If you’re not a bowhunter, you might wonder, “Why do people bowhunt?” People join the sport for different reasons. Some think it’s fun or challenging, while others like the meat or the camaraderie. Others bowhunt to spend time alone or in nature, while some folks hunt to conserve wildlife and wild places. Whatever the reason, bowhunting has a lot to offer. If you’re on the fence about bowhunting, here are 10 reasons to try it this year.
1. Obtain Lean Meat
If you enjoy eating meat, do you know where your meat comes from? Bowhunting is a great alternative to purchasing meat at the grocery store, because the deer meat (venison) is harvested ethically and sustainably. Plus, the average adult deer yields about 50 pounds of lean, nutritious, free-range protein, which easily freezes for year-round meals.
2. Adventure
Bowhunting allows you to see the world and wildlife in unique ways. Tote your bow and arrow to public land in your home state, as well as to different states and countries. Each bowhunt you experience and animal you pursue is a new adventure because you never know what you’ll see or run into. Bowhunting offers an adrenaline rush like no other.
3. Camaraderie
Spend time with friends and family while practicing and preparing to bowhunt. Shooting with others or in competition is a great way to improve your shot. Buddy hunting or hunting with a mentor is also fun. Don’t know anyone else who bowhunts? Archery shops, shooting ranges and public land parking lots are great places to meet other bowhunters.
4. Solitude
Although bowhunting offers many chances to interact with others, it also allows you to escape from people, technology and your problems. Bowhunting alone is peaceful and relaxing. It’s the perfect opportunity to calm your mind or contemplate your thoughts.
5. Get Fresh Air
According to a study sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency, the average employed American spends 92 percent of their time indoors. Therefore, it’s nice to get outside to breathe fresh air, feel the wind on your face and hear birds cheerfully chirping in the distance. Many bowhunters say being in a blind or tree stand feels freeing. Some studies prove nature benefits our health and happiness by decreasing depression and improving your mood and self-esteem. As it turns out, a bowhunt a day might keep the doctor away.
6. Get Exercise
Bowhunting builds muscles and strengthens your cardiovascular system. You’ll often climb hills, carry gear and tree stands, and haul meat from the woods. All these things improve your lungs, heart and circulatory system. Walking back and forth to your target to retrieve your arrows burns calories, too. Plus, drawing a bow and regularly shooting strengthens your arms, core, hands, chest and shoulders.
7. Conserve the Planet
Bowhunters fuel conservation. Each time you buy a hunting license and equipment, a portion of your purchase goes to state wildlife agencies and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Those entities use the revenues to fund high-priority conservation projects including habit restoration, hunter education, wildlife research, and public-access programs. Those efforts ensure hunting and bowhunting opportunities are around for generations to come.
8. Expand Your Opportunities
Compared to gun hunting, bowhunting provides longer seasons and access to restricted hunting areas. You’ll have more opportunities to reap all the benefits bowhunting has to offer. Plus, many state agencies hold special seasons in urban areas for bowhunters. Arrows don’t travel as far as bullets, so bowhunting is often an acceptable form of hunting in highly populated areas.
9. Challenge Yourself
To be a successful bowhunter, you must be stealthy, get close to game, and fine-tune your shooting skills. You must also accurately guess the distance to your target. Being a bowhunter forces you to challenge your mental and physical abilities, too.
10. Bowhunt Because it’s Fun and Gratifying
Lastly, bowhunting is loads of fun. You’ll catch yourself smiling each time you see a deer, hit a bull’s-eye and make a new friend. Harvesting an animal is also a rewarding and gratifying experience. You’ll feel an overwhelming sense of accomplishment knowing you had the skills, knowledge, and confidence to make a well-placed shot and a humane harvest.
Ready to start your bowhunting journey? Please contact Dani Anderson-Baker at [email protected] or call 208.322.5902 to learn more about the bowhunting opportunities at Bushmen Safaris.