A Traditional Bowhunter's Path: Lessons and Adventures at Full Draw

by Ron Rohrbaugh Jr

Overview

This guide to traditional bowhunting with a longbow or recurve combines the best of both worlds for beginners and veteran bowhunters. How-to chapters share hard-earned wisdom that will help you perfect your skills and get close to your game, while engaging stories tell of the author’s experiences hunting white-tailed deer in the east, chasing big game in the American West, and trekking to South Africa in search of Greater Kudu and other plains game.

Throughout, the author highlights archery’s traditional spirit by exploring the history and craft of bowhunting and chronicles the challenges faced by today’s bowhunters in continuing their important role as hunter-conservationists.

As a professional wildlife biologist, Ron Rohrbaugh Jr. also provides valuable information on wildlife ecology and behavior that is instructive for all those interested in increasing their success with archery tackle.

• Specific shooting techniques for hunting situations, ways to set up effective ambush sites for big game, and dealing with the stresses of “buck fever”

• The latest information on equipment and arrows, including the pros and cons of various bow styles and arrow shaft materials

• Advice on using the wind, hunting bedding areas, creating effective scent trails, and understanding why and how deer move

• Discussion of controversial topics, such as baiting and trophy hunting

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780811765343
Publisher:	Stackpole Books
Publication date:	09/01/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
File size:	23 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Ron Rohrbaugh Jr. is a full-time conservation biologist at Cornell University and a founding member and co-chair of the New York chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. He has been a traditional bowhunter for twenty years. He writes for Traditional Bowhunter and Bowhunter magazines. He lives in Van Etten, New York.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments v

Foreword vi

Preface: Igniting the Flame ix

Part 1 Lessons 1

Chapter 1 The Traditional Spirit 3

Chapter 2 Bows and Arrows 16

Chapter 3 Shooting Techniques to Improve Hunting Success 31

Chapter 4 Buck Fever: A Traditional Bowhunter's Biggest Demon 47

Chapter 5 Choosing an Ambush Posture 58

Chapter 6 Detecting and Using the Wind 73

Chapter 7 Balanced Bowhunting 87

Chapter 8 The Great Bait Debate 95

Chapter 9 Seeing the World More Like a Deer and Less Like a Hunter 103

Chapter 10 Food and Lodging: Not Just for Humans 111

Chapter 11 Creating Effective Scent Trails for White-tailed Deer 126

Chapter 12 MAD-CAP-HORSE: Tips for Becoming a Bowhunting Naturalist 136

Part 2 Hunting Adventures 145

Chapter 13 The Odd Couple 147

Chapter 14 Lake Okeechobee and a Boar for Maurice 157

Chapter 15 The Search 166

Chapter 16 Bothersome Bears 174

Chapter 17 November Magic 181

Chapter 18 Backcountry Bears 188

Chapter 19 Two Kudu and Then Some 195

Chapter 20 Chasing Rosies 212

Chapter 21 The Elk Witch 219

Chapter 22 Dad's First 227

Chapter 23 My Plan 239

Chapter 24 The Traditional Spirit, and the Future of Hunting 247

Epilogue 262

Bibliography 264