Developing excellent archery skills involves some precise techniques which have a scientific basis. There are several parameters involved and one main factor which influences the accuracy of your shot is knowing how to measure draw length.

While other things like knowing how to determine draw weight, how to determine arrow length, recurve bow draw length and bow length are also important, we shall focus on the process of drawing a bow and arrow in this article.

The issue regarding draw length while shooting is something well-understood by veteran marksmen. However, if you are new to bow hunting, you might make the same assumption that many archers do, which is that if you have bought a branded bow and arrow, the draw length should be adequate and the arrow designed to fit the draw length of the bow. Why then should we have to get involved in knowing how to measure draw length or how to adjust it?

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The answer to this question is quite logical. You can buy a set of bow and arrows and start shooting right away. However, to optimize the accuracy of your shot, you need to make a few fine adjustments to both the bow and arrows. If you can measure certain parameters, you will be able to control the way your bow shoots arrows and which is why I felt it important to explain how to measure draw length for a better shot.

Required Materials

You will need to have some basic stuff at hand to prepare for this simple procedure. The actual process is quite simple, and the measurement is not likely to take more than a minute. You can vary the materials slightly according to availability, but I have just listed the basic stuff to get the job done. Here’s what you should have ready:

• A wall with a corner (for the first method)
• Pencil or whiteboard marker
• Tape measure
• Calculator
• Writing pad to jot down the figures

There are several methods of measuring draw length, and here are the three most popular ones:

Method – 1: (Wingspan/2.5)

1. Holding the pencil or marker in your right hand, face the wall

2. Note a fixed point on the wall (a corner or a joint in the tiles or paneling)

3. Place your left hand on the fixed point

4. Still facing the wall, outstretch your arms as far as is comfortable

5. Now, with your arms still outstretched, mark off the furthest point with your pencil or marker

6. Release your arms and measure the distance between the two points in inches

7. Divide the figure by 2.5

8. The resulting number you get is the exact draw length of your bow

Method – 2: (Buttons to Base)

1. Hold the tape measure in your right hand

2. Place the tape measure at the point where you button your shirt

3. Now, hold the tape measure at that point with your left hand

4. Extend your right arm sideward to your right, keeping the tape as you do so

5. With your right hand extended, have someone to measure the distance from your chest to your wrist with the extended tape measure

6. The length of the measuring tape is your bow draw length

Method – 3:(Fist to Mouth)

1. Hold the tape measure in your left fist against the wall

2. Pull it back with your right hand as if drawing a bow until your hand touches your mouth

3. Measure the distance from the top of your fist to the corner of your mouth

4. The resulting length is your bow’s draw length.

Draw Length Vs Arrow Length

Now that you are familiar with how to determine your draw length, you would perhaps like to relate draw length to arrow length. The rule of thumb that is usually followed is that your arrow should be longer than the full draw length of your bow by about 1 to 1 ½ inches. It is for this reason that you need to know the draw length of your bow, to determine the size of your arrow.

Following this logic, for a 30-inch draw, you would need a 31 ½ to 32 inches long arrow. The draw length of a bow can vary then, from one person to another, depending on their body dimensions, which is one of the reasons why you get different lengths of arrows.

This also explains why the bows and arrows of the Pygmies of Central Africa are so small – the average bow draw length – about 7 inches and the arrows are about 9 inches long. A person of average height may find these bows and arrows almost impossible to use, but for these small-statured people, they are just right.

One of the main reasons behind the need for arrows to be slightly longer than the draw length of a bow is for safety. An arrow is said to be overdrawn if it gets pulled so that its tip is positioned before the bow riser. This situation is dangerous, as you will not have the guidance of the arrow rest and on release, there is no knowing where your arrow may go, and you may even end up shooting your hand!

Recurve Bow Draw Weight Vs Draw Length

 

If you use a recurve bow, you are likely to get more energy and thus more arrow speed than a regular straight-limbed bow. However, the additional power is limited and extreme recurves can make the bow unstable. There is a definite relationship between recurve bow draw weight and draw length, and this is an important factor to be considered while optimizing bow efficiency.

We have discussed in detail about draw length. But what about draw weight? Draw weight is defined as the maximum weight that an archer may exert on the bow while drawing it, usually expressed in lbs.

The draw weight on a regular bow increases proportionally with the draw, so that the more you draw, the more is the draw weight. A recurve bow, however, behaves differently. Here, as you increase your draw, the pressure increases to a point, and then it drops by 20% to 30%.

Draw weight varies depending on the stature of the person, the governing factor to define size being gender and age of the shooter. You may find this simple chart useful in understanding the draw weight for people of different stature, based on age and gender:

Archer’s Weight	Suggested Draw Weight
Small Children (70-100 lbs.)	10-15 lbs
Larger Children (100-130 lbs.)	15-25 lbs
Small-Frame Female (100-130 lbs.)	25-35 lbs
Medium-Frame Female (130-160 lbs)	25-35 lbs
Small-Frame Male (120-150 lbs)	30-45 lbs
Medium-Frame Male (150-180 lbs)	40-55 lbs
Large-Frame Females (160+ lbs)	30-45 lbs
Large Frame Men (180+ lbs)	45-60 lbs

Final Comments on Draw Length

So, now that we know the importance of draw length and have also learned how to measure draw length. Here are a few additional points that you would do well to keep in mind while dealing with this subject:

• Personal Preferences: Each person is different from the other physically. When I say this, I allude to how personal preferences based on physical limitations come into play, where you may not be able to draw a full 30 inches. Then, you can go for a smaller draw length. Difficulty in pulling the bow to full draw can also come as a result of old injuries which are likely to restrict movement.
• Clothing Factor: It may come as a surprise to you, but the clothing you wear can hamper your shooting, especially if you wear a jacket with big sleeves. Ensure that the sleeves of your clothes do not get in the way of your arrow, or else you may end up shooting your clothes.
• ​Comfort Level: Although there are some very specific recommendations about the ideal draw length depending on the stature of a person, you need not be too rigid about the number that you get. If you feel more comfortable with a draw length that differs slightly from the measured figure, go for it.
• ​D-Loop: It is interesting to note that the dimension of the D-loop (the component attached to the center of the bow string) has a bearing on the way you draw your bow. A shorter D-loop is likely to reduce ‘string pinch’ and helps in pulling the bow to full draw more comfortably.
• ​Avoid Overdrawing: Last but not the least, always keep in mind that an overdrawn shot is never likely to be an accurate shot. If you feel that your accuracy is just a bit out of a particular draw length, reduce the draw length slightly which should help matters.

Conclusion​

We hope that you have enjoyed going through this tutorial and that you benefit from the information given here. For acquiring the best archery skills, it is important to know about your equipment, to gain absolute control over it. It is critical to know how to measure draw length because a lot depends on it for determining other vital factors like arrow length, draw weight and other parameters that can contribute to optimizing the accuracy and efficiency of your bow

If you liked reading this article, we would love to hear your comments and feedback, and we will be happy to respond to any questions that you may have. Please do remember to share this article, to enlighten others as well!

Do you ever wonder what do deer eat in the winter? Well, winter remains a tough time for any deer to survive. The chilling cold does not catch it in the comfort of its bed, but in the harsh weather in the woods.

While many deer live through January and February, the third month of the year is by no way comfortable. Any hunter would definitely want to know what such a tender animal eats with virtually most vegetation covered in snow.

What Do Deer Eat In The Winter? What Is The Ordinary Food Of The Deer?

Like any other herbivore, the deer lives on plants, fruits, nuts, and acorns. Deer, commonly known of panting for the wells of water as they add to the aesthetic value of nature, feed on the non-woody plants, grasses, and flowering weeds. Although you may at times see a deer enjoy the fallen fruits from trees, the diet is relatively rare.

Any farmer is also aware of the presence of deer in the cultivated gardens. They are browsers of cultivated vegetables like beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, soybeans, wheat, and rye.

Obviously, a threat to a farmer, but a hunter would seize this opportunity and aim. I bet you wouldn’t leave a presentable meal slip away in the chillness of winter, would you?

The fawns are comfortable with the mother’s milk until they can feed on the soft greens and later progress to join the deer’s diet, as hunters call it. For domesticated deer, you can use goat’s milk to feed the fawns as well; however, do not forget to warm the milk.

Related: Do You Know When To Plant Food Plot For Deer?

The Big Deal With Winter For Deer

During the winter season, food becomes scarcer for a deer and the energy requirements tend to increase as the deer must keep warm. Most deer can scavenge for food in plots or the farms, and the white tail deer would rather feed on corn, cowpeas or soybeans lying on the snow. The harvested fields become preferable, as many do not like to pluck from the stalks that are standing.

However, you should note the distinction between the forest and big wood deer. How does it survive despite the change in the forest vegetation?

Although mostly inactive, their bodies still need food considering that they do not hibernate. One word should come to your mind- drop down. What does this entail? The same bushes on which the deer fed from offer a solution.

Leaves from small branches within the woods provide potential food for most deer. If the branches drop down, to the level of the deer, it can easily manage to feed on them. Any hunter should realize that deer would most likely go back to where it used to feed from to seek shelter during winter.

A Scientific Caution

However, you should note that there exists one caution in the feeding of deer in the winter. It has to do with the changing of diet for the mammal. It might sound absurd, but it is the reality- it is better not to give any food to the deer, rather than to give it a new type of food in the mid of winter.

In times of such occurrences, rarely will the animal survive. The main factor goes back to the digestive system of the animal. The deer has to eat a new type of diet for nearly two weeks before it begins to pull nutrients from the food.

Particular type of bacteria, often referred to as normal flora, which lives in the animal’s gut, assists in digestion. The bacteria, therefore, takes time to adjust to the new meal before it adapts to eating and surviving on it. Therefore, always give the deer feeds that are of the same quality as those it fed on before winter. That way, the deer can survive the tough period. You can then gradually start a change in diet.

Related: How To Plant Chicory For Deer–How to Attract Deer to Your Backyard

Down To Specifics

In the forested areas there some very peculiar feeds that the deer can make use of, especially in the mid-winter. The forest big woods deer feed on the hemlock, aspen, maple, hazel wood, and red osier dogwood. The white cedar sustains deer for hundreds of days in the deeryard. However, deer need a great deal of this food; the requirement may go up to 3-6 pounds on a daily basis. This means that the deer will have to browse heavily.

Further, many deer will enjoy feeding on the ‘Old Man’s Beard,’ which is a type of lichen resembling the Spanish moss. Since the lichens grow on dead or dying balsam and spruce trees, you can find deer looking for the ‘beards,’ which are beyond their reach.

What is again very important is to avoid any disturbance to the animal, as it should conserve most energy to survive through the winter.

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Hope You Can Now Hunt Or Feed Your Farmed Deer

I hope as a good hunter or farmer, you know exactly where to go for a deer hunt or what to give your deer during the tough winter season. Just take not of different places the deer may spend time and the exact foods that most likely serve as its lunch or dinner.

Below are some links to videos on the deer eating habits in winter.

Related:All That You Need To know, What Do Whitetail Deer Eat?

Knowing when the best time of day to hunt rabbits are can be a bit tricky if you’re not experienced with finding them in the field.

While the furry little guys sure seem to pop up everywhere when you don’t have a weapon, there are definitely some times more ideal than others to make sure that you maximize the amount of meat and fur you can bring home while in the field.

Related: Slingshot Hunting Rabbit – How To Hunt A Rabbit With A Slingshot

How to Find the Best Times to Hunt Rabbit

1.) Legal Hunting Season

Make sure that you know the legal hunting season for rabbits in your area. This varies greatly from state to state, for instance in Washington it’s perfectly legal to hunt them from September 1^st to March 15^th, while in California the season is open from July 1^st to January 29^th.

Poaching is punishable by huge offenses, so make sure that you know the legal hunting times for rabbits in your area. There are also some subtle nuances to this.

If you look at the links to the Fish and Game websites above you’ll notice that it’s illegal to shoot jackrabbit at all in Washington, while in California they’re perfectly legal to take year round.

Always be sure of the species you’re hunting in order to make sure that you stay within the bounds of the law as well. If you shoot a cottontail at a distance after mistaking it for a jackrabbit, after all, you’ve still broken the law and you can be subject to some serious fines if caught by a ranger or warden.

State laws are extremely different for rabbit seasons and this makes it an entirely different kind of hunting depending on which state you’re hunting in.

Related: Rabbit Hunting With Beagles: Successful Rabbit Hunting in 5 Steps

2.) The Best Seasons

Most hunters consider the prime season for hunting, in states where it’s allowed, to be in the winter. This is more because cottontails will stand out against the snow than for any other reason.

Others contend that the best time is in the fall after a couple of freezes have occurred. This mostly has to do with a certain stigma that rabbits often carry parasites and the freeze will kill them off. For the most part, this isn’t true, although you may want to let the bodies “cool off” for a bit after you shoot them in order to allow fleas to go find other prey.

For the most part, if you’re worried about parasites then you’ll want to hunt them in cooler weather. A simple pair of latex gloves will keep you protected if you’re truly concerned about it, but most hunters won’t find it to be much of an issue.

It should also be noted that snowshoe rabbits have white pelts in the winter which can be quite attractive and look different from the normal brown and black pelts you’ll find on most game animals. This can also make them attractive to hunt in the winter if your state allows it.

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3.) The Best Time of Day to hunt rabbits

Anyone who’s spent a good amount of time in areas where there are rabbits knows that the little meat bags like to emerge whenever you don’t have a weapon. While hunting is most often a noble and skilled game of cat and mouse, hunting rabbits is almost like target shooting.

That said, you’ll want to pay attention to what time of day you venture out to find them in order to maximize your chances of bringing home your bag limit.

Rabbits are most active in the early morning and afternoon. These dawn and dusk hours are their primary feeding times and you’ll find the most action during these times. Get out a bit before sunset and find a likely location and you might be able to fill your bag before noon.

Of course, pretty much any time of day they can be found in most areas since they are primarily diurnal and are rather active animals. As long as the area is host to rabbits, then you’re likely to find some at some point.

These times of day also make for ideal scouting conditions if you’re new to hunting in an area. It’s always a good idea to know the terrain and animal behavior in an area and it can make for a nice hike or drive depending on how you do your scouting.

Look for areas with heavy activity and mark them on a map, your phone, or just make sure you can identify landmarks. You can always come back later with your gun or bow and take them since now you’ll know where they are.

Get out there early, or show up in the mid-afternoon and stay until dusk in order to increase your chances of adding some to your table and you’ll find the results quite pleasing for the most part.

4.) Weather Conditions

It might seem a bit counterintuitive, but those cold, damp days when you’d rather just stay in bed are actually the best times to get out the .22 and go rabbit hunting. So get up and get out there when the weather is mis​erable.

The key to utilizing this kind of weather condition to your advantage is the fact that rabbits will tend to “hunker down” when these conditions are present. This is because their fur isn’t particularly thick and it makes them cold. It also makes them less active, and they won’t flee quite as quickly while you’re approaching.

The ideal way to take advantage of this is to have properly scouted the area beforehand. You’ll want to find an area with dense cover with somewhere nearby where the sun is shining strongly. The rabbits will then occasionally emerge in order to warm up a bit before returning to shelter.

Conclusion

We’ve just outlined the conditions and times that’ll make for the best hunts for you. The best time of day to hunt rabbits depends on a large number of factors and even state’s laws can make it a unique experience. Don’t just rely on the best time, after all most of us have busy schedules, just make sure you get out there next season and bring home some rabbit for the table.

Questions? Comments? Let us know in the comments and we’ll get back to you.