An Introduction To Archery Equipment

The long and rich tradition of archery has taught many craftsmen and engineers to design archery equipment to help improve every aspect of your game. Archery equipment range widely in quality, material and price. One of the reasons many beginners give up archery is the disillusionment and loss of enjoyment caused by incorrect or improper equipment set-up. It is important to know what you need and knowing some basics like choosing your arrow before you choose a bow.

Selecting Your Arrow

Selecting the right arrow is crucial in how much success and enjoyment get out of the game. There are many types of arrows available today to cater to all budgets and level of expertise. The cheaper ones are generally made of aluminum and are great for those who are just starting out. Aluminum arrows cost around $60 to $80 for a set of 8. The more advanced arrows are made of carbon or a mixture of carbon and aluminum. Carbon arrows have a much smaller diameter and are much lighter. A lighter arrow naturally travels faster and is capable of greater consistency over longer distances. Prices for carbon arrows can go up to over $400 for a set of 12.

After you have decided which type and brand you want to buy, you need to find out the arrow length you need. The length of the arrow is very important from a safety standpoint, as obviously you don’t want to pull the arrow till it drops past the arrow rest. Also, you don't want too much of the arrow protruding in front of the bow, as this will result in poor accuracy due to the additional weight in front. The arrow length can be easily measured by using an extra long arrow with marks written down the length of the shaft. This is an example of an arrow with the correct length.

Once you have ascertain the length of arrow that best suits your stance you must then find out what spine rating the arrow needs to be. The spine rating of the arrow is an indication of stiffness, which translates to how much power is needed to propel the arrow out of the bow in a straight line. An arrow with an incorrect spine will result in poor arrow flight and arrow drift.

Selecting Your Bow

There are many kinds of bows to choose from. You can take the traditional route and opt for a longbow, a recurve bow or a self bow. Your choice of bow should depend on whether you are using it for hunting or for competitions. The traditional bows are meant for traditional events and recurve bows are used for archery contests such as those in the Olympics. For hunting use the types can be more varied. You can choose the traditional or the modern variety of bows for hunting game animals.

Archery Accessories

There are archery equipment accessories available that's designed to help you improve your game. Stabilizers, for example, will help you improve your aim by minimizing turbulence and improving balance. An arm rest also helps to provide stability and balance.

You will also need a good arrow rest. This will help improve your arrow flight and overcome any minor inconsistencies with your archery shooting. A quiver will give you a place where you can keep your arrows prior to drawing. Gloves and armguards will protect your hands and arms from the pressure of drawing of the string. If you are into the great outdoors hunting game, a silencer will ensure that your prey won't hear you setting up for the kill.

The range and variety of archery equipment and accessories available nowadays bears testimony to the rich tradition of this sport that is enjoyed by many. You too can improve and thereby enjoy the game better if you choose the right archery equipment.

If you are looking for the latest archery equipment, or your very first bow and arrow, Merlin Archery has a wide range to choose from.

Our thanks to Klaus Peterson for this informative article on Archery Equipment.