by Jackson | Jul 7, 2014 | Archery Education
Be the next Katniss or Hawkeye! Pick whatever awesome character inspires you. Robin Hood, the animated movie, was what inspired me. Getting a fiberglass recurve bow was the other part. It was amazing and I loved it. Fast forward a few years and you’ll find that picking archery up again wasn’t so easy.
Getting the right information about archery, how to shoot, what kinds of things you can do, and where to go shoot are just a few of the many questions that I had when I was getting back into archery after college. I didn’t think it would be right to be telling you about all the right stuff without proving that I know the right stuff. I do know the right things, but since there’s so much junk out on the internet, I want you to know that I care.
Learn archery from me
Here are the two things that I’m doing that I think will really help you out.
I’m getting certified as an instructor
I’m a believer showing you care and not just saying you care. I know how to shoot and I feel like I shoot pretty good, but I don’t want to just tell you what gear is the best and where else you can go for information, I want to give you the information and getting certified as an archery coach will not only make sure that you’re getting the right information, but it will also help me shoot better too.
I’m creating an introduction to archery video course
This is something I really wish I had when I started. I didn’t have access to a coach and there’s a lot more to learn than you can pick up from a sales rep at a store, especially when his goal is to get you to buy a bow.
The video course will cover several different things and should be a great resource to help you shoot very accurately from the beginning.
What it covers:
- Parts of a bow
- choosing a bow
- proper shooting form
- instinctive shooting
- shooting with sights
- practice drill ideas
- lots of other tips such as finding locations to shoot, tips for people with no land, and how to find more local information.
Sorry for the absence for the past couple weeks. I’ve learned how to make videos so that I could put this together. It’s been worth it though. I really feel that you’ll be getting a great value by learning with this and that it really is the next best thing to having a one on one personal coach.
If you sign up for my newsletter, you’ll automatically get notified when it’s out and you’ll also get a discount that will be exclusively for those who read my newsletter.
Shoot Straight
by Jackson | Jun 24, 2014 | Archery Education
Are you interested in archery? Would you like to know what the difference is of a recurve bow vs a compound bow. It really is a good question and you know that you’re smart just by beginning in the right place to get information.
The purpose of this article is to help you figure out the differences between traditional archery and compound bows. I’m going to cover the pros and cons of each as well as some of the best uses and practices to go with them. The entire field of archery is pretty big and you’ll find bows and setups especially made for certain applications.
I want you to be able to know the difference of a recurve vs compound so that you can make the best decision for you. It’s important and you don’t want to waste your time or money pursuing down the wrong lane just because you don’t know.
We’ll start with the things that are the same, then the recurve bow, and follow with the compound bows.
Start by asking the right questions
The most important thing to consider when you want to know about differences in types of bows is what the purpose is. Don’t buy one or the other without knowing what you plan to do with it. Here are some good questions to answer so you pick the best bow for the application.
What do I want to shoot? – This is really important. If you want to shoot olympic archery,go bowfishing, or do historical reenactments. These all require something very different.
How much time do I have to practice? – You’ll need to practice either way. Shooting a traditional bow typically takes more time to reach the same accuracy if shot instinctively.
Am I trying to learn a skill or learn how to use a tool? Typically a skill is something that you plan to do repeatedly and quite often. A tool is something that you can set up and learn the basics and then come back and use it the same way after a long time away. If you’ll spend a long time away for whatever reason, most people prefer a compound that can be tuned and put in storage when needed.
How important are art and aesthetics? This is a very personal choice and quite subjective. It’s also the main place where people argue and decide on what they like best. I’ll keep this part short and let you make up your own mind.
Do I want to go to archery competitions? You normally will have to fit certain requirements for archery competitions with what you’re shooting. If there’s only one kind of competition around, then it’ll matter.
Similarities between a recurve and a compound
There are some things that are the same for both a compound bow and a traditional bow so let’s start there.
- Both types of bows have a strength good enough for hunting.
- Both types of bows MUST BE TUNED PROPERLY. Shooting a setup that isn’t tuned properly will give poor results no matter what you’re shooting.
- They only shoot good if you shoot good. No amount of technology makes up for poor performance.
- Both types of bows have versions where you can add accessories to help you shoot better. Examples: bow sights, stabilizers.
- Price is the same – You can spend just as much on a good recurve as you do on a good compound.
Recurve Bow Pros and Cons
Here’s a one piece wooden laminate recurve bow.
A recurve bow is a bow that has no mechanical leverage other than the design of it’s shape. Some of the main pros for this type of bow are.
Pros
- Variable draw length – You only need to draw this bow back as far as you want. The weight will increase the farther back you draw it. It is possible to overdraw a bow, but most of the time, this isn’t a problem.
- Variable draw weights – Takedown bows offer the ability to change the draw weight be exchanging the limbs of the bow. One piece designs do not offer the ability to change draw weights.
- One piece and breakdown designs available – Take down designs are extremely mobile and pack into a small space. One piece designs are very rugged and are minimal on maintenance.
- Artistic and elegant experience – Most people, myself included, agree that there is a mental and artistic experience that is better experienced through a traditional bow.
- Better suited for instinctive shooting – Through a better connection to the bow and type of experience, most instinctive shooters choose a traditional bow. This also means that knowing the distance to a target is not important.
Cons
- Effective distance – The effective distance for both accuracy and power are much shorter for most people with a traditional bow.
- Amount of time bow can be held at full draw – A recurve bow is only held at full draw for a few seconds, like 2-3 seconds. You hold the full weight of the bow at full draw.
- Needs more consistent practice – A traditional bow needs more practice to shoot to a high degree of accuracy.
Compound bows Pros and Cons
Here’s a Bowtech Admiral bow with a great sideview so you can see all the parts.
Pros
- Mechanical advantage for higher draw weight – A compound bow offers the ability to shoot an 80 pound (this is the symbol #) draw weight with about the same effort it would take to draw back a 50# traditional bow. That’s a rough guide, but that’s how it is for me.
- Faster arrow speed – An arrow from a compound bow typically flies in the ranges of 300 feet per second (FPS) and above. Traditional bows are around 140-160 FPS.
- Let off of bow weight at full draw – Following my example of a compound bow at 80# draw weight. The bow at full draw feels like holding a 35# bow.
- Extended amount of time at full draw – The reduced weight at full draw lets you hold the arrow ready to shoot for a much longer time. For me, it’s about 30 – 45 seconds normally.
Cons
- Less forgiving if out of tune – A compound bow is much more complex and with all that, it’s important to keep all the moving parts in tune otherwise the entire thing will have problems.
- Shoots lighter arrows – At short distances, less than 20 yards, this isn’t a problem. BUT, most compound shooters will venture out to at least 70 yards and lighter arrows are more easily affected by the elements and everything else, so you need better shooting conditions and a clear shooting lane for these types of shots.
- Requires more tools – The modular design of most compound bows means that you’re going to be using more tools and using many different parts. It’s also why if you choose a compound bow for starters, I’d completely recommend a Ready To Shoot package like the PSE Stinger
The last thing I want to mention is also really good to know.
It’s okay to get both. It’s okay to change your mind. It’s more important to get started than it is to sit around and talk about all the tiny little things that don’t matter at all until you actually have a bow.
To your skillful success.
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by Jackson | May 26, 2014 | Compound Bows
Getting kids into archery is a lot of fun and most adults learn a thing or two. This is a great beginner bow for young kids and will let them get started having fun right away. All you need to do is put things together and off you go.
To be clear, I’m talking about the Barnett Lil Banshee Jr. Compound Bow. This is a fun little bow that is well made and good for young children.
Barnett Outdoors Lil Banshee Jr. Compound Archery Set
– Here’s the link so you can check it out on Amazon.
Lil Banshee compound bow set
Bow specifications
- Draw weight – 18 lbs
- Draw length – 18″ – 22″
What’s included
- The bow
- 2 arrows
- Finger rollers
- Adjustable Pin Sight
Not included
Special notes
- Multiple color choices
- Right or Left hand use
So getting down to business. You want to get a good little bow for your child. At $28-30, you end up with a small compound that is very durable and probably the best choice for someone looking to get started. As a compound, it helps make the bow easier to pull back and you have an adjustable draw length so it works well for different size children.
Barnett Outdoors Lil Banshee Jr. Compound Archery Set
– Here’s the link so you can check it out on Amazon.
I believe that children aged 7-12 should be able to use this bow, but that depends on the child. You can take the handle and flip it upside down to make it work for the left hand. For the price, you really can’t get a better bow for starting your kid in archery and it’s better than spending a couple hundred bucks before finding out if they really like archery and want to keep doing it.
Tips to make things way better
Buy extra arrows when you get this. It’s the number one thing everyone ends up getting. You might as well save yourself some time and get them from the beginning. The Barnett Outdoors Junior Arrows (3 Pack)
are a good choice for this bow.
Try my printable targets to keep your kids excited and having more fun. You’ll make them want to go outside instead of playing on a cell phone. They can go hunting, do target practice, or go zombie hunting.
This Lil Banshee bow review is 100% my own opinion.
by Jackson | Feb 10, 2014 | Types of Bows
So you want to get into archery? That’s awesome and I support you. How about a bit of history and random info to make you want to shoot a bow just a little bit more. This is the quick and short version. Feel free to read the whole thing on Wikipedia.
According to legends, bows and arrows originated around sixteen thousand years ago. In fact, most experts in the field believe that humans have an inborn talent of archery. The oldest arrowheads were first found in the South African caves. Bow fragments were discovered in Germany dating from 8,000B.C. The second bow fragments were not far from there. They were found in Denmark and dated from 6,000 B.C. Over the years, archery equipment and styles have evolved. Archery is not just a sport or used for hunting, but offers many other benefits.
Archery for beginners
Benefits of Archery for Beginners
Bows and arrows have always been used for many purposes. The primary purpose has always been self-protection and hunting. In ancient times, bows and arrows were also used as currency. They were used as a medium of exchange. I’d have a hard time selling my bow.
According to archery history, man has been closely associated with archery for a very long time. In modern times, the scope of archery has expanded. People use it to serve many functions. Some people use it for hunting, while others consider archery to be a sport. In recent years, archery has been quite famous in international sporting events like Olympics. Movies and books have also helped to make archery even more popular.
With advancements in technology, archery has been changing steadily. Technology has been responsible for significantly improving the build, design and construction of bows and arrows. Crossbows are one good example of such weapons. The modern compound bow design has probably been the single biggest change in archery over its entire history.
Although archery has never been associated with a specific culture, there are some particular regions and geographical locations which have been famous for this activity. In archery history, English archers, West German archers, Chinese archers, and Brazilian archers have been quite famous.
Due to its popularity, archery has become a big industry in many parts of the world. There are many companies which manufacture and sell archery equipment in many different designs and sizes. Different kinds of materials are used to make bows stronger and arrows more lightweight. This is why it can get pretty complex looking at all the things available.
Some Basic Tips
There are many archers who use modern bows and arrows, and favor a strong shooting form. These bows and arrows come with mechanical attachments,releases, and more. These aids can help you have better form, shoot more accurately, and produce better results.
In order to achieve proper shooting form, and even increase the accuracy of your shots, it is always better to hold the bow at full or complete draw. While shooting the arrow, there should not be any sort of mental or physical glitches. If you’re just a beginner, you should consistently practice with a bow and arrow. A strong focus and doing the same thing for every shot should be more important than hitting the target at first.
My favorite tip is this. Take your cellphone and video yourself shooting your bow. It really helps when you can see what you like from a few different angles. If you drop your bow after the shot or aren’t pulling back correctly, then having a video can be super helpful.
A good training school or class can be very beneficial for beginners. These days, you can also find some online tutorials to help you learn archery or brush up your skills. There are hundreds of thousands of people worldwide who love archery. If you need help, then you can get it in pretty much any way possible.
Go have fun and get started.
by Jackson | Sep 1, 2013 | Choosing a bow
Unlike some of its predecessors a compound bow is a modern bow that uses a leveraging system to bend or pull the limbs with pulleys and cables. When compared to a longbow or a recurve bow the limbs are much stiffer. This stiffness is what enables the bow to shoot arrows quicker and with more power because of the energy that is stored in the limbs. If you have decided to pick from the variety of compound bows that are available there are some considerations to think about.
Just like most pieces of sports equipment these bows can vary widely in price. You can see a variety of bows ranging from anywhere of $50 upwards to $1,500. A new upper entry to mid-level quality bow typically runs between $350 to approximately $600. Higher and bows typically start around $600 and go up from there.
Choose the bow weight
The first consideration is the power of the bow. Bows actually convert energy they do not create power. You need to find a balance between the power and your ease of use. If you find a bow with a 30-inch draw it may not be the best choice for you. You will get more power and strength from a longer draw, but you could be sacrificing a significant level of comfort and control with each shot that you make.
If you force yourself to draw too far the muscles in your arms tire quickly and will cause your aim to shake. The best solution for this is to choose a bow that has adjustable draw-stops. These stops are rubber-coated blocks to provide a limiter for your draw. This keeps you from overestimating your draw as well as underestimating.
Adjust for your strength
The bow you choose needs to fit properly and adjust to your strength. You want to be able to maximize the amount of energy that transfers to your arrow. A heavy draw stores higher energy and results in a higher arrow velocity. However, you need to find a draw weight that is as high as possible but still allows you to be able to practice regularly. You need to be able to draw for hours of target practice.
Find the let off
The “let off” of the bow is also important. When you draw a standard bow you need to release the arrow quickly otherwise you will begin to shake. A compound bow allows you to hold your draw for a longer period of time. This is called “let off”. Many bows come with interchangeable cam modules that allow you to switch between different let offs. Typically, the higher the let off percentage is the longer you will be able to hold your bow and maximum draw length comfortably.
Check limb design
Limb design is also an important consideration. When you start looking at compound bows you will notice that they have both split and solid limbs. People that choose to use split limb bows claim that they have less shock and are more durable than the solid bows. People who choose solid limb bows claim that they offer better stiffness and are more accurate.
There seems to be no significant evidence to support either claim. It comes down to personal choice. A significant part of the design revolves around recoil. Some manufacturers have designed a higher limb angle and they are called a parallel limb bow. This type of bow may or may not be more accurate, however they are very popular.
Decide on brace height
Brace height is also an important consideration that is often overlooked by an inexperienced archer. This is the distance between the top of the handle grip to the bowstring. If you are a beginner and want to shoot a bow that has a high forgiveness factor then you should have a brace height of seven inches or greater. More advanced and experienced archers typically use a bow that has a brace height below seven inches because it is not very forgiving.
Overall size of the bow
If you will be using your bow for hunting you need to consider your axle to axel factor. If you hunt from a tree stand you would typically want a lower axle to axel bow that is usually 32 inches or less. If you typically hunt from the ground a higher axle to axel will probably work better for you. The smaller axle to axel works better for carrying, going under tree branches, and small spaces but it does have the drawback of not being accurate at long ranges.
These are just a few of the many considerations to think about when choosing a compound bow. Your best bet is to try as many manufacturers and bow designs as you can before making your final choice. Eventually you will find the bow that feels right for you.
