Longbow hunting small game

While hiking up a steep ridge, we flushed a covey of ptarmigan. My guide cracked up when I said, "Let's turn this into an Alaskan ptarmigan hunt!

My guide was laughing, and he actually thanked me for turning a trip he felt bad about into a fun hunt where we ate a bunch of those delicious birds. On a Tule elk hunt just last year, my guide was laughing as I yelled for him to stop the truck when I spotted a long-eared jackrabbit.

He also chuckled when it took me three shots to get that wascally wabbit. A few years ago in Arkansas, I was trying to shoot a duck in the air. The ducks weren't really flying, and my guide left our blind to answer Nature's Call. When he returned, he commented that he had seen a swamp bunny on the shore. After I asked if we could go look for a bunny, we took off and left our decoys to go chase Arkansas rabbits.

A few minutes later I had two that were skinned and ready to be rolled in egg batter and dropped in some hot grease! It's hard to name my favorite small game animal. Again, I would have to say it is whatever I am hunting at the time.

Some of my favorites have been opossums, raccoons, badgers, prairie dogs, grouse, quail, pheasants, ptarmigan, beavers, muskrats, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, frogs and, of course, rabbits and squirrels. Some of the more bizarre include snakes, mice, packrats, and even skunks.

For small game, I usually just use the same gear I hunt big game with. I think it makes me a better shot, and helps me pick a small spot. Occasionally I will use flu-flu arrows, especially if I am shooting up at birds or squirrels so I don't lose my arrows, and for safety reasons as well. I will also occasionally use a blunt, Judo point, Muzzy Grasshopper , or fieldpoint when I am after a small animal or bird like frogs or quail, or when my wife cuts me off on broadheads.

The additional challenge of small game, besides actually hitting the little rascals, is sneaking up on them. I have often been humiliated by animals with a brain the size of a marble insert joke here.

Being successful is usually a matter of whether you can slip up into your effective range or not. I will usually get decked out in full camouflage, often with a headnet or face paint, to help increase my odds of getting close to little critters.

Pairing your blunts with flu-flu arrows will also make it a bit easier to retrieve your arrows if one gets away from you. Flu-flu arrows have large fletchings that create more drag on the arrow and slow it down a bit. If you miss, they can generally be found with the fletchings sticking straight up in the air.

Flu-flu arrows are also ideal for bird hunting. However, wing shooting will provide a much larger challenge. Overall, when bowhunting small game you may not be as successful as you would be with a firearm. You may not get as many shots, or go home with as many animals in your game bag. But, there is a certain feeling of satisfaction that comes from a successful small game hunt with your bow and arrow. Break-Up Country. Elements Agua. Elements Terra. Shadow Grass Habitat.

Explore All Patterns. Back About Our Story. Meet Our Staff. National Pro Staff. Regional Pro Staff. Back Licensing Marketing Services. Licensees FAQs. Back Resources Contact. Customer FAQs. State Licensing. Back Brands Mossy Oak. Mossy Oak Fishing. Nativ Nurseries. Mossy Oak Properties. GameKeeper Kennels. Mossy Oak Wellness. GameKeeper Butchery. Nativ Living. Mossy Oak Golf. Big Game. Land Management. Small Game. How To. Wild Game Recipes. Country Roots. Pheasants and jackrabbits are examples of small-game animals that require broadheads for ethical kills.

Rabbits feed mostly on leafy greens. Remember to stay quiet when sneaking up on rabbits while bowhunting. Photo Credit: fotolibra. Rabbit species are found all over America, and all of them are fun to hunt.

Rabbits feed early in the morning and late in the evening. Stalking them near food sources is a challenging and fun hunting experience. Rabbits feed mostly on leafy greens, and leave small pellet droppings where they feed. Squirrels are small targets that require precise shooting, which makes them fun to bowhunt. Photo Credit: TheSun. Squirrel hunting provides a lot of shot opportunities.

These small targets require precise shooting, which makes them fun to hunt and provides great bowhunting practice. In the fall, squirrels eat acorns — and lots of them. Acorns are a favorite food for deer, too, and good squirrel spots often double as good deer spots.

You can hunt squirrels by sitting still or by stalking them. One of the most effective techniques involves a little bit of both.