Archery 101

ANDREA BOGARD SAYS FOLLOW YOUR ARROW…

As a lady shooter, shooting is part of your lifestyle. Up until now, you may have confined your focus to things that go “bang.” There is also a big, beautiful expanse of things that go “thwack.” Welcome to the wonderful world of archery!

So, you followed your arrow here. What is archery? Whether your brain heads straight to Cupid or thoughts of combing the American West in search of arrowheads, you are on the right track. The first bows and arrows were invented in the Middle Ages in Europe. Archery was actually referred to as “toxophilus,” meaning “the love of the bow” in Greek.

What’s a bow? A bow, in its simplest form, is a stick or shaft with flexion in the limbs that store mechanical energy. This energy is provided by the shooter pulling or drawing a string that attaches to both limbs. Once the string is drawn back and the energy is residing in the limbs, the string is released propelling a projectile forward at an increased speed due to the energy storage process.

While bows have come a long way, technologically speaking, the principles have remained essentially the same. Today we’re doing to look at a few different categories of bows, what they are, what they’re used for and how to get started.

Long Bow

The long bow was the weapon of choice for English armies beginning in the 14th century. This changed dramatically following the advent of gun powder. It’s long, drawn by hand and shoots a long feathered arrow.

This brings up an interesting point, why feathers? Have you ever noticed that arrows have feathers on the end opposite the point? Have you ever played Lawn Jarts? If yes, then you have a fundamental grasp of why there are feathers on arrows. Balance, twist, stability and tracking. Today, we can use feathers or synthetic pieces that look like feathers. Both feathers and their synthetic counterparts are called “fletches.” If you are fletching your arrows, that means you are adding feathers or other material to the ends.

Long Bow

Recurve Bow

The recurve is a step up from the long bow, energetically speaking. The recurve has limbs that curve away from archer when the string is removed. It stores more energy and thus equates to more speed. The recurve was a good option when a long bow was cumbersome in length/size based on terrain or intended purpose.

Recurve Bow

Compound Bow

We have now arrived at the modern archery construct. Instead of a simple string tied to limbs, the compound bow uses a system of cables and pulleys to create and store exponentially greater amounts of energy when compared to the more primitive methods.

Compound Bow

Cross Bow

This is a bow constructed perpendicular to a traditional bow and affixed to a stock. These have gained immense popularity in recent years with people wanting the bow hunting experience, but are physically or skillfully unable to ethically hunt with any of the aforementioned methods. Additionally, they have gained momentum as a good alternative to a compound bow in hunting situations not conducive to a more traditional format.

Cross Bows

So, we’ve got the basic types covered. A moment ago we touched on arrows. An arrow has a few basic components you should be familiar with.

Shaft

This is the long skinny part. It can be made of aluminum, carbon or a combination of the two.

Shaft

Nock

This is the small, colored plastic piece on the end opposite the tip. It has a notch in it that clips on to the string to keep it attached.

Nock

Field Tip

This is a dull, blunter shaped tip screwed into the end of the shaft opposite the nock and is used for practice. You don’t hunt with these.

Field Tip

Broadhead

The broadhead is a sharp, multiblade head that screws into the end in place of the field tip. These can be fixed blade (the blades don’t move) or mechanical (the blades deploy upon impact with their intended target).

Broadheads

Now you know a little about the different types of bows and the basic process of archery. There is a lot more depth to be explored on the technical side, but for now, we’re going to look at some different ways you can engage in the amazing hobby that is archery.

You can start anywhere along the continuum listed above. Is it a long bow in the backyard shooting at a hay bale? Or, is it a journey to the local archery shop to get a compound and joint a shooting league? Archery, like other sports, has pro shops, instructors, leagues and goodies galore.

Do you want to hunt? Shoot in a 3-D league (think sporting clays, but with a bow!)? Learn horse-back mounted archery (yes, that’s a thing!)? Shoot paper targets? Bow fish? There are tons of options when it comes to the bow. So, for the “love of the bow,” follow your arrow and try something new!

Check back as we look at bows, accessories, gear, archery clubs and what to look for in a pro shop!

#followyourarrow