Traditional archery is an ancient art that dates back at least 3000 years. In many cultures around the world, bows have been an essential part of daily life and archery has evolved into a sport practiced today by hunters, target shooters and recreational archers alike.
Traditional archery bows come in several varieties. Popular examples include the recurve, longbow and horse bow.
Recurve Bows
The recurve bow is a popular traditional archery tool due to its ease of use and relatively light draw weight. These bows can be used for target shooting or hunting, but recreational archers will find them fun to shoot as well.
They feature a thin limb and are typically constructed from one piece of wood, giving them an almost recurve-like curve but with less hand shock than traditional longbows.
Beginning trad archers should start with these as they are easy to learn and will help you develop your form and consistency from shot to shot.
They require more force to draw and hold than a compound bow, but once you master the basic technique it becomes relatively effortless to shoot with them.
Recurve bows are often used in Olympic archery due to their shorter draw length and ability to break down for transporting into a carry bag. Recurve draw weights range from 20-40 pounds, making them perfect for beginning archers.
Traditional archery is practiced by cultures around the world, from Africa to Asia. It combines archery with horseback riding, which helps the archer hone their form before and after shooting an arrow.
Archery requires a lot of practice to develop and maintain good form, as it involves lots of bending and twisting. To stay stable during archery, keep your body upright and your head up; this will help you focus on form rather than worrying about where the arrow will land.
Some recurve bows come equipped with a bow release that lets the archer control when an arrow is released. This release can be set to either click off the arrow or snap it off completely – providing better accuracy and shot placement.
The English longbow is the most potent of all traditional archery bows, boasting incredible power and accuracy at distances far beyond what recurve or telescopic bows can reach. Used in battles such as Crecy and Agincourt, it remains an iconic symbol of England’s military legacy to this day.
Recurve bows offer a more classic design and are similar to archery bows of ancient times. Not only are these used in Olympic archery, but also other disciplines such as longbow shooting. Some recurve bows feature metal risers or shelves for the arrow rest while others come equipped with cushion plungers which softens the natural flex when shooting for more accurate shots.
