So you reckon bowhunting might be your thing. Good on ya. This page covers everything you need to get started — gear, clubs, practice, and how to get yourself from the range to the bush.
Bowhunting in Western Australia is one of the most hands-on ways to help landowners manage feral pests. Pigs, foxes, deer, rabbits — they’re all doing damage out there, and farmers are keen for the help. But before you head bush, you need the right gear, the right skills, and the right attitude. No shortcuts. No rushing it. You set the rules. We make sure they’re followed.
You don’t need to spend a fortune. A solid setup to start will run you around $800-1500 depending on whether you go compound or recurve. Here’s the basics:
Compound is the most popular choice for hunting in WA. Easier to hold at full draw, more forgiving for beginners. Brands like Hoyt, Mathews, and Bear are all solid. A secondhand compound in good nick is a great way to start — check the ABA classifieds or WA archery Facebook groups. Recurve is traditional, mate. Lighter, simpler, harder to master. If you’re drawn to trad archery, plenty of blokes and women in WA shoot recurve and instinctive.
Carbon arrows are the go. Get them cut to your draw length and spined to your bow weight — your local archery shop will sort this for you. For broadheads, fixed-blade is the reliable choice for beginners. Mechanicals work well on lighter game like foxes but fixed is more forgiving if your shot placement is slightly off. You need separate field points for practice.
If you’re shooting compound, you’ll want a release aid — a wrist strap or handheld trigger that clips to your D-loop. Way more consistent than fingers. You’ll also want an armguard, a quiver, and a decent rangefinder. The rangefinder matters more than people think — knowing your distance before the shot is half the battle.
You don’t need head-to-toe camo on day one. Neutral earthy colours will do. Good boots are non-negotiable — you’ll be walking rough country. A small daypack with water, a knife, first aid kit, and some flagging tape for blood tracking. Keep it simple and add gear as you learn what you actually need.
You need to be putting arrows into foam targets regularly before you even think about heading bush. Joining an ABA club is the best way to get range time and meet people who know what they’re doing.
There’s no exam. No formal qualification. But there is a sensible order to things if you want to do it right:
Get your ABA membership sorted. It’s about $90 a year and gives you public liability insurance — which landowners actually ask about. It also gives you access to 3D shoots and proficiency awards.
Foam animal targets at realistic distances in bushland settings. This is where you learn to judge distance, shoot from awkward positions, and handle the pressure of a shot that counts. Way more useful than flat-range shooting.
Before you take a shot at a living animal, you should be grouping consistently at hunting distances. For most WA hunting, that means 20-40 metres. If you can't hit a dinner plate at 30 metres every time, you're not ready.
Nothing replaces going out with someone who’s done it before. ABA clubs are full of experienced hunters — blokes and women who are happy to show you the ropes. Ask around. Most people are generous with their time if you’re keen and respectful. The Drawn Bush community can help connect you too.
Once you’re confident with your bow, read our Landowner Access Guide. It covers how to find properties, approach landowners, and build the kind of trust that keeps access open for everyone. Also check out our land access overview for the high-level process.
Anyone who’s keen. Seriously. We’ve got blokes in their fifties who’ve been shooting for decades and women who picked up a bow last year and are already out on properties. Young hunters, older hunters, couples who hunt together — the WA bowhunting community is welcoming if you come in with the right attitude. Check out our page on women in bowhunting if you want to see how the community is growing.
The only people who don’t belong are the ones who cut corners, take dodgy shots, or treat landowners’ property like their own personal playground. Read our ethics page — it’s the code we all follow.
Yes. Bowhunting is completely legal on private land in WA. No bow licence required. You just need written permission from the landowner. Declared pests like feral pigs, foxes, and feral deer can be taken year-round. Native animals are protected. Sorted.
The guide is free. The community is free. Just a bunch of WA bowhunters helping each other out. No gatekeeping, no fees.
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Yes, bowhunting is legal on private land in WA. No licence needed for the bow. Here’s the full rundown on what you can and can’t do.
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The Australian Bowhunters Association gives you public liability insurance, access to events, and credibility with landowners. Here’s what you need to know.
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The code every ethical bowhunter in WA should follow. Shot placement, property respect, and why doing it right matters for everyone.
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More women are picking up a bow in Western Australia. Stories, practical advice, and why the community is better for it.
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