If you can think back a very long time ago to the Paleolithic era—that age when our great ancestors first learned that stones made handier tools than bare hands—then you’ll understand how long archery has been around. Yes, as far back as ancient Egypt to the Assyrians and Babylonians, all the way to Hebrews of the Old Testament, archery has been practiced in sport, hunting and warfare since humans had hands. Today, though, we have the know-how to select archery bows that work best for our modern needs.

There are three types of bows used today, and variations of these even exist. Essentially, the basic three are the traditional longbow, the recurve bow and the compound bow. The longbow was used in medieval combat, because it shoots hard and straight. Often, too, the longbow is no taller than the archer using it. The archer can draw the string, take aim and shoot over long distances. The only downfall might be the cumbersome height and the long draw makes loading an arrow take longer. In hunting, this may be critical to the kill.

The recurve bow, by name, has a different sort of shape. The tips often curve and point away from the archer. Additionally, these two curves are set against the natural curve of the bow itself, providing more power with less bow height. Quicker turning and maneuverability makes the recurve bow especially good in woods and forest. When the recurve bow is strung (unlike the longbow), the string will actually touch the upper portions of the bow itself.

The compound bow uses the most of today’s technology meshed with age-old wisdom. The compound bow enables the shooter to pull the string and “hold” it more easily. That is, when the archer pulls back on the string, two cams shift, holding the string taut in place. Not only does this provide more let-off (holding weight from pulling weight) and power, but equips the bow with more stability. This affords greater sight and aim for the archer.

Now that you have some idea of the basic types of bows (excluding the crossbow), it is easier to decide which archery bow suits you best. After which, there are other factors to consider when selecting an archery bow. One of the first, then, may be budget. The cost of the bows above can start under fifty dollars to the upper hundreds. Before you lay down the big bucks, be sure to test the bow before you buy it.

It’s wise to have a basic understanding of the techniques for each too. You can often join a club or take lessons where the bow(s) will be provided. Moreover, buying a used bow for the first few months may save you several hundred dollars should you change your mind later. Go with the bare basics and move to the more luxurious later.

Additionally, it is smart to buy an archery bow that will benefit your cause. There are different reasons to use varying types of archery bows: These include but are not limited to hunting (such as deer hunting), competition (such as field archery and 3D archery) or simple personal enjoyment (such as at home target practice).

If you’re going to be dashing through the woods chasing small woodland creatures, you won’t want the same bow as used in target archery competition. Be sure to speak to club members, store staff and experienced archers before you select your personal favorite bow. Research before selecting your perfect archery bow will save you money and keep you from learning the hard way (more expensive way) later.

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