Archery and Bowhunting: Frequently Asked Questions

13. How do I select the right equipment for me?

Select beginning equipment that will help train you and lean on your local archery retailer to point you in the right direction. This means using a properly sized bow that pulls at a light poundage, and arrows that are long enough so as not to pull past the arrow rest when you are at full draw.

A training bow might be a lightweight recurve or properly-sized compound bow that's adjusted for your size and strength. Once you've learned to shoot from a qualified instructor, visit your local retailer or archery club and see what types of archery opportunities are available in your community. Your first purchased bow might reflect the local trends, or it might reflect your own interest in the sport. Always keep in mind that a bow must be sized to your own body, and that you must be able to pull it back repeatedly. It's tempting to purchase a bow that's high on the draw weight scale, but difficult for a new archer to pull back. Often, recurve bow companies sell bow handles (risers) and limbs separately. By purchasing lightweight training limbs to start with, you can graduate to stronger limbs without having to buy a whole new bow. With compounds, many have adjustable limbs to lessen the draw weight at first until you become accustomed to shooting.

Arrows must also be properly sized for you. Most arrows come from the factory rather long, so your local retailer can trim them to your particular draw length. Arrows also come in different stiffness, called "spine," for different draw weights and styles of bows. Your local retailer can help you select the right combination for your needs.

Back to Frequently Asked Questions