Deer bow-hunting season begins in East Texas

EAST TEXAS (KLTV) - For many East Texas hunters, it is a definitive test of a hunter’s skill during deer season, not with a bullet, but with an arrow.

Stealth, patience and a steady aim are all needed if you are to bag a deer with an arrow.

“The patience is the big thing. You can see deer all day at 100 yards, but you’ve got to get them within 20-to 30 yards to have an ethical shot,” says Austin Sanchez of ‘Sportsman’s Outfitters’ in Longview.

Bow-hunting season started October 1, and hunters like Tanner Gardner are eager to test their true hunting skills.

“You have every factor come into play when you’re using a bow. Even the wind, short distances even the wind has play in you’re arrow movement. Got to watch your scent,” he says.

Much like rifle season, bow-hunters say it’s important to be successful with a single shot, a single flight of an arrow.

“More than likely, that’s all you’re going to get on a bow. We’ve had a lot of people turn to crossbows now, it’s a little bit easier to use,” Sanchez says.

With an effective range of 30 to 50 yards, bow-hunters need to be much closer to their targets, which is where the patience fits in.

“With a bow you have to get really close to have a clean shot. If you can bring one down with a bow and arrow, it’s bragging rights! It takes skill to do it,” Gardner says.

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