Archery is a fantastic sport! Although man has used bow and arrows for thousands of years, archery is now gaining considerable popularity over the course of the twenty-first century. Consider that since the release of the first film in the "Hunger Games" cycle, the number of archery shooters in the United States has increased by 48%. Do you want to learn? For starters, don't try to hit the classic apple held on your head by a friend, but follow the steps in this article!
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Method 1: Target Shooting
Step 1. Know that target practice is suitable for any age
In particular, it is a great way to get children excited.
Step 2. For target shooting, compound and recurve bows are used
These types of bows are built specifically to send the arrow to target.
- The recurve bow is equipped with a particular chord that gives it the characteristic "w" shape, while the long bow is in the shape of a "u".
- If you are a “Hunger Games” fan, know that Katniss uses a recurve bow.
Step 3. Find the right place to train
Many people join a club or train at a shooting range.
- Archery clubs can be found by looking for where competitions are held. Look for one that has a shooting range in your area.
- You can also find archery clubs on the FITArco website.
- If you train outside the shooting range, get advice from an expert on how to place the targets so as not to endanger the safety of other people.
Step 4. Learn to shoot with the bow
As with other things, archery has certain tricks that are best learned right away.
- Take lessons. Ask a friend to direct you, or, if you don't know who to ask, ask the manager of the range where you train to find out who can give you lessons.
- Generally, the instructors provide the beginner student with basic equipment, thus saving him the hassle of accidentally buying unnecessary and expensive tools.
Step 5. Buy the equipment
After a few lessons, the instructor will help you choose what to buy.
There are a lot of good reasons not to buy equipment right away. As for a bow, in addition to the variety, you need to evaluate the right weight and the right draw. Initially you can have a rough idea but, as often happens, with experience, points of view also change
Method 2 of 4: Method 2: Bow Hunting
Step 1. Know that specific equipment is required to hunt with a bow
To tell the truth, many undertake this activity without knowing exactly what they are doing.
Step 2. Many hunters consider bow hunting to be more sporty than traditional hunting
Hunting with a bow requires, in fact, both good concentration and good hunting skills.
It is not surprising that, in general, those who hunt with a bow adhere more to the principles of ethical hunting and kill exclusively for food
Step 3. In hunting, the compound bow is generally used, which uses an eccentric type pulley system
- The compound bow is ideal for hunting, as it guarantees more precision, a longer range and faster firing arrows. Generally, compound bows are equipped with sights that help the archer to better frame the target.
- Those who hunt with the compound bow often use arm and chest protectors, since the compound string has a high torsion force and, without the necessary precautions, can also cause injuries (for this reason it is not recommended for women with large breasts).
- The recurve bow and the longbow can also be used to hunt, but this is quite rare, given that the compound bow offers greater advantages.
- Some hunters love to use the crossbow.
Step 4. Join a bow hunters club
For information, go to your nearest hunting shop and ask if they know of any fans of the genre.
More experienced hunters will show you where to hunt. Shooting with a bow in a forest is very different from doing it inside a polygon; you have to get used to it
Step 5. Know that taking down prey with a bow and arrow is a challenging challenge
It doesn't matter if it's a deer, moose, peccary, or some other unusual animal.
Method 3 of 4: Method 3: Traditional Archery
Step 1. Traditional archery is for purists of the genre
In traditional archery, longbow and recurve bow are used, but the use of technology is reduced to a minimum.
Anyone who approaches this practice should have already trained in a shooting range with a modern bow
Step 2. The choice of a classic bow is quite personal
Some choose “natural”, no-frills models, others prefer bows similar to those used in the past by our hunting ancestors.
Step 3. You can use a classic bow at a shooting range to shoot at the target, just like you would with a modern bow
Method 4 of 4: Method 4: Japanese Archery (Kyudo)
Step 1. Know that the Japanese have their own traditional archery method, called kyudo
Extremely long bows are used in kyudo and the handle of the bow is completely different from that used in the West. Technique becomes fundamental
Step 2. Kyudo, unlike karate or judo, has never become popular outside of Japan, although it has recently been gaining some notoriety
- To find a circle of enthusiasts, consult the website of the International Kyudo Federation or that of the Italian Kyudo Association.
- The equipment needed to practice kyudo is much more expensive than that used in traditional archery, especially if you want to get it directly from Japan.
Advice
- Finding an archery master is quite difficult. Try contacting the FITArco committee in your region (via their website) and ask for information on any masters or archers in your area.
- Here the term "hunting" does not necessarily mean actual hunting. It is more of a category of equipment (also called "3D").
- If you can't find an instructor specialized in the shooting discipline you have decided to dedicate yourself to, consider choosing another one.
Warnings
- Never aim at a person, even as a joke!
- Do not purchase equipment without the advice of an instructor.
- Get ready to shell out from 150 to 750 euros (or even more) to get the equipment you need for target practice.
