Getting Started In Traditional Archery
Many of us remember archery as a portion of grade school phy. ed. class. It is my experience that many of the people I have spoken to have fond memories of this and other childhood adventures with a bow and arrow, even if it is just a toy bow with suction cup arrows. What many of you don't realize is that you were participating in what is now called "traditional archery". Traditional archery can best be described as using only a bow and arrow, no sights, releases, compound bows, etc. In its simplest form traditional archery is nothing more than a properly carved piece of wood bent into an arc with a string connecting both ends. When an arrow is placed on the string and pulled back, energy is stored in the limbs of the bow. Once released, the energy is transferred to the arrow which is propelled through the air. Today's traditional bows are still made of wood, but other materials can be used as well, including fiberglass and carbon fiber. If you want to relive your childhood while participating in a fun and exciting sport, give traditional archery a try.
To get started you will need a few basic pieces of equipment. Below are what I consider the essential equipment to get started in archery.
• Bow and string
• Arrows
• Arm Guard
• Finger tab or shooting glove
The bow, string and arrows are obvious choices. The arm guard and shooting glove (finger tab) are not necessary, however they help relieve the pain of the occasional wrist slap and sore fingers, this will make the shooting session more enjoyable and you will be more likely to continue the sport. You may notice that I didn't list a quiver as an essential piece of equipment, when first starting you don't really need a quiver, you can just lay your arrows on the ground and pick one up when you need it. A quiver would be a good purchase once you get more involved in the sport. In addition to these items you will find that there are many accessories to help protect your equipment, make it quiet, and aid in stringing your bow. These and more can be purchased from online retailers such as Daniel Little Traditional Archery.
When selecting your first bow either new or used, choose one that is only around 25-30 lbs in draw weight. Even if you are a strong individual, the benefit if starting with a light bow will last forever. When you start with a light bow you will be able to focus on your form (draw, hold, and release) instead of just trying to draw the bow. Your arrows need to be matched to the draw weight of the bow, in general a light bow requires arrows that have more flex or "less spine". Now take your bow and arrows and head to the local archery range. Although you may be tempted to take long shots at the target, it is a good idea to start close until you are used to the feeling of shooting and become accurate at a close range. The internet is a great resource for information on traditional archery. There are also many good books on archery that can be found at the library.
http://sites.google.com/site/littletradshop/
To get started you will need a few basic pieces of equipment. Below are what I consider the essential equipment to get started in archery.
• Bow and string
• Arrows
• Arm Guard
• Finger tab or shooting glove
The bow, string and arrows are obvious choices. The arm guard and shooting glove (finger tab) are not necessary, however they help relieve the pain of the occasional wrist slap and sore fingers, this will make the shooting session more enjoyable and you will be more likely to continue the sport. You may notice that I didn't list a quiver as an essential piece of equipment, when first starting you don't really need a quiver, you can just lay your arrows on the ground and pick one up when you need it. A quiver would be a good purchase once you get more involved in the sport. In addition to these items you will find that there are many accessories to help protect your equipment, make it quiet, and aid in stringing your bow. These and more can be purchased from online retailers such as Daniel Little Traditional Archery.
When selecting your first bow either new or used, choose one that is only around 25-30 lbs in draw weight. Even if you are a strong individual, the benefit if starting with a light bow will last forever. When you start with a light bow you will be able to focus on your form (draw, hold, and release) instead of just trying to draw the bow. Your arrows need to be matched to the draw weight of the bow, in general a light bow requires arrows that have more flex or "less spine". Now take your bow and arrows and head to the local archery range. Although you may be tempted to take long shots at the target, it is a good idea to start close until you are used to the feeling of shooting and become accurate at a close range. The internet is a great resource for information on traditional archery. There are also many good books on archery that can be found at the library.
http://sites.google.com/site/littletradshop/
Source...