A family came into the bow shop a few years ago when a boy caught the archery bug after seeing Legolas in Lord of the Rings. I related easily with the 11-year-old because the same thing happened to me more than 50 years ago when I saw Errol Flynn flinging arrows in The Adventures of Robin Hood. That’s when I begged my dad to buy me the Bear takedown recurve bow that I still have today.
Like many exposed to something unfamiliar, the boy’s parents were overwhelmed by the store’s selection of compound, recurve, long, and crossbows, many with prices exceeding $1,000. The displays also included all types of arrows and accessories, arm guards, shooting releases, gloves, targets, bowstrings, quivers, and more — an array that can be challenging and intimidating for someone new to archery. Like the younger me, the boy could hardly contain himself, bouncing from one display wall to the next. Dad, however, had an apprehensive expression on his face as he gazed at the price tags. I could imagine him thinking, “What have we gotten ourselves into?” The hardest part about starting something new is, “Where do I start?”
I’d seen this scenario play out so often that I knew how to help them.
Draw weight
The most important thing is to buy a bow that you can pull back comfortably. Archery uses muscles many don’t even realize they have. If you must strain to draw a bow, it means it is too heavy for you. Therefore, you won’t enjoy shooting it and won’t be able to learn proper shooting techniques when you’re struggling to pull back your bow. You should be able to comfortably hold a bow at full draw for at least a few seconds. Remember that as you shoot more often, the muscles that you use to draw the bow will get stronger over time.
Bow length
The length of your bow doesn’t matter that much. If anything, the longer, the better because it will mean less pinching on your fingers from the reduced angle on the string when you draw the bow. My son’s first bow was taller than he was.
Traditional archery has an advantage over compound because one size can fit all. The first bow I bought my son when he was eleven was a 62-inch, 35-pound PSE Heritage recurve. It’s a takedown bow with a wood handle and laminated maple and fiberglass limbs. I doubt Will was five feet tall, and had a 23-inch draw length.
Now, at 25 years of age, he’s six feet tall with a 28-inch draw length, and can still shoot that same bow. Traditional bows do not become obsolete.
I sold that family a similar bow, and they were delighted when they learned they could all enjoy the bow. Archery became a family activity for them because of it.
Watch out for toys
I like to think that there are two classifications of bows for children. You have toys, and you have real bows. If you give a child a toy hammer, they will go around banging everything in sight, including big brother. If you give them a real hammer, they will ask for your help to build something. Toy bows aren’t worth the cost or the risk associated with them. Children should always be supervised when using any archery equipment.
The first bow anyone will ever need is what I like to call a backyard bow. There is nothing fancy about them, and there are many makes and models made today that are both functional and economical. As a parent, I know how hesitant one can be to spend a lot of money when your kids want to take up a sport, especially if it could just be a passing fancy. Plenty of manufacturers make youth bows, and they can range in price from $60 to well over $200. As you continue participating in archery and grow your skill and knowledge of the sport, you can branch out and discover what you want to achieve. Some people turn to competing in archery tournaments, some folks hunt, and some just like shooting in their backyard for fun.
Whichever direction you end up pursuing I can tell you from experience, archery is very addictive.
My picks
Bear Archery Titan
I recommend this economic (approximately $75) fiberglass bow for younger children.
Genesis Archery youth bow
The original Genesis is a compound-style bow with a Universal draw length, so it can be used by adults and kids alike. Prices start at $175 US.
PSE Pro Max recurve package
These kits cost about $180 and include everything you need to get started, including three arrows, a belt quiver, an arm guard, a finger tab, and sight pins.
The bow is like my son’s — 62 inches with a draw weight of 25 pounds, and is what I sold the family above. It is a very good first bow that will grow with the archer.
Originally published in the June-July 2024 of Ontario OUT of DOORS
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