Bows and arrows have always been around since the dawn of fire, and many civilizations were built and destroyed because of this seemingly simple-yet-sophisticated technology. Back in the day, the use of reflex bows were reserved for the selected elite who precisely knew how to point, shoot and retreat. The use of this type of bow involved a highly technical skill, and it evolved as a foraging, protection, fighting and sporting tool in that order.

Modifications were made in 1966 in Missouri, US and thus, the compound bow was born. Although the new technology added in way more features than the more straightforward reflex bow-and-arrow, the compound bow allowed hobbyists, such as myself, to take in archery as a sport for this significantly improved the bow’s precision and stability.

While a compound bow looks complicated to a beginner, its hardware mechanics are actually simple to understand. Here, we lay out some important pointers to consider but first, a diagram to provide context:

Image Credit: www.esdf.org

Technology

 

It is useful to understand that a compound bow operates under the “let-off” system, wherein pulleys (also called “cams”) on both sides of the bow allow the user to use less energy and gain greater control over the trajectory of the arrow.  This system increases the rigidity, precision and accuracy elements of the compound bow.

 

Major Parts and Function

• Riser – considered the backbone of any compound bow, this is smacked right at the center of the bow giving balance and stability for the entire instrument.

• Limbs – attached to the riser, this is the most flexible yet most durable part of the bow. Usually made of fiberglass, it holds in the energy placed by the user as he/she pulls the string.

• Cams – this is what sets apart a compound bow from all the other bows. Attached to the limbs, cams are the round (or sometimes oval) disks on each side of the bow that makes it easier for the user to pull back and let go of the string without losing power. Unlike a reflex bow-and-arrow where a user needs to precisely know the draw-in and draw-out points for each pull, this additional piece in the compound arrow makes this balancing of energy so much easier and achievable.

• Bowstring – usually positioned with a D-loop, this allows the arrow to launch without losing its trajectory.

• Cables – these provide guidance for the cams for every pull-and-push action

• Cable Guard – positioned perpendicularly to the bow, the cable guard holds the cables in place. As cables can move frantically all over the place after each pull, this guard keeps the cables intact without losing their ability to pull

• Cable Slide – this assists the cable guard to further keep the cables intact

• Arrow Rest – also called Containment Rest, Drop Away, Shoot-Thru or Pressure depending on the type of compound bow used, the name speaks for itself as where the user rests his/her arm whenever the bow is being launched to a pull

• Sight Window – this is the small circular plastic attachment placed along the user’s line of sight, used for proper aiming. Beginners usually use a fixed pin; and more advanced users upgrade to a range finder, movable pin sights or pendulum pin sights that have the additional feature of measuring distances.

• Stabilizer Bushing – also called String Vibration Arrester, this absorbs the vibration of the entire bow after every single pull and let go. This is important in giving stability for the bow making it easier for the user to manage every single shot.

• Optional parts (Stabilizer and Mechanical Release) – these are add-ons usually used by professional hunters to further give precision and stability to their bows. These also allow for the significant reduction of sound and vibration produced by every single shot, an important element with animals being ultra-sensitive to the slightest sounds and movements.

Some More Things to Consider

With so many compound bow options available in the market, how is it possible to know which one is the best for your needs? Here, we highlight the top three things you have to consider

• Budget range: be realistic and as a beginner, it is but wise not to overspend on your first compound bow. The “perfect bow” cannot be determined on your first pull; in fact, you have to keep on using it for the first few months to get a feel if it’s the right one for you. It can be quite expensive especially when you compare this kind of bow with other types, so if short in cash, buy a secondhand from someone you know. For beginners, the most important thing to consider is to be at ease with the use of a compound bow.

• Consult with someone you know: it’s better to go visit an archery shop with a buddy who seriously knows his/her stuff. It cannot be avoided that shop staff will get you into buying things you do not really need, so it is highly advisable to have a knowledgeable person join you as you shop around.

• Know your body weight, height, and arm span: the size and weight of the compound bow you buy should be directly proportional to your weight, height and arm span, so it’s better to have these measurements ready when you get in a shop.

 

For many people, the compound bow can be an intimidating sight with all its gears and accessories, especially when compared to the traditional bow. Trust me; it’s way easier to use than its cousins like the longbow and recurve. As a hunter, I consider my compound bow the only hunting partner I need and that’s saying a lot! But for all you aspiring archers out there, it’s not enough that you have a compound bow; you should have the right kind and know the proper stances when shooting and aiming the compound bow. Getting curious now, aren’t you?

1. Finding the proper bow: This is a special shout out to all those who think there’s a problem with their bow or still has no bow. Don’t just randomly use a compound bow when you see one. I used my cousin’s bow once, he was a lot taller, and it wasn’t a pretty sight. I kept missing that in the end, I thought there was a problem with me! Anyway, you need to take into account two things draw length and draw weight.

• Draw length

1. Extend your arms like you’re about to fly, but in a horizontal manner.
2. Measure the width from one middle finger to the other, in inches.
3. Divide by 2.5 and you’ll get your draw length.
4. This is valuable information. When you draw and your body is scrunched up, then your draw length is too short. Otherwise, when it’s challenging to draw back all the way, then it’s too long. Both scenarios won’t help you hit the mark.

• Draw weight

1. Generally, a male has a draw weight ranging from 55-70 pounds.
2. Females typically have 30-50 pounds.
3. This can be a little tricky since it ranges from one person to the next.
4. In case you’re wondering, the draw weight is a force that a person needs to exert when properly drawing the string back.

2. Proper stance: Now that we got the proper bow out of the way, let’s get to the stance! Yes, some of you will find this tedious and unnecessary. Keep in mind “the weapon is only as good as its wielder”.

• Your feet should be shoulder-width apart.
• If you’re right handed, then your left foot should be slightly stepped back and vice versa. This miniscule adjustment opens your chest up, thus avoiding hitting your chest with the string.
• As far as your grip on the bow goes, don’t grip it like your whole life depended on it; choking the bow to death can cause the bow to twist as you fire. A proper grip is loose and relaxed; remember that the grip should he balanced on the center of your palm and the weight, evenly distributed.
• Slightly turn out your bow hand in order to get your hand out of the string’s way as you shoot. Believe me, this little trick will save you a lot of welts on your arm.
• Pick up an arrow, pull the back of it right until your hear a distinct click. This means it’s properly placed.
• Equip your draw arm with your mechanical draw; attach the mouth of the release onto the back of the arrow where the loop is found. Take note to always place your index finger at the back of the trigger, this avoids any accidental releases of the arrow.
• No matter where the target is, always remember to keep your chin parallel to the ground and your eyes on the prize. Keep a straight and strong posture; the less you move, the less you’ll miss.
• Lastly, don’t ignore the aiming sights on your compound bow; they’ll aid you in analyzing your shooting distance. If your target is at most 20 yards away, then aim for the top dot. The other dots you’ll see are set for greater distances; 30, 40, 50 yards away.

3. Firing: Well, at this point you’re ready to fire the arrow and get a perfect bull’s-eye. Remember that almost all initial bull’s-eye are beginner’s luck, no one is an expert on their first try.

• Hold the bow up, and as mentioned, keep your grip loose and slightly bend your elbow. This, not only gives you additional comfort, it keeps you from hurting your wrist.
• As you draw the string back with your mechanical draw, try to draw it with one smooth and fluid motion. Also, as you pull the arrow back, keep the bow aimed at the target. For those of you who lack power when drawing, rotate your shoulder as you draw back. Just a quick reminder, as you progress, lose the habit of rotating your shoulder.
• Draw back to your personal anchor point. Each and every one of you archers have their own personal anchor point; may it be the knuckles on the cheek or your thumb behind your ear. The point is to discover a spot that you will always hit as you draw.
• Let the string touch the tip of your nose as you draw in order to improve accuracy; this will be considered your second anchor point. Let this second anchor point occur naturally, don’t force it and don’t bend your neck just to meet the string.
• Align the pin on the bow, with your sight alongside the target’s center and make some final adjustments to your aiming. If you were relaxed and your body only moved slightly out of position as you drew, then only minor adjustments should be made.
• Finally, when all adjustments to aim have been made, gently release the trigger. Some beginners tend to pull hard on the trigger; relax people, you’re not in the set of Hunger Games just yet. You see, when you murder that trigger, the aim and the accuracy will change and it’ll end up as a miss.

So that’s all there is to it! Don’t get frustrated when you miss the first couple of aims. I’ve been doing it for years and now that pretty bow of mine almost feels like an extension of my arm. So, let me share some additional tips with you.

• Always be calm when you practice your shooting, otherwise you’ll have tense muscles and miss even more.
• Develop the habit of aiming your bow at the target even as you draw.
• Every one of you will almost certainly be shocked at the force when you release the arrow and about 98% of you will suddenly jerk at the force. With that in mind, keep calm and keep your posture.
• A common mistake among beginners is to lose posture once they release the arrow. After the release, keep your posture for at least 2 seconds or else your might pull off target.
• And finally, have fun. When you miss, laugh once or twice here and there. Don’t be angry at yourself, even the experts started off somewhere. Keep practicing, you won’t even notice it when you laugh a little less at yourself and hit the bull’s-eye even more.
• If you want to know more about compound bows, we highly recommend that you read our masterpiece on compound bows.

In my opinion, good choice of a compound bow brand can reflect on the overall performance and total comfort while shooting. Just like any other sports and outdoor products, compound bows are widely advertised as technology-driven in construction to suit all user demands in terms of performance and price. There may be some out there that do not yield a high price tag, but most of the time, the expensive ones deliver better. Whether you are an aspiring or a professional archer, a good compound bow is necessary to achieve overall hunting and shooting experience.

Do not be overwhelmed with bow construction terminology or manufacturing techniques normally presented by compound bow manufacturers. Admit it or not, there are still some times where we get bought off by their sales talk. However, it is still best to check the compatibility of your preferred compound bow design and other related bow accessories to bring your archery game to a high level.

Before selecting your desired compound bow brand, consider your draw length to determine the size of the bow. The bow performance does not only mean brand loyalty, but also a compliance with your physical built, dominant shooting sight and draw weight of your shooting hands.

Unfortunately, not all compound bow manufacturers designed the bows in perfection, yet they will somehow fit your shooting standards and desirable bow style. No matter how innovative it is for the manufacturers to build modern compound bows today, pros and cons will always be a part of the product performance and criteria for the shoppers. So here are some of my top picks of the best compound bow brands which I found not only a good investment of money, but also a great investment on my hobby.

Bow Tech

For many serious archers, Bowtech remains to be a great choice for its versatility in settings and its mastery of binary cam systems. Bowtech compound bows are designed for archers with long draws and flexible draw weights, making them versatile for both hunters and professional athletes.

Bowtech – Boss

Perfect for long-draw archers, the Boss features the remarkable PowerDisc, which enables you to customize settings in accordance with comfort and shooting accuracy. However, this model is not fit for smaller-built archers.

Eva Shockey Signature

The Eva Shockey Signature bow is specifically designed for serious female archers. Designed by celebrity huntress Eva Shockey, this premium compound bow is equipped with PowerShift technology and Overdrive Binary Cam systems to give you an optimum shooting experience like never before.

Bowtech Fanatic

A breakthrough in modern compound bow design, the Fanatic has what it takes to customize your shooting consistency. Featuring the shoot-through riser, it holds your compound bow in position until you fire. The Fanatic model also features adjustable three-position let-off options with low, medium and high settings which help reduce the draw weight up to 75%.

Bowtech Prodigy

A revolutionary model on its own, the Prodigy introduces the PowerShift Disc technology. This incredible disc enables you to customize your power settings to achieve desired output from the weapon. Select your preferred power settings with performance, classic or comfort settings depending on shooting location and weather conditions. Performance settings provide power and speed for your weapon while classic settings give generous power and enough comfort levels. In addition to this, performance and classic settings are adaptable on mild and humid weather conditions while comfort settings are appropriate on cold climate conditions.

Bear Archery

Bear Archery is known as one of leading compound bow manufacturers at present. It has been consistent in making the ranks in many hunting publications for its strong commitment to produce high-quality, professional-grade bow products.

Bear Arena 30

The Bear Arena 30 model is lightweight in construction and has a generous brace height of 6.5 inches, making it adaptable from aspiring archers to professional hunters. It also features an H15 Hybrid cam system designed to give you a manageable draw cycle and maximum speed up to 345 fps. This makes the Arena 30 a good choice for long distance shooting.

Bear Escape

If you are looking for a much better shooting result, the Bear Escape is specifically designed to shoot arrows at a speed as fast as 350 fps.  The Escape model also features the revolutionary H15 Hybrid cam system for an easier and smoother draw cycle.

Bear Cruzer

An ideal compound bow for aspiring archers, the Cruzer features the MV cam system which has a capacity to change the draw lengths from 12 inches to 30 inches.  The ergonomic grip handles of the bow reduce hand torque for better shooting accuracy. The Bear Cruzer is also a good choice for those with limited budget, however, the size of the Cruzer is not recommended for large-built archers.

 

Hoyt

Hoyt Carbon Defiant Turbo

With its serious design look, the Carbon defiant Turbo offers superior shooting accuracy with draw length adjustments from 26 to 28 inches, giving you a zipping arrow speed of 350 fps.

Hoyt Carbon Defiant 34

Perfect for long draw archers and hunters, the Carbon Defiant 34 features appropriate compound bow size to accommodate draw length adjustments from 27 to 29 inches and arrow speed up to 325 fps. This makes Carbon Defiant 34 a great choice if you are up to a treetop shooting.

 

There you have the three best compound bow brands available on the market today. Aside from these, you may also consider other famous brands such as Diamond Archery, Apollo Tactical, PSE, Alpine and others. Each brand is unique and innovative in design to make the compound bow adaptable for its users because manufacturers believe that a compound bow is a well-rounded personal tool – and it is, for me!