Hunting with a bow and arrow is the ultimate challenge. It reduces your effective hunting range, compared to a gun, while increasing the chance you will be detected by the game you are pursuing. I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my 35-plus years of bowhunting. Hopefully avoiding these gaffs will put the odds in your favour this season.
Early on, one of the biggest mistakes I made was picking the wrong tree. Consider your back-cover. Always choose a tree that prevents you from being skylined — especially in the winter when foliage is sparse. Trees with thick, year-round cover are ideal. Not only do they provide natural concealment, but they also emit a scent that can help mask your own, offering a little forgiveness if the wind shifts.
Ever seen a deer walking down a well-used trail stop for no apparent reason? They’re not stopping randomly — they’re scanning the area ahead for danger. Where they’re currently standing was likely deemed safe the last time they paused and looked around. Once they feel confident the area ahead is clear, they move forward to that spot and repeat the process.
If you spot a deer 50–60 yards away, don’t move. That deer is likely scanning your position. Any movement could blow your cover, and it’s game over. If you remain still, however, the deer may continue on, closing the distance as it confirms the area is safe. When you do finally move to draw your bow, the deer might glance up — but since it didn’t see movement earlier, it likely won’t perceive you as a threat.
Always practice shooting in your actual hunting gear. I once lost a tremendous buck because I hadn’t followed this advice. Late winter, after sitting for a couple of hours in cold weather, I saw a buck come into range. As I went to draw, I realized I couldn’t do it. My bulky clothes, combined with the cold tightening my muscles, made it impossible to draw. If I had practiced in those exact conditions, I would’ve known my limitations and adjusted beforehand. Lesson learned!
When it comes to ground blinds, the most important thing is silence. Start by clearing all the brush from the floor of the blind. Any crunching sounds will give you away. Also, ensure your chair is silent — no squeaks, creaks, or wobbles. Since you may need to shift slightly to get into position, any unnatural sound can alert a nearby deer.
Position your chair so you can draw your bow from a seated position. You should not have to stand or shift. Deer are hyper-aware, and any movement or noise at close range can ruin the opportunity.
Your hunting clothing matters in a ground blind — especially its noise level. If your jacket or pants make noise when you draw, the deer will hear it. It’s that simple. A dark fleece outfit is ideal for inside a blind, and is nearly silent when drawing your bow.
The blind you use for turkey hunting with a shotgun might not be suitable for bowhunting. Drawing a compound bow requires more space.
Set up your blind well before the season and test it out. You must be able to draw from a seated position without your arrow sticking out the window. If you need to poke your arrow out first and then draw, your blind is too small. That movement — and the visible arrow — can easily give you away.
These tips come from hard-earned experience and costly mistakes. If you take the time to set up properly, practise under real conditions, and eliminate unnecessary movement and sound, your chances of success will increase dramatically.
Tim Watts has competed in archery tournaments for over 30 years and has represented Canada at world championship events. He is also a bowhunter. Reach Tim at mail@oodmag.com
Crossbow hunters need to be aware that their scope is not at the same level as their arrow rail and nearby obstructions can cause issues. Crossbow scopes are elevated several inches above the rail (normally higher than a rifle scope) so if you are shooting downhill or set back in a blind, nearby obstructions — branches or even the wall of the blind — could be in the arrow’s path. To be sure your shot clears your blind, rest the foot stirrup on a rail or window for a steady, accurate shot.”
— Mike Miller, host of Angler & Hunter Television
Originally published in the Nov.-Dec. 2025 issue of Ontario Out of Doors
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