Pssst. Bowhunters. Yes, you up in your saddle sling.
Guess what?
Bowhunting is under attack globally, and it's affecting all of us. Some of you may scoff and think, they’ll never ban bowhunting. They already have, and nowhere is that more prevalent than in Europe, where groups like the European Bowhunting Federation are fighting for our future.
For those unfamiliar, the European Bowhunting Federation (EBF) promotes, as its name suggests, bowhunting, along with ethical and sustainable wildlife management, across Europe.
How did Europe, at least a lot of it, lose bowhunting? Bans were implemented swiftly once the public became aware of myths about cruelty and poaching. Hunters are still fighting to recover, country by country. France only regained bowhunting in 1995. Spain in 1997. Denmark may allow deer bowhunting in 2024, but only after strict testing. Time lost is nearly impossible to win back. Here’s a timeline of recent bowhunting events courtesy of the European Bowhunting Federation.
In the U.S., hunting opponents are already using emotional arguments like “cruel,” “unnecessary,” and “unethical.” They’re swaying voters now who are uninformed about the facts. If we continue to speak up now, and significantly amplify our messages, all hunting could be gone – and soon.
As we know, bowhunting isn’t about taking the easy path. It’s about getting close. How close? Close enough to know your target bull elk’s favorite brand of toothpaste close. There’s a distinct honor in that approach, recognized by hunters and, ideally, by non-hunters as well.
“Honor” isn’t stopping antihunters.
According to the European Bowhunting Federation, bowhunters spend five to ten times more hours in the field than rifle hunters just to get within 20 or 30 yards. That’s the challenge. You’re not shooting from far away; you’re moving in quietly, giving the animal every chance to bust you before you even draw your bow (hush up crossbow haters).
Data from Denmark showed that more than 92 percent of deer arrowed were recovered. The number of lost animals? About 5 percent. That’s the same kind of recovery rate rifle hunters post. So much for the idea that bows are less “ethical.”
Get this - one of the big talking points against bowhunting in Europe was that bows make poaching easier. Yeah, no.
When the EBF consulted authorities in Denmark, France, Finland, and Hungary, they found almost no documented cases of poaching with bows. Even in Mississippi, only 1 percent of poaching cases involved archery gear. Why? Because bows require patience, daylight, and skill. For those trying to poach at night, rifles remain the preferred tool.
Another thing Europe has is a minimum standard for its bowhunters. You must pass tests, demonstrate your skills, and, in some places, such as Denmark, you may even be required to retake them every five years. Think it can’t or shouldn’t happen here? Guess again? We already do this in the United States in a few places. One example is the Northern Virginia Urban Archery program.
So, what can we do?
Hunt responsibly. Tell your story. Help non-hunters understand our ethics and conservation impact. Our future depends on advocacy and education, act now.
Jay Pinsky
Editor – The Archery Wire & The Hunting Wire
jay@theoutdoorwire.com
