Recommendations for Youth Bows for Archery Competitions

Archery is an exciting sport, and as with any skill, it's best to start early. One of the biggest challenges is that it is expensive to practice, and even more expensive to get started. Arrows aren't cheap, but the biggest expense is the bow. So many different kinds of bows are available that it can be dizzying trying to decide on just one. This guide is intended to help you feel more comfortable selecting your youth bow.

  1. Type of Bow

    • Think about what you really want in a bow. If you have been into archery for a while and know what you like and don't like, you have an advantage in the decision making process. If this is your first bow, a compound bow is a good choice. Compound bows use a pulley system to help you draw the arrow fully without having to put as much strength into the draw.

    Bow Variables

    • Educate yourself on bows. There are a lot of different factors that make each bow unique. The mass weight, draw length, and draw weight all factor into the feel of a bow, and the combination of these factors makes each bow unique. Learning the significance of these statistics will help you make better decisions for the next step.

    Buying a Bow

    • Research online. Using online message boards and product reviews from bow sellers, you can decide what bow might be right for you. Look at the statistics and match them up with what you like in a bow. Select your top five and write them down.

      Go to the store. If possible, bring pictures from the Internet in case the bows are improperly labeled at the store, or the salesman is not as knowledgeable as you would like. Try the bows out; test the draw distance and weight; see how they feel. If the store has a practice range, try the bow out in the store. Ask the salesman questions. Don't commit to buying a bow until you are completely satisfied that you have made the right decision.

    Trial Phase

    • Keep the receipt. You can't tell everything about a bow from just what you see in the store. Go out to the range with your own arrows (though with a new bow, you may want to try out new arrows, too) and get a better feel for it. Use the bow on dry days and humid days, as the weather can affect a bow's performance. Make sure not to damage the bow in any way. If you're unsatisfied, take the bow back as soon as possible in its original packaging. Get your money back, and restart the process to make sure you get the kind of quality bow you need.