Where it's all about BowHunting (bow hunting) & Bowfishing (bow fishing)!

Welcome to ATHA Online! What is ATHA? It was an acronym for the Association of Traditional Hunting Archers. It’s for all of you hunters and future hunters who have chosen traditional bows and arrows over rifles or shotguns. It is hunting in its purest form. Bow hunting, bow fishing, and archery enthusiasts everywhere are joining together to keep the tradition of archery hunting alive. 

Bow Hunting

While many people today are staunch enthusiasts of the sport of bowhunting, it may be interesting to know that the first real evidence of any form of archery was actually dated back 50,000 whole years ago. Obviously tools, techniques, and skills have changed dramatically since then, but the backbone and origin of bowhunting is important to know when you’re choosing to take up this ancient sport. While archery in general has been practiced for centuries all over the globe in places such as Asia, Europe, and even the Middle East, the sport of the hunt in the United States has really taken on a life of its own in just the past several decades. There are even entire magazines and websites today that are dedicated solely to this exciting sport.

In general, there are basically two different types of bows used in bowhunting: traditional bows (i.e. longbows, recurves, or selfbows), and crossbows. Which type of bow you choose will really depend on a variety of different factors such as how far your desired range is, the type and size of game you are hunting, and your overall level of experience. In addition, you’ll want to know whether or not you need a right handed or left handed bow, what your draw weight is, and your particular draw length. This is essential before you begin so you know you’re purchasing and using the correct bow for you. When hunting out in the field as a general rule of thumb, bow hunters pay special and very close attention to the ranges in which they shoot. In most cases the ranges are restricted, and bow hunters usually try to keep them fairly close in order to ensure a quick kill, and an ethical one at that. A wide variety of game can be hunted such as deer, turkeys, elk, wild boars/hogs, and even bears in some states. It’s important to keep in mind that the sport of bowhunting is regulated by each state differently, so be sure you check with your particular locality before hunting to ensure you’re abiding by the laws set for your state.

For most people, the best part of bow hunting is the thrill of the hunt itself. Following tracks and trails of animals can be an exhilarating moment when you know you’re right on your prey’s tail. The other amazing part of bow hunting is the honing in on your skills. With practice, you’ll find you are able to aim and shoot better, and get more hits every time. Practicing archery shots and aiming at still targets is actually one of the best and most tried and true methods of getting in some good practice so you can shoot your bow with accuracy and speed. Once you’ve been bow hunting for some time, you will notice that challenges become easier, and your desire for more difficult hunting excursions becomes just another part of the sport. There’s always bigger and better game to go after, and with practice, patience, and knowledge, you will be included in the elite few who have achieved the ultimate prizes garnered from the sport of bowhunting.

Bow Fishing

The sport of bowfishing is a popular activity that is often done to supplement bowhunting. Bowfishing is the act of fishing with a bow and arrow versus a traditional rod and reel, and can make for a very fun and unconventional fishing trip. Whether you’re an amateur or a professional, bowfishing is unpredictable, thrilling, and a whole lot of fun. Many people who like to go bowhunting in the fall months enjoy bowfishing during the off season in order to help them keep their shooting skills sharp and on point. Bowfishing is considered by a lot of people to be even more difficult than bowhunting for many reasons. The first of which is the fact that the object you’re going after is underwater and can move a whole lot quicker. Secondly, it may be harder to see the animal when it’s swimming in deep or darker waters. This is a great practice for bowhunters in the off season since they’ll need to be sharp and in tune with their bow, and how they aim and shoot.

Essentially, there are no certain fish that are considered better than others when it comes to bowfishing. It’s really a matter of taste, experience, and locality. As long as the fish are legal to catch in your area, you can usually catch them via bowfishing. The variety of species can range from bass to carp, catfish to croaker. It all really depends on where you are located. Bowfishing is a popular sport that can be enjoyed by the whole family, and it’s also quickly becoming a nationally recognized sport. In fact, there are now bowfishing competitions held in locations all over the United States.

When going bowfishing, it’s important to remember that the type of arrow you use will be different than when you’re out bowhunting. The arrow needs to be rigged specially for fish, and this means adding some holes to the arrow attached to fishing string, otherwise you’ll lose not only your catch, but your arrow as well. It’s advised to use a heavier gauge of fishing string when bowfishing since the fish will be putting up quite a fight, and you’re battling the currents in rough waters in some cases. Typically heavy 200 to 400 pound test line is recommended to prevent breakage. 

Another interesting point about bow fishing is that many localities welcome the practice. This is because certain areas are overcome with certain species of fish, and are often forced into using methods such as poison to control the population. For people who enjoy bow fishing, they can assist by hunting down those particular species of fish; all while having fun, keeping the population down, and preventing harmful poisons from entering the waterways. Bow fishing is a great pastime that can be enjoyed by anyone who’s looking to go fishing in an exciting and very unconventional way. 

Archery

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ATHAOnline.com