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Bowhunting

Close-range hunting with bow or crossbow, with its own early season. The ultimate challenge in closing on game.

Best conditions
Early archery season with unpressured game, calm weather, steady favourable wind, feeding game.
Best seasons
Fall · September · October

Bowhunting in Quebec

Bowhunting (and crossbow hunting) is a close-range pursuit where you must bring game to 20-30 m for an ethical shot. Quebec offers a distinct early archery season, often before firearms, putting hunters on less wary game. It is the preferred method for white-tailed deer, moose and black bear.

Distance is the whole challenge

Unlike a rifle, the bow demands extreme proximity:

  • Master wind direction perfectly, game will be just metres away
  • Work your shooting lanes and know your maximum ethical range
  • Favour stand hunting in a tower or very slow stalking
  • Always aim for the vitals (lungs-heart) behind the shoulder

The gear

Choose sharp hunting arrows and broadheads (mechanical or fixed) and practice regularly. The crossbow is legal and popular for being easy to learn.

Practical tips

  • Practice shooting from your tower stand, the angle changes everything
  • Wear quiet camouflage clothing that doesn't hinder the bow's draw
  • Recover game by tracking blood patiently; an arrow kills by hemorrhage, wait 30-60 min
  • Check your zone's regulations: archery season and legal gear vary

Target game

cerf de virginieorignalours noir

Recommended gear

arbaletefleches pointesmirador tour affutvetements camouflage

Required gear

Compound bow or crossbowSharp hunting arrows and broadheadsTower stand or ground blindQuiet camouflage clothingOrange vest if required in the zoneRangefinder to measure exact distance

Safety tips

Wear the orange vest if your zone requires it during a shared seasonIdentify your target and take only a close-range shot to the vitalsHandle sharp broadheads carefully, they are razor-edgedMake sure of a safe backdrop behind the animal before releasing

Common mistakes

Attempting a shot beyond your ethical rangeIgnoring the wind when game is very closeNot practicing from the real shooting position (stand)Raising the bow too early and getting busted by the movement
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