Europe’s natural landscapes are among our greatest treasures. For many hunters, caring for these places means engaging with nature in thoughtful, sustainable ways. Modern bowhunting fits squarely within that ethic and has been practiced for decades in countries such as France, Hungary, and Denmark, recognized by authorities and the public as an effective, ethical method grounded in proven field experience.

Today’s bows are advanced and precise. Paired with purpose-built arrows, they deliver humane results with minimal disturbance to the environment and are widely regarded as among the safest hunting implements in shared outdoor spaces. Certified education and structured training produce ethical, competent hunters working under clear rules and experienced instruction.

Why the bow has a valid place in European wildlife management

• Efficient, safe, and quiet: The modern bow is a capable hunting tool: precise, highly controllable, and especially suitable where noise reduction and public safety are paramount (e.g., peri-urban areas and sensitive reserves).
• Proven in conservation settings: From French nature reserves like the Camargue to long-running programs in North America, bowhunters help manage local overabundance with minimal environmental disruption.
• Broad support from conservation bodies: National wildlife councils and major NGOs have endorsed or cooperated with bowhunting within regulated frameworks focused on animal welfare and habitat protection.
• On par with firearms when used responsibly: Europe’s hunting community, through FACE, regards bowhunting as an equivalent alternative with its own characteristics, effective and accurate when equipment and personal limits are respected.
• Aligned with EU conservation principles: The bow fits with sustainable-use goals and biodiversity commitments referenced in EU charters and directives.

Bowhunting also connects people to nature in a uniquely close way. It demands patience, proximity, and deep knowledge of animal behavior, much like fly-fishing, fostering respect for game and tradition. Beyond management and conservation, it helps families fill the freezer with wild berries, mushrooms, and the highest-quality game meat.

Modern bowhunting blends tradition, precision, and respect for nature: an ethical, effective method recognized across Europe.

Rooted in community and tradition, across Europe, a large and passionate social network of archers and hunters continues to practice, share, and celebrate their heritage. They engage not only in the act of hunting, but in preserving cultural and historical traditions, together in clubs, associations, and various vibrant communities that promote ethical hunting, respect for nature, and mutual learning.

The European Bowhunting Federation works to align regulations and training across Europe with successful frameworks already in place, ensuring consistency, safety, and enduring respect for wildlife and nature.

Adapted with the generous permission of the Norwegian Bowhunting Association; thank you for making this possible. Original film by Black Fly Eyes, used with permission, our sincere thanks.