Every bow hunter starts somewhere, but not every beginner starts with the right information. That’s why I built this hub: to give you the tools, strategies, and knowledge to build a rock-solid foundation from Day One. Whether you’re just picking up a bow or trying to put together your first gear setup, this is where you begin.
If you’re just getting into bow hunting or are finally ready to get serious about it, this is where you begin. I’ve taken everything I wish I had when I started and put it all in one place, from how to choose your first bow to how to scout, plan your first hunt, and build confidence in the woods. Whether you’re hunting public land, chasing whitetails in hill country, or just learning the basics, this hub is built to get you up to speed without wasting time or money. No fluff. Just real advice that works.
Why You Should Listen to Me
I’m Mike Manley, a retired U.S. Army Green Beret who spent 14 years in Special Forces mastering land navigation, stealth movement, reconnaissance, and precision shooting—all of which directly apply to bowhunting. Since retiring, I’ve dedicated myself to hunting smarter, scouting better, and testing gear in real-world conditions.
This guide isn’t just theory—it’s built from experience in the field, learning what works through trial and error. My goal is to help you skip the learning curve and become a more effective bowhunter, faster.
If you want no-nonsense advice, real-world tactics, and an experienced mentor, you’re in the right place. Let’s get to work.
🎯 Subscribe to My YouTube Channel for Bowhunting Tips & Gear Reviews: The Everyday Bow Hunter YouTube
🎙️ Listen to My Podcast for Deep Dives on Strategy & Gear: The Everyday Bow Hunter Podcast
How to Use This Guide
Each section below links to an in-depth article or another sub-section of articles covering essential bowhunting skills. You can read them in order or jump to the topics you need help with the most.
📌 New to bowhunting? Start from the top and work your way down.
📌 Want to fix a specific mistake? Click the section that applies to you.
📌 Become a Bow Hunting Insider – Join Here and Get Access to Subscriber-Only Resources Now!
Let’s get started.
1. Bowhunting Basics: Getting Started
Learn the fundamentals of bowhunting, including gear, shooting form, and what it takes to be successful. Whether you’re picking up a bow for the first time or looking to refine your skills, this section breaks down the essential concepts every bowhunter must know.
- Archery Hunting 101: Bow Hunting for Beginners
- How to Shoot a Compound Bow: Beginner’s Guide
- How to Buy Arrows for a Compound Bow: The Right Way
2. Choosing the Right Gear
Get your bow and hunting equipment set up properly so you’re confident in the field. Choosing the right gear is one of the most important first steps in bowhunting. This section will help you understand how to select the best bow, arrows, broadheads, and accessories for your hunting style.
- Setting Up Your Bow for Hunting (Section covers bows, arrows, and more)
- [Choosing the Right Hunting Gear: What You Actually Need] (Coming Soon!)
- My Hunting Gear Reviews (Reviews of different bow hunting gear and clothing)
- Best Camouflage for Deer Hunting: What the Science Says
3. Understanding Deer Behavior
Learn how deer think, move, and react so you can outsmart them. The more you understand deer habits and movement patterns, the more effective you’ll be in the woods. This section covers everything from bedding areas to feeding routes and seasonal changes in behavior.
- Understanding Whitetail Deer
- Understanding Deer Movement Patterns for Bow Hunting Success
- Deer Vision 101: How Deer See You
- Bow Hunting and a Deer’s Nose: How Deer Smell You
- Deer Communication: Grunts, Snorts, and Stomps
4. Scouting & Reading Deer Sign
Find the best hunting locations by learning how to interpret deer sign. Rubs, scrapes, tracks, and droppings all tell a story about where deer are and how they move. This section teaches you how to use deer sign to set up in the best locations.
- How to Find Buck Bedding Areas Using Maps and Apps
- Buck Bedding 101: How Bucks Choose Their Bedding Areas
- Rubs, Scrapes, & Tracks: How to Scout & Hunt Hot Deer Sign
- Fall Food Sources for Deer: What Deer Eat
5. Hunting the Wind, Thermals & Scent Control
If you don’t understand wind and scent control, you’re getting busted before you even see a deer. Playing the wind, understanding how thermals shift air currents, and controlling human scent are critical for staying undetected.
- Hunting the Wind: How to Stay Undetected and Get Close to Deer
- Understanding Thermals for Deer Hunting: How It Works
- 26 Scent Control Tips for Deer Hunting (My Scent Routine)
6. Mobile & Strategic Hunting Tactics
Learn how to hunt smarter by using terrain, setups, and mobile tactics to your advantage. Whether you’re using a treestand, saddle, or ground blind, this section teaches you how to adapt your hunting strategy based on conditions.
- Still Hunting: How to Be a Mobile & Adaptable Deer Hunter
- Strategic Hunting: How to Elevate Your Bow Hunting Skills
- Hunting the Mornings: A Hunting Scenario
- [Hunting Setups: When to Use a Tree Stand, Saddle, or Ground Blind] (Coming Soon!)
7. Seasonal Strategies: Hunting the Rut & Late Season
Learn how deer behavior changes throughout the season and how to adjust your tactics. The way you hunt in early season, peak rut, and late season should all be different—this section teaches you how to adjust.
- Doe Trails & Buck Signs: Find and Hunt Rut Funnels
- How to Prepare & Develop a Season-Long Bow Hunting Strategy
- How to Layer for Cold Weather Bow Hunting
8. Shot Placement & Ethical Hunting
Take ethical shots, recover your deer quickly, and become a responsible hunter. Shot placement is one of the most important aspects of bowhunting, ensuring clean and humane kills.
- [Shot Placement for Bowhunters: How to Make an Ethical Kill] (Coming Soon!)
- [Bowhunting Safety: Preventing Common Mistakes in the Field] (Coming Soon!)
9. Avoiding Beginner Mistakes
Learn from common bowhunting mistakes so you don’t make them in the field. Many beginner mistakes come from lack of preparation, poor shot selection, or misunderstanding deer behavior. This section helps you avoid those costly errors.
- [Top 10 Bowhunting Mistakes & How to Fix Them] (Coming Soon!)
10. Next Steps: Keep Improving
Bowhunting takes time to master, but the best way to improve is to keep learning, practicing, and hunting.
🔹 Bookmark this guide and check back for updates.
🔹 Read the full articles and start applying what you’ve learned.
🔹 Join one of my Bow Hunter Masterclasses – Click Here for More Information
🔹 Have a question? Drop me a line here, on Instagram, or on YouTube.
📌 Want to take this guide with you? We’re working on a downloadable version so you can have it in one place. Stay tuned!
🔥 This guide is part of The Everyday Bow Hunter, where I teach bowhunters how to hunt smarter, scout better, and gear up right. If you found this helpful, check out the rest of the site for more bowhunting strategies, gear reviews, and real-world hunting advice.
🚀 Let’s get you ready for your next hunt!
Next: 📌 Become a Bow Hunting Insider – Join Here and Get Access to Subscriber-Only Resources Now!