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. Ancient Assyrians and Babyloians practiced archery as a sport and use bows heavily in warfare. Today, though, we have the know-how to select archery bows that work best for our modern needs.



The three basic types of bows that exist today are the traditional longbow, recurve bow and compound bow. In medieval combat, the longbow was the archers weapon of choice because it shoots straight and hard. In many cases, the actual bow is taller than the archer using it. Being able to take aim and shoot over long distances is an appealing feature of this bow with the only downfall being it is cumbersome and large. During hunting, the longbow has it's advantages and drawbacks.

Often, the tips of the bow will curve away from the archer. With these curves set against the natural curve in the bow, it provides more power with a lighter bow weight. Quicker turning and maneuverability makes the recurve bow especially good in woods and forest. When stringing the recurve bow, the strings will actually contact the upper portions of the bow different than the longbow.

Today's compound bows use modern technology coupled with age-old wisdom. When the shooter pulls back on the string, two cams shift holding the string taut which allows the archer to hold it easier. This makes the bow much more stable and gives the shooter better sight and aim at the target.

If you have an understanding of the various different types of bows, you will be able to choose a bow better suited to you. Another factor to consider is how much the bow cost and what is your budget for buying one. Bows can go from 50 to over a 1000 dollars just depending on the type of bow your looking at so it's best to know what your looking for before you buy it.

It is wise to have a basic understanding of the techniques for each style of bow. 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 your are going to be darting through the woods chasting after game, you won't want the same bow as used in target archery competition. Research before selecting your perfect archery bow and it will save you money and keep you from learning the hard way later.