If your newfound passion involves a bow and some arrows, kudos to you for choosing a great hobby that will challenge and entertain you for many years to come. While archery was once exclusively practiced by trained Olympic athletes and medieval re-enactors, it seems to be gaining ground in the worlds of recreational hobbies and sports nowadays.
Maybe it’s the influence of popular books like The Hunger Games or movies like Brave, whatever it is, there’s no denying that archery is a fun and unusual activity to engage in. However, since it’s not exactly a part of the mainstream culture, yet, it can be hard knowing where to start.
For that reason, we’ve created a brief guide that will walk you through everything you need to know before getting into archery, so let’s dive right in!
Which Bow to Start With
The vast majority of beginners will find themselves choosing between a longbow or a recurve bow; these are the two most prominent types of bows in the world of archery today. Both types are relatively basic, but there are variations you should be aware of when deciding which one you want to start with. For instance, longbows are straighter and when strung, they form a graceful D-shaped bend.
On the other hand, recurve bows curve forward so that when they’re strung, the string actually touches the limbs. This additional curve adds a spring-like quality to the bow, giving it more power and allowing the archer to shoot arrows at a higher speed than that of their recurved counterparts. However, the lifelong archery enthusiasts at Uber Bows recommend recurve bows for beginners as they’re less expensive and easier to handle. More importantly, they have a superior level of portability, and they also come in two types: single piece and takedown. The latter allows you to detach the limbs, making it even easier to transport and offering you greater versatility.
How to Determine the Best Bow Fit
Bows fit differently for archers of varying body types. Choosing a bow that adequately fits your frame is crucial for accurate shooting and great control. There are different ways to determine a person’s ideal bow fit, the most common being the draw length method. Draw length is the distance to which you can comfortably pull the bowstring back for the perfect shot. As a general rule, shorter archers have a short draw length, and taller archers have a longer draw length.
To determine the best fit using this approach, you can either go to an archery store and have a bow tech take your measurements with a draw length indicator shaft, or you can simply measure your height in inches and divide it by 2.5. If you’re 6 feet tall, for instance, this means that you’re 72 inches tall. Divide that by 2.5 and you get 28.8, round that up to 29 inches and that’s it. You should select a bow with a 29-inch draw length.
Other Equipment You Need
Now that you have your bow, you need to gather the remaining items before you get out there and start shooting. First off you’ll need arrows. Now, these mostly come in three different materials: aluminum, carbon, and wood. Each has specific qualities and uses, but generally, aluminum arrows with feather for fletchings are recommended for beginners using recurve bows because feather fletchings compress when the arrow shoots over the arrow rest while their polymer counterparts, on the other hand, run a risk of getting torn or ripped off.
You will also need a bowstring. The length of your bowstring will depend on your bow’s length. Typically, the string of a recurve bow is 4 inches shorter than the total length of the bow. It’s always wise to have at least one extra string on hand because bowstrings usually require regular maintenance and replacement.
Finally, you can’t forget about your protective gear. Getting hit with a bowstring is quite painful, which is why you need a thick armguard that provides a lot of coverage to protect you from the brutal slap of the string. You might also want to consider archery gloves to protect your fingertips from blisters.
So there you have it! The above points cover pretty much every important thing you need to know before getting into archery. Keep in mind that, as with everything else in life, it takes time and dedication to be good at archery. You can’t just expect to pick up a bow and arrow and suddenly become Robin Hood! Have a little patience and keep working on improving your skills. Most importantly, always remember that while archery is all about precision, focus, and muscle control, it’s also about having fun. So, don’t forget to enjoy yourself in the process. Now ready your bow, aim your arrow, and fire!