A Beginnier's Guide to Archery Equipment

A great way to extend the hunting season is to start bow hunting. Many rifle and muzzleloader hunters can add a month or more to the hunting season. Some are afraid to make the leap into bow hunting because they are intimidated by trying to figure out what kind of equipment to buy. In reality, getting basic equipment to start into bow hunting is not as difficult as it might seem at first. In this article, we'll examine the equipment that you will need to get into the sport of bow hunting.

The first thing you will have to get is the bow itself. This is probably the most difficult decision, as there are several choices. You must decide on the type of bow that you want. There are a few styles to choose from. Most choose modern technology and go with a compound bow. For more traditional equipment, you can go with a long bow, or a recurve bow. If you choose to go the traditional route, you can hunt without any additional equipment on the bow. This is known as "instinctive shooting" and is similar to the point and shoot method of shooting a shotgun. This can save some money in the end, but can be very difficult. Not everyone is cut out for shooting instinctively, and will need more equipment to be accurate enough to hunt effectively. There is also a big range in prices for bows. As with most things, the higher the price, the better the quality when it comes to archery equipment. There are some lower end bows that will serve you well if you want to try out the sport before spending a small fortune. However, if you know are committed to starting into bow hunting, get the best equipment that you can afford. Hoyt, Matthews and BowTech all produce top quality bows. Visit a dealer of each, and you should be able to test shoot the bows until you find one that fits you well, and fits your preferences.

After you choose a bow, you will need to decide on the type of equipment that you want to put on it. Some suggestions include:

*Sights. Most people will want to add a sight to the bow, which will make your shooting more consistent. There are many different choices, ranging greatly in price. You can check out the various options at your local archery shop. Two types of sights (in general) include a pendulum sight and a multi-pin sight. The pendulum sight is often used for tree stand hunting, and only has one pin. It is sighted in at a specific distance and then adjusts to different distances based on the swinging of the pendulum. Multi-pin sight have several pins, each set at a specific distance. This type of pin works great, but you have to practice a lot to be able to know the distances to your target. With either sight, it is a good idea to get a peep put into your string so that you can have a consistent anchoring point.

*Rest. The rest is what the arrow sits on when you draw the bow. Technology has improved greatly in this area over the last few years, making the rest one of the most important pieces of equipment you can buy. A good fall away capture rest is a top choice. This rest has an arm that holds the arrow on the rest so that it cannot fall off if you angle the bow, but it also falls away from the arrow when the bow is released. This allows for the arrow to clear the rest without the vanes hitting the bow at all. A close second choice in most people's minds is the Whisker Biscuit. This is a rest that holds the arrow in an enclosed circle, with stiff bristles. The arrow's fletching can touch the rest, but they do so equally in a way that does not affect arrow flight. If tuned correctly, the Whisker Biscuit can be a very good choice.

*Quiver. A bow mounted quiver, like the Kwikee Kwiver, is the best choice. Some people do not like to shoot with the quiver on the bow, but if you practice with it on the bow, you will be ready to shoot with it on. If you choose to not shoot with the quiver on the bow, most manufacturers will sell the mounting bracket separately so that you can attach it to the tree, or to your tree stand. Once on stand, you can remove the quiver from the bow, and fasten to the second bracket.

*Release aid. If you are using a compound bow, you will want to buy a release aid. The pressure on your fingers will be tremendous. A release aid allows you to draw the bow, and use a trigger mechanism to release the string. This takes the pressure off of your fingers, and also allows for a more consistent release. There are many choices for release aids, and you should check them out at your archery shop. Ask to try out any that look like they would work for you.

*Arrows. It is best to go to an archery shop and be fitted for the proper arrows. There are far too many choices available to attempt this without some help if you are brand new to bow hunting. An archery shop specialist will be able to match the right arrows to your bow to be able to get the right performance out of it. The best options available today are carbon arrows, but there are many different sizes. The ones you need will be determined by your bow's specifications. You will also need to have your archery pro match your arrows with a balanced tip. This tip should match the weight of the broadhead that you intend to use while hunting.

*Broadheads. To complete your hunting outfit, you will need to choose a broadhead for hunting. You won't be using these to practice much, but you will need to be comfortable with them. Expandable broadheads, like the Rage are becoming popular. Some hunters are not comfortable with expandable broadheads because they used to have a reputation for being inconsistent, or unreliable. Though most of these bugs have been worked out, many still like to stay with a fixed blade broadhead, like the Muzzy 3 or 5 blade models.

There is more equipment that you can purchase to use with your bow, but these elements will allow you to get started, and be successful in your hunting. You can always add more to your bow later, as you discover equipment that can improve your skills.