shots. No more from me on this subject but rules is rules and I can’t see anyone being in a hurry to change them. Couldn’t draw a bow anymore anyway as I’ve torn my rotator cuff and don’t have the strength.
I agree completely.
 
I’m of the same opinion as the op myself, I have bow hunted deer successfully (abroad of course) and I’ve shot a fair few with the rifle as well and believe me there is nothing that gets the heart going quite as much as drawing a bow at close range on an animal.

And from the reaction to the shot it didn’t even know it was hit, just walked off and fell over 20 odd yards away. The broadhead went straight through both lungs the top of the heart and 6 inches into frozen ground. I think it’s a lot like when you cut yourself with a very Sharp knife you don’t realise it’s done until you see the blood.

as lucky Eddie said there’s too many numptys in the uk who will be wounding deer all over the place and deer running around with arrows stuck in their backs after someone has had a crack with a 25lb draw weight recurve bow and a field point is not going to go down well with joe public.
Your absolutely right. The only way round it I can see is if some sort of license was brought in where you had to prove your accuracy before you where allowed to hunt. But as you say too many numptys in the UK. Oh well I guess I'll stick to targets at home and going abroad for hunting.
 
Your absolutely right. The only way round it I can see is if some sort of license was brought in where you had to prove your accuracy before you where allowed to hunt. But as you say too many numptys in the UK. Oh well I guess I'll stick to targets at home and going abroad for hunting.

that would be ideal but unfortunately I can’t see it happening any time soon. I’ll be sticking to targets as well but I may invest in some 3D ones this year. Closest you can get to the real thing in the uk
 
that would be ideal but unfortunately I can’t see it happening any time soon. I’ll be sticking to targets as well but I may invest in some 3D ones this year. Closest you can get to the real thing in the uk
I do like the look of the 3d targets, I just can't bring myself to spend the money on something I'm going to shoot full of holes.
 
At 100 yards, with a rifle, the shot is taken.... At 100 yards with a bow the stalk starts. I think that just about sums it up.
 
Bowhunting in the UK was banned before modern compound bows and expanding broadheads were invented or easily obtainable, but with the current political climate it is unlikely to ever get reviewed let alone legalised again.

However, there is absolutely no reason why you can't have all the bowhunting gear you like, practise here and hunt abroad. Many places are open to and much nicer for bowhunting (although expensive!). Options include mountain goats, boar etc etc in France, Spain, and pretty much anywhere in the USA. Africa as well.

Why not become a really really good field target archer then book a bowhunting holiday? Regret not doing it when I was half decent, now totally out of practise and sold most of my gear but that is always a good reason to start again!

Please forgive the sudden release of long held tension! :lol:
 
Bowhunting in the UK was banned before modern compound bows and expanding broadheads were invented or easily obtainable, but with the current political climate it is unlikely to ever get reviewed let alone legalised again.

However, there is absolutely no reason why you can't have all the bowhunting gear you like, practise here and hunt abroad. Many places are open to and much nicer for bowhunting (although expensive!). Options include mountain goats, boar etc etc in France, Spain, and pretty much anywhere in the USA. Africa as well.

Why not become a really really good field target archer then book a bowhunting holiday? Regret not doing it when I was half decent, now totally out of practise and sold most of my gear but that is always a good reason to start again!

Please forgive the sudden release of long held tension! :lol:
True I never thought about that. It just seems a shame to have to pay to go overseas when we have plenty of wild game here.
 
It’s the one thing that’s really shocks most of my hunting friends and acquaintances here. England and archery are so very strongly associated.

Lots of people believe that deer hunting is illegal because of something to do with the Queen, but on learning that isn’t true, the next assumption is that we’re only allowed to use a bow!

One of the reasons I put off taking up archery for so long was that anti gun people make the argument that archery hunting is more humane (therefore you don’t need guns at all do you?).

What I feel very confident saying is this: archery hunting improves your stalking, be it with a bow, rifle or camera.
 
Never mind bow hunting, how about bow fishing? Especially in coastal waters?

Only problem is, even if you can buy a Burt Reynolds style wetsuit online, wearing it in public might be illegal in parts of the UK.
 
There seem many 'flights' of fancy here.

I made a bow and went hunting rabbits with it - I was 10. It had a 5 lb pull (maybe less). It wasnt accurate and I didnt rate it as a sport so I was given an air rifle.

Hunting with a bow is best left in the middle ages with Mr Hood, of the well known Sherwood Mafia - maybe.
JMHO.


For the best of Bow hunting have a look at 'bikini bow hunting' on u-tube.
 
There seem many 'flights' of fancy here.

I made a bow and went hunting rabbits with it - I was 10. It had a 5 lb pull (maybe less). It wasnt accurate and I didnt rate it as a sport so I was given an air rifle.

Hunting with a bow is best left in the middle ages with Mr Hood, of the well known Sherwood Mafia - maybe.
JMHO.


For the best of Bow hunting have a look at 'bikini bow hunting' on u-tube.
I much prefer the stalk when using a bow. With a rifle all you need to do is get with 200m of a deer but with a bow you need to be 30m from it. It takes so much more skill and discipline. It's definitely not as easy as picking up a rifle but with some time and dedication it makes for a much more satisfying sport in my opinion.
 
I much prefer the stalk when using a bow. With a rifle all you need to do is get with 200m of a deer but with a bow you need to be 30m from it. It takes so much more skill and discipline. It's definitely not as easy as picking up a rifle but with some time and dedication it makes for a much more satisfying sport in my opinion.
although to be fair you can develop the skills needed to get to withing 30mtrs and place a bullet precisely too. if you have field craft. :thumb:
 
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