Bow and Arrows

Bow and Arrows - The more things change, the more they stay the same. While the technology of archery bows and arrows has constantly improved, their essence has remained the same.

Whether you enjoy archery for target practice or hunting, having the right bow and arrows is critical. It can mean the difference between hitting the bullseye (gold) or a miserable miss.

With so many types and brands of bows on the market, it can be easy to miss the mark when searching for the right one. However, here are some tips to help guide you in the process of bow and arrows:

1. Determine the purpose of the bow

Think about whether you want a bow for either bow hunting or target shooting. Or, it’s possible that you may want it for both! Hunting bows tend to be shorter and have heavy “draw weights.”

Meanwhile, target shooting bows are usually longer and have lighter “draw weights.” The reason is that hunting requires power, though you might only make one or two shots in a single day. Meanwhile, when target shooting you’ll need to make several shots, and power isn’t particularly a priority, although you still want flat trajectory for accuracy.

If you want a bow that accommodates both activities, then there will have to be some give and take. Most compound bows have adjustable draw weights.

2. Look at a bow’s “draw length”

The draw length indicates how far you can pull the string backwards. When you have fully drawn the string, it should be roughly located about the side of your mouth.

If you want to have adjustable draw lengths, then look for compound bows that have that feature. With both longbows and recurve bows the draw length is easy adapted, within an inch or so, but it pays to get the correct draw length bow as it will perform better at the correct range.

3. Consider the various types of bows

Here are some of the main types:

• Compound: These bows are the most flexible type to use. While their pulleys make it more challenging to pull them back, once you’ve completely drawn them, they pull back easier. The compound bow is the fastest bow on the market and can be fitted with all types of accessories.

• Crossbow: A crossbow includes a bow that is mounted to a stock. While people still use them today for bow hunting and target shooting, they have historically been instrumental in European warfare.

• Longbow: This type of bow has a long length, than other bows that archers have historically used. The longbow is typically around 6 feet in length, hence the name.

• Recurve: If you’re a novice target shooter, then this is the bow for you. They’re significantly more affordable than most compound bows. The recurve bow's limbs, curve away from the archer and give the bow more power than the longbow.

4. The weight of the bow

Bows vary significantly in weight, so it’s crucial that you consider this factor. If you are bow hunting and walking long distances a light bow should be considered. A heavier bow will absorb more shock and can be stable when aiming.

5. Test a bow before buying it

This will give you a hands-on way of testing it. In particular, make sure to pull back the bow several times, to test it. But make sure you never dry fire the bow without and arrow as it can damage the bow.

6. Arrows

When selecting arrows, regardless if they are carbon arrows, aluminum or wooden arrows, make sure they are correctly spined for your bow. Both in draw length and bow poundage, as the incorrect spined arrow can be dangerous.


Regardless of why you want to buy a bow and arrows, it’s crucial that you choose the right one. These tips can help you hit the target when searching for a bow for hunting, target shooting—or both! Bow and arrows are great fun for serious adventure enthusiast, or just for family fun, either way do a little bit of research before you buy.