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Today, you will get a jumpstart on your archery-hunting journey. This guide will help you to start archery hunting before October. Follow these steps and you will be well prepared to get your first arrow in game animals of all sorts.

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The Mindset of Archery Hunting

Before I dive into the actual steps that you will need to take to become a successful bow hunter, I must talk briefly about the mindset that you will need to start archery hunting and succeed.

The first thing to note is it is a simple mindset that anyone successful at anything, including myself, must learn how to master.

The key to starting archery hunting and becoming successful is to always have a growth mindset.

A growth mindset understands failure and setbacks will come; however, a growth mindset will choose to reflect and learn from their setbacks and never quit after failing.

Now, that you know the mindset a bow hunter must-have, we can dive into the steps that are necessary for you to start archery hunting before October.

The Step-by-Step Guide to Start Archery Hunting

1. Educate Yourself on Archery Hunting

When you are educated on a topic, you will feel much more comfortable making decisions that are necessary for your success. The easiest way to become a good bow hunter is to constantly be learning about archery equipment and strategies to further your knowledge on the topic.

An excellent way to get educated about archery hunting, deer hunting, and what it takes to become successful at it, you have a few options.

It is a good idea read books, watch YouTube, read blog articles about hunting and archery at The Whitetail Teacher, follow hunting-related social media pages, and get in touch with other archers online or in person.

It is also a good idea to take an online course about archery hunting or a bowhunter education course at a local archery shop.

Find Books Just for YOU >>> 21 Best Deer Hunting Books

Read Blogs >>> Deer and Deer Hunting, TheWhitetailTeacher, Advancedhunter

Follow Instagram Pages >>> TheHuntingPublic, DuryOutdoors, FullDrawnAssasins, BowHuntorDie, The.Whitetail.Teacher

Learn More on YouTube Channels >>> Whitetail Property Solutions, N1 Outdoors, Deer Society

2. Get the Gear You Need to Start Archery Hunting

Congratulations on starting your archery-hunting journey! It is time for the fun stuff now!

Let’s talk about purchasing the essential gear that you will need to shorten the learning curve as you begin your archery hunting journey.

This is maybe one of the most important parts to start archery hunting because you obviously cannot archery hunt without any equipment.

Picking a Bow to Start Archery Hunting

The bow that you choose is the base for all the other accessories that you will need to buy. This may feel intimidating and to some degree it is. However, I have good news for you. The bow that is the best choice for you will pop out to you the first time that you shoot it.

Types of Bows to Start Archery Hunting

1. Compound Bow
2. Traditional Bows
3. Recurve Bow

For the purposes of the rest of this article, I will be focusing on compound bow hunting.

Learn More >>> Traditional Bow Hunting

I want to tell you a short story about how I found my compound bow.

When I purchased my first real compound bow, I shot a Matthews, a Hoyt, and a PSE. My first shot with that PSE felt so smooth and I just knew that this was going to be the bow that I used to start archery hunting at a much more serious level.

Look for that kind of realization when you want to purchase a new bow. Shoot many different brands of compound bows before you make a decision on the perfect bow.

I would suggest doing your research on different types of bows before you follow through with purchasing a bow. I would also suggest going into a big box store or local archery shop to try out different bows.

Or, you can go online and try to find it somewhere else for cheaper.

Bonus if you can find it from a blog article and purchase it through an affiliate link and help support someone trying to share their knowledge about how to start archery hunting.

Great options of bows to start archery hunting with this year >>>Matthews Archery, Hoyt Archery, PSE Archery, and Prime Archery

Budget-minded >>> Bear Archery, Cabelas Blackout

Best Beginner Compound Bow >>> Obsession HB33 Compound Bow Package

Products I use on my PSE Evoke 31

5. Sight in Your Bow

If you have purchased your first bow and all the accessories needed so you can shoot, I bet you are beyond excited to get to shooting in preparation for white-tailed deer season.

Well, before you can step out to 50 yards, you need to sight in your bow properly.

When you sight in your bow, people will tell you all sorts of information about how to do it the right way. I want to share with you the way that I sight my bow in and continue to adjust as I shoot. The method I use is called the grouping method. (There are other ways to sight in a bow. This is just how I like to do it currently)

When using the grouping method to sight in your bow to start archery hunting, you want to already be comfortable with your equipment. I say this because if you do not shoot with the same mechanics every time, it will be impossible to group your arrow effectively. So, once you have a solid feel for your bow, here are the steps you will want to take to sight in your bow.

1. Start close to your target (10 yards)

Shoot your bow at just 10 yards from the target. This will allow you to get a good feel for how your arrows are grouped. Remember that the farther you move away the more amplified your errors are going to be. Once you have a group of arrows all in the same general area, you can then adjust your sight.

To adjust your sight always “chase the arrows.” This means that if you are consistently shooting to the right, move your pins to the right. If you are shooting high, move your pins up.

Repeat this process until your groupings are generally in the middle of the target.

Note: you should not strive for absolute perfection your first time. You will become better and better each time you practice.

2. Move to 20 yards

After you have your groups in the center of the target, it is time to move back to about 20 yards. For many archery hunters, 20 yards is their first pin. If your first pin is for 20 yards, your first couple of shots may be low but center on the horizontal axis due to your first shooting.

This is a good sign that you are well on your way to becoming a good archery hunter. Adjust your sight using the same method of grouping. Soon you will be getting great results and putting those arrows right on the bullseye.

3. Any pin farther than 20 yards

For any pin farther than 20 yards, you will want to use the same method as the previous steps. The only difference is that when you want to adjust your sights up or down, only adjust that pin and not your entire site.

I like my Trophy Ridge React H4 because it makes this part of the process extremely easy.

Learn More >>> Trophy Ridge React H4 Bow Sight Review

As you continue to target practice, you can continue to micro-adjust your sight for the best groupings. This will also help you make an ethical shot while archery deer hunting.

6. Practice More than You Think You Need

They say that practice makes perfect… I would disagree. Practice leads to improvement.

I want you to keep this in mind as you are going to start archery hunting this fall and for the rest of your archery hunting journey. Practice will never amount to perfection. However, practice will lead to significant improvement and significant confidence in your abilities.

I bring this concept up because as you are practicing with your bow, understand that some days will be better than others. This does not mean that you are failing. It just means that you had an off day. Bowhunters of all skill levels have off days… it is okay to have a rough day.

But through practicing with your bow, you will become significantly better and more accurate. So, practice as much as you can to become the best archer that you can be!

Also, make sure to make minor adjustments to your form, release, sight pins, or any other equipment when necessary. Always be looking for ways to improve your archery skills.

Learn More >>> Get Your Archery Groups Closer

Lastly, enjoy the practice because it will be relaxing and soothing. Take this time to not only get better at something but also to let go of life’s stresses and just focus on your target and arrows. I wish you the best of luck with your practice.

Once you practice with your bow, you are ready to get into the hunting strategies to start archery hunting before October. Let us dive into some of the hunting aspects that you will need to know.

7. Find Archery Hunting Locations

Finding hunting locations that are accessible to you can be one of the hardest parts of hunting in general. Especially if you do not come from a family that owns private property. However, there are a few ways that you can find good hunting locations.

1. Ask Your Family (including extended family)

Family can be a great resource to find hunting private land because they are the most likely to permit you to hunt their land. You should also be willing to ask extended family because even if you do not regularly talk with them, they still are most likely to permit you to hunt on their property.

Always make sure that you respect their decisions. You never know if they have had a bad experience with allowing hunters on their property.

However, you can reassure them that you will be respectful to the land and never bring anyone else out to go hunting without their permission.

2. Ask Your Friends

Your friends can also be a great way to get access to some hunting property. You may need to pay them or their family member who owns the property a small fee.

However, more times than not a friend would love to have you hunt on their property and especially if that means that they get a new hunting buddy.

Keep an open mind while asking your friends to hunt on their property and you will be surprised.

3. Ask Your Church

The same rules apply here as they did with asking your friends to hunt their property. A member of the church may be willing to let you hunt on their property for a fee or for free.

I would suggest talking with your pastor about anyone he or she knows who owns the private property. You never know how God may bless you with opportunities.

Just always be respectful of the property owner’s wishes and if you shoot a deer make sure to let them know. They will love to hear about your success.

4. State Land or Public Lands

State land is accessible to anyone and everyone. This land can make it more difficult to find good hunting spots because of the amount of hunting pressure. However, if you want to start archery hunting, state land tends to not get too populated until the opening day of gun season.

A public land is a great place in early fall and late winter after the rifle hunters are done for the year.

So, I would recommend doing your scouting and preparing for archery hunting on public land from spring through late summer. Once the gun hunters get into the state land it will be more difficult to find areas that have low hunting pressure.

A great resource to find and map state land is the OnX app or Huntstand App.

Learn More >>> 3 Best Whitetail Deer Apps to Bag a Big Buck

8. Know Which Archery Hunting Strategy to Use

There are many archery hunting strategies to choose from. Each strategy is unique and can be utilized during a different time of the year or to fit your archery hunting strengths. Some of my favorite archery hunting strategies include fixed tree stands and archery hunting from the ground.

Fixed Tree Stand

A fixed tree stand archery hunting strategy is utilized for areas that you know have high deer traffic. This strategy is great for hunters that are still learning the ropes of the how-to deer hunt. I would plan ahead in the summer.

Learn More >>> How to Plan Hunting Spots before the Season.

Note: You will also need a safety harness for hunting out of any treestand.

Mobile Tree Stand

During the hunting season, deer patterns may change due to a wind shift, food source change, or even the amount of hunting pressure that the deer is facing. By using a saddle or climbing tree stand set up you are allowing yourself the mobility to adapt to these changes and still be able to capitalize on your archery hunting.

I currently have a Lone Wolf Custom Gear 0.5 set up for my public land hunting. A setup that you can take down is one of the best choices to avoid theft and gear damage by inconsiderate hunters.

Archery Hunting from the Ground

This is a challenge. Anytime that you are coming down to the deer’s eye view, it makes movements more susceptible to being seen by the deer.

You can avoid some of this by purchasing a ground blind. A ground blind will not only help you get out of the wind, but it will also allow your movements to be much more hidden.

The other tactic I like to use while archery hunting on the ground is by using deadfalls. I normally bring a chair with me and find a deadfall to use as my backdrop to stay hidden.

Learn More >>> 5 Best Hunting Chairs

Learn More >>> Disappear with the Best Camo Patterns

9. Get Your Perfect Set-Up for Archery Hunting

Now that you know some of the options to start your archery hunting strategy. It is time to pick one or two and start executing your strategy of choice.

It is easiest to put out some trail cameras. These trail cameras will be your eyes and ear in the woods while you cannot be taking inventory yourself. Use them during the spring and summer to find out exactly where deer are moving and what time of day.

Learn More >>> 21 Best Trail Cameras

Take that knowledge along with you and you can decide on the perfect location to archery hunt this year. After you have a location, you will need to set up a tree stand.

Ladder stands and platform tree stands are the most used tree stands by hunters.

Those stands will allow you to have your hunting spot ready before the season rolls around and you are ready to archery hunt.

10. Continue Practicing

While you are deciding what strategy you want to use to start archery hunting, continue to practice with your bow. You can make minor adjustments that will help you become more accurate and confident in your shot.

As you get better, you can start to shoot from farther away. This allows you to expand your limitations in the woods and gives you more opportunities to shoot big game at different archery ranges.

11. Know Your Limitations

You must know your limitations before you head into the woods for your first archery hunt. By limitations, I mean how far your effective range is to take a shot at a whitetail deer with confidence that you can make a lethal shot in the vital organs.

For my first 2 years of archery hunting whitetail deer, I was only comfortable shooting 20 yards. For the second 3 years, I was comfortable shooting up to 30 yards at a whitetail deer.

Now, my goal is to be able to comfortably shoot a whitetail deer up to 40 yards with complete confidence in my abilities.

It is important to recognize your limitations because the worst feeling an archer or hunter can experience is wounding an animal, especially your first deer.

When you know your limitations in archery hunting, you will have the courage and capability to not take an unethical shot. It is hard but it is better than wounding an animal.

Know the time will come for you to make that shot inside your limitations and your practice will show in the form of an ethical shot.

Learn More >>> Whitetail Anatomy (Ensure a Lethat Shot)

12. Get into the Woods and Hunt!

BOOM!

You are completely prepared to start archery hunting in October (as long as you get your hunting license). I want you to enjoy God’s creation while you are archery hunting. Stay patient and always be ready to make your shot count.

The Whitetail Teacher is rooting for your success. I hope to see one of your pictures on Instagram or Facebook.

Tag @The.Whitetail.Teacher on Instagram and use the #archeryhuntingbeforeoctober.

Bonus Step 13. Reflect on Your Archery Hunts

Reflecting on your archery hunts is great practice and something that I try to do after every hunt. To do this go buy yourself a 1-dollar notebook and ask yourself 3 questions.

What did I do right on my archery hunt?

In this question, I want you to write down everything that you possibly can think of that you did right. This will help you reinforce good habits and continue practicing those good habits.

What did I do wrong on my archery hunt?

This question is the hardest one to answer; nevertheless, it is the most important question to answer. When you start identifying what you are doing wrong, you now have room to grow, and you know exactly what you need to grow at.

Choose 1 thing you did wrong and improve on it the next time you go archery hunting.

By writing down the exact thing you want to improve on the next time you go archery hunting, your mind will automatically have that target as your focus.

By doing this simple task after your hunt, you will be able to grow exponentially faster as a whitetail deer archery hunter. You will also be able to go back through your notebook and see just how much you got better over the course of your first season of archery hunting.

Conclusion

If you are just starting your archery hunting journey, I suggest that you go to the archery season section at the top of this page. In this section, you will find a ton of articles about archery hunting and how to better your archery hunting skills.

If this helped you in any way, please share it with another archery hunter or someone that wants to start archery hunting before October.

I hope you enjoy the journey of archery hunting. Feel free to reach out to me at any time and let me know how your journey is going. I am always here to help. (DM on Instagram is the best way to reach me)

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The Whitetail Teacher