Hunting whitetails with a bow is the ultimate challenge, and it is easily the most popular form of hunting in the country. But is your bow set up properly to take on the challenge? Not all bows are created equal, and there are certain things you can do in order to ensure that your bow setup is ready for when a big mature buck walks within shooting range. Let’s go over a few simple tips to make sure you know how to set up the ultimate whitetail compound bow!
Shoot a Lower Draw Weight
Leave the macho act at home. Most serious hunters will opt to shoot a lower draw weight than what they are capable of, as it gives them plenty of different advantages. Much of whitetail hunting is done during the colder months of the year, and any veteran hunter knows just how hard it can be to pull back a bow when the cold temperatures have tightened your muscles. This, combined with multiple layers of bulky clothing can make it almost impossible at times.
While yes, it is important to shoot a draw weight that you are comfortable with, it is equally important to remember that you will be drawing from awkward positions in less than ideal conditions. It is not a big deal to drop your draw weight down in order to prepare. If you can’t hold your bow straight out in front of you and pull the string back without tilting the bow up or down, or seriously straining to pull it back, then you are pulling too much weight!
Use a Back Bar
Back bars are not as possible as other pieces of equipment on a bow, but they should be. These will add more weight to your setup and give you much better stability. While most bowhunters will shoot with a forward stabilizer, many do not realize that a back bar will better balance the bow and make them much more accurate. This increase in weight will also help “settle” the bow during hunting situations, which is already hard enough to do when you have the cold and buck fever making you shake!
Shoot a Heavier Arrow
Last but not least, try out a heavier arrow. Everyone is obsessed with the speed of the lighter arrows, but a heavy arrow will give you much better penetration and power. Most shots on whitetail are 40 yards or less anyways, so speed really isn’t really that big of a deal with most modern compound bows. Plus, heavier arrows fly quieter which will help avoid deer jumping the string at the noise.
Final Thoughts
Setting up an ultimate whitetail compound bow will take a little bit of extra work, but it is well worth the effort. By tuning a few things and adding a few extra accessories, you can be much more deadly in the deer woods this season!
For more great ideas on how to fish and hunt from the experts, check out the awesome articles on our Bradley Smoker Hunting & Fishing Blog for more great tips & tricks.
