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Native Outdoors Bow Selection Guide
There are many things to consider when
purchasing a bow.
This page is a good starting point for choosing the correct bow for your
physique and needs.
Should you have any questions, please feel
free to contact us, 877-650-7938 or email
us.
First off, you need to ask yourself a
few questions.
1. How much do I want to Spend? This is
probably the most important question for most of us. Some of
the bows come as packages, and this can save you money, getting the
complete package instead of building your bow from the ground
up. Also, a complete package is Ready-to-Shoot, and you do not
have to install anything.
2. What is my
draw length / weight? You can easily measure your draw length
by sticking your arms straight out, and measuring the distance from
the tips of your fingers (wingspan), and dividing this number by
2.5. If your wingspan is 75", then your draw length will
be 30". 75" / 2.5 = 30". Measuring your
draw weight is not as easy, so we have a simple chart do determine
your draw weight. This is based on that average person.
Choosing draw weight is not a "macho" decision. You
want your draw weight to be a weight that you are comfortable
pulling back. If you can not control the draw, then chances
are you will not be able to control the shot. In Archery,
Accuracy is Everything!
| Child
(100-130 lbs.) |
25-35
lbs. |
| Women
(100-130 lbs.) |
25-35
lbs. |
| Women
(130-160 lbs) |
30-40
lbs. |
| Women
(160+ lbs.) |
45-55
lbs. |
| Teen
Male
(130-150lbs.) |
40-50
lbs. |
| Men
(120-150 lbs.) |
45-55
lbs. |
| Men
(150-180 lbs.) |
55-65
lbs. |
| Men
(180+ lbs.) |
65-75
lbs. |
Remember, a bow's limbs can usually only
be adjusted +/- 5lbs, and usually range from 40-50, 50-60, 60-70 etc.
3. What other factors are
important to me? There are other
factors to consider in choosing the correct bow. Speed,
Forgiveness, Orientation (Left/Right), Let-Off, the Valley, Brace
Height, Bow Length, Actual Weight, Cam Type, and even Personal
Taste/Style. All of these features play a role in choosing the
right bow for you. Most of these are purely personal preference,
there is no right and wrong answer. You can read more about each
of these in the Archery Terms.
As with most products, you might have to
give a little on one feature to have more of another. For
instance, you want the fastest bow out there, but also want a bow that
is very forgiving. Unfortunately, you can not have both, so you
have to compromise on some features to get others. You might also
check with your State Laws regarding bowhunting. Some states have
laws regarding minimum draw weight, Let-off, and other laws that might
affect which bow you decide to purchase.
We have laid out many bow features in
order of importance. These features should be considered when
purchasing your next (or first) bow.
1. Proper Fit -
It is no fun shooting a bow that does not fit. Measure your Draw
Length, and do not get a bow that has too heavy of a Draw Weight.
2. Brace Height - The Brace Height is the
distance between the pivot point of the bow's grip and the string while
it is at rest. The shorter the brace height, the farther distance
the bow has to be drawn to reach Full Draw. A shorter brace height
will transfer more energy to the arrow, than a long brace height
will. This will make the arrow speed (IBO) faster while taking
away forgiveness.
3. Axle to Axle Length - Depending on your
type of hunting, a shorter axle bow is more compact, and easier to
maneuver in a tree stand, or during a spot-and-stalk. A longer
axle-to-axle length is a more forgiving bow, and is easier to shoot at
longer distances.
4. Let-Off Choices - Some bows have an
adjustable let-off. This is the 'breaking point' of a bow.
When you draw a bow back, the poundage gets less at the let-off
point. A 65% let-off on a 70# bow requires 24.5lbs to hold the bow
at full draw. A 80% let-off on a 70# bow only requires 14lbs to
hold the bow at full draw. (note: State Laws differ on Let-off, and some
require a lower let-off for hunting. Pope and Young requires a
record harvest to be taken with a maximum let-off of 65%, otherwise the
record will be noted with a high let-off notation * ).
5. Power and Speed - All of today's
compound bows have enough speed (IBO) and Kinetic energy to take even
the largest game with the right shot. Many times having a bow with the
fastest IBO is good for bragging rights only. You will sacrifice
forgiveness when going with a higher speed bow.
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