Archery library
Every archery guide
All 48 guides on bow setup, arrows, form, crossbows, charts, and safety, newest first. Or jump to a topic:
Eye Dominance and Bow Handedness
A bow is named for the drawing hand, not the hand holding it. Check your sighting preference and compare safe, comfortable options before buying.
Read guideArrow Tuning: Bare-Shaft and Paper Tests
Compare bare-shaft impacts and paper tears without mixing recurve and compound corrections. Start with safe setup, repeatable groups and one change at a time.
Read guideYouth Bow Fitting: More Than an Age Chart
Choose a youth bow that fits now, with room for sensible adjustment. Use measured draw length, controlled draw weight and safe arrow fit—not birthdays.
Read guideCompound Bow Maintenance and Cleaning
Compound bow maintenance is mostly five minutes of looking and a stick of wax. Wax the string every two to three weeks of shooting and check the strands, cam…
Read guideHow to Choose Arrows for a Recurve Bow
To choose arrows for a recurve bow you need four numbers and one decision: your draw length, the bow's real draw weight at that draw length, the arrow's cut…
Read guideBest Archery Target and Backstop
The best archery target for most people is a bag target for field points, or a layered foam block if you need something lighter to carry.
Read guideBest Beginner Recurve Bow
The best beginner recurve bow is a 62 to 68 inch takedown recurve with 20 to 30 lb limbs that you can swap for heavier ones later.
Read guideCrossbow Bolt Weight and Length Chart
A crossbow bolt weight chart starts with one number: the minimum total bolt weight in your manual, usually 350 to 400 grains including the point. Most
Read guideCrossbow Cocking Devices: Rope Cocker vs Crank Explained
Crossbow cocking devices come in two main types: a rope cocker, which cuts the felt draw weight roughly in half and works on almost any crossbow, and
Read guideHow to Sight In a Crossbow Scope
To sight in a crossbow scope, bore-sight at 10 yards first, then zero the top reticle at 20 yards using three-shot groups and small windage and elevat
Read guideHow to String a Recurve Bow
To string a recurve bow, slide the larger string loop over the upper limb and down toward the riser, seat the smaller loop in the lower limb tip groov
Read guideIs It Legal to Shoot a Bow in Your Backyard?
In most rural and many suburban areas of the United States it is legal to shoot a bow in your backyard, as long as you are on private property and no
Read guideMinimum Draw Weight for Bow Hunting
Where a legal minimum draw weight for bow hunting exists, it mostly falls between 30 and 45 pounds for deer. The practical minimum is a little higher:
Read guideCompound Bow Size Chart
Compound fitting guide Compound bow fit starts with draw length and a draw weight you can control. Axle-to-axle … Read more
Read guideArchery Target Distance Chart
Beginner distance Quick answer: beginners should start close, often around 5-10 yards where the lane is safe and … Read more
Read guideBackyard Archery Safety
Backyard practice Quick answer: backyard archery is only worth doing if local rules allow it and you can … Read more
Read guideHow to Aim a Bow
Aiming basics Quick answer: aiming starts with a safe target, repeatable stance, relaxed grip, steady anchor, and a … Read more
Read guideBeginner Archery Guide
Beginner route Quick answer: start with safety, a manageable bow, matched arrows, a proper target and backstop, and … Read more
Read guideRecurve vs Longbow
Traditional bow comparison Quick answer: recurve bows have curved limb tips and are usually more compact and efficient … Read more
Read guideCompound vs Recurve Bow
Bow comparison Quick answer: recurve bows are simpler and usually easier to understand on day one, while compound … Read more
Read guideArchery Equipment List
Beginner checklist Quick answer: start with a safe bow setup, matched arrows, a proper target and backstop, and … Read more
Read guideRecurve Bow Size Chart
Recurve bow size is usually chosen from draw length, shooting style, and bow purpose. Target recurves are often … Read more
Read guideBow Draw Weight Chart
Beginners should start with a draw weight they can control smoothly, not the heaviest bow they can pull … Read more
Read guideWhy Do My Arrows Go Left or Right?
Arrows often go left or right because of grip torque, an inconsistent anchor point, poor release, wrong draw … Read more
Read guideArchery Anchor Point
An archery anchor point is the repeatable place where your drawing hand, string, or release settles at full … Read more
Read guideArchery Form Mistakes
Most beginner archery form mistakes come from gripping the bow too tightly, changing the anchor from shot to … Read more
Read guideArrow Spine Chart
An arrow spine chart tells you how stiff your arrow shaft should be for your draw weight, arrow length and point weight. Spine is static stiffness: …
Read guideHow to Measure Draw Length
Use wingspan for a starting number, then confirm the fit with the bow in your hands. Draw length … Read more
Read guideBow and Arrow for Self-Defense and Home Defense
A bow and arrow can be used for self-defense in the sense that it is a lethal weapon, but it is one of the worst defensive tools you could pick. It is
Read guideHow Far Will a Crossbow Shoot?
A modern crossbow bolt fired at the optimum angle will travel roughly 300 to 500 yards before it lands. The distance you can actually hit something is far sh…
Read guideHow Long Can You Leave a Crossbow Cocked?
Most crossbow makers say to decock at the end of the shooting day, not to leave it cocked overnight or in storage. A few hours cocked during an active
Read guideDry Firing a Compound Bow
Dry firing a compound bow means releasing the string with no arrow on it. The energy that should have pushed an arrow downrange instead slams back through th…
Read guideBest Wood for Bow Making
The best wood for bow making is Osage orange or yew if you can get a clean stave, and hickory if you are building your first bow. Black locust, ash, e
Read guideHow to Hold a Bow
Hold the bow with a relaxed bow hand, pressure through the thumb-pad area, and fingers that stay loose … Read more
Read guideHow to Unstring a Recurve Bow
To unstring a recurve bow, fit a bow stringer over both limb tips, step on the cord, lift the riser until the string goes slack, slide the top loop ou
Read guideHow to Level a Bow Sight
Leveling a bow sight means aligning the sight with the bow so the bubble level gives useful feedback. … Read more
Read guideCan a Bow and Arrow Kill You?
Yes, any hunting-weight bow or crossbow is lethal to a human at normal shooting ranges. A 40-pound recurve or a modern compound generates tens of foot
Read guideHow to Measure Bow Draw Weight
Measure bow draw weight with a bow scale, the right draw length, and a safe setup before you choose a bow.
Read guideHow Many Arrows Are in a Quiver?
A quiver holds anywhere from 3 to 36-plus arrows, and the number depends entirely on the quiver type. A bow-mounted hunting quiver usually carries 3 t
Read guideHow to Remove Fletching Glue From Carbon Arrows
Remove fletching glue from carbon arrows carefully. Use the lightest method that gets the job done, keep heat … Read more
Read guideHow to Determine Arrow Length
How to Determine Arrow Length A safe arrow length starts with draw length, then adds enough shaft for … Read more
Read guideHow to Measure a Recurve Bow String
Measure a recurve bow string by checking the bow’s AMO length, confirming the maker’s recommendation, and checking brace height after installation.
Read guideCan You Shoot a Bow Underwater?
A bow should not be shot underwater. Water slows an arrow almost immediately and creates safety and equipment risks.
Read guideHow to Measure Recurve Bow Length
Measure recurve bow length along the unstrung curve, compare it to AMO markings, and match it with your draw length.
Read guideHow to Change Nocks on Crossbow Bolts
Crossbow bolt nocks must match the bolt and crossbow. Check the manual before you replace one.
Read guideHow to Remove Arrow Inserts
Remove arrow inserts carefully and only after you know what adhesive was used. On carbon shafts, too much … Read more
Read guideHow Long Does It Take to Learn Archery?
Most beginners fire a safe, basic shot in their first one to three sessions. Consistent groups at 18 meters usually take two to six months of weekly p
Read guideHow to Store a Compound Bow
Store a compound bow uncocked, unloaded, clean, and dry. Keep it in a case or other protected spot … Read more
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