Professional Hunting Bows for Big Game and Small Game
The bows typically used for hunting are compound or pulley bows ranging from 45 to 80 pounds, depending on the prey. These are high-powered bows that use very hard arrows and razor-sharp blade tips. These modern bows offer high precision and stability, thanks to features like “Let-off” and added components such as sights, peeps, stabilizers, etc. However, they require more maintenance and adjustments than traditional instinctive recurve bows.
Wooden or traditional bows such as recurves, longbows, or horsebows are also used. Traditional hunting bows are high-powered, typically 45-55 pounds for small game and 55-70 pounds for big game (approx.). These bows are relatively simple but require significant experience and training to handle, as well as mastering the specific archery technique.
It is ideal to use a short bow (less than 35 inches for compound bows and less than 60 inches for recurves) to avoid the inconvenience of maneuvering with a long bow in forests or thick vegetation.
Additionally, the arrows must be prepared to withstand the high power of the bow. The stiffness of each arrow is measured by its SPINE, which is calculated based on the arrow’s length, tip weight, and the bow’s power and speed. A typical spine of 350 for carbon arrows is suitable for bows with 60-75 pounds of power (approx.), ideal for big game hunting.
Bows for Hunting Wild Boar, Roe Deer, Mouflon, and Other Large Game
For hunting large animals such as wild boar, roe deer, mouflon, and other similar-sized game, pulley (compound) bows are typically used with high draw weights of between 60 and 80 pounds. These animals are often large and have tough skin with multiple layers of protection, such as the wild boar, making these high-powered bows the ideal choice to avoid injuring the animal.
Bows for Hunting Rabbit, Partridge, Hare, and Other Small Game
For hunting smaller animals like rabbits, partridges, or hares, bows with draw weights between 45-60 pounds are used, whether compound or recurve bows. Typically, the arrow tips differ from those used for big game, but the equipment is the same, just adjusted for lower draw weights compared to big game hunting.
Pulley or Compound Bow for Hunting (Modern High-Powered Bow)
Compound or pulley bows for hunting are shorter than those used for target shooting, as they require a certain degree of maneuverability in forests or thick vegetation when waiting or stalking.
They also feature pulleys that provide the “Let-off” (between 60% and 90%, depending on the model and manufacturer), which helps reduce the maximum power developed when the bow is fully drawn.
Compound bows come with accessories like arrow rests, peeps, sights, string silencers, added weights, stabilizers, and triggers to enhance arrow release, precision, and power.
Instinctive Recurve Bow for Hunting (High-Powered Recurve Bow)
High-powered recurve bows, especially hunting bows, are generally shorter than 60 inches. Despite being made of wood or a combination of materials such as fiberglass or carbon, they can reach high draw weights of up to 70 pounds and up to 120 pounds in longbows, depending on the manufacturer or era.
Shooting with a recurve bow is not the same as with a compound bow, which has pulleys and a rest to assist in drawing. With a recurve bow, the more you draw, the stiffer it becomes, and to properly handle a bow with 50-70 pounds of draw weight, you need to be an expert archer with proper training to avoid injury while training or hunting. A beginner would not even be able to draw such a bow.
Types of Arrows and Tips Needed for Bow Hunting
Arrows used for hunting can be made from materials like carbon, aluminum, or wood. For example, carbon arrows used for big game hunting typically have a spine between 250 and 350, and for small game hunting, between 400 and 600 (approx., and it can vary depending on the manufacturer). These are hard carbon arrows but not “unbreakable,” allowing them to be fitted with threaded hunting tips and lighted nocks for low-light conditions.
Hunting tips for both big and small game are threaded to fit into the insert of the arrow shaft. Big game tips usually weigh between 125 and 200 grains and feature razor-sharp blades, available in 2, 3, or 4-blade designs. Small game tips do not have blades but are solid tips intended to stun or kill the prey. These tips typically weigh 100 or 125 grains.
Legislation and Regulations for Bow Hunting in Spain
Hunting regulations and legislation vary by autonomous community in Spain, so you must contact the hunting federation of your community to apply for a hunting license. You will also need permission to use the hunting grounds and a transportation permit for your bow.