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ARCHERY 101:
YOUR PATHWAY

Discover clear steps and articles on how to try archery, what you need to get started, and how you can continue with lessons and programs.

HELPFUL ARTICLES

Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Archery

How to Try Archery in Three Easy Steps

Getting Started in Archery

Archery Classes and Programs

What to Expect When Buying Your First Bow

Backyard Archery Safety 

YOUR SIX-STEP PATH TO BECOMING AN ARCHER

STEP ONE:
EXPLORE BOW STYLES

Archers can choose from: recurve, compound or traditional bow styles.

CHOOSE BOW

STEP TWO:
FIND A SHOP

Visit our Store Locator to find and contact nearby archery shops.

FIND STORE

STEP THREE:
GET MEASURED

The archery shop will measure your draw length and draw weight.

LEARN MORE

STEP FOUR:
GET YOUR GEAR

Archery shop technicians will help you choose the right bow and accessories.

CHOOSE GEAR

STEP FIVE:
TAKE A LESSON

Visit your local range and take your first archery lesson with an instructor or coach.

TAKE LESSON

STEP SIX:
COMPETE

Now that you're an expert, join a league or enter tournaments to compete.

START COMPETING

TYPES OF BOWS

RECURVE

Recurve bows come in many varieties from traditional recurves to Olympic recurves. The “Olympic recurve” is the type of bow Olympians shoot. It’s also the bow of choice for thousands of recreational archers who like a challenge.
ABOUT RECURVE

COMPOUND

If you love precision marksmanship, consider a compound bow. They’re capable of incredible accuracy. With lessons, you’ll hit the center regularly. You can shoot compound bows for recreation, competition or bowhunting.
ABOUT COMPOUND

BAREBOW

Think of the original bow; it had no sights, no stabilizers, no gadgets, just a sleek design. If that sounds interesting, you might be a fan of barebow archery. It's timeless, authentic and tons of fun. It’s time for you to give it a try!
ABOUT BAREBOW

TYPES OF GEAR

ARROWS

Arrows can be different materials, weight, size and fletching type. You'll also use different arrows for indoor and outdoor targets. The size and weight of your arrows correlates with the distance you're shooting and the size of your bow.
ABOUT ARROWS

SIGHTS

Sights are visual tools that attach to the bow and help you aim at the center the target. There's a pin in the middle of the sight that will line up with the 10-ring on the target. You'll set the sight to match the distance you're shooting.
ABOUT SIGHTS

STABILIZERS

Stabilizers also attach to the bow, but unlike sights that directly help your aim, stabilizers help balance the weight of the bow as it sits in your hand. Different lengths of stabilizers provide a different counter-balance on the bow.
ABOUT STABILIZERS

TYPES OF COMPETITIONS

TARGET

Probably the most widely seen archery style: traditional blue/red/yellow 10-ring target faces.
ABOUT TARGET

FIELD

Targets vary in size & shooting distance. Archers visit different stations through the course.
ABOUT FIELD

3D

Targets are designed to look like different animals and have individualized scoring rings.
ABOUT 3D ARCHERY

BAREBOW

Barebow archery doesn't allow the use of any additional gear: sights, release aids or stabilizers.
ABOUT BAREBOW

BOWHUNTING

For those who want to compete with their hunting bow with or beginners without accessories.
ABOUT BOWHUNTING

WHAT'S NEXT?

WHERE TO SHOOT

Visit Archery Passport to find ranges, clubs, events and information on how to continue participating.
ARCHERY PASSPORT

WHERE TO BUY

Visit our Store Locator to find retailers, pro shops and access to equipment near you.
STORE LOCATOR