Archery is one of the oldest sports in history and over the centuries, it has evolved significantly.
Before, archery has been used as a great skill when it comes to warfare or hunting. Now, it is generally for sports and recreation. With this, its equipments (the bow and arrow) have also changed notably from those made out of wood to those that are made out of the best metals.
Mastering this sport has never been easier. Many shooting techniques could be done and each one requires specific use of bow accessories. In this compound bow accessories guide, we will through the must-have equipment for your bows.
The Must-Have Compound Bow Accessories
1. Bow Sight
This equipment is mounted on the riser of your bow and it helps you to aim your arrow.
It gives you a guide to where your projectile is pointed. Although you can shoot without a bow sight, this is highly recommended specially at long ranges.
There is a variety of this kind of equipment depending on your type of archery. There are compound target sights, compound hunting sights, recurve target sights, sight pins, scopes and peep sights.With the help of these bow sights, even a novice can be astonishingly precise.
For a complete archery bow sight guide: Best bow sights review and complete guide
Sight pins is the most common among hunters. These allow them to fix distances of their targets. Once fixed, the pins remain in their position. Adjusting the pins is easy to do but it requires trial and error. If the distance of the target is 10 yards away, you simply sight the bow by placing your pre-set 10-yard pin on the intended target. This equipment somehow requires you to master the skill of estimating distances in which most hunters must possess.
Target sights are mostly used in competition because it gives the most accurate details you need. This is often called 3D competition Sight. It is very sophisticated and larger than the other sights. Typically six to twelve inches forward of the bow’s riser via a quick-disconnect dovetail system.
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2. Arrow Rest
This equipment holds your arrow in position until you shoot the bow. Like the bow sight, this device varies from simple to complex rests. It comes in different types. The following are the most common ones.
For more arrow rest information: Best Archery Rest Guide
Drop Away Arrow Rest is a rest that drops away as the arrow is fired. The reason why it is dropped is that the arrow will fly out of the bow without the rest hindering the flight of the arrow. This type of rest is recommended for hunters as it helps to position you perfectly. This rest is distinguished from fall away rest wherein it simply falls when the arrow is shot. The drop away arrow rest is the most sophisticated rest available today.
Shoot-Thru Arrow Rest. This device is also known as the “prong†rest. This type of rest is called a “Shoot-Thru” because the bottom feather or vane passes between the two prongs when you shoot the arrow. It is used generally by many because it is simpler to install and it works for most of the applications. But I don’t recommend this rest because it has its features that disrupt the flight of the arrow.
Containment Arrow Rests eliminate the possibility of the arrow falling from the rest. Hunters prefer this rest because it is easy to install and adjust. This keeps you from worrying with arrows that fall from the rest. Rather, you will be focused on your actual shot. However, since the rest is connected to the arrow for a long time, this device is said to be less forgiving to errors in shooting techniques.
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3. Bow Stabilizer
It is bow equipment that helps you increase your precision as it lessens the movement on the release of the arrow. It gives you a balance of the bow to attain accuracy.
This is recommended for those who have not achieved a perfect shooting technique just yet. It reduces the shock during your aim because of the weight added by the stabilizer to the center section.
It also reduces the noise produced during the shot. Using this equipment, however, requires more energy in order to hold the bow. There are many types of stabilizers and each requires actual testing in order to get the perfect match of the bow and arrows.
Essential Read: Compound Bow Stabilizer Guide
Twin Stabilizer is perfect if your main goal is stability. This equipment is mostly recommended for hunters. It is short and normally, one is mounted directly above the handgrip and the other immediately below it close to where the limbs meet the center section. The twin weights resist rotation instigated by a bow-hand error and it reduces the tendency for the bow hand to twist upon release.
Long-Rod Stabilizer’s main objective is to attain accuracy. This equipment ranges 36 inches and above in length, fitted into the center section in line with the bow arm, or just below the hand position. This equipment is mostly used in competitions and target archery. It reduces the sideways twisting of the bow-hand as well as the downward and upward inconsistencies.
Reverse Stabilizers are usually used with the long-rod. It is fitted below the bow-hand on the center section pointing towards the archer. It reduces the vertical turning caused by bow-hand torque. Like other stabilizers, this type also varies in size.
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4. The Bow Stringer
To safely string a bow, you will need this equipment. It allows you to use your body weight to bend the recurve bow in order to slip the string over the limb tips.
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For those who are new to this sport, you may want to try Selway Limbsaver Recurve Bow Stringer. It is easy to use to consistently string the bows securely. The equipment covers a good amount of your limb, so the tension should be more dispersed. Check out this article for how to choose the best bowstrings.
5. Archery Release
Prior to the release of the arrow, there is a great tension between the bow and the fingers of the archer. Because of this, a single error will cause a wayward shot that the archer should avoid.
This equipment distributes the tension created by the pulling and holding from the fingertips to the finger joints, wrist, and arm. Thus, this gives the archer a better control in his shot. However, you have to take note that this equipment mostly breaks easily.
Archery release is a must-have accessory if you are a bowhunter, read the top bow release review here.
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6. Quiver
This accessory is one of the most essential ones an archer needs to have. It is a container for arrows, traditionally made out of leather, wood, and animal fur. There are many designs available in the market; belt, back, ground, or arrow bag, which could be attached in any part of the body depending on the archer’s choice.
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Finally….
So here it is, a brief explanation for each must-have compound bow accessory. By now you should have some basic knowledge about each of the equipment. These accessories are designed to improve your archery performance. For example, the archery sight improves your accuracy and the archery release improves your arrow release speed. If you are serious about archery, you should consider investing in this equipment sooner or later.
