Choosing the right tool for the archery job

For many archers the end of archery season signals a time to reflect on the past seasons hunts, evaluate their preparations, as well as begin to look at changes that can be made in gear.

With so many selections of archery-related gear on the market it is easy for shooters to look past the most vital element to success in the field: the bow they shoot.

The commonly used phrase, “there’s a tool for every job,” fits perfectly in the sport of archery. But how do you determine the right tool?

(Riverside Archery owner Gary Ludwig--right--with a 2012 Mathews Z7 bow).

The first step is to identify your price range and what your intended focus will be, with an emphasis on hunting style and venue. Do you spend most of your time chasing mule deer in open country? What about close-quarter backcountry elk hunting or Blacktail deer hunting in dense alder bottoms?

“As an elk hunter I like a compact bow, whereas guys from eastern Washington that are desert mule deer type hunters like the longer bows,” said Gary Ludwig, owner of Riverside Archery in Mount Vernon.

A compact bow, typically in the 28 to 31 inch range, is easier to maneuver in dense country, while a longer 33 to 35 inch axle-to-axle bow offers a more stable platform where long shots may be necessary, such as in open sage country.

Bow geometry—the limb and riser design—has a significant impact on the how the bow reacts, even more so than a bows brace height, says Matt Schmitz, owner of Bull of the Woods archery in Sequim. Limb geometry, whether the bow has parallel limbs or not, drastically changes the string angle when the archer is at full-draw and varies from bow to bow.

Issues arise when archer switch from longer axle bows to short ones or visa versa. Shorter axle bows change peep height considerably, and require a precise setup process.

Newer past-parallel limb bows continually decrease brace height—the distance from the “throat” of a bows grip to the string—in pursuit of more speed. This, however, is not a major concern, Schmitz said. “Depending on the manufacture, you can go down to 5.5 inches of brace height and not sacrifice any accuracy.”

“The biggest thing I have with brace height is if it gets down too low, they can catch on your clothing in certain situations. That can be an issue in the field,” Ludwig said.

Newer bows have pushed the envelope of arrow speed, typically advertising an IBO speed determined by a 350-grain arrow shot from a 70-pound bow. This speed thrill creates issues as archers, both new and veteran, quickly become “over bowed,” says Ludwig.

Just because an archer can shoot an 80-pound bow once does not mean that it is the right choice, Ludwig said. The key should be comfort; where you can draw the bow in one fluid, smooth motion.

“You got to shoot what’s very comfortable, because bows today have enough energy, even at 50-pounds, to drive them home on an elk even, and get the job done,” Ludwig said.

“There’s a bow to fit any body,” Schmitz said. The key to finding the right bow is to identify your price range, the game you intend to chase and get a bow fitted properly by a knowledgeable dealer.