How to Choose an Archery Bow

Co-authored by Clay Hayes

Last Updated: May 24, 2024

Archery is a broad activity, as you'd expect from something humans have been doing since before recorded history. Hunters, competitive target archers, and families shooting for fun all meet on the same range. The options may seem overwhelming, but remember that your first bow is an easy tool for you to practice on. It doesn't have to be a big investment, and there's no need to get your "dream bow" until you have more experience.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Choosing a Type of Bow

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1
Consider a compound bow. Compound bows use modern materials and a system of several strings and pulleys, making them the most powerful and accurate type of bow. The compact size of the bow makes it well suited to hunting. On the other hand, compound bows are complex to maintain and tend to be more expensive than other bows.
- As a beginner, choose a compound bow that has a wide weight range (resistance). This allows you to start at a low draw weight (the force required to pull back the bow) and still take powerful shots. As you become stronger, you can adjust the bow to higher draw weights to increase power.
2
Reflect on recurves. Recurve bows are a more traditional form of bow, with just one string and a piece of wood. They are called recurves because the unstrung bow bends away from holder. Stringing it pulls the limbs back into a normal bow shape, and this extra force increases the power of the bow. Recurves are common in shooting competitions, though they can be used to hunt small animals.
- Olympic shooters use recurve bows.
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3
Learn about longbows. If you picture Robin Hood, you probably imagine him shooting a longbow. These are classic, straight-limbed bows now used almost exclusively for target shooting. They are not as accurate as the other options, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun with them. Some target shooters consider it more exciting when a bullseye is a significant achievement.
- Flatbows have a similar shape, so much so that the two terms are often used interchangeably. The "American flatbow" design is one of the most popular.
- A large longbow can require a huge draw weight to fire, which is difficult for most beginners.

Part 2

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Picking a Specific Bow

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1
Ask an archery club for advice (optional). Just like other hobbyists, archers can talk for hours about the pros and cons of different bows. If you're planning to shoot at an archery range anyway, contact some archers in advance. They should be happy to help you find a beginner bow that matches what you're looking for, or at least tell you where to shop.
- Some archers may have a used bow to sell you for cheap.
2
Find a physical store. Nothing can replace picking up and testing a bow when deciding whether to buy it. Even experienced archers choose bows that "feel right," a quality you can't figure out online. It's worth the drive to an archery, sporting, or hunting supply store.
- If you can't find a local archery store, regional archery organizations often have online stores. This can be a good way to see reviews and other information as well.
3
Examine different materials. Plastic/fiberglass bows are cheaper, but break sooner and have a limit to how powerful they can be. Wood is more reliable, and metal is even better, but you'll be paying extra for that benefit. There's nothing wrong with getting a flimsier learning bow and moving up if you stick with the hobby.
- Recurve bows can be one solid piece, or "takedown" bows with detachable limbs. A plastic recurve bow with wooden limbs is a solid choice for a beginner. It's not too expensive, and you can upgrade the limbs slowly to increase draw weight.
- Skip this step if shopping for compound bows, which are almost exclusively metal.
4
Choose a draw weight. The draw weight is the amount of force it takes to fully pull back the bowstring, usually written on the side of beginner bows. The biggest mistake beginners make is picking a bow with too much draw weight. If it's a strain to pull back the bowstring once, think about repeating that fifty times. Here's a rough guide for beginner draw weights, assuming average strength for your age and sex:
- Adult men should try 22–28 pound recurve bows, or 40–50 pound compound bows
- Adult women should try 16–26 pound recurves, or 30–40 pound compounds.
- Teens aged 14–17 typically fire 12–16 pound recurves, or 14-22 pound compounds.
- Kids 8–13 can try 10–14 pound recurves, or 10–22 pound compounds.
- A 40 or 45 pound recurve bow is about the lightest usable for hunting, but will require practice to build up the strength to shoot accurately. This high poundage is not recommended when starting no matter how fit you are.
5
Try before you buy. If the shop has an archery target, ask to test out the bow for a few shots. You may not be able to test accuracy all that well as a beginner, but you can see how comfortable it feels. Does it feel too light or too heavy to handle easily? Can you comfortably grip it and hold it steady? Don't be afraid to listen to your gut even if you can't say exactly what's wrong. If you don't enjoy handling your bow, you won't stay in the hobby long.
- If you've never shot a bow before, ask the shop employee for guidance. Handling the bow with the wrong form could damage the bow.
6
Decide on the bells and whistles. You can add on all manner of sights, silencers, and stabilizers. Most dedicated archers choose to do this, but as a beginner you could save some money and leave that decision until later. Although not as common as other forms of archery, you can find "barebow" shooting competitions using recurve or longbows with no additions.
- If your bow is brand new, it probably needs an arrow rest and arrow plate installed.^{[1]
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- Traditional shooters shoot off their knuckles or off the shelf, in which case they place a patch of fur to protect the finish from scratching.
7
Pick out extra supplies. Naturally you'll need arrows, but that's not all. Get a bow stringer, and ask the shop employee to show you how to string your bow without risk of injuring yourself or the bow. Also pick up string wax, spare arrow fletchings, and a shooting glove/tab to protect your fingers.
- If you have a place to shoot at home, you'll need to buy a target or make your own.

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Question

What's the best recurve bow for target shooting?

Clay Hayes
Archery Expert
Clay Hayes is an Archery Expert based in Idaho. He owns and operates the website Twisted Stave, where he sells merchandise, offers tutorials, and blogs about his life as an outdoorsman. Clay and his family have built an online community of over 440 thousand archery and hunting enthusiasts with their YouTube channel. Clay has authored three books and produced hundreds of videos on wilderness skills, traditional archery, bow building, and bow hunting. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Conservation from the University of Florida and a Master’s degree in Wildlife Ecology from Mississippi State University.

Clay Hayes

Archery Expert

Expert Answer

Choose the best recurve bow for target shooting based on what suits you rather than getting too caught up in the specific model. Look for a bow that fits your draw length, meets your draw weight requirements, and is within your budget. There are decent-quality bows available online at a very affordable price, around $150 or so, that can serve well for getting started on the range, shooting arrows, and enjoying the experience. As you gain more knowledge and confidence in your shooting, you can consider upgrading. The market offers a range of options, from the initial $150 investment to custom-made traditional bows that may cost thousands of dollars.

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Question

What's a great bow to get started with?

Clay Hayes
Archery Expert
Clay Hayes is an Archery Expert based in Idaho. He owns and operates the website Twisted Stave, where he sells merchandise, offers tutorials, and blogs about his life as an outdoorsman. Clay and his family have built an online community of over 440 thousand archery and hunting enthusiasts with their YouTube channel. Clay has authored three books and produced hundreds of videos on wilderness skills, traditional archery, bow building, and bow hunting. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Conservation from the University of Florida and a Master’s degree in Wildlife Ecology from Mississippi State University.

Clay Hayes

Archery Expert

Expert Answer

One of the most common mistakes I observe is individuals beginning with a bow that possesses a draw weight exceeding their capability. For those venturing into archery, particularly men who are new to the sport, it's crucial to recognize that using a bow engages muscles that may not be regularly employed, particularly in the back. Developing these muscles takes time. Therefore, it is advisable to opt for a bow with a draw weight that allows for a comfortable draw and the ability to hold it at full draw comfortably as you initiate your archery journey.

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Can I learn archery if I wear glasses?

sebastian gomez

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Yes, of course you can. It doesn't matter if you normally wear glasses or not.

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A well-made bow will shoot better than a poorly made bow, regardless of type.

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Increasing your arm strength is vital if you want to move on to more powerful bows. Try weight-lifting, push-ups, and other arm exercises in addition to regular shooting.

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Warnings

Understand that bows are weapons. Never point an arrow at another person. Children should only fire bows under supervision.

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Never release with a badly nocked arrow, which can shoot the arrow sideways or in an unpredictable direction.

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Never release the string without an arrow in it ("dry firing), as this can damage the bow.

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