Archery 101: Follow Your Arrow
As a lady shooter, firearms may already be part of your lifestyle. Up until now, your world might have revolved around things that go bang. But there’s another side to the shooting sports that goes thwack—welcome to the wonderful world of archery!
What Is Archery?
When you hear “archery,” your mind might drift to Cupid with his bow, or maybe to wandering the American West in search of arrowheads. You’re not wrong—archery is one of humanity’s oldest pursuits. The earliest bows appeared thousands of years ago, and by the Middle Ages in Europe, the bow and arrow were crucial tools of both war and survival.
The term “archery” was even once referred to as toxophilus, a Greek word meaning “the love of the bow.” Fitting, right?
At its core, a bow is a simple machine: a curved shaft with flexible limbs that store energy when drawn. By pulling back the string, the archer builds tension. When released, the bow transfers that stored energy into the arrow, propelling it forward. While the technology has evolved dramatically, that simple principle remains the same today.
Types of Bows
Let’s take a look at the main categories of bows and how they’re used:
Longbow
The longbow was a staple of English armies in the 14th century, only falling out of favor once gunpowder arrived on the battlefield. Long, elegant, and hand-drawn, it shoots long feathered arrows with surprising power.
This leads us to an important feature: fletching. Ever wonder why arrows have feathers on the end opposite the tip? They provide balance, stability, and accuracy in flight—just like Lawn Jarts! Today, arrows may use real feathers or synthetic vanes, but both serve the same purpose.
Recurve Bow
With limbs that curve away from the archer when unstrung, the recurve stores more energy than a longbow. This design allows for greater speed and power in a shorter, more maneuverable bow. Recurves are often seen in Olympic competition and traditional target shooting.
Compound Bow
The modern marvel of archery, the compound bow uses pulleys and cables to store far more energy than traditional designs. Compounds allow the archer to hold heavy draw weights with less effort, providing speed, accuracy, and consistency. They’re popular for hunting and competitive shooting.
Crossbow
Mounted horizontally on a stock, the crossbow offers a firearm-like feel while delivering the archery experience. They’ve gained popularity among hunters who want to pursue game with a bow but may not have the physical ability—or time—to master a traditional or compound bow.
Parts of an Arrow
An arrow may look simple, but it has key components every archer should know:
Shaft – the long body of the arrow, often made from aluminum, carbon, or composites.
Nock – the small notched piece at the back that clips onto the bowstring.
Fletching – the feathers or synthetic vanes at the back for stability.
Field Tip – a practice point, dull and rounded, for target shooting.
Broadhead – a razor-sharp hunting tip, either fixed blade or mechanical, designed for ethical harvesting of game.
Getting Started in Archery
The best part about archery is that you can start anywhere. Maybe it’s shooting a longbow into a hay bale in your backyard, or heading to your local archery shop to try out a compound bow and join a league. Like the firearm world, archery offers pro shops, instructors, gear, and endless opportunities to grow.
Want to hunt with a bow? Try a 3D archery league (think sporting clays, but with foam animal targets)? Explore horseback archery (yes, it’s real!)? Or even bowfishing? Archery has something for everyone.
For the love of the bow, follow your arrow—and you just might discover your next great passion.
