First off, let us define what a bow sight is; a bow sight is a circular accessory that houses fiber optic pins that match a specific range.
The hunter places the pin on the desired target within the specific range and a precise and accurate range is made in no time at all.
A lot of hunters have mentioned that using bow sight to hunt a game is more ethical because they are able to make a precise, clean, and ethical killing where they could have had a suffering animal.
Sight on a compound bow is different in comparison to a rifle’s scope, the difference is centered around the rifle using magnification to improve the shot of the hunter, the bow sight enhances accuracy and precision to shoot the target within a set range.
A sight for a compound bow is a very significant part of hunting and it is also important that you select a shooting bow sight you are comfortable with; this could also impact the success of your shots. I will also mention few compound bow rangefinder sights in this article.
Related: Do you Need a Rangefinder for Bow Hunting
Different Types of Bow Sights
Bow sights are different and this variation is dependent on the type of shooting or hunting being done and the price also differs as well. The process of adjusting the pins on the sight is called sighting-in.
Let’s quickly take a look at the different types of bow sights.
- Fixed multi-pin sights: These types of sights have about 3-5 pins in a single fixed sight housing. A lot of new or amateur archers start their career with this type of sight- the fixed multi-pin sight. They are simple and easy to use and the archer can shoot from several different angles and positions without having to make a lot of adjustments.
- Adjustable multi-pin sights: These are the same as the fixed multi-pin sight, the only difference is that this has a moving sight body. It could also have one floating pin that moves around a fixed sight body.
- Single-pin sights: This type of sight body only has one fiber optic pin placed in the center of the sight body. Adjustments are made by moving the sight upwards or downwards to match the specific range you are trying to shoot within.
These pins vary in size, there are small pins and big pins. The smaller the pin the more accurate and precise your aiming and shot will be but the con is that small pins are often difficult to see especially in low light conditions.
Larger pins will cover more surface area on the target and it is easier to see. Some sight bodies are equipped with magnifying lenses and they are almost only used by professional archers who are target archers.
A rangefinder bow sight is a hunting or shooting accessory that provides the precise target distance and the specific point of aim. It also takes into consideration, the parabolic movement of arrows.
What States Are Rangefinder Bow Sight Legal
Now let’s get into the different states in the U.K and the U.S where bow sights are legal. When it comes to rules and regulations of bowhunting, different states have different regulations about bow hunting and this could also include hunting accessories like sights.
Some regulations restrict bow hunting in terms of the size of the arrow or the bow and a lot of these regulations are majorly concerned about ethical killings of animals. In this article I will mention the best rangefinder bow sights also.
However, generally, if bow hunting is legal in your state, then the chances of the rangefinder bow sights also being legal is very high because it promotes clean ethical killing.
States in the U.S where Bow Hunting is Legal
These are the best bow mounted rangefinder legal states in U.S
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana; with the exception of T18 & T20
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota; with the exception of T18 & T20
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
These were the rangefinder bow sight legal states in the U.S
Bowhunting in the U.K
Using a bow to hunt was banned in the U.K on the basis of animal cruelty, even though a lot of hunters came out to say that animals dying within seconds from hemorrhage caused by an arrow is better than dying from the shock of a gunshot, the law still stands. Bowhunting was banned in 1965, using the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Hunting with firearms, although not restricted, is heavily regulated. Hunters are only permitted to use specific types of firearms and the caliber.
The bow hunting prohibition is quite ironic because a lot of hunters have mentioned that the U.K is best suited for bow hunting but it does have its fair share of critics who believe that it is simply torturous to kill animals with a bow and arrow.