With the recent spike of archery being featured in popular movies and books such as the “Hunger Games” series, “Brave,” and “The Avengers,” it’s no wonder the sport has seen a recent surge in popularity. Target archery can be practiced indoors or outdoors. Bonus: It can be a fantastic workout for the arms and back, says E.G. LeBre, a nationally ranked archer who coaches at Wellesley, Brandeis, and MIT. For beginners, LeBre suggests sampling the sport at a local range with rental equipment, learning safety rules, and getting fitted properly before buying any equipment.
LeBre says beginners should start with a recurve bow, the type many picture when they think of archery. One inexpensive option is the PSE Snake Recurve Bow ($34.99, www.pse-archery.com and local archery shops), which has a draw weight (a measure of how hard it is to fully pull back the bowstring) of only 22 pounds and is a good pick for younger beginners. Those taking a step up might consider the Martin Jaguar Takedown Bow ($150, amazon.com and local shops), a 45-pound draw-weight bow featuring laminated wood and glass limbs.
After gaining some experience, LeBre says archers might try a compound bow, which was designed for hunting but is used regularly in competition. Through a system of cables and pulleys, a compound bow offers more power with less effort. One solid adult starter model is the SAS Siege ($94.99, amazon.com and local shops), a 55-pound draw-weight, 29-inch bow that can shoot arrows at about 206 feet per second, according to the company.
LeBre suggest aluminum arrows for beginners — especially for those practicing outdoors, where arrows can easily go missing — since they are fairly inexpensive. LeBre warns that new archers need to learn the appropriate arrow length for their bow: “If you don’t know that, you’re taking a risk, since the arrow can fall off the rest, and people can get hurt,” he said.
One option is Easton Archery’s 2219 Fall Stalker Arrows ($24.99 for a six-pack, www.dickssportinggoods.com and local shops), which feature a durable body and come in assorted colors. For the more serious archer, carbon arrows are the way to go, though they can cost up to $50 each.
LeBre notes that beginners should avoid baggy clothing so the bowstring will not catch on equipment. He also recommends a chest protector, particularly for women, as well as forearm guards on the bow arm, for men and women, to minimize bruising upon release. The Easton Diamond Chest Guard (starting at $22.98 on amazon.com and in local stores) comes in several sizes, and the Tarantula 11¾ -inch Four-Strap Flex-Foam arm guard is another solid choice ($16.99,
cabelas.com).
Quivers are a must. The Easton Flipside 3 Tube Hip Quiver is lightweight, durable, works for both right- and left-handed shooters, and comes in several colors ($19.99, basspro.com and local shops).