Bowhunting

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Bowhunting is the practice of taking game animals by archery.

In contrast to a rifle hunter, who may shoot effectively from ranges in excess of 200 yards (about 180 m), a responsible archer will usually restrict shots to 45 yards or less, depending on factors such as individual ability, the target animal, draw weight etc. Archers shooting traditional bows (longbows, selfbows or recurves) prefer to shoot at ranges of 20 yards or less. Although traditional bows are capable of shooting accurately, for much further than 20 yards, ethical hunters restrict their shooting range, in order to ensure quick and humane kills. Because archers must be much closer to their target animal, the bow hunter often claims a more intimate hunting experience and must pay special attention to the animal’s sense of smell, hearing and sight. This limit on effective range is one of the primary challenges that makes the sport of archery hunting attractive.

Bow hunting for fish is appropriately called bowfishing. Many variations on standard archery equipment including the addition of a line attached to either a spool or a reel as well as a specially designed arrow facilitate this practice. Archers need to take into account the refraction angle of their target when releasing their arrow making sure to aim below their target's apparent position as the water gives a false indication of the actual position of the fish.

Today, compound bows are usually preferred for hunting, although recurve bows are not uncommon and usually legal. Longbows are often used by those who want to make the hunting experience as traditional as possible. Crossbows are often permitted for disabled hunters because of their operation, whereby the shooter does not have to hold back any of the draw weight of the weapon.

As with any weapon, proper practice and practical training will increase the odds that an animal can be harvested successfully and humanely and, in fact, an experienced archery hunter can place a kill shot as effectively as a rifle hunter.

Contents 1 Legal and cultural considerations 1.1 Europe 1.2 North America 1.3 New Zealand 1.4 Australia 2 References

[edit] Legal and cultural considerations

[edit] Europe

Some European countries consider bowhunting unnecessarily cruel to animals and prohibit the sport. Bowhunting, like target archery, was revived in Britain during the Victorian era but became outlawed when the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1963 excluded bows and crossbows from its list of permitted hunting weapons. Since 2003, Scotland has been considering the reintroduction of bowhunting, as a means of controlling its deer population. France, Lithuania, and Finland have reintroduced bowhunting since 2000. Several other European countries are considering its reintroduction.

[edit] North America

In North America, as with other hunting methods, bowhunting is regulated by individual provinces and states. Regulations often address issues such as where (hunting unit), when (season) and what type (male/female) of individual animal species may be taken. In many cases, a special archery season is set aside, to minimize interference from rifle hunters. In addition, in an effort to maximize game recovery and shot lethality, there are often technical regulations, such as a minimum draw weight for the hunting of big game species.

Game hunted by archers includes all of the North American small and big game species. Genrally in North America, bow hunting season "Bow Season" occurs either several months preceeding or following the gun season for the same species. In many cases "Bow Season" takes place both before and after "Gun Season".

In 2005, several states allowed able-bodied hunters to use crossbows, a move that has been very controversial among bow hunters due the operational similarities between crossbows and guns. Some states restrict crossbows to special hunting seasons.

[edit] New Zealand

Permits are required to hunt on Department of Conservation land.^[1] The Department of Conservation imposes various restrictions depending on location. Advice is to contact the local area office. A separate license is required for hunting smaller game: birds, fish and possums and is obtainable through the Fish and Game Council New Zealand.^[2] It covers the whole of New Zealand.

The New Zealand government regulates bowhunting^[3]

• Bowhunters must use a hunting bow with a minimum peak draw weight of 22.5 kg and

broad head arrows comprising no less than two cutting edges.

• The arrow head shall be unbarbed and the distance between opposing cutting edges at the

widest part shall be not less than 25 mm (1 inch).

• The use of arrows with any poison, explosives, or other chemical substances on, or in the

head or shaft is prohibited.

There is an active bowhunters society which organises hunts and competitions.^[4]

[edit] Australia

There is an active hunting scene in Australia. The states of Victoria and New South Wales both regulate bowhunting. In Victoria hunting is regulated through the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE).^[5] In New South Wales this is done through the Game Council.^[6] At the current time there are no specific hunting regulations in other states and territories.^[7] Whilst both Victoria and New South Wales place licensing requirements on would-be bowhunters, the sport is in fact self-regulated through the Australian Bowhunters Association and local clubs which assess hunters through the Bowhunter Proficiency Certificate (BPC).^[8] The BPC is designed to ensure that animals are harvested according to humane principles. Australia is home to a large number of introduced species, (deer, feral goats, pigs, foxes, rabbits, hares etc)^[9] which are a threat to natives. Governments and landowners view hunters as partners in controlling these introduced species.^[9] Regulations usually prohibit the harvesting of native species.

[edit] References

1. ^ New Zealand Department of Conservation
2. ^ New Zealand Fish and Game Council
3. ^ DOC Otago Hunting Guide Page 5
4. ^ New Zealand Bowhunters Society
5. ^ Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment Hunting home page
6. ^ New South Wales Game Council
7. ^ Australian Bowhunters Association
8. ^ ABA Bowhunting in Australia
9. ^ ^{a b} Questacon - Control of Feral Species