Bow hunting for if the SHTF (input welcome)

The Samick Sage takedown seems to be a lot of bow for the money.

ETA: 3 rivers archery seems like a decent online retailer as well.

You will get resistance from some rifle hunters who don't think a bow is a good enough weapon to hunt deer with. Personally I'm just sticking with a good 'old 30-30 marlin for deer hunting post SHTF. Everybody in the countryside is well armed so I'm hardly worried about a shot ringing out arousing suspicion. Don't get me wrong bows are fun recreational weapons but I just feel so inadequately armed walking into the wilderness with one looking for game. A high tech crossbow might be a better idea for post SHTF silent hunting IMO.

which is better for hunting and maybe self defense, bow or cross bow?

OP....the SHTF for real....how long do you think animal populations would survive while being hunted by everyone?....3 months TOPS....maybe less.

Witness Soviet Russia, which after the WWII era was devoid of most wild animals due to hunting for food.
They are STILL recovering to this day.

well...thats something to think about...but my bows are also weapons...hence why we have so many...quiet and with compounds....can shoot 280 fps with just mine...now hubby...he has a long draw length and shoots 70 pounds...we plan on protecting our land and animals the best we can....

Your husband is indeed lucky to have a wife and hunting partner.....exceedingly rare nowadays......just don't tell me you like fishing too....

I've heard hunters say more like 3 weeks....

I have an old compound bow, butfor stealth and survival...i use my arrows with modified SLINGSHOT. Taken lots of rabbit and even stream fish. Have been close enuff to deer to make it work, but had no permit

Things are different...Around the WWII era a LOT more people were hunters or had hunting skillz in Russia and the USA.....not so much now....that might change the equation a bit....

hello...they don't jump the string...it's been proven with video and slow motion that whitetail hear the arrow in flight...they used to say jumping the string....just wanted to let you know updated facts...they also see the color blue like we do flow orange....and never hunt turkey with white fletchings...

proud owner of Mathews..."catch us if you can"!

crossbows are very loud....but yes, they are fast...

What...hear the arrow in flight? I'm pretty sure that even though my bow is fairly silent it would still be louder than the arrow in flight. The speed of sound is moving what probably about 3-4 times the speed of the arrow at the point of release from the string. Jumping the string so to speak makes perfect sense as they are just making a prey type of reaction to a sound. Deer that I have seen do this are already on "alert" mode as I call it and are ready to bolt at a split seconds notice. Calm deer going about their day with no idea I am sitting 20 feet above them have almost no reaction because their first reaction is to just look if they hear a sound when they are relaxed. If you could find the video that proves this I would love to see it. I'm a Hoyt guy btw haha

Three weeks ago I had a decent 8 point 35 yards looking right at me as I let the arrow fly and he didn't even get close to jumping the string. Needless to say the arrow flew right under him as I misjudged the distance (very important with bow hunting) and if he jumped the string he would have killed him self. Got to get lucky sometimes with the stick in string when you are out looking for game.

Not some of the newer ones.

I have an old compound bow, butfor stealth and survival...i use my arrows with modified SLINGSHOT. Taken lots of rabbit and even stream fish. Have been close enuff to deer to make it work, but had no permit

Slingshot fishing.....now that's a new one....I'm kinda intrigued by the atlatl.....some people are hunting with them again....

So, during my time away from GLP, I've still been prepping a little bit at a time. One of the skills that I've decided to learn is bowhunting game.

There are a few different advantages to bowhunting over using a firearm, especially in a SHTF scenario.

1.) Stealth. You may not want everybody in a 20 mile radius to know that you are well armed or well fed.

2.) Diversity. A bow, especially a traditional bow, opens up the possibilities of different types of game you can hunt. With guns, you may need several types of ammunition for different situations. With arrows, you only need a couple different types of arrows that you can usually re-use.

3.) Portability. A take-down recurve bow will fit in your bug out bag. There are several models out there that don't even require tools to assemble.

4.) Availability of ammunition. While it is not as easy as breaking off a stick, sharpening the end, and pointing it down range, with some skills, ingenuity, and some time/patience, you can make your own arrows, bowstring, or even your own bow.

During my short time of learning, there are a few key elements that most beginners should focus on. I'm by no means an expert, so if I miss something, chime in.

A.) Form. Consistent is key here. A loose grip on the bow, steady/smooth draw, consistent anchor points, and follow through are all very important.

B.) Equipment. Don't get a bow that is too difficult to pull back on. In the case of traditional bows, draw weights are measured at a draw length of 28 inches. Anything 45 pounds and up should be sufficient for hunting larger game like deer. You want something that you can use consistently.

C.) Practice, Practice, Practice. Buy or make a target and throw some arrows downrange.

As far as hunting goes, there are a few things that are key regardless of what it is you are hunting.

1.) Know your quarry. Where they live, when they travel, where they travel, what they eat, what predators besides you are doing, etc. It's not as simple as you may think.

2.) Know your hunting area. Other critters, neighbors, landmarks, etc. Try to absorb as much as possible. Also, know your state hunting regulations. While they may not matter if the SHTF, you don't want to get busted when you're just getting started.

3.) Know yourself. Nothing in the woods smells like a person except a person. For bowhunting deer, scent management is paramount. For Elk, or squirrels, not so much.

These are just a few of the things that I've learned so far. I would love to hear from other hunters and other hunting stories or even philosophies.

I really have no desire to kill an animal, but I would like to feed my family if the SHTF. By learning now, I can do that in a humane manner that is responsible and possibly beneficial.

:deer:

Magnus stingers are great heads...fixed and cut on contact...your using the buzz cut....good choice!

Heading out tomorrow, wish me luck

Good hunting!

I'm getting a Samick Polaris tomorrow, it's a starters/hunting bow ~because I'm just a beginner.
[link to samicksports.com]


After some more experience I think I want this one:
[link to www.hoyt.com]

I was actually going to buy the Samick Sage, but I found such a great deal on the Hawkeye (black widow clone) that I couldn't resist.

Maybe in a few years I'll actually be able to afford a black widow
[link to www.blackwidowbows.com]

Use a long bow not a compound, once its broke its useless. Buy the Army survival , evasion and recovery book. Teaches how to set traps and snares in all regions of the planet, for all types of game. Buy the 1881 household cyclopedia(amazon) teaches you how to dress, skin, preserve, and store without electricity and refridgeration. Also how to pickle, can , salt all types of game. You can kill but if it spoils its pointless. And op is right practice practice practice, the best bow hunter in the world or the best shot will not be so good if fighting for his life or paniced, things must be second nature to handle under fire. Good luck all!