Olympic archers or those just beginning their archery journey should make sure they have all of the appropriate equipment. This includes bows and arrows, target practice equipment, shooting targets and various accessories.
Bow Sights
Archers use various bow sights to help them aim the arrow at its target. Some sights are designed specifically for recurve bows, while others are more versatile and suitable for compound bows. Which sight you choose depends on the type of archery you shoot and how much accuracy you wish to improve.
Bow sights come in a variety of materials, such as wood, fiberglass and plastic. Additionally, they’re adjustable so you can alter their angle to accommodate different shooting styles.
Stabilizers
Bow stabilizers are an essential piece of archery equipment, especially for compound bows. They help stabilize the arrow during shot and allow archers to draw the bow faster with less effort. Furthermore, bow stabilizers reduce vibrations in the bowstring which increases forgiveness.
Stabilizers are typically constructed from lightweight carbon or aluminum and feature weighted ends to increase moment of inertia during shooting. Some bow stabilizers also include an arm guard to protect the archer from accidentally striking themselves with their arrow.
Archery Arrows
Arrows are an essential piece of archery equipment, and come in various shapes and sizes to suit the type of shooting you do. Recurve archers typically use traditional wooden arrows while compound shooters prefer lighter-weight carbon or aluminum arrows.
The most critical characteristic of an arrow is its straight trajectory and accuracy in sighting. To check this, observe your arrows’ flight over time or visually inspect both points and shafts with each one.
Arrows are commonly colored to help them stand out in the target and can be fletched with real feathers, rubber or plastic vanes. Some archers write their name on the arrow shafts so that their shots can be identified when returned to their quiver after each shot.
Archery arrows can be pricey, but you can get a decent set for under $20 if you shop around. Allen Company offers some excellent carbon arrows at an excellent price point.
Before purchasing arrows, it’s wise to test them out first. This way, you can see how well they hold up over time and ensure you’re comfortable with them. If in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask an archer or your local archery store for advice.
Sights
A bow sight is an essential piece of archery equipment and should be owned by any Olympic or world-class archer. Make sure your sight aligns with your dominant eye for optimal accuracy and comfort when shooting.
