Beginners' Guide: Getting Started in Archery

Archery is a sport and activity most people can pick up and get started in relatively quickly. The main issue most people face is they don't know where to begin with all the different terms, parts, and measurements in archery. This guide will cover some of the basics of archery, how to get started, and what to expect the first time you shoot a bow. 

Types of Bows

While there are many types of bows that all have different uses and performances there are two main categories we will be separating bows into on this blog, which are compound bows and recurve bows.

•  Compound bows are the most modern bow style and can be intimidating to beginners because they look complex. With their system of strings, pulleys, and mechanical devices, they allow archers to obtain faster speeds and in most cases, more accuracy at longer distances. The other advantage of compound bows is that most models and brands are highly adjustable, so you can grow with your bow in height and strength without purchasing a new bow. Faster speeds have made compound bow the choice of most archery hunters, which in turn means they are the most common bow to find at a sporting goods store. 
• Recurve Bows are the other most popular bow format for beginners. While there are many different types of recurve bows, we are referencing the basic recurve bow. Recurve bows are relatively simple designs, and their name comes from when you pull the string back the top and bottom parts of the bow (called limbs) curve towards you while the tips curve away. When released the limbs snap back to their natural position, and that power propels the arrow. Because of their simplicity recurves don't have as many complex moving parts which means they are cheaper to buy and more accessible for a lot of beginners. This simplicity is what makes recurve bows such a great bow for beginners and allows beginners to dial in the fundamentals without being overwhelmed by more advanced compound bows. Recurve bows are available for rent or use at almost every archery range. 

Where To Shoot A Bow

Ranges

There are several different types of archery ranges here in Northwest Arkansas that are great for archers of all skill levels to go shoot at. The first type of range is an outdoor archery range. In Northwest Arkansas, we have several outdoor archery ranges. Some have on-site staff while others you shoot alone. The Quiver Archery Range in Bentonville is one of Northwest Arkansas's outdoor ranges. The Quiver is also manned and has on-site staff at all hours they are open. This is great for beginners because they can get safety tips and make sure they are practicing in a safe environment. The Quiver does have an entrance fee but it includes a bow rental for the hour you are there and they will measure you and get you set up shooting the right sized and power level of bow. This is great for a beginner because it eliminates a lot of the technical side of archery and gets you out shooting and practicing the fundamentals.  

The next type of archery range you can find is an indoor range. These ranges can be set up similarly to Quiver and have staff and bows for rental or they can be unmanned and your safety and acquiring a bow is up to you. In Northwest Arkansas, we have a great indoor range at Outdoor America in Springdale. This indoor facility has a ton of targets and lanes where you can safely practice shooting a bow. There is no appointment needed and the range can be accessed for relatively cheap. The range here is more set up for archers that already have a bow, or are looking to purchase a bow. If you are looking to buy a bow then Outdoor America is great because they let you shoot and try out any bow before you purchase. Their staff can also help you with making sure you are buying the right size and set up of bow. 

Another type of range we have in Arkansas is unmanned outdoor ranges. These ranges have targets set up and no staff. So they are a great place to practice archery safely, but there will be no bow rentals or staff to help coach you. If you are interested in this type of setting then the J.B and Johnelle Hunt Ozark Highlands Nature Center has a free archery range.

What To Expect

When heading to an archery range or shop with staff you can expect a few basic things. The first is to get measured and sized. Depending on how long your arms are you will need a bow that matches that length. This is called draw length and is crucial to selecting the proper bow. The staff will also give you arrows that are the proper size and length for that bow. This step can be a great learning experience and you will find out about what type of bow you need if you were to purchase one. 

The next thing will be a safety brief. While every range has different rules, make sure you always pay attention. If you are at a range that does not have working staff then you will want to find a sign or look at the range's website for rules. The rules at ranges are there to keep you and others safe and it is imperative you follow them. 

Lastly, if it is a manned range then you will be briefed on the types of targets and their distances. Make sure you stick to closer ranges at first while you learn your bow and how to shoot. If it is an unmanned range then it is up to you to identify the targets and if the range is safe for you and others before you begin firing. 

How To Shoot A Bow

Since this is a beginner's guide we won't go too in-depth into how to shoot a bow but will cover some of the basics so you know what to expect the first time at a range. When at the range and in a safe environment these basic tricks will help you get started practicing archery. 

1. Stance: The first step will be to line up with your target and stand perpendicular. The foot that is furthest forward is dependent on what hand is your dominant hand. If you are right-hand dominant, you will stand with your left foot closest to the target. Make sure you stand upright and your feet are about shoulder-width apart. 

2. Holding Your Bow: If you are again right-hand dominant then you will hold the bow with your left hand. And draw back and aim with your right hand and eye. If you are left-hand dominant then you will just reverse.

3. Nocking Your Arrow: When it is safe to do so, aim your bow at the ground and then place the nock of the arrow on your bow string and make sure the shaft of the arrow is on the arrow rest or ledge.If your arrow has the standard 3 fletchings then you will want to make sure when you nock it the off-color fletching is pointed toward the top of the bow (fletchings will have two vanes one color and then one a different color)

Drawing Back: How you draw back will depend on your style of bow. For example, on a recurve bow you will draw back with your fingers, but on a compound, you will draw back using a mechanical device called a release. With your fingers or release on the drawstring lift the bow towards the target and begin pulling back. On a compound bow, you will have a noticeable stop to how far you can draw while on a recurve you will have to estimate based on how far back and how tight the string is. 

 

 

Anchoring: You should be pulling the string towards your face while drawing back. When you either feel the string stop pulling back or feel tight, you will want to do anchoring. This is where you have the hand that's holding the string resting against your jawline, ear, or chin. Anchoring is very important for archers because it makes it so you can replicate and shoot from the same draw length and power of the bow each time. This results in better accuracy and makes it easier for beginners to practice form. 

Aiming: You will now want to aim for the bullseye of your target. How you aim will be very dependent upon your bow. If it is a compound bow then you will most likely have a sight that has pins on it and you will aim the pin at the target. If you are using a recurve with no sights then you will use what's called instinctive shooting. This is where you point your bow at the target and while at full draw have the point of the arrow line up with what you are aiming at. While not the most accurate for beginners it gets you used to archery and the basics of shooting. 

Release the Arrow: When it is completely safe to do so, you can now fire the arrow. This is done by slowly hitting the trigger on a mechanical release. Or, if you are using your fingers, you release the arrow by relaxing your fingers slowly. This naturally removes jerking or torquing your bow to one side and makes the firing of the bow "surprise" you.

Follow Through: After firing the arrow you want to do what's called following through. This is where you keep your bow aimed at the target and hold it how it was when you fired until the arrow has hit the target and then you lower your bow. It prevents you from lowering your bow too early and torquing the arrow to hit lower than you were aiming. 

Ending Recommendations 

We highly recommend lessons if you want to learn more about archery and how to improve your shooting. Most of the ranges in Northwest Arkansas have lessons for archery and how to shoot your bow. While many times these are catered towards young adults, there are usually a couple nights a year for adults only and getting adults into the sport of archery. 

For a more comprehensive guide follow our blog closely. We will post a more advanced archery blog that will break down some common terminology, different types of target archery, and more advanced shooting instructions.