For thousands of years, people used the bow and arrow for hunting and survival purposes. But as technology advanced, archery became less used for food and protection and more used for sports and games. The equipment utilized in archery has also become more advanced, allowing you to use different types of bows and safety equipment, as well as pulleys, sights and silencers to create more powerful, quiet shots.
Bows
The simplest bows are the longbow, the traditional bow you think of when you imagine Robin Hood, and the recurve bow, a bow very similar to the longbow but with its ends recurved--hence the name--forward; these bows are often made of yew. The compound bow is a more high-tech version of the traditional longbow; unlike the traditional longbow, the compound bow is not made of wood and features cam wheels, or pulleys, that help you achieve stronger pressure when shooting.
Arrows
Next to the bow, arrows are the most fundamental supply for archery. There are four main parts to the arrow. First is the nock, located at the rear tip of the arrow; this is the notched segment that you align into your bowstring. Next is the fletching, which provides stability to the arrow as it flies through the air. The fletching is traditionally made of three feathers, though recently, arrow makers have also used vinyl and rubber. The shaft is the main body of the arrow, which is most often made from wood, carbon, or aluminum. The last part of the arrow is the arrowhead.
Arrowheads
You can use two different types of arrowhead, depending on the type of shooting you are doing. The first is a field point, a small, basic tip designed for target shooting. Because they are used for target shooting, the tip is often just a bit blunt, and the arrowhead features no extra blades. Broadheads, on the other hand, are arrowheads with extremely sharp tips and extra blades on the sides. These are the arrowheads designed for hunting big game.
Accessories
The quiver is the most common accessory for archery; regardless of your shooting, you need a place to keep your arrows. Sights have become common accessories for hunters, as they allow a more focused and precise way to lock on to your target. If you plan to hunt, you also have the option to use a silencer, which attaches to the bowstring and eliminates the noise that results when the bowstring vibrates, as well as a stabilizer, a weight that attaches to the bow and helps give the bow extra balance in your hands.
Safety Equipment
The basic safety equipment for archery includes arm guards, finger tabs, and gloves; these pieces protect your arms and hands as you shoot. If you are hunting, you will need a broadhead wrench to attach broadheads to the shafts of your arrows; the broadhead wrench prevents you from slicing your fingers. If you are using a recurve bow, you will need a bowstringer to properly attach a fresh string when needed.
References
- "The Bow Builder's Book: European Bow Building from the Stone Age to Today;" Flemming Alrune, Wulf Hein, Jürgen Junkmanns, Boris Pantel, Holger Reisch, Achim Stegmeyer, Ulli Stehl, Konrad Vögele, and Jorge Zschieschang; Schiffer Publishing, Ltd; 2007
- Ohio Department of Natural Resources: Chapter 5: Archery and Bowhunting
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