Many individuals today are trying their hand at traditional archery. They want to experience this sport just as their early ancestors did. While today’s bows are more advanced, they provide a similar experience. New archers and those with years of experience should give traditional archery a try. They just might fall in love.
The Basics
One reason a person might want to try traditional archery is that it is relatively inexpensive to get started. This sport is also very forgiving. A person can pick from among the many Bob Lee Bows, invest in arrows, pick a target, and begin practicing. Longbows and recurve bows are the most common.
Individuals often start with a longbow because they are easy to learn. A person can shoot accurately in very little time because the bowstring never makes contact with the bow’s limbs. Recurve bows hit the limbs as the arrow is released, so it takes more time to learn to shoot accurately. Recurve bows have more speed and power, but longbows are quieter and stealthier, so this should be considered when making a purchase.
Optional Accessories
A person might want to invest in accessories, but they don’t need to. Experts recommend purchasing a quiver to hold the arrows, and they are affordable. An arm guard is helpful to protect the arm as you are learning the sport. A bow string makes it easy to string and unstring the bow while reducing the risk of breaking the bow. Consider purchasing a glove or a leather pull-tab to protect the fingers during hours of practice.
Choosing a Bow
Start with a bow with a light draw weight, around 20 or 25 pounds, and focus on perfecting your form. The light weight of the bow makes it easy to practice for hours without tiring. Some people buy the heaviest bow they can lift only to find it challenging to master. Consider upgrading to Flemish strings as they are smoother, and the bow will be quieter when shot.
Taking Aim
Many techniques may be used when aiming a bow without a sight. New archers typically stick with instinctive and gap shooting. With instinctive shooting, you look straight ahead and let the arrow fly. Gap shooting involves using the tip of the arrow to judge a target’s distance. However, string walking is an option to consider as your skills advance.
Arrows
Wooden arrows are preferred in traditional archery, although some archers choose other types. The biggest problem with wooden arrows is a lack of consistency, unless you are willing to spend more for quality ones. Consider carbon and aluminum arrows when starting.
Spine refers to the flex of the arrow when it is shot. Lower spine numbers mean stronger arrows, so a 600 spine arrow offers more flexibility than a 400 spine version. The choice of spine depends on the bow’s draw weight and the user’s draw length. The weight of the field points is also a consideration. Talk with the bow provider to see which arrow they recommend for the selected bow.
This guide only provides a very general overview of traditional archery. However, it is a good starting point for people who are new to this activity. With practice and experience, you will increase your skill level and can upgrade the bow, arrows, and accessories. However, you can have fun with the basics and will enjoy learning this new activity.
