Bowhunting is the practice of killing game animals by archery. It has been a normal use of archery in every culture that had bows.
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In contrast to a rifle hunter, who may shoot effectively from ranges in excess of 600 yards (550 m); archers usually restrict shots to 2.3 yards (2.1 m) to 42 yards (38 m).[1] The distance depends upon individual ability, the target animal, the bow strength, terrain, arrow and weather. Most bows used for hunting have a draw weight of 50 pounds-force (220 N) or more. This is enough to hunt all but the very largest game. Arrows with mass more than 900 grains (58 g) penetrate better in large animals so might be the bow hunter's choice when hunting these animals.[2]
Arrows, bows and sights are commonly of the more modern varieties. However, all effective variations, including crossbows and wooden bows launching wooden arrows with stone points, are used.
The bow hunter may walk along the ground slowly, looking for game and stalking it carefully in the final approach. This is called "still hunting." Hunters often wear camouflage clothing and walk upwind.
In "stand hunting" the hunter waits for game to come to him, usually near food, water, or known trails. Brush and other natural materials may be placed for cover, or a "ground blind" that looks like a tent. The hunter may wait on a wooden or metal stand elevated in a tree, from three to six metres.
Bowhunting for fish is called bowfishing. Bowfishing equipment usually adds a line attached to a spool or a reel as well as a specially designed, heavier arrow. The sights are different to allow for refraction.
Legal and cultural differences must be taken into consideration by the hunter. Bowhunting often has different seasons and restrictions from firearm hunting, and they differ significantly between countries, states, and provinces. To some, hunting represents a humane way of controlling animal numbers,[3] ensuring continuing financial interest in the maintenance of healthy wild populations and habitat,[4] and bringing urbanized humans to understand the natural world. Others are deeply opposed to hunting, on the grounds of cruelty.[5]
Nations including Denmark, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Hungary, Finland, Bulgaria and Slovenia use bow and arrow hunting as a hunting tool in modern game management. Some European countries including Croatia, Germany, Ireland, and the United Kingdom prohibit bowhunting.[6] Bowhunting, like target archery, was revived in the UK during the Victorian era,[7] but has been banned throughout the British Isles since the 1960s.
In the USA and Canada, as with other styles of hunting, bowhunting is regulated by individual provinces and states. Regulations often address issues such as which area to hunt in, what time of year, (season) and which sex and species of game may be taken. In many cases, a special archery season is set aside, to minimize interference from rifle hunters. While bowhunting can run into rifle hunting seasons, hunter orange is typically required to be worn during the cross over seasons. 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.
In general most bow hunting for big game begins in late August or early September in northern states or Canadian Provinces, and slightly later in southern states.
Organised bow hunting began in New Zealand in 1945. The New Zealand government regulates bowhunting[8] An annual 3 day field shoot tournament is held every Queens Birthday Weekend at various locations throughout New Zealand. Bowhunters must have permission to hunt on private land, and they cannot hunt in DOC lands, National parks,or any other reserves without a permit.
There are no special seasons for bowhunters or for hunting with a firearm.[9] There is an active bow hunters society.[10]
Bowhunting is practised in Australia and is not specifically subject to regulation by law. Only non-native species are recognized as game by the Australian Bowhunters Association. However, native species may be killed during government authorized culls.[11]
The states of Victoria and New South Wales both regulate bowhunting. In Victoria hunting is regulated through the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE)[12] In New South Wales this is done through the Game Council.[13] At the current time there are no specific hunting regulations in other states and territories.[14]
While both Victoria and New South Wales place licensing requirements on would-be bowhunters, the sport is self-regulated. The Australian Bowhunters Association and local clubs assess hunters through the Bowhunter Proficiency Certificate (BPC) which is designed to ensure that animals are killed according to humane principles.[15]
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