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Presented by Bowhunt Scotland

and the British Bowhunters Association

in association with the European Bowhunting Federation

and the International Bowhunter Education Programme


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Ethical Bowhunting in Scotland

Bowhunt Scotland 2011

Drat 2

A campaign o the British Bowhunters Association

www.britishbowhuntersassociation.co.uk

With special thanks to the European Bowhunting Federationwww.europeanbowhunting.org

Bowhunt Scotland is a diverse group o interested parties

who wish to see bowhunting permitted in Scotland. A grass

roots initative, it has been adopted as a British Bowhunters

Association campaign.

Written and designed in Scotland by Ian Kirkwood.

bowhuntscotland.elrig.net


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A draft plan to legalise bowhunting in Scotland


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Foreword

The crat o bowhunting has evolved over the last eighty years into a capable system

that not only takes game o all sizes eciently and humanely, but also meets the

expectations o modern hunting practices. Equipment o high quality is readilyavailable. Bowhunter training which is o equal importance has been developed

in tandem and is obligatory or bowhunters in most countries. People are oten

surprised to hear bowhunting is not yet legal in Scotland.

Todays archery equipment and bowhunter training, when combined, allow us

to step into the ootprints o our ancestors and take game eciently at a range o

about twenty metres. With the need to achieve such close ranges it will come as

no surprise that hunting the hard way takes on average ve to ten times longer in

the eld than using a bullet. It is a supreme test o hunting skills. In short, modern

bowhunting encapsulates and typies the universal concept ofair chase, the

time-honoured ethic that allows the hunter no improper advantage. Instead the

advantage is with the hunted. This is the appeal o bowhunting.

Time is ripe or this orm o hunting to be permitted to both Scots and overseas

visitors to our country. This booklet paints a picture o how bowhunting can be

managed in Scotland. It has long been on the increase around the world, evolving

into a modern orm that is not yet well known here. But Scotland has so much to

oer bowhunters. They are knocking at the door to pursue our countrys numerous

game species with obvious nancial benets or the country. In addition, our

burgeoning red deer population requires the attention o new hunter groups.

We invite stakeholders and communities to work with us in developing this plan.

It will ultimately inorm the raming o legislation to regulate bowhunting in

Scotland.Ethical Bowhunting in Scotland discusses the issues in detail, laying out acomprehensive plan to establish Scotland as a premier destination or bowhunters

rom both here and around the world.


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ContentsPage

Foreword 2

Introduction 4Bowhunt Scotland

Modern bowhunting or Scotland

Background 5History

Bowhunting now

Current legal status in Scotland 6

Bowhunting species in Scotland

Economic and other actors

Bowhunting for Scotland 8Accepting bowhunting in Scotland

The broadhead arrow point how it works 9

Bow types or hunting 10

Eective range 11

Bowhunter training and certication in Scotland

Wound rates 12

Working together with estate staEquipment specications 13

Summary 15A plan to introduce bowhunting to Scotland

Appendices 16Appendix 1. The bowhunting world

Appendix 2. Danish Field Trial (19992004) 19


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Introduction

Bowhunt Scotland

Bowhunt Scotland is an inclusive stakeholder group seeking to have bowhuntingincluded as part o a sustainable Scottish deer management regime. We invite

land owners, game keepers, ghillies, hill walkers, deer management groups,

communities, lovers o the outdoors, economists and policy makers, as well as

bowhunters, to join us and have their say in the development o this drat plan.

In the rst instance we are unied in our determination that the pursuit o game

be conducted according to the rule ofair chase, the long established and widely

held ethic that allows the hunter no improper advantage. We demand that animals

be hunted with eective methods and equipment and that death be both swit and

indeed, respectul. Today such aspirations are attainable by the bowhunter and his

guide who are trained, certied and equipped to a high standard.

Whilst bowhunting has been on the increase around the globe, it remains an

unamiliar pursuit to estate owners and keepers here in Scotland. The capability o

modern archery hunting gear and the high standards o bowhunter training and

certication are not widely known. The misconception o high wound rates may

persist. But the preservation o Scotlands sporting tradition by private individuals

in recent centuries means that bowhunters rom both here and around the world

are knocking at the door to pursue our countrys numerous game species with

obvious nancial benets or landowners and communities. In addition, our

burgeoning red deer population requires the attention o new hunter groups.

Modern bowhunting for ScotlandToday bowhunting is a highly evolved and widely accepted hunting method. It relies

on two principles to ensure that it remains so:

1. The equipment is eective.

2. The hunter is capable.

Ethical Bowhunting in Scotland discusses bowhunting equipment and bowhunter

training in some detail, advocating the adoption o tried and tested specications

and requirements to ensure satisactory perormance once game is being pursued

by bowhunters in Scotland. Central to our argument in avour o bowhunting

is the evidence we present to demonstrate that the hunting arrow is as eective

and humane as the bullet (see the chapter Bowhunting or Scotland, page 8 and

Appendix 2) except that the bowhunter will on average spend longer in the eld per

shot taken. Arrow wound rates are the same as or less than those or bullets.

Bowhunting or Scotland starting on page 8, describes some o the equipment

available today and concentrates on the crucial specication o the hunting arrow

point known as a broadhead, along with minimum arrow weights, both o which

work together to ensure taking o game is quick, ecient and ethical. Explaining

how dierently arrows kill game than bullets makes it necessary to describe some

details graphically.

We also describe the advanced and comprehensive nature o current bowhuntereducation that is compulsory in many countries and will be in Scotland which

is largely responsible or the sound reputation enjoyed by bowhunting around the

world.


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Bowhunting is recognised

and encouraged in over 60

countries.

Background

History

The bow and arrow were common in Scotland until superseded by rearms.They were primarily ood harvesting tools, but also gured in Scottish battles and

skirmishes until about the year 1700. Until then the bow was a common sight in

Scotlands hills and orests. Ways o hunting were developed such as using the

elrig, a geographical eature that even today peppers highland maps. These narrow

channels between hills, sometimes leading to enclosures, were the targets towards

which hundreds o beaters drove vast herds o deer or archers to shoot at rom

high vantage points.

Bowhunting nowGame o all sizes is harvested by bowhunters worldwide. Many o the countries

where it is an accepted orm o hunting are listed in Appendix 1 (page 16). The

millions o bowhunters around the world have sucient spending power to support

a dynamic archery industry that invests continuously in research and development

to improve the design and perormance o todays archery gear. In act bowhunting

is the economic engine driving technological improvements available to Olympic

and other competitive archers.

At the same time hunting techniques and accessories are also evolving, helping

archers to get closer to their targets. Ecient portable tree stands, ground blinds

and improved camoufage allow game to be ambushed at close quarters. Insulated

clothing allows the bowhunter to lie in wait with less stress in the period leadingup to the all-important shot, which must be executed using the archers own bodily

strength. Bowhunter education, dependable equipment and the long practice o

marksmanship all come together in the rewarding crat that is bowhunting today.

Spending by bowhunters

inances improvements to

equipment used in the world

o competitive archery.

In 2009 over 1,100,000

deer were taken by some

3,500,000 bowhunters in

the US.


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Current legal status in ScotlandBowhunting in Scotland is currently banned by the Wildlie and Countryside Act

1981. Reading through the Act it is quickly apparent that the enactors were keen to

ban methods that do not espouse the principle ofair chase. The Act, or example,

prohibits the pursuit o game using such techniques as lamping, gassing, poisoning

and electrocuting. Automatic weapons, mechanical vehicles, live decoys, audio

recordings, etc. are prohibited, all o which would give hunters unair advantage.Bowhunt Scotland is in ull agreement with all these measures. In contrast, the

bow and arrow as used or hunting today, require additional hunting skills and give

signicant advantage to the quarry instead o the hunter.

The reormed Act will

conorm to the current EU

legislation.

The Wildlie and Countryside

Act 1981. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Chapter 69)

Part 1 Wildlife Protection of birdsSection 5 Prohibition of certain methods of killing or taking birds

[I any person] (c) uses or the purpose o killing or taking any wild bird

(i) any bowor crossbow;he shall be guilty o an oence and be liable to a special penalty.

Part 1 Wildlife Protection of other animalsSection 11 Prohibition of certain methods of killing or taking wildanimals

[I any person] (b) uses or the purpose o killing or taking any wild animal

any sel locking snare, whether or not o such a nature as aoresaid, any

bowor crossbow or any explosive other than ammunition or a rearm;

he shall be guilty o an oence.

Sporting estates and rural

communities will beneit

rom bowhunting.

To allow the establishment o bowhunting in Scotland it is necessary or the wording,any bow to be removed rom the legislation above and or a code o practice to be

agreed to govern bowhunting. The reormed Act above will conorm to the current

equivalent EU legislation (The Habitat Directive 9243, Annex 6) rom which such

wording is already absent. The EU Charter on Hunting and Biodiversity (section

1.6.1) provides a set o non-binding principles and guidelines or sustainable

hunting with bows to acilitate biodiversity conservation and rural development.

Bowhunting species in Scotland

Game of all sizes is harvested by bowhunters. The largest game animal in Scotlandis the red deer (Cervus elaphus), a medium size game species in bowhunting terms.

Table 1 (opposite) lists many o the game species that could be taken with the bow

and arrow in Scotland.

Economic and other factorsNeedless to say, bowhunters are ready to pay to hunt. Scotland is o great interest to

bowhunters rom around the world who would like to establish relationships with

landowners willing to accommodate them. As things stand Scotland is missing out

on such income. We would welcome urther research to provide detail in this area.

Bowhunting is silent, a benet to hunters, outdoors people and suburban or

rural communities lying adjacent to hunting areas. For any to whom it is an issue,

bowhunting reduces the prolieration o rearms.

The Deer (Scotland) Act

1996 Act may also need to

be amended.


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Table 1. Principal bowhunting species in ScotlandPrincipal source: BASC Scotland

GROUPCOMMON

NAMEBIOLOGICAL

NAMESEASON

(Source: BASC)

ADDITIONALBOW SEASON

(proposed)

DEER

Red deer Cervus elaphusStags: July 1 Oct 20 June 24 30

Hinds: Oct 21 Feb 15 Oct 14 20

Fallow deer Dama damaBucks: Aug 1 Apr 30 July 25 31

Does: Oct 21 Feb 15 Oct 14 20

Sika deer Cervus nipponStags: July 1 Oct 20 June 24 30

Hinds: Oct 21 Feb 15 Oct 14 20

Roe deer Capreolus capreolus

Bucks: April 1 Oct 20 March 25 31

Does: Oct 21 March

31Oct 14 20

Muntjac Muntiacus reevesi n/a n/a

Chinese water

deerHydroptes inermis n/a n/a

SMALL

GAME

Brown Hare Lepus capensisCannot be sold

March to Julyn/a

Mountain hare Lepus timidusCannot be sold

March to Julyn/a

Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus n/a n/a

FERAL

SPECIES

ANDVERMIN

Fox Vulpes vulpes n/a n/a

Mink Mustela vison n/a n/a

Feral goatCapra aegagrus

hircusn/a n/a

Wild boar Sus scroa n/a n/a

Grey squirrel Sciurus carolinensis n/a n/a

Brown rat Rattus norvegicus n/a n/a

Black rat Rattus rattus n/a n/a

Carrion crow Corvus corone corone n/a n/a

Hoodie crow Corvus corone cornix n/a n/a

GAMEBIRDS

Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Oct 1 Feb 1 n/a

Grey partridge Perdix perdix Sept 1 Feb 1 n/a

Red legged

partridgeAlectoris rua Sept 1 Feb 1 n/a

Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus Aug 12 Dec 10 n/a

Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus Aug 20 Dec 10 n/a

Black grouse Tetrao tetrix Aug 20 Dec 10 n/a

Snipe Gallinago gallinago Aug 12 Jan 31 n/a

Woodcock Scolopax rusticola Sept 1 Jan 31 n/a

Duck & Goose

(inland)Various Sept 1 Jan 31 n/a

Duck & Goose(below high water mark)

Various Sept 1 Feb 20 n/a

Coot Fulica atra Sept 1 Jan 31 n/a

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Sept 1 Jan 31 n/a

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria Sept 1 Jan 31 n/a

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus n/a n/a

Applications to Scottish

Natural Heritage oradditional bowhunting

periods have precedent in

other countries. Discussion

o this topic is proposed.

Bowhunting can contribute

to the control o invasive

non-native species.

Shots at stationary birds

and small game are usually

permitted in bowhunting.

Note: This list is based on species currently hunted with gun or rifle in Scotland and is presented as a basis fordiscussion. It is recognised, for example, that shooting a snipe with bow and arrow might never happen.


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Bowhunting for Scotland

Accepting bowhunting in Scotland

Acceptance o bowhunting may be expected where there is general recognition that:

1. The bow is an eective and humane hunting tool.

2. Bowhunters are trained and certied.

3. Bowhunters are ethical hunters.

4. Bowhunting provides income.

5. Bowhunting is regulated.

In this booklet we demonstrate how all ve points may be conrmed with

condence. Bowhunt Scotland also believes that broad-based recognition or

bowhunting will become apparent i stakeholders are involved in discussions

leading to that end. We thereore invite landowners, gamekeepers, deer

management groups, environmental bodies, economists and lawyers, as well as

hunting organisations, to oer opinion as we move towards regulated bowhunting

in Scotland. Please register and comment by contacting us through our web site:

http://bowhuntscotland.elrig.net

This chapter explains how bowhunting achieves swit kills using the broadhead

arrow point; how animal welare is maximised through highly developed

compulsory bowhunter training; that wounding rates are the same as, or lower than,

those achieved with rifes; and how attractive Scotland is to bowhunters worldwide

who are willing to pay to participate.

In this booklet we oer evidence in support o bowhunting as an ecient, ethical

hunting method. But we recognise that this inormation may not on its ownconvince everyone o our case. To that end we propose that additionally, i required,

a Scottish Bowhunting Trial be designed and run under the supervision o Scottish

Natural Heritage (SNH).

Scottish Bowhunting Trial

A trial to evaluate the capability o bowhunting in Scotland would be designed with

the assistance o the British Bowhunters Association in consultation with and under

the supervision o Scottish Natural Heritage.

Procient, certied hunters and a location/locations or such a trial will be provided

through Bowhunt Scotland or another party with the agreement o SNH. Theresulting evidence would be made available to interested parties and orm the

basis o an amendment to the current legislation to be placed beore the Scottish

Parliament at a suitable time.

Such trials have already been undertaken in other countries to evaluate bowhunting

prior to legal recognition. Please see Appendix 2 (page 19) describing The Danish

Bowhunting Trial 19992004 and a link to the more recent Swedish trial which oer

patterns that might be adapted to the needs o Scottish wildlie management.

Contact Bowhunt Scotland


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The double-lung shot and pass-throughs

Bowhunters are determined to make swit and eicient kills. They thereore aim

to hit both lungs, and i possible the heart, o the game being shot. The best

angle to achieve this is the broadside shot. The immediate collapse o

both lungs works in tandem with plummeting blood pressure to cause

swit loss o consciousness and immobilisation.

The minimum bow draw weights and arrow weights speciied in Table

2 (Page 13) will, in many cases, cause the arrow to pass completely

through the chest cavity o even the largest Scottish red deer when

shot correctly at an appropriate range. The result is a quick and

eicient kill.

The broadhead arrow point how it worksThe capability o archery gear to take game o any size is primarily down to the

design o the hunting arrowhead. It is very dierent rom arrowheads used or

target archery. A strike within the vital area that comprises primarily the heart and

lungs, leads to a swit drop in blood pressure, loss o consciousness and a quick

death. There are numerous designs o broadhead available, a traditional tried

and tested design consisting o two razor sharp cutting edges which are capableo inficting massive instantaneous damage to vital organs and blood vessels. The

minimum width o the broadhead (usually 25mm) is oten the subject o legislation

to help ensure quick kills.

BroadheadThis is a three bladed broadhead shown actual

size. Two and our-blade versions are also

common. Amongst the vast number o designs

can be ound versions that open on impact.

Field point and bullet pointArchers use these solid metal points or shooting

at inanimate archery targets only.

Blunt hunting points (not illustrated) are oten used to takesmall game. Unlike the

broadhead these do not penetrate deeply but instead rely on their ability to transmit

shock (to small game only). We propose that these be permitted or the pursuit o

small game in Scotland as indicated in Table 2 (page 13).

Broadhead arrow point

Field point

Bullet point


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Bow types for huntingThe choice o bows available or hunting is extensive. In recent times compound

bows (below let) have become popular amongst bowhunters worldwide. Simpler

bows such as the recurve bow (right) are avoured by others. In addition to these

popular versions, fat bows, long bows and short bows o various materials rom

wood to kevlar are all capable o taking game.

Bowhunters are trained to choose shooting distances that suit their own equipment

and abilities. An archer able to control a heavier bowmayallow himsel a longer

range depending on conditions and his or her ability.

We propose that minimum bow draw weights be established or use in Scotland as

outlined in Table 2 (page 13). However the emphasis in legislation should be placed

on speciying the ammunition the arrow itsel the means by which the bow is

capable o making ecient kills. We have seen how the arrow works or bowhunters

in the last section. The minimum weight o the arrow is the other vital actor which

needs to be specied or the three groups o game in Table 3. Simply put, heavier

arrows penetrate deeper and bowhunters choose bows capable o shooting the

arrows required in law. Dierent specications are used around the world (see orexample South Aricas rules in Appendix 1, page 17).

Compound bow Recurve bow

No License is required to

own a bow and arrow in

Scotland.

The bow most commonly

used or hunting today is the

compound bow.

Hunting bowsNumerous styles o bow are capable o taking game.

Legislation will thereore concentrate on minimum

arrow speciications.


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Effective rangeThe bow and arrow is not used to shoot game at long range. The appeal o

bowhunting lies in the challenge it lays down or the hunter to get really close to the

quarry. Bowhunters are trained to limit the range they shoot rom in the interest

o animal welare. They seek to take high percentage shots pretty much on top o

game. This is achieved in various ways discussed in more detail on page 12, with the

result that shots are taken at ranges rom 5 to 30 metres.

Most bowhunting shots

are taken rom around 20

metres.

The broadside view provides

the path o least resistance

to vital organs.

Bowhunter training and certificationfor Scotland

A comprehensive training programme or bowhunters already exists that is well

established and recognised worldwide. The International Bowhunter Education

Programme (IBEP) certies bowhunters around the world. It is a requirement in

many countries. It has been run by the National Bowhunter Education Foundation

(NBEF) www.nbe.org since 1979 and is managed in the UK by the British

Bowhunters Association (BBA) www.britishbowhuntersassociation.co.uk. Thecourse has theoretical and practical elements. The rst section (10 hours) covers

all aspects o bowhunting, some o which are touched on in this booklet, such as

hunting methods, understanding how the broadhead works and shot placement.

Keepers and ghillies will

adapt their methods to assist

bowhunters in getting close

to game.


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Bowhunters can spend long

periods waiting to ambush

game.

Other methods include

still hunting, stalking and

driving.

The best methods or

Scotland need to be

developed in discussion

with local game managers.

Tree standGround blind

Also habitat, tools, saety, hypothermia, rst aid, scouting, tracking, anatomy, game

care/recovery and map reading. The practical section (3 hours) includes technical

instruction and a prociency test where the hunter needs to show he or she can

master the weapon o choice. Training is also available or estate owners and sta

who will be hosting and guiding bowhunters.

Wound ratesLargely because o the highly developed nature o bowhunter training, we are proud

to say that wounding rates are demonstrably the same as or lower than those or

rifes. Misconceptions to the contrary may be attributable to a small number o

irresponsible crossbow attacks on deer in the 1970s using bolts tted with target

points. Such scandalous incidents are condemned by Bowhunt Scotland.

In evidence we present the ndings o the recent Danish Bowhunting Trial 1999

2004 (Appendix 2) which recorded a wound rate o less than 5% over a ve year

period. The report or 20052007 conrms and improves on this rate, based on

data rom 1000+ shots taken at roe deer over nine seasons. Any unsuccessul shotis anathema to trained bowhunters, which is why they only shoot at close range.

However, an animal wounded by an arrow is much more likely to recover than i

wounded by a bullet.

Working together with estate staffBowhunting will be new to many involved in game management in Scotland. The

principal challenges that need to be addressed by those hosting bowhunters are:

1. Getting very close to game.

2. Spending long periods in ambush.3. Target choice.

For some this will not be a problem. Bowhunters are certied and able to be brieed.

They will do all o the above on their own where permitted. Where sta have been

in the habit o accompanying clients and choosing the shots it may be necessary to

re-evaluate the regime. Is it economic or sta to spend prolonged periods waiting

with clients? With extra people in hides or stalking, will they be more easily detected

by game, especially at such close quarters?

Despite the expertise o many bowhunters abroad we recognise and value the local

knowledge o Scottish keepers and ghillies. Working together we plan to devise

The goal o the IBEP training

is to instil in all bowhunters

a responsible attitude and to

adopt and ollow acceptable

behaviour towards people,

wildlie and the environment

in which they hunt.


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and develop Scottish solutions that will provide excellent bowhunting whether in

woodland or the open hill. We oer Bowhunt Scotland as a orum or this.

It is common or guides to request conrmation o their clients shooting skills by

requesting them to shoot beore being let loose on their land. A target designed or

broadheads or a substantial pile o sand is needed. Archers need such a acility to

ne-tune equipment and may even bring their own. They will be happy to comply

with such requests.

Equipment specifications

Bows

Minimum draw weights have traditionally been specied or hunting bows.

That is the pressure (lbs) required to draw the bow. A more accurate measure

o perormance is a bows energy output expressed in joules. We reccommend

minimum specications or Scotland be expressed in joules.

Scottish game can divided into three groups by size. The ollowing minimum

specications or peak bow draw weight are proposed or bowhunting in Scotland.

Table 2. Minimum proposed peak bow draw weights or joules outputfor hunting bows in Scotland. Minimum arrow weights and arrow pointoptions for bowhunting in Scotland.

GROUP

SCOTTISH SPECIES

MINIMUMARROWWEIGHT(grains)

MINIMUM BOWDRAW WEIGHT

OR JOULESOUTPUT

ARROW POINTOPTIONS

GROUP1 Red deer

Fallow deer

Sika deer

Wild boar

400 grains45 lbs at 28 draw

or 45 joules

1. Broadhead

(min width

25mm)

GROUP2

Roe deer

Muntjac

Chinese water deer

Feral goat

Fox

Brown hare

Mountain hare

Duck

Goose

Black grouse

Pheasant


or 35 joules

1. Broadhead

(min width

25mm)

GROUP3

Rabbit

Mink

Grey squirrel

Brown/black rat

Carrion/hoodie crow

Grey/red legged

partridge

Red grouse

Ptarmigan

Snipe

Woodcock

Coot

Moorhen

Golden ploverWood pigeon


or 35 joules

1. Broadhead

(min width

25mm)

2. Game blunt

Note: Peak draw weight is expressed in pounds o pressure required to pull the string to a point 28 inchesrom the handle, expressed in pounds (e.g. 55# @ 28).

Stronger archers may

select bows with peak draw

weights well in excess o 60

lbs. It is important or the

inclusion o smaller ramed

and emale archers (since

red deer are only mediumsize quarry or bowhunters)

not to over-speciy draw

weights or energy output in

any legislation.

Manuacturers record the

peak draw weights o their

bows on the lower bow limb

in pounds thus: 45# @ 28

Measuring a bows output in

joules is a better indica tor

o a bows perormance

because bows made

rom superior perorming

materials can havesigniicantly higher energy

outputs than others with the

same peak draw weight.


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Arrows

The penetrating capability o an arrow relies heavily on its weight and its small

rontal area (near zero). Its mass comprises the broadhead point (100 200 grains),

the shat, nock and vanes. The minimal rontal area o the arrow contributes to

its capacity to penetrate game eectively when delivered with a orce o 40 joules

(modern compound bows deliver carbon arrows with orces around 60 to 100

joules).

The arrow weights shown in Table 2 (previous page) are proposed or use in

Scotland in pursuit o three groups o game species based on their size.

A broadhead arrow point with a minimum cutting width o 25mm will be obligatory

or hunting species listed in Groups 1 and 2 o Table 2.

Specications or Group 3 allow or the use o arrow points specically designed or

taking small game, game birds and small vermin, such as small game blunts.

Ensuring arrow penetrationIt is necessary or the arrow to be o adequate mass to ensure

penetration o the vital area. The minimum arrow weight will thereore

be the subject o legislation to help ensure eicient kills.

Bows must deliver these arrows at suicient speed. The minimum peak

draw weight and/or the energy output in joules o hunting bows will

thereore be the subject o legislation. The minimum arrow weights,

peak draw weights and/or joules o output in Table 2 are proposed or

taking game in Scotland.

Some countries speciy

equipment in units such

as joules, t-lbs, newtons,

grams or kilograms (see

Appendix 1).


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Summary

A plan to introduce bowhunting

to ScotlandBowhunt Scotland is a stakeholder group seeking recognition or bowhunting in

Scotland.

Bowhunting is a credible, eective and ethical method or harvesting game o

all sizes, epitomizing the principle ofair chase. It is accepted in many countries,

including much o Europe and Scandinavia. In many areas our red deer population

requires the attention o new hunter groups. In 2009 over 1.1m deer were taken by

3.5m bowhunters in the US.

Bowhunters use special arrow points called broadheads which kill game ast.

Todays equipment is highly eective and bowhunters are trained to a high standard.

Compulsory bowhunter training is largely responsible or the good name enjoyed by

bowhunting around the world. A well established programme developed over orty

years seeks to instil in all bowhunters a responsible attitude and to adopt and follow

acceptable behaviour towards people, wildlife and the environment in which they

hunt.

We believe that broad-based recognition or bowhunting will appear i stakeholders

are involved in discussions leading to that end. We thereore invite landowners,

gamekeepers, deer management groups, communities, environmental bodies,

economists and lawyers, as well as hunting organisations, to oer opinion as we

move towards regulated bowhunting in Scotland. Please register and comment by

contacting us through our web site:

http://bowhuntscotland.elrig.net

The drat plan that we present here is based on models rom around the world that

are tried and tested and that put the highest priority on animal welare. It includes

detailed minimum specications or both bowhunting equipment and bowhunter

certication. In addition we propose that an early Scottish Bowhunting Trial be

planned and executed under the supervision o Scottish Natural Heritage, which

we believe will validate the claims we make in this booklet about bowhunting. The

results would be made available to interested parties and orm the basis o an

amendment to the current legislation to be placed beore the Scottish Parliament at

a suitable time.

It is time or Scotland to embrace and benet rom bowhunting. Scotland has much

to oer bowhunters in terms o both game and acilities. In return bowhunting has

signicant spending power to invest in Scotland and its communities.


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COUNTRYBOWHUNTING

STATUSNOTE

FRANCE LEGAL

1995 Legalised or all game. A current estimate gives in

excess o 6,000 bowhunters in France. 2003 The use o

a release aid is allowed as well as shorter bows. A rench

education programme is mandatory. In addition to the

hunting permit, each bowhunter needs a legal attestation

o training.

FINLAND LEGAL

1993 Bowhunting ormalised. 2001 Species up to

and including roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and beaver

(Castor fbris) permitted. The orce o bows must be min

180 Newton pull (40# draw weight), Broadhead min

22mm width. 2007 The Finnish Hunter Association led

or a change in law so that all smaller deer will be legalto harvest with bow and arrow. Finland hosts the largest

group o bowhunters (approximately 9000).

GERMANY NOT LEGALCurrently a study is being carried out with a view to

allowing bowhunting or small game.

HUNGARY LEGAL

1993 Legalised or all game. In the case o big game

(red deer, roe deer, allow deer, moufon and wild

boar) the bows minimum orce is set at 222.7 N (50#).

Broadhead required. Hungarian bowhunters must pass

the general hunting state exam and a bowhunter-specic

exam. In general bowhunters are under the same hunting

regulations as gun hunters with some small privileges (or

example, the bowhunter is allowed to shoot at a sitting/

standing hares).

ITALY LEGAL

All regions except 3 allow bowhunting. Although in one

o these, Emilia Romagna, a public subscription has been

accepted by the local government to cancel this law. Wild

boar are bowhunted in Tuscany and Lombardia. Small

game is bowhunted all over Italy. It is also legal to hunt in

enced preserves (wild boar and allow deer mainly).

DENMARK LEGAL

1967 Hunting with bow and arrow is made illegal but

is immediately put on a dispensation system. 1999 Roe

deer and lesser game regulated. 2005 A study over ve

hunting seasons has been completed on the hunting

roe deer (capreolus capreolus) with bow and arrow. The

study demonstrated a wound rate o approximately 5%

(comparable or better than the commonly used means o

harvesting roe deer in Europe).

PORTUGAL LEGAL1986 Permitted or all game. International Bowhunter

Education (IBEP) certicates required.

Appendices

Appendix 1

The bowhunting worldSource: European Bowhunting Federation

This table reveals a picture o recent growth or bowhunting around the world. This

appendix is not intended as a comprehensive list, but details many o the countries

where bowhunting is now taking place. The notes give useul inormation on how

dierent countries have chosen to regulate bowhunting. The propsals put orward

in this booklet have precedent elsewhere and make or a workable, tried and tested

system t to govern bowhunting in Scotland.


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CROATIA LEGAL

Permitted at some private and enced grounds. It is

orbidden to hunt with any cold weapons and air

weapons or crossbows unless the law (2005) exempts it.

One hunting dog must be available per 3 bowhunters.

SERBIA LEGAL Permitted on enced estates (300-600ha).

SLOVENIA LEGAL Permitted at smaller enced-in grounds (30200 ha).

SWEDEN PENDING

1998 The Swedish Bowhunting Association was granted

a period to trial bowhunting and gauge the publicopinion. The hunts were only conducted in enced areas.

Certication was required. Period to June 2002 showed

a positive attitude and good results or the hunters who

mostly took allow deer and wild boar. The report was

submitted in 2004 to the Swedish Environmental Agency

or evaluation. In June 2008 The Swedish Bowhunter

Association led or a permit to hunt with bow and arrow.

Result pending.

SPAIN LEGAL1987 Legal or all game. International Bowhunter

Education Program certication required. Minimum 50

pound o pull and no barbed points.

TURKEY LEGAL Legal to hunt all game species with bow and arrow.

LAND(Alandic Islands)

LEGAL

2006 All game except moose can be harvested by bowand arrow. The hunter must have International Bowhunter

Education Programme certication or equivalent. An

Alandic Islands prociency test is required on a yearly

basis. The arrow must possess a minimum energy o 40

joule (29.5 t/lbs.), and must weigh at least 25 grams, the

hunting point must have at least two cutting edges with a

minimum diameter o 25 mm.

SOUTH AFRICA LEGAL

Legal or all game. Big 6 need a special permit.

Category 1: 25 t/lbs34 Joule (small game up to and

including blesbocks i.e. weights to 60kg, including nyala

emale but not the male, warthog or predators larger than

black backed jackal).

Category 2: 40 t/lbs-54 Joule (medium game including

kudu, warthog, bushpig, and all predators i.e. weights to

200kg except lion, leopard, crocodile gemsbok and sableantelope).

Category 3: 65t/lbs-88 Joule (larger game including

eland antelope, lion, leopard, crocodile, gemsbok and

sable antelope. i.e. weights to 800 kg not including

bualo).

Category 4: 87 t/lbs-109 Joule (bualo and Girae i.e.

weights 600-2000 kg).

Category 5: 105 t/lbs-142 Joule (elephant, black and

white rhinoceros and hippo i.e. weights over 1500 kg).

Categories 13 must have a points with at least 25mm

cutting width. Categories 45 must have a point with at

least 28mm cutting width and be two-bladed.

NAMIBIA LEGAL

All antelopes can be hunted with bow and arrow.

The guide must have a special permit to accompany

bowhunters. As in RSA, Namibia has chosen the arrowskinetic energy as a rule or the various sizes o game:

Small antelopes minimum: 25 t/lbs 33.9 Joules excluding

blesbock. Mid size antelopes minimum: 40 t/lbs 54.24

Joules excluding kudu and warthog. Large antelopes

minimum: 60 t/lbs 81.36 Joules excluding eland and

gemsbok.

BOTSWANA LEGAL

1995 Bowhunts allowed or plains game. Minimum 50

t/lbs/400grain, 68 Joule/26 grams or bushbuck, duiker,

reedbuck, red lechwe, impala, oribi, wildebeest, zebra,

tsessebe, kudu, sable, hartebeest and gemsbok.


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ZIMBABWE LEGAL

1989 Legalised. From 1999 according to Park and

Wildlie General Amendment Regulation no 3 bowhunting

is allowed on Alienated land i.e. private and ederal land

excluding the concessions bordering the Zambezi or

other areas were a concession is in eect. Category BD

including lion and leopard least pull is 25 kg or 55 lbs.

Larger antelope minimum pull 35 Kg or 77 lbs, min

arrow weight 40 grams. Girae and eland minimum pull

35 Kg or 77 lbs, min arrow weight 45 grams. Crocodile,

bualo, hippo and rhino cannot be hunted with bow andarrow.

BURKINA FASO LEGAL Permitted or all legal game.

CENTRAL AFRICANREPUBLIC

LEGAL Permitted or all legal game.

CAMEROON LEGAL Permitted or all legal game.

CHAD LEGAL Permitted or all legal game.

MOZAMBIQUE LEGAL Permitted or all legal game.

ETHIOPIA LEGAL 2003 Permitted or all legal game.

TANZANIA LEGAL 2005 Permitted or all legal game.

ZAMBIA LEGAL Permitted or all legal game.

UNITED STATES LEGAL

Permitted or all legal game in all states and provinces.

Most states stipulate a minimum draw weight or

minimum peak draw weight. This Varies rom 30 to

45 pounds or white-tailed deer. Some states require

minimum 50# bow pull or wapiti and moose. Most states

also have a minimum width o the two bladed broadhead

to be 7/8 (approximately 22 mm). A ew states have put

the limit at the cast o the arrow which has to exceed a

distance o 140 yards or more.

CANADA LEGAL Permitted or all legal game.

MEXICO LEGAL Permitted or all legal game.

SOUTH AMERICA LEGAL Most countries.

AUSTRALIA LEGAL Permitted or all legal game.

NEW ZEALAND LEGAL Permitted or all legal game.

RUSSIA LEGALPossible with special permit. Bow is considered a weapon

and may not be brought into Russia without a license.

MALAYSIA LEGAL Permitted or all legal game.

MONGOLIA LEGAL Permitted or all legal game.


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Appendix 2The Danish Bowhunting Trial 19992004Source: European Bowhunting Federation

This ve year study resulted in the recognition o bowhunting in Denmark as o

January 2005. This study is based on reports submitted by the bowhunters who shot

at roe deer.

In accordance with Danish bowhunting legislation all bowhunters were obliged to

submit a Game Report describing the number and species o game harvested during

the hunting season. The National Forest and Nature Agency sent questionnaires to

all bowhunters in February each year. It had to be submitted no later than 1 May the

same year.

In addition to the general game report, which applied to all species o game, each

bowhunter who harvested a roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) was required to ll in

a special report. These were compiled or use in uture evaluations o the bows

eciency as a tool or hunting roe deer. The return o these reports was ullled

to 99.4%. These reports were compared with the reports led by the keepers o

Danish tracking dogs who were required to be called out in cases o suspected deer

woundings and to le independent reports on their tracking results.

The rst mandatory bowhunting courses were held consisting o the theoretical

(written) and practical (shooting prociency) tests in the autumn o 1999, all in

accordance with the new legislation governing bowhunting.

Summary

In all, during the period 19992004, 576 arrows were released at roe deer. 561 othese shots were documented as hits. In total, 533 roe deer were harvested, which

orms the basis or the ollowing statistics. On eleven occasions, the arrows released

missed the deer completely with no evidence o impact. This assumption was

substantiated by the total lack o blood or body fuids on the recovered arrows. In

our cases was there no evidence o wounding nor was the arrow ound. In 28 cases

(4.99%) evidence o a hit was documented either by body fuids ound on the ground

or on the arrow. These hits were considered woundings. This rate compares well

with other means o harvesting roe deer in Europe.

Number of bowhunters that killed roe deer

Hunting periodTotal number of

bowhuntersNo. of bowhunters

that shot deerPercentage of totalno. of bowhunters

1999/2000 176 39 22.2%

2000/2001 250 70 28.0%

2001/2002 347 66 19.0%

2002/2003 398 73 18.3%

2003/2004 454 85 18.7%

About 20% o the hunters were successul. Still there is an increasing number o

hunters that choose the bow and arrow as their hunting tool. We speculate that the

same reasons that drive anglers toward shing with fy rods work with bowhunters.


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Number of shots at deer

Hunting period Deer killedArrows that

missedWounded

deer*Total

1999/2000 66 3 1 70

2000/2001 106 1 4 111

2001/2002 101 1 8 111

2002/2003 126 1 8 135

2003/2004 134 5 10 149

1999/2004 533 11 32 576

*In 28 cases there was evidence o a hit documented either by body fuids ound on the

ground or on the ound arrow. In our cases there was no evidence o wounding nor

was the arrow ound. These are included in the gure or wounded deer according to

the Danish National Forest and Nature Agencys policy. Eleven shots are documented

by the lack o blood or other body fuids either on the ground or the recovered arrow.

These are recorded as clean misses.

Deer wounding rates

Hunting periodDeer

shot atDeerkilled

MissesWounded

deerWounding

%

1999/2000 70 66 3 1 1.49%

2000/2001 111 106 1 4 3.64%

2001/2002 111 101 1 9 8.18%

2002/2003 135 126 1 8 5.97%

2003/2004 149 134 5 10 6.94%

1999/2004 576 533 11 32 (28)5.66%

(4.99%)

The ollow-up to this ve year study resulted in an increased minimum energy

requirement when the hunter chooses to hunt with a mechanical-expandable hunting

head or blunt. The new minimum or the arrows kinetic energy is 70 Joules.

Hunting method in relation to shots taken

Hunting period Still hunting Drive Ground blind Tree stand

1999/2000 24 22 14 10

2000/2001 31 19 29 32

2001/2002 41 20 17 33

2002/2003 47 18 31 39

2003/2004 59 17 28 45

1999/2004 202 96 119 159

Hunting method in relation to shots taken

Bow type Compound Recurve Long bow

No. of roe deer (576) 565 6 5

Only 2% o the hunters chose a traditional bow which is slightly lower than US

statistics. This might be a result o a very demanding prociency test that stipulates

ve o six arrows to hit within the vital area o game targets ranging rom roe deer to

pheasant in size at unknown distances up to 25 metres.


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Shooting distances in relation to shots taken

Distance (metres) 010m 1115m 1620m 2130m

No. of roe deer (576) 109 153 183 131

Most shots (77.2%) were taken at a distance o 20 meters or less. This correlates with

studies made in North America or bowhunters shooting white-tailed deer.

Angle of shot in relation to shots taken

Angle BroadsideQuartering

towardsQuartering

awayFrontal

No. of roe deer (576) 454 79 43 2

The majority o the shots (78.8%) were taken at broadside deer. Quite a ew were shot

at in a quartering toward situation (13.7%). This is a shot angle that most bowhunting

literature reer to as a low percentage shot and may be the reason or some o the

wounding. Very ew shots (7.5%) were taken in the quartering away position, this is

what international experts reer to as the most lethal shot with a hunting arrow.

Deer movement at moment of shot

Movement typeStanding

stillWalking Trotting Galloping

Movementat release

No. of roe deer (576) 491 79 1 0 5

Distance to recovery in metres from the place of impactto the place of immobility

Distance (metres) 0 025m 2550m 50100m 100m+

No. of roe deer(533)

87 199 180 50 17

In 87.4% o cases the deer was recovered within 50 metres, a gure that correlates

well with rife hunting.

Degree of arrow penetration

DegreeArrow passed

through completely

Full penetrationwith arrow

remaining in deerPartial penetration

No. of roe deer(555)

465 60 10

In 87.4% o the cases the arrow passed completely through the body cavity o

the deer. In 10.8% o the cases the broadhead passed through the deer with the

remainder o the arrow in the deer. In 1.8% o the cases the broadhead did not pass

entirely through the deer. The gures indicate strongly that the stipulated kinetic

energy o 40 joules is by a wide margin enough or shots at roe deer. The gures are

based on subsequently ound arrows that showed evidence o a pass through.

Organs penetrated by broadhead on roe deer taken

OrganHeart/lungs

Liver BellyNeck/spine

Hams

No. of shots (533) 456 30 8 37 2

In some instances the arrow impacted more than one o the above areas. In these

cases the hit has been designated to the most lethal category. Example: An arrowpenetrating both the liver and belly has been designated as a liver hit. 85.6% o the

cases was the intended target area hit.


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Wounding of bow-shot roe deer

A total o 576 arrows released at roe deer were reported. In eleven instances it is

assumed the arrow missed the animal. This was substantiated by the act that no

traces o blood or body fuids were ound on the recovered arrows. In our cases

no blood or the arrow were ound. These our are considered wounded deer by the

Agency. The data in this study is cross-checked with data rom the Danish Tracking

Dog team reports. In our cases a tracking dog was summoned with the ollowingresults: Two deer were ound 30 and 150 metres respectively rom the place o

arrow impact.

One deer was not ound by the dog, but was ound dead the ollowing day 130

metres rom the place o arrow impact. One deer was never ound. On one occasion,

a deer was wounded by an arrow impact high in the back. The animal was paralysed

and ell on the spot. It was subsequently dispatched with a knie. This deer was

included in the wounded deer numbers.

Conclusion

O 561 roe deer known to be hit, 28 were categorized as wounded, a total wounding

rate o 4.99% correlating well with other means o harvesting roe deer in Europe.

Anders Gejer and Richard Cadwalader

European Bowhunting Federation

Swedish Bowhunting Trial

As a result o this trial, which correlates closely with the Danish trial, bowhuntingwas legalised in Sweden in 2009. The ndings can be viewed at www.ubbc.ca/

resources/studies/archive/swedish_bowhunting_study.doc


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