Archery Tips for Women

ARCHERY TIPS FOR THE HUNTRESS

Interview given by Tracy Breen

We aren’t recruiting as many bowhunters as we once did, but there is a bright spot: women.  More women are getting into bowhunting than ever before.  Many women enjoy being in the woods, like to know where their food comes from and like spending time with their loved ones who hunt, so it makes sense that more women are picking up a bow and climbing into a tree to experience the rush you receive when you bowhunt.   

START OFF WITH A LOWER POUNDAGE BOW

I recently interviewed Kandi Kisky from Whitetail Freaks TV about bowhunting and thought she could give women interested in bowhunting a few tips. One mistake all bowhunters make when getting started is trying to pull too much draw weight. Kisky started with 45 pounds. “Today I shoot 55 pounds, but I had to work up to that.  Women who are new to the sport should start with a light poundage bow and work their way up,” Kisky suggested. Some women and kids start shooting a bow that is just 20 or 30 pounds which is fine. Some archers only pull 30 or 35 pounds and bowhunt. It depends on state laws and the type of bow being shot. If you are new to the sport, start low and work your way up.

PARTICIPATE IN TOURNAMENTS

Kisky never participated in archery tournaments or leagues but says they are beneficial.  “Shooting around other people is a great idea.  Tournaments or leagues can help you learn how to shoot properly.  Learning how to shoot around people under pressure is a good thing,” Kisky said.   

HUNT WHITETAILS

Kisky gets to hunt across America but as the name of the show (Whitetail Freaks) she hosts with her husband implies, her favorite thing to hunt is whitetails. “Big whitetails are a lot of fun to bowhunt.  They can be hunted all over North America so traveling around for them is a lot of fun,” Kisky added.

SHOOT A BOW DESIGNED FOR WOMAN

Kisky shoots a Mathews Avail and says women who are getting started in archery should shoot a bow designed for women. “A woman’s bow is lighter and easier to handle than a bow built for a man. I suggest any woman who wants to try archery gets a bow designed for a woman,” Kisky advised.

WOMAN SHOULD CONSIDER WEIGHT TRAINING

Click image to see a women specific workout video to build muscle for archery.

Kisky said women should consider weight training. “As the weather gets cold, pulling back a bow can be more difficult especially when I have lots of clothes on.   Making sure you are strong enough to pull enough weight to kill a deer is important.  I pull more than enough during the summer and early season and back my bow off a few pounds during the late season to make sure I can draw the bow on a cold day,” Kisky stated. 

Are you considering getting started in archery? Visit a pro shop near you and get set up by a professional who can help get you started and headed in the right direction.