Bowhunting and Bowfishing, A Year Round Adventure
By Robert Moore
Originally published in Summer 2018 Wilderness Unlimited Magazine
July 1st starts the next hunting license year for California and runs to June 30th 2019. Every year we must purchase a new hunting license, tags, permits etc. and by the first of June have our applications in for drawing limited big game tags. For fishing, January 1st starts the next season and concludes December 1st. On the political front in California, there are discussions and some legislative bills that would change the annual fishing license to be valid 1 year from the date of purchase, a sportsmen license to include both hunting and fishing, lower costs for youth big game tags to name a few.
A bow of adequate draw weight can be used for hunting and fishing. Attach bowfishing equipment and you can shoot certain fish species as described in the fishing regulations with a fishing license. With changing various types of points on arrows your options of small game, non-game and birds can be taken. Flu-Flu type fletching is required for migratory birds and pheasants. Big Game and turkeys require the use of a broadhead type point that can’t pass through a 7/8 inch hole. Each state has various regulations required for bowhunting/bowfishing equipment and species permitted for take. These regulations can change every year so check with the State Wildlife agencies for current regulations.
Archery deer season opens Saturday July 14th in California’s A zone and runs until Sunday August 5th. The remaining zones for their archery deer season opens at various dates; check DFW website or the Big Game Hunting Digest book from DFW. Archery bear season doesn’t open till the third Saturday of August resulting in the A and B4 deer zones not having a separate archery bear season. A bowhunter should study the habits of the species being hunted within their habitats. You’re hunting them in their home and it helps to know where they should be under certain conditions. What’s their food source in July compared to October and what water source is available? It’s hot in July, where do the animals bed in the heat of the day? The more you know about the species you are hunting the more opportunities you will have.
My last article talked about equipment and training with your desired method of take. I did receive some communications about the article that were mainly focused on their archery challenges so I will include some basic concepts to shooting archery in this article. Archery is an individual endeavor that may or may not be the same as someone else. It boils down to what you can do consistently to expect your arrow to hit in the same spot each time (grouping). Since we affect the shot arrow with both hands, there are some steps that promote consistency. Recreational and Competitive shooting, from ground up to top of head posture positioning promotes a more reliable shot. Bow hunting may require a shot from sitting, kneeling or standing on very uneven ground so think waist up posture. This “T” form should be more reliable on skeletal structure than muscle to support the bow at full draw. Draw the bow string to your anchor while maintaining your head position instead of moving your head to “fit” the string. Draw length, shoulder position, bow arm position, peep sight setting, draw arm elbow position and spine/head alignment contribute to a consistent “T” form and shot. Peep sight set at a height that when you set your anchor the sight is centered inside the peep without readjusting your anchor or head. You don’t have to be a “pro” shooter to be successful in archery or bowhunting but making a few adjustments will improve your arrow grouping.
Robert Moore – California International Bowhunter
Education Program, Master Instructor USA Archery, Level
3 NTS Archery Coach, California Bowmen Hunters, State
Legislative Coordinator.