Observe
The greatest obstacle of western large game hunting is stalking. One of the most difficult challenges is seeing animals before they notice you. Distinguish game animals from cover using visual cues. Movement is often the most telling sign: a swaying limb, a flashing whisker or tail, or a head twist are all good indicators.
Primer for Still-Hunting Situations
On a chilly, windy, wet morning, staying in an exposed viewpoint and glassing for long periods of time can be a real pain. Even amid sweltering temperatures, the game can be effectively concealed. These sluggish days might be productive and more pleasant if you’re still hunting heavy cover where animals tend to gather.
Understand Body Language
Bowhunters who pay attention to big game’s body language can improve their chances of success. Observing physical signs might help you determine when to take action or wait for a better opportunity. It’s also wise to avoid animals moving irregularly, such as stomping or twitching their feet. Consider these red flags and decide whether or not to move on with extreme caution or delay.
Understand Signs
Animals of the West’s large game species leave a lot of evidence of their existence. The trick is to distinguish between the signs relevant to your current situation and those that are no longer of any use to you. This requires calculating the exact period of the sign. Droppings are the most definitive sign. Droppings that are wet or even damp are a solid sign that there is still a presence of wildlife in the region.
The Correct Moment to Shoot
Bowhunters know that getting within shooting distance of a large game animal is just half the battle; the other half is figuring out when to draw their bow, spring from cover, and take aim. Most often, the distinction between successes or failures is based on your shot timing, as the wrong step might betray you and send the target running away from you.
Stop a Buck to Take a Shot
Any hunter should avoid moving shots, regardless of their weapon, because they are a low-odds proposition. To get a good standing shot of the animal, you must convince him to halt without frightening him. In many cases, a simple grunt and doe bleat is all that is needed. Aim at the target with your scope or sights and wait for it to enter a shooting lane before making your call. Most of the time, the animal will halt and allow you to get a clean shot.
Become Acquainted with Your Range
How far can you effectively hit big game with your bow? This is compounded by circumstances such as shivering in the cold, the stiffness resulting from waiting for hours, panting lungs after an exhausting hike, and the excitement of a huge buck’s arrival. Elements such as these have the potential to degrade the maximum range quickly.
Conclusion
Hunting large wildlife with a bow is difficult. However, the payoff is enormous (literally).