Tips And Tricks For Compound Bow Mastery

Whether you have only recently begun trying your hand at archery or you have been using a compound bow for years, it’s always beneficial to learn a few new tricks. In this brief guide, we will explore some useful pieces of archery advice, and delve into the capabilities of these powerful modern bows. While they are simple to use, it can be extremely challenging to use them to their full potential.

As we usually do, we will offer a few product recommendations from our Futurama online store, to give you a good sense of the sort of high-quality products available. Beyond compound bows, we have a vast selection of products to fit a variety of needs and hobbies – if you have not already, we encourage you to have a look through our website, we are certain to have something that is up your alley. So, now that you know what to expect from the guide, let’s get into it.

Compound Bow: Proper Form And Technique

As is the case with most things, it is essential to start with the basics and work your way up from there. If you look around at a few different sources online, you will notice that there is a lot of emphasis on shooting form and focus – some archers make it sound as if you need to reach some sort of meditative state in order to shoot accurately.

This is not the case, it is a combination of simple actions that one needs to practice. In fact, the hardest part is pulling off all of these simple things correctly on each shot. Over time, these motions and techniques will begin to feel natural, and your body will perform them automatically. Allow us to break it down step by step:

1. Maintain A Steady Stance 

When preparing to aim at the target, ensure that your feet are perpendicular to it, with your feet positioned shoulder-width apart. For better stability, turn your toes slightly outwards – this will help you to keep your body still when shooting. If you are finding it tough to get yourself back into the same position each time, try placing a piece of cardboard onto the ground and get your feet into the ideal position, then, trace around them with a marker. This way, you can ensure that your stance is identical each time you shoot – from here, muscle memory should take over.

2. Find Consistent Anchor Points

Consistency is incredibly important when using a compound bow, especially when at full draw. Try to make sure that your release hand is in the same position against your face on every shot you take. Additionally, it helps to rest the tip of your nose on the string, this allows for a more accurate mental picture of the arrow’s flight path. Lastly, hold your release in the same manner with every arrow as it will affect the accuracy of your shooting.

3. Ensure Your Grip Isn’t Too Tight

It’s crucial not to grab onto the bow like you intend to hit something with it, this brings unnecessary strain into the shot. Rather, focus on allowing the bow’s grip to rest against the bony part of the heel of your palm. Then, lower your fingers slightly under the shelf of the grip, and keep your hand as relaxed as possible when in full draw.

4. Create A Straight Line

When in full draw, try to form as straight of a line as you can from your leading shoulder down to your grip hand. It helps to keep that lead shoulder low and bring it forward. Do this while also making sure that your elbow isn’t fully extended, but rather has a slight bend. Ultimately, the goal is to align your body closely with the flight trajectory of the arrow, which ensures that you have an improved sense of where it will end up.

5. Don’t Push Your Grip Hand Forward

When loosing the arrow, it feels natural to shoot your grip hand towards the intended target, however, this can lead to inconsistencies with your form over time. Instead, keep your body static, and remain still when firing the arrow – there is no need to exaggerate a follow-through. Oftentimes, beginners will intentionally throw their string arm back after the release. This is understandable, as in many movies this might be the way that you see the actor release the arrow. However, in reality, if you have proper form, correct follow-through will happen naturally.

Compound Bow: Maintenance And Care

Whatever you intend to use your bow for, it is essential to look after it as best you can through regular maintenance and inspections. Doing this will ensure that your bow continues to serve you well far into the future, but it will also guarantee that it works as intended in crucial moments – when hunting or in a target shooting competition, for instance. To add to this, if your equipment fails due to neglect, it can lead to injury, which should certainly be avoided.

With all that in mind, let’s have a look at the correct ways to maintain the different parts of your compound bow:

Maintaining The String

The strings will require more attention than other parts of the compound bow. Even if you are not using the bow frequently, it is advisable to wax the strings at least once a month. If the compound bow is seeing a lot of use, perhaps during tournament or hunting season, it becomes necessary to wax the strings weekly. The strings of a compound bow are exposed to plenty of strain with all the energy they need to contain, and this is why it is important to keep them in good condition. Beyond waxing, it pays to inspect the strings semi-regularly for signs of wear and tear or fraying – if you do notice signs of damage, it’s best to replace the string as soon as possible.

Maintaining Compound Bow Limbs And Hardware

While inspections of your compound bow limbs won’t need to happen as often, they are still extremely important. Most bow limbs are laminated, and if the bow is exposed to intense heat, it can start a process of delamination which can be detrimental to the integrity of the compound bow. In the unfortunate event that this does occur, you will notice the layering of the materials used in the bow’s construction. To stop this happening, avoid leaving your bow in an extremely hot car for long periods, and store it in a reasonably cool environment. If you do these things, you won’t need to concern yourself too much with this issue, as it only happens in intense heat.

When it comes to the rest of your bow, namely the frame, bolts and screws, cams, and accessories, check them now and again for noticeable corrosion or damage. Check the frame for twists or bulges, ensure the screws are adequately tightened, and make sure the cams are lightly oiled to avoid rust and corrosion. Beyond these simple things, there isn’t too much to worry about regarding the rest of your bow.

Arrows

Arrows don’t need to be cared for in the same way as a bow, as they are significantly easier and cheaper to replace. However, there are a few checks one should perform before shooting an arrow downrange. Have a look at the arrow and examine it for any splits or cracks – this can be done by performing a flex test. Bend the arrow slightly in different directions using your hands, without breaking it – if you notice any cracking sounds or see anything fly off the arrow, we recommend disposing of it. Beyond this, check the nock of your arrow for splits or tears that might interfere with shooting.

A Few Compound Bows To Consider From Our Online Store

Now that you are armed with a bit more information about proper form and bow maintenance, let’s get into some of the high-quality offerings available from our Futurama online shop. You will notice that most of our compound bows are from Man Kung, which is easily one of the best and most prolific manufacturers in the world. They are situated in the Netherlands and specialise in all things archery, including bows, crossbows, blowguns, bolts and arrows, strings, etc. At Futurama, we exclusively stock products from well-respected brands who take pride in the quality of their goods.

Man Kung Aurora MK-CB50 – 55lbs

For those looking for the ideal first bow, the Man Kung Aurora is an impressively powerful bow that won’t break the bank. It comes with a few notable features, including an adjustable draw weight of between 13 – 25 kg, which allows for up to 296 fps, which is certainly nothing to scoff at. It is designed for kids under 16 years of age, or those with smaller frames, hence the comparatively low draw weight of 55lbs. It comes standard with an aluminium riser and compression moulded fibreglass limb, so you can rest assured that this bow will stand the test of time.

Man Kung MK-CB75B – 75lbs

If you would prefer to step it up a notch and invest in a bow with a bit more performance, the Man Kung MK-CB75B is undoubtedly worth your consideration. This bow also comes with an adjustable draw weight, but it offers a bit more power with 50 – 75 lbs, leaving you with an arrow speed of around 270 fps. One of the most impressive features of this bow is that it facilitates a surprising 70%, which means you will be able to target shoot or hunt for much longer periods, as there is a lot less strain on your muscles when the bow is in full draw. It comes with a standard pin sight, but it is surprisingly simple to modify and add attachments to.

Compound Bows: In Conclusion

We do hope that you have found this guide to be insightful, and perhaps the tips and tricks we got into will help you take the next step in your archery progression. As is the case with most things, the key is repetition and practice, the more you do it, the better you will be. If you plan on embracing the sport of archery or fancy yourself to be an adept bow hunter, it’s crucial to take note of the bow maintenance tips we offered earlier. Without basic care, you are unlikely to get the results you want from your equipment.

At Futurama, we are passionate about informing our customers about the products we have on offer, it always helps to have a better understanding of what you are planning to purchase.