This part of our guide focuses on archery, the practice of using a bow to shoot arrows at a target for combat, hunting, or sport. Archery requires skill, precision, and control, blending ancient traditions with modern techniques and equipment.
The word "archery" comes from the Latin word arcus, meaning "bow."
Archery likely originated in Africa during the later Middle Stone Age, around 70,000 years ago. The oldest known evidence of arrows comes from South African sites like Sibudu Cave, dating back 72,000 to 60,000 years. Early humans used bows and arrows for hunting and warfare, with evidence found in various ancient civilizations, including Egypt and China.
Archery played a significant role in ancient warfare and hunting. Archers were a crucial part of the military in ancient Egypt, and the bow was viewed as a symbol of power. The longbow became prominent in medieval Europe, particularly in England, where it was instrumental in battles like Agincourt.
Although the use of bows and arrows is synonymous with the history of Native American warriors, archery actually began on the continent relatively late, around 500 AD. One of its earliest uses in North America was in what is now Iowa. This region had been populated for more than eleven thousand years by the time Native American archery first began.
Firearms eventually replaced archery in warfare, but it remained a popular alternative for hunting.
In the mid-19th century, archery evolved into a sport. The first Grand National Archery Society meeting was held in York in 1844, establishing the basis for modern competitive archery. Archery was included in the Olympic Games from 1900 to 1908 and again in 1920. Today, archery is a competitive and recreational sport.
Modern archery equipment includes bows, arrows, and accessories. Bows might be recurved, compound, or longbows, while arrows are typically made from carbon, aluminum, or wood, and accessories might include quivers, sights, stabilizers, and release aids.
Proper archery technique involves stance (feet shoulder-width apart, perpendicular to the target), nocking the arrow (placing the arrow on the bowstring), drawing (pulling the string back to the anchor point), aiming (using sights or instinctive aiming), release (letting the string go smoothly), and follow-through (maintaining form after the release).
Aiming methods include sight shooting (using a bow sight to aim), instinctive shooting (relying on muscle memory and instinct), and gap shooting (estimating the distance between the target and arrow tip).
Competitive archery includes various formats: target archery (shooting at stationary circular targets from set distances), field archery (shooting at targets of varying distances, often in wooded areas), and 3D archery (shooting at life-sized animal targets in a natural setting).
A bow and arrow shares several similarities with a crossbow, as both are archery tools designed to shoot projectiles using the tension of a bowstring.
A crossbow is a ranged weapon with a horizontal bow-like assembly mounted on a stock. It uses a mechanism to draw and hold the string, allowing the user to aim and shoot with minimal physical effort. The crossbow's design includes a trigger mechanism to release the string, making it easier to shoot accurately and consistently.
A traditional bow and arrow, such as a longbow or recurve bow, relies on the archer's physical strength to draw and hold the string. The archer must use proper technique and form to aim and release the arrow accurately.
Crossbows are easier for beginners due to their mechanical design, while traditional bows require more skill and practice. Crossbows offer better accuracy at longer distances and deliver more powerful shots with higher velocity.
Both crossbows and traditional bows have unique advantages and are suited for different purposes. Crossbows are ideal for those seeking ease of use and accuracy, while traditional bows offer a rewarding challenge for those willing to develop their archery skills.
This category focuses on archery, whether a traditional bow or a crossbow is used. Archery blends ancient traditions with modern technology and competitive spirit.
Recommended Resources
This is the Archery Trade Association's effort to give those new to the sport a central location to find the resources and tools to get started. Through collaboration with archery-centric organizations and businesses, the website features content covering how to shoot, where to get started, archery-related news, events, sports lifestyle, and entertainment. Its Archery 101 section introduces archery, while its A360 Articles section covers the growth of archery, gear, tips, and technical archery.
https://archery360.com/
AGB is the national governing body for the sport of archery in the United Kingdom and the umbrella organization for the English Archery Association, Archery Northern Ireland, Scottish Archery, and the Welsh Archery Association. The AGB develops the sport throughout the UK, promotes it, and administers the practice and participation of archery. It also manages rules and regulations and develops coaches, athletes, officials, participants, and clubs across the UK.
https://archerygb.org/
While this site has not been maintained recently, it still contains a lot of non-dated information, such as descriptions, photographs, and diagrams of various types of compounds, longbows, and recurves, including those produced in multiple years. Other topics include arrow rests, arrows, broadheads, points, quivers, releases, and sights. Hall of Fame archers are featured, along with informational articles, designers, archery advertisements from the past, manufacturers, and patents.
http://www.archeryhistory.com/
Currently owned by VerticalScope, Archery Talk was started by a group of enthusiasts who shared a common passion for archery. The online discussion forum serves as a venue for conversation with and among those interested in archery. Archery topics are sorted into sub-forums that pertain to various issues of interest to archers or archery enthusiasts, such as traditional archery, arrows and strings, bowhunting, and general archery discussion. Registration is required for participation.
https://www.archerytalk.com/
Established in 2017, the website provides new archers with a blueprint to develop their skills and includes posts on proper form, safety regulations, and the shot sequence, as well as an exploration of equipment selection and maintenance. Featured is a set of commandments that should be followed whenever someone has a bow in their hand, a how-to series about the draw, a series of posts on how to choose a bow, and product reviews and explanations on the use of various types of gear.
http://www.completeguidetoarchery.com/
The National Archery Association, known as USA Archery, was formed in 1879 to foster and promote the sport of archery in the United States. It is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The organization is charged with enabling U.S. athletes to achieve sustained competitive excellence in Olympic, Paralympic, World Championships, and International competitions and with promoting and growing the sport of archery in the United States. Membership information is highlighted.
https://www.usarchery.org/
Based in Switzerland, WA is the governing body of the sport of archery. It comprises 156 national federations and other archery associations and is recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Founded in 1931, its seven founding member states were France, Czechoslovakia, Sweden, Poland, the United States, Hungary, and Italy. One of its chief aims was to return archery to the Olympic Games, as it had not been featured in 1920. Champions, schedules, athletes, and results are posted.
https://www.worldarchery.sport/
