Bow Selection 101: Finding Your Perfect Match – Complete Beginner’s Guide
Finding the right bow can seem a little overwhelming with all the options on the market today. Many archers you meet are dedicated to one brand, but this does not necessarily mean it is the right one for you. In today’s archery world, the sky is the limit so to speak on customizable options. This comprehensive bow selection guide will help you determine a few things before going to your local archery shop and help you with some key elements in choosing the perfect bow.
Determining Your Eye Dominance and Draw Length
First things first. You will need to determine your “eye dominance“. If you are right eye dominant, you will be more accurate shooting right handed. If you are left eye dominant, you will ideally need to shoot left handed. Just because you have a dominant hand, doesn’t necessarily mean you need to shoot according to that, it is more related to eye-dominance.
Once eye dominance is established, the next thing you’ll need to know is your draw length. This is important in finding which bow “fits” your measurement. Some bows fit longer draw lengths which could be 30 inches, and some will be considered shorter draw lengths such as 25 inches.
Setting Your Archery Goals: Target vs Hunting vs 3D
Target Shooting Bows
If target shooting is your primary goal, you will want to be precise and have adjustability in the equipment you choose. Within this realm, not only is the bow important, but also the add-ons such as a sight or stabilizers to help with accuracy (which could be an article within itself).
Hunting Bows
If hunting is the main goal, you will want speed, power behind the arrow, and ease in carrying the bow in and out of the woods. These bows are typically made of lighter materials such as carbon, and are shorter and more compact that a “target bow”.
3D Archery Bows
If 3D archery is your interest, both of the bows mentioned above could be used in this setting and many archers overlap their hunting set up with 3D and target archery.
Types of Bows: Complete Comparison Guide
After determining your goals, choosing a bow type is important. Here are the main bow types explained:
Crossbow
This is a horizontal as opposed to vertical bow that uses a trigger to fire. These bows are great for anyone, especially if a shooter has limited mobility.
Compound Bow
These bows use a “pulley” system for higher speed/impact. They are used for hunting and target archery as well as 3D archery. Compound bows are the most popular choice for beginners and experienced archers alike.
Recurve Bow
Typically used for Olympic archers and also beginners. Can be used in 3D archery competitions too. These do not use a pulley system like the compound bow.
Longbow
Very traditional bow made of wood. Perfect for archers interested in traditional archery methods.
Getting Your Bow Professionally Set Up
Once all of these things are established, its time to go visit your local bow shop and have them “set up” a bow for you to try! The associate helping you will measure your draw length, discuss cost options, etc. Most bow shops will have an indoor range where you can safely demo bows of your choice.
When shooting a compound bow, you will need to use a “release” to fire the bow. There are different designs of releases as well. Usually a “trigger” release will be the “go to” initially.
Understanding Draw Weight for Beginners
Another important aspect is the draw weight of a bow. Regardless of the type of bow you choose, draw weight or “how hard a bow is to pull” depends specifically on the shooter. A draw weight can be adjusted to a lower weight initially, then as the shooter progresses, this weight can be increased over time.
It is very important that the draw weight is not set too heavy for the shooter as this can cause injury as well as inability for the shot to be accurate.
Choosing the Best Bow Brand for You
There are many options to choose from as far as a bow brand. A good suggestion is to try as many as possible before making a purchase. You must determine what feels best to you and find what works for you and aligns with your goals for performance and affordability. There are some fantastic bows out there just waiting for you to try them!
Key Takeaways for New Archers
- Determine your eye dominance before selecting bow handedness
- Measure your draw length for proper bow fit
- Establish your archery goals (target, hunting, or 3D)
- Try multiple bow types and brands before purchasing
- Start with appropriate draw weight to avoid injury
- Visit a professional bow shop for proper setup and fitting
Remember, the perfect bow is the one that fits your body measurements, aligns with your archery goals, and feels comfortable in your hands. Take your time with the selection process and don’t hesitate to ask questions at your local archery shop. NOTE: SLG2, Inc receives a small commission from products purchased from the Bass Pro Shopping Link
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