BOW NOISE

[bama]

I firmly believe that to a large the issue of bow noise in the traditional community is a myth.  I do not believe that a bow exists for which the average human ear cannot hear the sound of a shot from 30 yards away.  That being the case, I think if a deer hears it it doesn't really matter if its a quiet thump or a slightly louder thump.

[FlintRiverKen]

I'm sure you're right, no matter how quiet the deer can hear it.

I'm concerned with bow sound for me. More energy to the arrow, less wasted in the bow, quieter. Good release, quieter. Better tuned bow arrow system, better my form equals quieter.

[LV2HUNT]

Originally posted by bama:
That being the case, I think if a deer hears it it doesn't really matter if its a quiet thump or a slightly louder thump.

I would respectfully disagree and have a lot of field observation that indicates that a deer's reaction to bow noise is often (never say always)in proportion to the level of that noise. So much so that other than general hunting ability and proficiency with a bow, bow noise (IMO) is the most critical factor to success for cleanly taking whitetail deer.

[LBR]

IMO a lot of it has to do with the individual animal.  Some spook and dissapear, some jump and come back, some just look around, some never stop feeding.  At least this is what I've seen happen.  

One of the noisiest bows I ever shot didn't bother a deer I shot at and it was less than 10 yds. from my tree.  I shot twice, it looked around a little at the first shot, acted like it didn't notice the second.  It was the first deer I ever shot at with a bow.  The bow was an old compound.

I have to say that was the only time I've ever seen that little reaction, but I have heard lots of similar stories.

[JimB]

LV2HUNT,I agree.Individual deer may differ but in general,a low,soft thump won't affect most deer.The higher pitched the sound,the more reaction you will get.I have hunted with a recurve for at least 45 years and can't remember the last time a deer jumped the string.I Loc Tite screw in heads and go over bow quiver parts to eliminate any vibration or anything that resonates.

I do the usual stuff to the bow,depending on what it needs to get to that acceptable level.My bows aren't silent but the sound they make is dull and low pitched.

I'm told antelope are jumpy.I have hunted them for 15 years and have not had one jump the string.

I haven't hunted whitetails in Texas and that may be a whole different ballgame.

[lpcjon2]

Whats the problem you cant get your bow any quieter? we can help,I also agree that it depends on the animal and the environment in which they live.But You should try and have your bow as quiet as possible.

[wildgame]

ive hunted 8 different states from texas to ky and ive found the quieter the better!! never hurts to get a bow as quiet as you can!  

[wildgame]

[Bjorn]

"I firmly believe that to a large the issue of bow noise in the traditional community is a myth. I do not believe that a bow exists for which the average human ear cannot hear the sound of a shot from 30 yards away."

So you are saying the human ear can hear a quiet bow from 30 yards and the and the noise issue is a myth?
Excuse me while I lift my jaw from the floor.

[SL]

I have hunted several states and the one common I have found has more to do with the pitch of the sound. All animals will react- its just to what degree. The dull thumps dont seem to bother them as much as the higher pitched ping. I have a bunch of whitetails that hang around my back target area and when I shoot a quiet low pitched bow they react but when I shoot a limb that has a higher ring to they skin out of the area.
Just my observation.
SL

[ishoot4thrills]

Bjorn, I think he's just saying that you aren't gonna get the bow totally noise free. The deer is gonna hear it no matter how quiet it is. So, he's saying, the deer is gonna react to the sound anyway, so why worry about it. Loud or soft, it's still a foreign noise to the deer. At least that's what I think he's gettin' at.

[Bjorn]

Got it! Loud and clear!!          

[Dan White]

There is a lot to what FlatRiver Ken said:
 

 [/I'm concerned with bow sound for me. More energy to the arrow, less wasted in the bow, quieter. Good release, quieter. Better tuned bow arrow system, better my form equals quieter.]

Efficiency of the bow setup plays a big role. But I am not leaving out the importance of what the animal hears

[Doug in MN]

I really like quiet hunting bows, I will give up speed for quiet every time.

Just my experience but silence is golden when it comes to hunting set ups.