Bow hunters discuss safety for upcoming hunting season

Hunting season is coming soon, and that has bow hunters excited. Archery is the fastest-growing sport in the world, according to a local archery store, and though it is ranked to be among the safest, the risks involved when in the forest are high.

“To me there’s a special thrill to it because you have to get so close (to the prey),” said Blayre Thiel of Archery Idaho.

The typical archery shot is within 40 yards of the target.

“So you’re right there next to them. There’s danger with the animals and there’s danger with other hunters there,” Thiel said.

Camouflage is a must to get close enough to the animals, but hiding from the animals means hiding from other hunters, too.

“Bow hunting, you don’t have to wear the hunter’s orange as much,” Thiel said. “So it’s a lot easier to be mistaken for maybe an animal like an elk or a deer. The risk of maybe getting shot or maybe being in the line of fire is a lot higher because you won’t be able to see other hunters.”

Stories of close calls are all too common.

“We have guys saying that there was an elk 15 yards up to them, and they’re pulled back ready to draw and shoot it,” Thiel said. “Right before they shoot the elk just drops dead, and they’re like ‘What just happened?’ It’s actually another hunter in the area shot it before they were able to. That just describes how close and personal bow hunting is.”

Some archers say that it’s riflemen who pose the highest risk, not the other bow hunters.

Erik Strom, Cabela’s archery outfitter, said, “Because people shoot for sound with a rifle.”

With such high risk of friendly fire, state Fish and Game officials keep archery and rifle seasons separate, and limit how many hunters are in the area. It comes down to bow hunters being aware of their surroundings and taking extra precautions.

“Well I just always make sure that if I’m going to shoot something I know exactly what it is,” Strom said.

Archery Idaho and Cabela’s will provide instruction for those wanting to bow hunt. Their staff said having correctly tuned gear is important, and taking time to practice. Stray arrows are the biggest concern.

Archery Idaho also said learning the difference between a real elk call and a hunter’s is helpful in avoiding friendly fire.
The archery season opens Sunday .