Archery Outpost

The proper care and maintenance of your bow

admin — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Taking care of your bow is one of the most essential things that you can do to ensure a long life and accurate strike every time you pull it back. There are a few simple techniques that any archer can do to ensure your bow is properly cared for.

One of the most important things that one can do is to wax the bow strings. If they look fuzzy then it is time for a wax. The strings are the most important things to ensure it keeps performing at a top level. You will also need to wax other parts of your bow but never the served parts. You should also lube the cables and axles for maximum performance.

Check the body of the bow for wear, weak spots and lose screws and bolts. These small things can mean the difference in a top performing bow and a spotty one. If you notice one of these problems you can most likely fix them yourself, but if they are left alone and become serious, you may need to seek a professionals help.

Use pro shop checkups. You can have regular maintenance done on your bow just like you would a car. Also, pro shop professionals are able to possible spot things with their expertise that you may never catch.

Record-breaking archers around the world

admin — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

In 1977, James Shaw set a score of 552 from a distance of eighteen meters. This record is an amazing archery accomplishment. In 2011, Sandra Horton scored 453 from eighteen meters. The collegiate ranks saw an impressive performance from David Roth. In 2007, he scored 598 from eighteen meters.

These impressive archery records show what can occur with dedication and concentration. These amazing archers developed their talent via hard work and practice to achieve amazing results.

In 1996, Italian Michele Frangilli set a world record of 684. This feat was accomplished during the Atlanta Olympics. A team record was set by the Korean trio of Yong-Ho Jang, Bo-Ram Kim, and Kyo-Moon Ho. Their impressive score of 2031 was also set during the Atlanta Olympics.

The ability to achieve such tremendous feats speaks to the beauty of archery. The precision, the accuracy, the attention to small details which separates Olympic champs and top archers from mere mortals. With a great deal of practice and learning from experienced archers, perhaps one day these feats will be accomplished by you. Hopefully these world record performances from around the world serve as an inspiration to start practicing and to take up the beautiful sport of archery.

Join the club: Archery groups and organizations

admin — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Are you competative in nature, or do you like trying new events and sports? Or, are you just looking for something fun and new to try, and are up for any challenge. No matter what the reason behind your interest in the sport of archery, joining a group or organization is a great way to properly learn the sport, get the right tips and advice, learn to be a competitor in the sport, and meet other enthusiasts in the sport of archery, who share the same love and passion for it as you do. Finding the right group or organization to join is pretty easy to do, you just have to research a couple different groups in your area.

Finding the right group to join is as simple as searching online. You can get reviews from members using a search engine. You can also get reviews from individuals who have tried other groups in the area, and prefer those instead. Using the internet to find the right group is the quickest and most comprehensive way to get honest reviews, and to really find a group in your area which you will enjoy. Joining a group is a great way to interact with others, and learn all about the sport of archery.

An Ancient Thrill Called Archery

admin — Thu, 05 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Who among us has had that exhilarating neophyte archery moment? If you’ve never tried archery, you’re missing out on a fun sport that has captivated people for generations. If you’re a fan of great movies and TV from a provider like www.direct.tv, then you’ve seen archery in action. Archery is regularly featured in movies like “Robin Hood” and “Lord of the Rings,” and you can also see it at the Olympics. Learn what you can do today to get involved in an ancient sport with great potential for growth, and without the mess and fuss of many alternative physical pastimes.

There is something sensual but simultaneously visceral about archery. Some might say that it ranks right up there with the invention of fire and golf as one of civilization’s milestone inventions. In any case, it could be great fun, and it’s a past-time that can be shared by your whole family.

Anyone can get into this sport fairly inexpensively. Beginner bows and arrows are readily available in most communities. Visit your local pawn dealer or find a nearby pro shop by searching with a fast satellite internet or cable provider.

If you can spare a small up-front expense, indoor archery ranges usually provide one-stop-shops for everything that you will desire. There aren’t many sports that can combine all of the recommended physical activities for general good health maintenance and add a zing of instant accomplishment like archery. Get involved and feel the thrill!

Italian robot learns archery

www.archeryoutpost.com — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 19:41:11 +0000

The month of September ended with an interesting development at the Italian Institute of Technologyone that probably has more ramifications for robotics than for archery, but it still bears mentioning here. Italian scientists taught a robot named iCub not just to shoot an arrow, but to actually learn how to do so. Through a program algorithm known as ARCHERshort for Augmented Reward Chained RegressioniCub practiced with a toy bow and rapidly developed his skills. It took it only eight tries to be able to hit the bullseye. For those of you worried by this development, you can take heart in the fact that the scientists had to re-slot the arrow after each shotcurrently. They’re working on teaching iCub to do that by itself, as well. Hopefully this interesting new development doesn’t backfire on usfor now, it remains an impressive step forward in robotic learning techniques.

Picking out your first bow

www.archeryoutpost.com — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:36:42 +0000

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.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.

Getting to know the U.S. Olympic archery team

www.archeryoutpost.com — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:33:16 +0000

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.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.

Archery in mythology and legend

www.archeryoutpost.com — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:25:04 +0000

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.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.

Accessorize your archery experience

www.archeryoutpost.com — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:20:08 +0000

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.
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.

A beginner’s archery dictionary

www.archeryoutpost.com — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:15:27 +0000

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.
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.