The story of bowhunting in Europe

By: Dave Thomas - TeamBHP

Our friends at ArcheryWire published a piece today about bowhunting in Europe.  The Archery Trade Association stands in full support of the European Bowhunting Federation and its tireless efforts to defend and restore bowhunting traditions across Europe.

 We thought it would be a good idea to look at the history

In Europe, archery for hunting has a long and varied history that spans from prehistoric times through periods of decline and resurgence, finally reaching its modern form as a regulated hunting method in several countries.

Prehistoric and ancient origins

Early Evidence: Archaeological discoveries suggest the presence of bow and arrow hunting in Europe as far back as approximately 54,000 years ago, based on evidence from sites like Grotte Mandrin in France. The oldest known evidence of bows comes from the Holmegaard swamp in Denmark, dating back roughly 8,000 years.

Widespread Use: The bow and arrow was a common hunting and warfare tool across Europe in ancient times. Stone wrist-guards, potentially used for archery, have been found in Bronze Age graves across Europe.

Advantages of the Bow: The bow and arrow offered advantages in hunting, allowing for safer hunting from a distance and increased success in obtaining food and resources.

Medieval prominence and decline

Medieval Warfare: The bow and arrow, particularly the English longbow, played a crucial role in medieval warfare, with notable victories at battles like Crécy and Agincourt.

Hunting and Culture: Archery wasn't solely a military tool; it was also integral to hunting and medieval society, with laws encouraging practice and a rich cultural tradition.

Rise of Firearms: The introduction of firearms in the 16th century gradually led to the decline of the bow and arrow in warfare, as guns were easier to learn and required less strength.

Modern resurgence and regulation

Recreational Archery: After its decline in warfare, archery found new life as a recreational activity and sport. Organizations like the Ancient Society of Kilwinning Archers in Scotland, formed in 1483, helped preserve and promote the practice.

Bowhunting Bans: In the 20th century, bowhunting faced bans in several European countries, such as the United Kingdom (1965), driven by concerns about animal welfare and poaching.

The Path to Re-legalization: In recent decades, there has been a resurgence in bowhunting in Europe, fueled by rigorous testing, scientific studies demonstrating its effectiveness and ethical standards, and lobbying by organizations like the European Bowhunting Federation (EBF).

Current Status: As of 2025, several European countries, including Denmark, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Hungary, Finland, and Bulgaria, permit bowhunting. Denmark legalized bowhunting for large deer in January 2024, and the Benelux countries (Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg) recently authorized its inclusion as a legal hunting tool in August 2025.

Regulations and Standards: Countries that permit bowhunting often have strict regulations regarding training, equipment, hunting seasons, and species-specific rules, emphasizing safety and ethical practice.

The history of European bowhunting demonstrates a long tradition of the practice, its decline with the advent of firearms, and a modern resurgence driven by a commitment to ethical and sustainable wildlife management.

The European legal experience with bowhunting

Decades of bans: Some European countries implemented bans on bowhunting decades ago, influenced by emotional arguments against the practice rather than scientific data. For example, the United Kingdom banned bowhunting in 1965.

The path to legalization: In the countries that have managed to re-legalize or expand bowhunting, the process has been lengthy and arduous.

France (1995): Bowhunting was re-authorized in France, having been banned since the mid-19th century. This was only possible after a rigorous process initiated by the French Federation of Bowhunters (FFCA).

Spain (1997): Bowhunting was regained in Spain in 1997.

Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg (2025): The Benelux countries recently took a major step towards allowing bowhunting by recognizing it as a legal hunting method. However, this measure only provides the legal framework for authorization; regional laws, training requirements, and equipment standards will still need to be established before implementation.

Strict regulations: The renewed acceptance of bowhunting is often accompanied by strict, evidence-based regulations. Benelux, for instance, has clarified permissible arrow types to ensure ethical practice, and France requires hunters to pass a special course focused on safety, rules, and ethics.

Archery Bowhunting in America: Archer at full draw from Treestand.

Lesson: The European experience serves as a clear warning: it is far easier to lose hunting rights than it is to regain them.

Strategies for successful advocacy

Focus on fact-based arguments: In contrast to the emotional claims often made by opponents, successful campaigns for re-legalization have relied on scientific evidence. A recent study by Denmark's Technical University, for instance, affirmed that skilled bowhunting can meet high animal welfare standards, while a Finnish study found bowhunting to be as effective as rifle hunting for deer.

Emphasize conservation: The American system of wildlife management, where hunters are the primary funders of conservation through license fees and equipment taxes, is a powerful argument. By highlighting bowhunting's role in wildlife conservation and habitat restoration, hunters can frame the activity as a public good.

Appeal to non-hunters: Bowhunting advocates who successfully regain or protect rights understand that they must appeal to the broader non-hunting public. Tactics like respectfully engaging with critics and emphasizing shared values, such as a connection to nature, can be effective.

Avoid inflammatory language: Advocates recognize that showing respect for wildlife and refraining from using aggressive or callous language is crucial, as anti-hunting groups can use such rhetoric against the entire community.

The importance of education and ethics Formalized training:

In countries where bowhunting has been re-established, the new acceptance is predicated on the professionalization of the practice. For instance, in Denmark, bowhunters must undergo a mandatory education course that includes both theoretical and shooting proficiency tests, with practical tests required every five years. France has similar requirements.

Ethical codes:

Organizations like the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation emphasize "fair chase" and adherence to wildlife regulations. By upholding a strong ethical code, bowhunters reassure the public that the activity is managed and conducted responsibly.

Lesson: To secure the future of bowhunting, American hunters must be vocal, emphasize their conservation contributions, engage non-hunters in a respectful manner, and maintain the highest standards of safety and

Lessons for North American bowhunters

The European Bowhunting Federation (EBF) has identified parallels between the arguments that led to European bans and those now being used in the United States. According to the article, American bowhunters must proactively counter these arguments and defend their hunting rights, rather than remaining silent.

Countering misinformation: Opponents of hunting often use misleading or emotionally charged claims, such as calling bowhunting "cruel," "unnecessary," or "unethical." Proponents can counter these claims by highlighting scientific research, like a 2023 Finnish study that showed bowhunting is as effective as rifle hunting for white-tailed deer.

Highlighting conservation contributions: In the U.S., hunters' license fees and excise taxes on equipment fund the majority of state fish and wildlife agency budgets. Bowhunters can emphasize their crucial financial contributions to wildlife conservation and habitat management, which benefits game and non-game species alike.

Promoting education and ethics: Bowhunting organizations can demonstrate responsibility by advocating for and participating in internationally recognized training programs, such as those overseen by the National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF). These programs ensure that bowhunters have the necessary skills and ethical grounding for a humane and responsible hunt.

Speaking up and acting early: The core message is that proactive engagement is essential. Once rights are lost, they are exceedingly difficult to recover. The European history serves as a "warning" of the consequences of inaction and an "inspiration" to engage responsibly in policy discussions.