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.

The best bows for beginners are laminated, feature a marker at the “center shot” of the string, and have a working recurve, meaning the tips of the bow curve away from the archer when the bow is unstrung.  “Take-down” bows are also popular among beginners (as well as some pros), since their detachable nature makes them easier to store and transport.  Recurve bows have been used since ancient times by Scythians, Hyksos, Greeks, and more.  If you’re looking for something a little more modern, we recommend the compound bow, which has stiffer limbs and a system of pulleys.  The PSE Thunderbolt Compound is an excellent beginner bow.

Before purchasing any bow, check it for loose parts, weathering, and loose joints.  Archery store professionals and friends are always willing to help a beginner into the sport, so it can be worthwhile to talk with someone before hand.   Also, get familiar with archery companies that have been proven to have lasting power in the business.  Bear Archery, Forge Bows, and PSE Archery are all names that will be recognizable to anyone who takes archery seriously.

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.

Butch Johnson is a veteran Olympic archer, helping bring in the gold in 1996 and the bronze in 2000. In his off time, Butch helps manage Hall’s Arrow in Connecticut and helps raise his son, Richard.  At the 2008 event, he was part of a team with Ellison and Vic Wunderle, which took 10^th in the ranking round but was defeated in their first round.

Khatuna Lorig was a former archer for the Unified Team (former Soviet Union) in 1992, where she earned a bronze medal.  At the 2008 Olympics, she made it to the quarter final but was succeeded by South Korean archer Yun Ok-Hee.  She has a degree in Physical Education from the Physical and Sport Institute.

Jennifer Nichols started shooting with her siblings at the age of 9 and got involved with the Junior Olympic Archery Development Club.  In addition to archery, she enjoys dancing and rifle shooting.  At the 2008 Summer Olympics, the young archer overcame Ika Yuliana Rochmati in the first round, but was narrowly defeated by Nami Hayakawa in the second with a score of 105-103.

Victor Wunderle calls Mason City, Illinois home, and his family has a long background in archery.  His grandfather and father were both hunters, and it could be this family tradition that helped him win the silver medal at the 2000 Olympics and take 8^th place in 2004 and 6^th in 2008.  With this track record, Wunderle could be on his way back to another medal in 2012.

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.

Archery was a fitting representation for Apollo’s strength and power.  His twin sister, Artemis, was also a renowned archer, usually associated with hunting.  These associations were used in several stories where she humbles (or kills) bold hunters who either boast of being more skilled than her, or desire her.  Though she does not always use the bow to defeat them, it is always by her side, perhaps symbolizing her dignity and reserve.

A medieval addition to the lore of archery was the outlaw Robin Hood.  Although some believe Robin Hood was a real person, others claim he is solely a fictional character.  Whatever the case, his impressive skill with a bow reinforces his folk hero nature.  Robin Hood was originally much more violent and quick-tempered and did not always give away what he stole, but by the 17^th century he had reached the character that many of us know today.

Archery has become even more popular with the Lord of the Rings films in recent years, and fans of the sport know that it will continue to have strong support in the years to come.

• 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.
• Centerest Flipper Arrow Rest (New Archery, $26.99): You’ll quickly find yourself falling into the camp of either “finger shooters” or those who use shooting aids to pull back and release the string.  For finger shooters, the Centerest Flipper is the best option for stabilizing your arrow.  The rest is a Teflon coated wire that is practically unbreakable, and it easily “flips” out of the way if caught on an obstacle.
• Satori Quivers (Fuse Accessories, variable): When you’re just setting out on your archery career, you probably won’t need the Satori One-Piece, which holds six arrows with Shock-Rods to aid hunters in quickly reloading.  However, you can trust a company with that kind of pedigree to produce something suitable for beginners, too.  The Satori Two-Piece is lightweight and easy to transport, while the Satori Shorty features Quick Disconnect and easily mounts to the upper mounting hole.
• Copper John Battle Ax Bow Sight (Archery Accessories Online, $54.99): This affordable sight is made of fiber-optic material with metal construction, and is a perfect starting sight if you don’t want to invest in a more hunter-friendly device like the $182.99 HHA Optimizer Lite Ultra XL 5500.

• 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.
• Dacron: This polymer resin is the material of choice for making bowstrings.  It’s also commonly used in sailboat sails.
• Flemish string: This is a type of bowstring made of a number of strings twisted together (usually two or three).  In most hand-making processes, wax is used to lubricate the strings and keep everything together.
• Judo point: Ancient archers would never have dreamed of such an arrow, but this point is especially useful for those just starting out.  The point has spring arms which grab on wherever it lands.  For beginners shooting in a grassy field, this usually tips the arrow up, making it very simple to retrieve.
• Shooting glove: This stylish accessory is useful for finger shooters and features three leather finger protectors.  You can find a wide variety at excellent prices at Tradtech Archery, starting from $7.99 for the Allen Micro 3 Finger Shooting Glove.