Picking the Right Bow for You

By Craig M. Gillock

One of the most frequently asked questions I hear or read is, �What kind of bow should I shoot?� The fact of the matter is the only person who can answer that question is the one asking it. Everyone likes different things and expects different things from their bow. I might pick up a bow and love it while the next person who walks through the door could hate it. To help with the answer to this question I have come up with three very general steps to follow when buying a new bow.

Step 1: Research

Research what bows are on the market and see what catches your eye. With all the different bows being offered in today�s market picking the one you like is no easy task. However, there are more tools available today to help you than ever before. The best tool archers have in shopping for a new bow is the Internet. In only a few seconds you can log onto the website of any manufacturer and view and compare all the models they have to offer.

You can also take advantage of websites such as archerytalk.com where you can post questions and have them answered by other archers. This is a tremendous source of information because it allows you to speak with others who have already purchased the bow or bows in which you are interested.

Step 2: Shopping Around

Once you�ve narrowed down your list of possibilities go try them out. This is probably the most important step in buying a new bow. Just because you see an ad on television or in a magazine doesn�t mean that�s the right bow for you. There are a number of factors in how well the bow fits you and the only way to find out for sure is through personal experience.

When shooting a bow a few of the things to consider are: price, feel of the draw cycle, hand shock, noise and vibration, speed, and looks. Unfortunately, price is usually the biggest factor we all need to look at. It would be fantastic to be able to walk into a pro shop and pick out what we want without looking at the price tag, but that�s not an option for most of us. With this in mind give some thought to bows that are available as part of a package or are from the secondary line of the major manufacturers. Almost all of the industry�s bigger names make a different line under a different name. Many times these lines are much less expensive but still utilize a lot of the newest and best technology available. Either way you could end up with a really good bow at a bargain price.

The second factor I always look at in a bow is its draw cycle. The draw cycle refers to the action of moving the string from being at rest to full draw. Is it smooth, harsh, stiff? How is the rollover in the cams? Is it a smooth, even transition or is it rough and jarring. Draw cycle is often overlooked but it can make a big difference in how well and how often you shoot your bow.

Hand shock is another factor that, much like draw cycle, is often not considered when purchasing a new bow. But it also plays an important role in how well a bow performs. The steadier a bow remains in your hand at the time of the release the less likely you are to push or pull a shot.

Noise and vibration are two factors that actually do get some attention. The less noise a bow produces, the less likely an animal is to duck your shot. And once again you�ll enjoy shooting more if the bow isn�t vibrating your arm off every time you release an arrow.

The one factor that has gotten more attention over the past few years than any of the others is speed. Speed has become the characteristic by which bows are now measured. It is the feature behind most ad campaigns and the first thing most buyers ask about. It is the inspiration for much of today�s innovation.

I�m not going to sit here and say that speed isn�t important but I am going to say that I believe it has become overrated. When it comes to hunting kinetic energy is what kills, not speed. I always explain it like this. Imagine what would hurt you more, getting hit with a baseball at 100mph or a bowling ball at 50mph. Now use the same hypothetical but change it to a lighter, faster moving arrow and a heavier, slower moving arrow.

The last factor to consider is not as important as the others but it does have a role to play. The way a bow looks may seem trivial when compared to how well it performs but liking the way your bow looks can be just as influential in how often you shoot it as anything else. Bows are a lot like cars, we�ll drive the old beaters when we have to but we all prefer the shiny new convertible.

Again, the important thing to remember here is try as many of your choices as possible. Any pro shop should be happy to let you take them for a test drive. If they won�t my advice is move onto another one that will. This leads me to Step Three.

Step 3: Making Your Purchase

Whenever possible I believe it is best to purchase your equipment from an archery pro shop rather than a chain store or the Internet. For the most part you will find a more knowledgeable and friendlier staff at a pro shop. Their expertise is very beneficial when it comes to properly setting up and tuning your bow.

I don�t advocate buying on the Internet because you never know what you�re going to get. You might find what you�re looking for and think it�s a good deal, but if it arrives and needs repair more than likely you would have been better off going to the pro shop in the first place.

I know this seems like a lot of work, it is. But buying a new bow is a considerable investment, one you�re likely committed to for the next few years. Taking the time now to ensure you�ve made the right decision could mean the difference between years of enjoying your bow or having it hang there collecting dust.