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A squirrel was chattering at me from the swaying branches of the oak tree above; I could hear it but not see it. Shifting my bow from one hand to the other, I pondered how the squirrels always seemed to know when it was hunting season and be that much more alert than in the summer.
I waited patiently, listening to the rustle of the leaves and then heard the telltale sound of claws scuttling down the tree bark. A few moments later I spotted a flick of a tail to my left, and saw a big grey squirrel pause on a fallen log a few yards away. It was all the opportunity that I needed, and I took my shot, the arrow sending the squirrel tumbling to the ground. Success, and meat for the crockpot.
Bowhunting for small game will make you quickly realize that there is a seemingly greater reward at the end of each successful shot. A small target means a larger margin for error, so when everything goes right it’s a great feeling
If you have never bowhunted small game animals or birds, I will tell you that it’s something that every serious bowhunter should try at least once. It may seem daunting, and you may fail; but it will be some of the most fun you’ve ever had. With Fall fast approaching, now is the time to work on your shooting skills to become more proficient with your bow, thus being more successful when bowhunting for small game.
There is a saying, “aim small, miss small”. Many of you are probably more than familiar with it, and it especially applies to small game hunting. If you’re hunting a small animal, you’re going to want to practice on a small target. This doesn’t mean you have to run out and buy a new target – although that is an option. You just have to get creative.
One of the easiest ways to practice is to simply shoot at dots on a block target, or to draw dots on a piece of paper and tack it onto a foam target. It takes a few seconds, and it will help train your brain and improve your accuracy.
Shooting at small targets with a bow will make any flaws in your form glaringly obvious. If you are moving too much while at full draw, this will also come to light. Shooting at smaller targets will do nothing but improve your accuracy.
When you have mastered the art of small paper circles, you may want to move onto something more challenging. Of course, you can use paper squirrel targets as well (or whatever small game you’re after) but there is more fun in making it realistic and more of a challenge.
Tossing old tennis balls or golf balls into the yard and shooting them while they are still rolling is a fun way to spend a summer evening. Even walnuts work if you can spot them in the grass – which may make it even more realistic as small game can be tricky to spot until it starts moving.
Create a moving target with a water balloon tied to a tree branch. Set it swinging and see how many times you can hit it. I recommend having a backstop for this one if possible or have the balloon close to the ground or you’re bound to lose a few arrows.
As someone who shot a compound bow for years, I learned the importance of a strong core and stability, and maintaining proper form while holding at full draw on a big game animal. Small game hunting is slightly different and many times you will need to draw and release your arrow as quickly as possible.
If you shoot a traditional bow, you know that snap shooting is one of the best ways to shoot quickly. However, if you shoot a compound you will want to make sure that you can come to full draw, focus, and release your arrow properly within a matter of seconds. This can be nerve wracking at first, but with practice you’ll get the hang of it.
Bowhunting for small game requires a little more effort in the shooting department, but the good news is that putting forth the extra effort will make you a better shot overall. If you can hit a squirrel at 15 yards with an arrow, chances are you’ll make a killer shot on the whitetail that is considerably larger.
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