Archie's Archery Depot

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Archery Equipment – Getting Started in the Sport

By the time you finish reading this, you'll know archery more than before. Archery, often associated with its primary equipment, the bow and arrow, is the art, practice, or skill of thrusting arrows into the air for hunting and combat purposes. Today, however, archery serves as a recreational sport. Archery equipment like bows and arrows both played an important role in shaping history. Many assassins killed prominent leaders and kings using the art of archery. It is also one of the oldest forms of combat, along with the javelin and the dagger. An individual who practices archery is called an archer. Well, if you want to be an archer, of course you need a bow and some arrows. Getting these will prepare you for a sharpshooting experience. Read on for more accurate information about good archery equipment.

Entering the sport of archery is fun, yet costly. This is not an inexpensive sport. In fact, just few years more and it will be on par with golf. Finding the best archery equipment for starting out involves using the beginner ones. Time will pass and you'll no longer be an amateur archer, that's the time you can choose what bow is perfect for you, what bow string matches your strength, and what kind of arrow fits the two. Through personal experience, watching others and learning from others, you'll be able to select the perfect archery equipment that can enhance your arrow-propelling accuracy. If you're a blushing amateur, better to start off the small way.

For a starting archer, save up at least $500 for equipment. If you are planning to attend an archery training school, doubling that amount can be enough. Obviously, the first thing you need is a bow. In buying a bow, don't be too much excited that you want one that Olympic champions use. You must first consider your state and skill. If your precision is not yet enhanced, there's no need to buy a bow that costs a thousand. Consider the weight and length of the bow. Negligence on choosing the right bow for your stance will just bring you uneasiness and inability of pulling the bow string at the right angle. You'll eat up more time if you fail, so please pick the best carefully. Now if weeks have passed and you become adept at bow handling, you can upgrade the bow to the one with heavier and stronger draw. There are five types to choose from: long bow, recurve bow, composite bow, compound bow, and the traditional bow. Each of these suits a particular archer; hence try to choose again the one that perfectly fits your standing.

On the list of archery equipment, the arrows are the next most important. Choose arrows that perfectly match the draw length of your current bow. Arrows are equipment that come in a hundred kinds of sizes. For this reason, if your bow's draw length is long, of course it requires long arrows and vice versa. Target shooting arrows have blunt rubber, plastic, or metal arrowheads. In hunting, arrows have heads made of sharp metal, with usually two to four edged wings that meet in the middle to form a pointed, striking tip.

Before buying archery equipment, it is recommended to read some reviews first. You don't want to waste money for some sport you just started with. Remember that as this sport suggests, precision and accuracy in choosing the best equipment is necessary.

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What length archery bow string do i need to buy?

I have a wooden recurve bow. It says 60". Do i need to buy a 60" string or do i need a shorter length? Im new to archery and this bow was given to me.

The May 2000 AMO (Archery Manufacturers & Merchants Organization - now under the leadership of the Archery Trade Association) Standards states "AMO Bow Length Standard is designated to be three inches longer than AMO Bow String Master that braces bow at proper String or Brace Height. Bow String Master will carry only the bow length designation. Example: A Bow String Master designated as AMO 66” (bow length) will have an actual length under tension of 63”."

That means your bowstring should be approximately 3 inches shorter than the bow's AMO length (the AMO length of your bow is 60 inches - IF it says AMO 60" [or 60" AMO] on the bow). If it actually is 60" AMO, just take the bow to a good archery store and ask for a 60-inch AMO string. Note: I said "archery store", NOT "Cabela's", "Gander Mountain", "Bass Pro", or any of those other big-box "sporting goods" stores; places like Cabela's, et al, are NOT "archery stores", they just happen to have "archery departments". Go to the real archery pros at an archery store.

Once you have the string, adjust the brace height -- the folks at the archery store can help you with this. They live, breathe and eat ARCHERY -- not fishing, football or guns.

Actually, just take the bow to an archery store and have them look it over. As has been said, it should be checked over for cracks and such. Be safe -- even a small crack in the wrong place can mean a broken bow and a possible hospital stay.

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