Bowhunting at An Early Age: An In-depth Guide
Every year, many youngsters start bow hunting for the first time. It’s not easy to find an excellent youth bow that is lightweight and compact. Nevertheless, this article is tailored to guide you on everything you need to know about finding the right youth bow for your upcoming young archer. Read on!
What Is the Ideal Age to Start Bowhunting?
Many beginners in the field of bowhunting are often curious about when they should start hunting. There is not a specific age to start bowhunting.
However, being at least 10 years old is considered the best age for one to take up the exciting sport of bowhunting. Furthermore, this age fits the National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF) age guidelines.
Before enrolling your child in bowhunting, you need to be sure that they are ready for the sport. You may talk to them about it and see if they’re interested in participating. If so, the next step should be to look at your local hunting laws and policies.
Notably, different areas have varying requirements that should be met before one can begin hunting. Therefore, you should check with your local authority to ensure you comply with these laws.
To determine whether your child is ready for bowhunting, here are a few general guidelines to follow.
- They should be at least 10 years old: The age limit varies depending on where you live but starting them as early as possible is recommended. For example, in Wisconsin, the minimum age is 12. However, this may change each year due to changes in hunting laws. Consequently, it’s best to check with the hunting community around before making sudden decisions about starting an early hunt with your child.
- Your kid must also show responsibility and maturity beyond their years: If not, then they might not be able to handle all that hunting entails. Bowhunting isn’t just about pulling back a taut string and then releasing it to shoot an arrow at the prey. It also takes physical strength, patience, and determination. You can determine whether or not your child is ready for this by looking into things like how well they handle their schoolwork, teamwork skills, whether or not they’re willing to share with others, willingness to take on responsibilities, etc.
- You as a parent should be sure that your kid will follow all safety rules when hunting: This includes wearing the right camouflage clothes for the environment and making sure that they don’t unintentionally wander off from where you are hunting. Also, you must always stay in constant eyesight of your child when hunting.
What Is the Best Bow for A Youth Beginner?
Well, there’s a wide range of youth bows to choose from in the market. Consequently, it can be pretty challenging when picking out one for your child. To make things easier for you, here are some factors that can guide you to choosing the best bow that best suits a youth beginner:
Draw Length and Draw Weight
These determine the overall performance of a bow. The draw weight is how much force it takes to pull back the string and prepare to shoot, while the draw length determines the distance an arrow travels when released.
Materials Used in Construction
Since you may not have the strength to pull heavy draw weights, consider opting for a bow made from lightweight materials. Also, take note that there are bows made from fiberglass or aluminum instead of wood. Generally, bows made from fiberglass and aluminum are considered very durable against wear and tear while still remaining lightweight.
Adjustable Draw Weight and Draw Length
Youth bows with adjustable draw weights and lengths are a good choice as it allows you to modify the settings as your child grows. Also, these bows give more room for error as you can increase the draw weight if you are struggling or shorten it to accommodate changes in arm’s length.
Appearance
Most youths are known to be color sensitive. As such, you should pick an eye-catching product to your liking. Furthermore, great looks set the mood for hunting.
Price
This factor relies heavily on your financial capabilities, but you should always aim for a product that’s within your budget. Moreover, youth bows are cheaper than the regular kind. Fortunately, there are brands out there that sell extremely affordable youth bows, so you’ll be able to find a suitable product no matter your budget.
What Bow Should A 12-Year-Old Use?
Purchasing a quality youth bow is a great way to get your child interested in the sport at an early age and instill good hunting values as well.
Some of the best youth bows available in the market today are as follows.
The Trophy Ridge React Youth Archery Bow Set
This is an excellent youth bow set that comes in three different draw weights (20, 25, and 30 lbs.) for youths of different ages. Furthermore, the set comes with an adjustable sight, arrow rest, armguard, wrist sling, quiver, finger tab, and an instructional booklet to get you started. One of the best things about this bow is it comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Tips for Safely Using The Trophy Ridge React Youth Archery Bow Set
- Always check and tighten all of the screws and nuts regularly, so they don’t get loose
- Use your finger to draw the string back because it can cause the arrow rest to break
- Make sure that you apply an even coat of wax on the bow’s rails to improve its performance
- You should consider getting a different arrow rest, or you can use electrical tape to pad it if it’s too sharp for your liking
The Bear Archery Scout Youth Bow Set
It is another excellent product for kids who want to get into archery. It comes in various draw weights (12, 13, 14, and 15 lbs.), perfect for children.
Also, the bow is made from durable materials which can handle a lot of wear and tear. The bow is extremely lightweight, so it won’t be too difficult for your child to carry during hunts.
Tips for Safely Using The Bear Archery Scout Youth Bow Set
- Make sure that you wax the bow’s string regularly, so it stays in good condition
- If your child has problems using this bow, you can try using a lock-down rest to improve its performance
- Make sure that your child uses an arrow with a smaller diameter so it will fit the bow’s peep
The Genesis Original Youth Archery Bow
This unique youth bow is both durable and affordable. Additionally, it comes in various draw weights (15, 20, 25, and 30 lbs.), excellent for kids of different sizes and experience levels. It’s made from high-quality materials that can withstand years of use without showing any signs of defects.
Tips for Safely Using The Genesis Original Youth Archery Bow
- Make sure that the bow’s grip is comfortable for your child. If it doesn’t fit their hand, they will have a hard time controlling it
- Make sure that your child wears protective gear when using the bow to avoid injuries
- Always check and tighten the screws on the bow regularly, so they don’t get loose
The Mathews Switch Youth Bow
If you’re an experienced archer and want to get your child started, then this is the one for you. Also, the bow comes in various draw weights (10, 15, 20, 25, 30 lbs.), perfect for kids of different sizes and experience levels. It has a smooth draw, and the grip is large enough that your child won’t feel cramped while using it.
Tips for Safely Using The Mathews Switch Youth Bow
- Make sure that your child uses a properly-sized arrow, so they have better control over the bow
- Always check and tighten the screws on the bow regularly, so they don’t get loose
- If your child doesn’t like the arrow rest that comes with it, you can replace it with a Whisker Biscuit
The PSE Dream Season Compound Youth Bow
This is one of the most accurate youth bows on the market. It’s made from quality materials that are suitable for kids of all sizes. Furthermore, it comes with a 3 pin sight, arrow rest, quiver, shoulder strap, 4 arrows, and a bow stringer. Notably, it’s available in draw weights (15, 20, 25 lbs.), perfect for kids of all experience levels.
Tips for Safely Using The PSE Dream Season Compound Youth Bow
- Make sure that your child uses a properly-sized arrow for optimal performance
- If you experience difficulties in pulling after a few shots, apply some wax on the cable slide
- If you’re an experienced archer, you can consider replacing the stock arrow rest with a Whisker Biscuit
Conclusion
There are thousands of different bows available online, but you need to choose a good one based on your child’s needs and preferences. Moreover, they come in various sizes, draw weights, and styles. You can find one that fits your child’s unique set of requirements and preferences. Happy search for a youth bow!