If you’re planning on taking up archery as a hobby, you’ve got a couple big advantages over the ancient hunters who first perfected the art.  First, since you’re not hunting, you don’t need to actually hit anything to survive.  Second, you have many more options in choosing a bow than the elm and yew models that the earliest archers used.

When selecting a bow, it’s important to consider two major qualities: reliability and consistency.  A reliable bow will stay strong without torturing a beginning shooter, and a consistent bow will shoot the same way each time.  The shooter’s aim should be the only thing determining where the arrow ends up, not a cheap bow. Read the rest of this entry »

With the 2012 Summer Olympics coming up in London in two years, athletes around the world are busy training.  Though not a traditional “team”, the United States’ Olympic archers are preparing as hard as anyone.  Several hopefuls are still in the running, such as Kristin Braun, who has appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno last year.  The athletes from the 2008 Olympic Team are not sitting on their laurels, either.

Brady Ellison started out shooting on a compound bow but switched over to the recurve (the only bow allowed in the Olympics) in 2005.  He became a resident athlete at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California in 2005. At the 2008 Olympics he was narrowly defeated in the second round with a score of 113-107. Read the rest of this entry »

The sport of archery dates back thousands of years, and while the gear and equipment may have changed (somewhat), it was still a respected art even at the beginning of its popularity.  Many gods and goddesses have been associated with archery throughout the years, revealing their virtues and strengths.

The Greek and Roman god Apollo is the god of light and the sun, and was often portrayed with a bow and arrows. These were given to him by the god Hephaestus in order to kill the dragon Python, which was hunting down his mother.  Later, Apollo shot plague-infected arrows during the Trojan War in order to recapture Chryseis, the daughter of one of his chief priests.  He was also responsible for killing Achilles, who had earlier killed Apollo’s own son, Troilus. Read the rest of this entry »

Picking out your first bow is the hard part, but it’s worth it for the fun and rewards that can follow.  One of the most entertaining parts is picking out accessories for your bow to enhance your aim, ease your comfort, or just provide something to shoot at.  Here are a few of our favorites when it comes to making your shooting experience all that it can be.

• Will Stop II Small Target (Archery Accessories Online, $29.99): While a stack of hay can serve as a makeshift target in the interim, you’ll eventually want to upgrade to something a little more professional.  Targets make arrows easier to retrieve and are also water resistant, so you don’t have to worry about leaving it out in the yard.  This small target is perfect for beginners. Read the rest of this entry »

As with any specialized discipline, archers use a unique terminology when discussing their sport.  If you’re planning on getting into the game, or just want a handy reference guide to some of the more difficult terms, read on.

• Anchor point: This is the point that a person pulls the string to before releasing.  The anchor point for an individual should always be the same and should have an easy reference point on the body, like the mouth, ear, or something similar.
• ASA: The Archery Shooters Association is a national organization which holds an annual tournament for archery enthusiasts.  Archery can be an individual or competitive sport, but if you’re interested in testing your skills against others, visit their website.
• Center shot: The center shot refers to a bow with a sight window that looks towards the centerline of the string.  There are a number of techniques for finding the centerline online, but beginners can also ask professionals for assistance. Read the rest of this entry »