Compound bows are bows comprised of special limbs attached to a bow grip. The stiffness of the limbs makes the bow too difficult to draw by traditional means, requiring the assistance of a pulley system. When firing a compound bow, the farther back you can pull the bowstring, the more energy you will be able to impart to the arrow. As such, your arrows should be long enough to allow you to pull the string back as far as you comfortably can.
Step 1
Hold on to the bow's grip with one hand; the top of your index finger should be aligned with the top of the grip. Stand with your feet roughly shoulder-width apart. Position yourself such that the shoulder of the arm holding the bow is pointed toward an archery target or other safe shooting area.
Step 2
Fit the notched end of the extra-long arrow onto the bowstring. Position the front end of the arrow below the nocking point on the bow stave, or between the guides, if installed. Hook the first three fingers of your free hand over the bowstring; position your index finger above the arrow and the remaining two fingers below.
Step 3
Pull the bowstring straight back until you have reached your preferred draw length. Ask your assistant to approach the bow from the side. Have the assistant measure a distance one inch in front of where the arrow makes contact with the arrow rest on the bow and mark the distance. Tell your assistant to move away from the bow after performing the measurement.
Step 4
Bring the bowstring forward slowly until you are able to safely remove the arrow; alternatively, fire the arrow downrange toward a target or safe area, then retrieve it. Measure the distance from the marking on the arrow to the beginning of the notch on the rear end. This measurement is your correct arrow size.
Tips and Warnings
- If you are new to archery, you may wish to add an extra inch or two to your measurements. As you practice using the bow, you will be able to draw the bowstring farther back more comfortably. The longer your arrow is, the more likely it is to flex during flight. If you move from one size of arrow to a longer one, you may want to choose arrows made from a stiffer material to compensate. If you plan to cut your own arrow shafts, use a high-speed, abrasive-wheel saw or Dremel tool. Attempting to use a hand saw or similar tool may damage the arrow.
- Never allow your assistant to place any part of his body directly in front of the bow.
Things You'll Need
- Extra-long arrow
- Marker
- Measuring tape
- Pen
- Paper
- Assistant
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