When bow hunting – when is the best time to actually take the shot at the animal coming to the watering hole?
Usually there will be more than one animal of the same species coming to the watering hole. It is best to wait until most of them arrive at the water and start drinking. This allows them all to calm down a bit because they are nervous and jittery at first when they come in. Plus this will allow you to look them over a bit and choose the one you want to shoot. In addition, this allows you to calm down yourself a bit and mentally and physically prepare yourself for the shot. The absolute best time to release an arrow is when the animal you want to shoot is within your comfortable shooting range, has his head down actually drinking, and standing perfectly broadside. This is not to say that you have all day to make your shot. Several factors are involved as to how long an animal will stay drinking and every animal is different. In most cases you will have a good 30 seconds or so to choose your animal, wait for the broadside shot and release your arrow.
