Many people find interest in doing different types of activities, and with time the types of leisure time activities done by people are increasing. Archery is one of those activities people tend to do nowadays. There is a lot of practice and hard work that go into it, with which people are able to excel.
If you are just starting out with archery, then there might be a number of things about the bow and arrow you might not know or understand.
One of the things you might find difficult to do as a beginner is using a compound bow. So, we are going to give you a few compound bow tips for beginners that would help you start out nice and smooth when you buy a compound bow.
Compound Bow Tips for Beginners
Here you will get a bunch of tips you might find useful when you start out with a compound bow. So, read through carefully if you want to make the learning process as smooth as possible.
But before we jump to the tips, something you need to keep in mind is to make sure you have all the necessary components. Because there are a few things to need to set up for the bow and arrow to work properly, if any of those are missing, then you will have a hard time actually making things work.
Also, it is very important to take care of the equipment. You should get it inspected and take care of if you are using the bow regularly. Or else there is a chance the bow will stop working properly and will throw off your accuracy.
Learn How to Anchor
Anchoring is the position your hand takes when you draw the bowstring back. The position is important as it is going to determine how your accuracy is going to be. Also, not all archers are comfortable in the same anchor position. And so, you too will have to figure out the position you find most comfortable.
You need to have a stable and strong stance when anchoring, place the bow correctly and pull the string back, see if you are comfortable in the position. If not, then you could try another one until you find one you’re most comfortable in.
While pulling the bowstring, you would have to place your draw hand somewhere near your face, it could be your cheeks or your jaw. However, just make sure you keep placing it on the same spot each time you draw the string. Anchoring each time differently will only confuse you and throw off your aim and accuracy.
And you could say that by practicing with the same position, you are likely to get some sort of muscle memory which will help you in your pursuit at the end of the day.
Use a Bow Sling
First of all, why do you need a sling? The reason why some people prefer to use a sling is so that they have additional support and stability. The sling would also ensure that the bow does not drop down after you release the arrow from the bow. This might cause some serious damage.
If you want to know whether this is a necessity or not, then I would have to say that it is not a requirement. But you will automatically see the benefits of using a bow sling. If you use it for hunting, then time is of great importance, so if you drop your weapon at a crucial time, then you might miss out on the hunt.
Another reason why you should use a bow sling is for the protection of your equipment. The sling will keep everything in the right position and would also protect them from getting damaged during the hunt. So, I would really recommend it for the betterment of your equipment.
Ensure Correct Stance
The way you stand while hunting with a bow and an arrow is of great importance. It is going to have an impact on how you pull the string and how the arrow moves.
So, you have to be careful about how your feet and body are aligned. Having a proper stance is not a requirement, but you are sure to make the whole process a lot easier.
So, if you really want to learn how to get the right stance, then you should start out without your bow, it will take away the additional weight, and you will not have to worry about its placement. This is the time for you to determine how you should stand for the best outcome. You also have to have an imaginary target ahead.
There are two positions you could try out and perfect. The first is the open stance, and the other is the square stance. Understanding and learning these properly without the bow first will help you out later when you have a bow in hand.
Get Your Aim Right
To get to this point, you need to make sure your anchor and stance are good. Once you see that you have corrected the stance and the position in which you hold your bow hand, you will be able to learn how to aim in a proper way.
You have to realize that your back does just as much work as your back, especially after you have drawn the bowstring back. For the rest of the process, you will need to start using your back muscles, which is why you need to build those muscles so that the job can be done correctly without any injury.
When you learn how to transfer the weight of the equipment from your arms to back muscles, and you have the right stance along with the right anchor. You need to watch the target through the pin. You will see that the pin will constantly move even when you are not.So, don’t try to lock it in place as it won’t work.
Let it move naturally with the breeze and your breath. It is bound to happen. But try to make sure it is not going all over the place as this is a sure-shot way of missing the target.
Once you have locked down your aim, it is not time for you to release the arrow so that it hits your target. You have to make sure all your working muscles do not lose any tension as you want to avoid any type of injury. And that is all you have to keep in mind.
Conclusion
Archery is not the hardest thing in the world, but you will need practice and actual love for the sport for you to improve with time. I hope you found these tips helpful and will try them out the next time you’re out with your bow.