Although bow hunting is not permitted in Germany, unlike in countries such as France, interest in this traditional hunting method is steadily growing. The specific nature and limited range of the bow allow shots only up to a maximum distance of about 25 meters. This limitation poses significant challenges for hunters, as stalking the game becomes considerably more difficult; the closer one gets to the target, the greater the likelihood of being detected by the game. Many hunters therefore resort to portable hunting stands, which they attach to sturdy trees in the forest to hunt from these so-called "tree stands." Excellent camouflage is essential to avoid being spotted by alert game.
The art of shooting with a bow lies in hitting the vital zone of the game accurately without the precise optical aids of a rifle. Even with modern compound bows, this requires significantly more practice compared to hunting with a scoped rifle. Additionally, the bow must be drawn and shot silently. Nevertheless, the whirring sound of the arrow and the noise of the bowstring releasing can startle the game and cause it to jump away before the arrow reaches its target.
From an animal rights perspective, it is often argued that even precise arrow shots can lead to painful injuries and do not kill the game immediately. However, proponents of bow hunting emphasize that the razor-sharp arrowheads equipped with multiple blades cut very precisely and do not tear, causing minimal damage to pain receptors. Mortally hit game often shows no signs of pain, jumps briefly after the hit, then freezes and looks back before staggering, falling to the ground, and dying. Experienced bow hunters report that this process does not take longer than with a well-placed shot from a rifle.
A significant advantage of bow hunting over rifle hunting is the considerably smaller danger zone and reduced noise emissions. This could make bow hunting a viable alternative, especially in urban areas or in hunting grounds that border urban areas. In Germany, bow hunting could thus offer a meaningful option for future hunting practices, even though it is currently prohibited and not covered by the firearms law.
Online, compound bows are traded on classic platforms such as eGun or Auctronia, or in shops like 4komma5
Interesting reports on bow hunting:
Interesting facts and exciting reports about bow hunting can also be found with our premium partner, the magazine Jagdzeit in its own section Bow Hunting.
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