So i'll start by saying i know it's illegal to hunt with a bow here in jolly olde England. But i've been talking a lot with my girlfriend recently about visiting her family in Alberta, Canada, and she mentioned that her brother in law is a bow hunter and it might be an idea to go out hunting with him while i'm over there. I've looked it up and the law is straightforward enough, i just need to pass a conservation and environment course (which i can do online) and get the necessary tags, and i'm good to go.
I'm comfortable out in the field but have never hunted before, and I've also shot bows a few times for fun when younger but never specifically trained with them. Obviously i don't want to half **** it and risk making a bad shot that doesn't humanely kill the deer, so if i am going to do it i plan on getting better with a bow first. So i'm really asking 2 questions:
1) What's the best way to improve? I could buy a relatively cheap bow just for practising, and then just practice at different ranges as often as i could. I live in London and looked at a few archery clubs, but they all seem to have a mandatory beginners course they charge £125 for, which seems steep considering it only offer a certificate (which i have no use for) and trains you how to shoot olympic style on an indoor range (which seems not entirely relevant to what i want). Or... something completely different. Suggestions are welcome.
2) What sort of bow should i be looking at buying? Just looking for rough guidelines here, style, draw weight, etc. I will probably buy it once i'm in Canada as it makes transport easier, and because Canada is a much cheaper place to shop.
Anyway, hope to hear from some of you soon.
I'm comfortable out in the field but have never hunted before, and I've also shot bows a few times for fun when younger but never specifically trained with them. Obviously i don't want to half **** it and risk making a bad shot that doesn't humanely kill the deer, so if i am going to do it i plan on getting better with a bow first. So i'm really asking 2 questions:
1) What's the best way to improve? I could buy a relatively cheap bow just for practising, and then just practice at different ranges as often as i could. I live in London and looked at a few archery clubs, but they all seem to have a mandatory beginners course they charge £125 for, which seems steep considering it only offer a certificate (which i have no use for) and trains you how to shoot olympic style on an indoor range (which seems not entirely relevant to what i want). Or... something completely different. Suggestions are welcome.
2) What sort of bow should i be looking at buying? Just looking for rough guidelines here, style, draw weight, etc. I will probably buy it once i'm in Canada as it makes transport easier, and because Canada is a much cheaper place to shop.
Anyway, hope to hear from some of you soon.