Deer Hunting With A Bow

Using your bow to hunt deer is pretty straight forward. We all do it, and we all enjoy it. This week I have hunted a few places and my results haven't exactly been consistent. That frustrates me a great deal. This morning I figured out what was wrong.

I keep my Bow Lite mounted on my bow when I hunt deer. This is a bit risky if I run across a game warden who wants to prove a point, but I feel like I make a pretty compelling case since I work at and sell Bow Lites. Realistically, it is a hassle to change any light out. I leave mine in place because I like to sit into the evening sometimes when I know hogs are coming to a feeder. I pass on deer all the time, because I am an ethical hunter. I have no reason to chase them down in the dark, so I feel my case would at least get listened to.

This morning as I climbed out of my truck to go to my tree stand I was recapping the weeks hunts. I am less than happy with the results as we are removing does from one of our properties in order to maintain a good ratio for management. It dawned on me...... I have been hunting with my Bow Lite in place all week!

Now this is okay (and you should do so at your own risk. It is a personal decision), but my brother in law has had great success in this early bow season.... and he removed his Bow Lite when he hunts during the day! I have a friend that emailed me last year and told me he had a similar problem in a pop up when he spooked a doe from his stand when he was getting ready to aim at her with his cross bow.... It was the reflection from the lense in the light that spooked them!

After that incident he went out and bought a lense cap for a scope and put it on the end of his Bow Lite and that fixed it. Now, when he wants to use his Bow Lite, he just hits the pop up release to flip it up and go to work with it.

So, if you are having strange issue closing the deal while deer hunting with your bow and your Bow Lite is still mounted on it, try removing it. I spooked a doe yesterday morning and thought she heard me draw, or heard my arrow during my draw back. Now, I've shot about 100 animals with that bow and that was the first time I had that happen.... 24 hours later I now firmly believe that I needed to remove my light, or install a cap on it to keep it from "shining" and spooky the deer.

Try this, and I'm willing to bet it will help you too! Good Luck & Hunt Safe!

By: Steven Wiley
October 5, 2011
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