6 Steps Towards Purchasing your First Recurve Bow

If you've never tried archery, it may seem like it's far more complex than it really is. To develop and fine tune your skills, you'll want to dive right in and have the proper equipment.


No one starts a hobby without first learning about it. In archery, there is a lot to learn and you'll want to understand the basics before you ever pick up the recurve bow.

To keep things simple, you'll want to follow some basics and be organized before you start practicing.
6 Steps Towards Purchasing your First Recurve Bow
Step 1 - Choosing Your Correct Recurve Bow
Step 2 - Determine The Use Of Your Bow
Step 3 - Comparing Potential Bows
Step 4 - Researching Bow Reviews
Step 5 - Choosing The Right Arrows
Step 6 - Remember To Purchase Other Items You'll Require

Step 1 - Choosing Your Correct Recurve Bow

When you are in the market to choose a recurve hunting bow start by determining your draw weight requirements. You'll want to know the force of your draw required to properly and fully draw the bow out and release it.

This is a vital part of the process and it must be properly researched out and determined before you can even begin to choose the right bow. You'll have to factor in the age, body weight, and gender of the participant before you can determine what the draw weight for the bow should be.

Beginners will gain strength however, they may need to forgo a standard body weight based on their own abilities.

Typically, children who are under 100 pounds should have a draw weight of ten to fifteen pounds. Small to medium framed adult women should set a goal of about 25 to 35 pounds and men who are average sized should aim for 40 to 55 pounds.

Larger sized men may wish to go for 40 to 60 pounds of a draw weight. When hunting game, the draw weight should be no less than that of 40 pounds. This allows the bow hunter to shoot effectively at a safe distance. If you're not at the draw weight yet, do some practicing and work your way up.

Below you can determine the right draw weight limit based on your body weight and your gender. This is typical for beginners who haven't yet shot a recurve bow.

Step 2 - Determine The Use Of Your Bow

A recurve bow may be used for target practice, however, not all bows are used to shoot game. As previously mentioned, a bow's suitability to hunt game is determined by the draw weight.F

or the more popular game such as deer, elk, or turkey hunting, the draw weight should be at least 40 to 45 pounds. Larger animals such as bear, oxen, and Buffalo will require 55 pounds or more.

If you're just using your recurve bow for target practicing, you can use any weight, even if that weight is as low as 25 pounds. If you're going to use your bow for dual purposes, you'll want a weight of about 40 pounds. Good archers, with the right amount of practice, can easily adapt to a higher weight as they practice and build up their muscles.

Step 3 - Comparing Potential Bows

After you've selected your proper weight, and determining the use of your bow, you'll be ready to compare various bows. Keep in mind that you may prefer one model over another and this may be based on a variety of criteria including your skill level, price range, and your personal style preferences.

Step 4 - Researching Bow Reviews

After you've found the right recurve bow models that you're interested in, you can read reviews on those models. Learn all that you can by reading the reviews so that you are fully aware of the model that you're interested in and its idiosyncrasies. Compare the models that you're considering before you buy. Read all that you can find on the pros and cons to help narrow down your choices.

Step 5 - Choosing The Right Arrows

Choose the proper arrows. You may have some trial and error on this portion. A lot of people have to try several different types of arrows to get to the ones that feel the best to them. Start out with arrows that feel right and as you develop more skills you can try out other types of arrows and find others that work well for your needs.

Different arrows will respond differently on different bows. Your level of skill and your ease of pulling back the bow will all work together for you.The best way to go about selecting your arrows is to try several different kinds and find what you feel the most comfortable with.

Step 6 - Remember To Purchase Other Items You'll Require

Most of the recurve bows on the market today have the bare minimum. This includes the bow and the string. Anything else that you want you'll have to purchase separately. This includes the following:

Bow stringer: This is a vital part of the recurve bow as it gives you a very safe means of stringing the bow. Bow stringers allow you to use your body weight and bend the bow to place the string over the tips easily and effectively.

Arrows: You'll want to try a few different types of arrows, and tips. These are vital for your shooting. Most of the sporting goods stores that you buy arrows in will sell these in a six-pack. If you buy the bow there, the tech may give you some tips on which arrows to purchase. They can help you to understand how to measure your draw length and select good arrows for your use, don't forget the field tips.

Nocking Points: This attaches to your bowstring. They will come directly into contact with the nock of your arrow. They offer a constant area on the bow to use the arrow for shooting. They also allow the arrow the opportunity to go with your consistency in shooting. This helps direct your arrow.

Targets: You'll want a good target to use for practice. There are many great options to choose from. You can select from a beginners target to something fancier.