Introduction and learning objectives

The following are the course objectives:

• be tested for a NSW restricted game hunting licence (R-Licence) to hunt with bows
• identify archery equipment and know its function
• select the correct archery equipment for your body type, strength and shooting styles
• tune your archery equipment for optimum performance and accuracy
• know the basics of shooting a bow
• determine your effective shooting range
• aim at your target animal to deliver a quick and humane kill
• practice safe archery and bowhunting.

Modern bowhunting is a fascinating and challenging method of hunting that dates back to the Stone Age and can be traced throughout history in many regions around the world. Early humans were skilled bowhunters. Although their bows and arrows were often crude and simple tools, they overcame the limitations of their equipment with their exceptional ability to stalk within close range of wary prey.

Even with modern technological advancements in equipment and hunting techniques, bowhunting is still essentially a short range hunting method. The challenge for bowhunters is to not only master the shooting of the bow and arrow but also develop the hunting skills necessary to overcome a game animal’s highly evolved senses of sight, sound and smell.

Bowhunting has proven to be a humane and effective method of harvesting targeted animals when used within the effective range of the equipment. The ability to get close to game remains the essence of all types of bowhunting today.