Compound Hunting Bows | Robert Wayne Atkins, P.E.

Compound Hunting Bows
Copyright © January 3, 2022 by Robert Wayne Atkins, P.E.
All Rights Reserved.

Introduction
Compound Bow

People have used bows and arrows for thousands of years to hunt wild game animals on every continent of the world.

However, a modern rifle is a better choice for hunting wild animals for five reasons:

It is easier to learn how to correctly aim and shoot a rifle when compared to a bow.
A rifle is more accurate at a longer distance than an arrow and this will increase the range at which you can successfully hunt animals.
From a safety perspective, a rifle allows you to remain further away from a dangerous animal.
A rifle bullet contains more energy than an arrow when it hits the target.
In some situations, a semi-automatic rifle will allow you to quickly fire several shots into a wild animal to kill it.

On the other hand, a bow and some arrows do have the following advantages:

They are almost silent. Except for the "twang" of the bowstring and the "swish" of the arrow through the air, a bow does not attract any attention to the hunting site when compared to a firearm.
A longbow can be made by hand using a knife and a good piece of wood.
Arrows can be made by hand using a knife and several long thin straight pieces of wood.

There are four basic types of bows as follows:

Crossbows: Crossbows are used in basically the same way as a single-shot rifle. The bowstring is cocked and held into position with a catch. A bolt (short arrow) is loaded onto the top of the bow in front of the string. The bow is aimed and then the trigger is pulled to fire the bolt at the target.
Longbows: This type of bow can be made with a knife and a good piece of wood. Detailed instructions for making a longbow are on my website here.
Recurve Bows: This is a longbow with ends that curve backwards toward the front of the bow.
Compound Bows: Compound bows are used in the same way as a longbow or a recurve bow. The remainder of this article will discuss compound bows.

The above picture on the right is a "Barnett Centershot Youth" compound bow and it is sold at most Walmart stores for approximately $30. It includes two 27-inch long arrows and a quiver made of black thick corduroy. The "Youth" bow in the picture has a draw weight of about 17 pounds and a variable draw length between 18 to 23 inches. My 10-year old grandson and my 10-year old granddaughter were both able to successfully learn how to shoot this bow and they really enjoyed the experience. Each time they come to visit me they usually ask me if they can shoot this bow again. (Note: In the above picture you can see the one "black" feather pointing straight down towards the bottom of the bow. This will be discussed in more detail in the next section.)

Compound Hunting Bows
Adult Compound Bow

The picture on the right is a "Barnett Vortex" right-handed compound bow and it is sold at most Walmart stores for approximately $134. The bow in the picture has a variable draw weight of 19 to 45 pounds, a variable draw length between 21 to 27.5 inches, and a variable let-off of 60% to 70%. The bow is factory set to a 41-pound draw weight. 41-pounds is too much for most teenagers, and it might be a little too much for some women, but it is a reasonable weight for a man. The bow is factory set to a 27.5-inch draw length. A 27.5-inch draw is probably a little too much for most teenagers. However, it would probably be reasonable for the average woman and for most men. The draw weight and draw length can be professionally adjusted by a professional at a bow shop. Or you may be able to do it yourself if you are skilled at making these types of adjustments. The bow is equipped with three fiber optic glowing aiming sights, a string dampener and stabilizer, and it has an attached arrow holder that will hold 3 arrows on the right side of the bow. It includes four allen wrenches and an owner's manual that explains how to correctly use the bow. The string that came with the bow has a D-loop for use with a trigger release that is sold separately. In the picture on the right the small black "D" shaped thing at the right end of the arrow is a D-loop. Arrows and arrowheads are sold separately. The arrow rest on this bow works with arrows that have the off-color feather pointing straight up when the arrow string notch is inserted into the bowstring. In the picture on the right you can see the one "black" feather pointing straight up on the arrow that is fitted to the bowstring. And you can also clearly see the two "gray" feathers on the three arrows in the arrow holder attached to the bow.

(Note: Some Walmarts also sell expensive "Video Game" compound bows that are designed to be used with hunting video games. A "Video Game" compound bow cannot be used to shoot a real arrow and it cannot be used to hunt real wild game animals. I have never purchased a "Video Game" compound bow and therefore I can offer no comments about them.)

Basic Characteristics of a Compound Bow:

Limbs: The limbs of a compound bow are much stronger than the limbs of a longbow and therefore a compound bow has a pulley or cam system at both ends of the bow in order for it to be successfully used. The bowstring is permanently wrapped over the pulleys at the two ends of the bow, and the bowstring is not removed from the bow when it is put into storage. The pulley system allows for the limbs of the bow to be bent by a person who has ordinary average strength so an arrow can be fired from the bow.

Draw Weight: Compound bows normally have a draw weight between approximately 15 pounds to 70 pounds. However, the draw weight of a specific bow will usually be adjustable over a range of about 25 to 30 pounds. For example, the draw weight of a specific bow may be adjustable from 19 to 45 pounds, or from 30 to 55 pounds, or from 40 to 70 pounds. The following table shows the recommended draw weight ranges for different individuals:
Recommended Draw Weight Ranges for Different Individuals

Person	Compound Bow	Recurve Bow
Youth	10 to 20 pounds	10 to 15 pounds
Teenager	20 to 30 pounds	15 to 20 pounds
Woman	25 to 40 pounds	20 to 30 pounds
Man	40 to 55 pounds	25 to 35 pounds
Strong Man	60 to 75 pounds	40 to 55 pounds

The most common mistake that most people make is buying a bow that is more powerful than they can comfortably handle. If a person finds it difficult to draw the bow then this will reduce their accuracy with the bow, it will increase their fatigue, it will discourage them from practicing, and they will abandon their new hobby. Therefore most archery instructors recommend that a person select a bow that they can pull comfortably without having to use every ounce of their strength. In other words, a person's first bow should be on the low side of the recommended range for that person, or a little below the minimum draw weight that is shown above for their range of values. The bow they select should be adjustable so that they can reduce the draw weight if necessary, and they can also increase the draw weight as they become more proficient with the bow. However, the minimum draw weight for hunting big game animals is 40 pounds. The Barnett Vortex compound bow has an adjustable draw weight between 19 to 45 pounds, and it has been factory set to 41 pounds. If this is too much for you then you can have it adjusted by a professional at a bow shop using a bow press.

Draw Length: The draw length is how far the bowstring is pulled back to shoot the arrow. It is the distance the bowstring must be pulled to reach the let-off for the bow. The bowstring can be pulled back a little further than this value but the additional pull will not have a noticeable impact on the velocity or the energy of the arrow when it exits the bow. The draw length for an adult bow will usually be somewhere between 24 to 29 inches. To determine your draw length stand facing a wall with the tip of the middle finger of one hand touching the frame of a door, and stretch out as far as you can with the other hand and place the tip of your other middle finger on the wall. Use a tape measure to determine the length from where the tip of your middle finger is touching the wall all the way back to the door frame. Divide that number by 2.5 to estimate your draw length. Move to a different door and repeat the entire measurement process. If the two measurements agree then that is your estimated draw length. The most common draw length for most people is 28 inches. The Barnett Vortex compound bow has an adjustable draw length between 21 to 27.5 inches in 1/2 inch increments, and it has been factory set to 27.5 inches. If this is too much for you then you can have it adjusted by a professional at a bow shop using a bow press. The following table shows the "average" draw length for people of different heights. However, the best way to determine your draw length is to measure it yourself using the above procedure.
Average Draw Length for People of Different Heights

Height Draw Length Height Draw Length

5' 4" 25.5" 5' 10" 28"

5' 6" 26.5" 6' 0" 28.75"

5' 8" 27.25" 6' 2" 29.5"
Let-Off: Let-off refers to the percent of the draw weight that is maintained by the cams when you have the bow at full draw. If you subtract the bow's let-off from 100% then this is how much weight you will be holding at full draw. The let-off for most compound bows will usually be somewhere between 60% to 80% in increments of 10%. For example the let-off may be between 60% to 70%, or the let-off may be between 70% to 80%. The let-off impacts a variety of variables and when all these variables are taken into consideration, the optimal let-off is 65%. The Barnett Vortex compound bow has a let-off of 60% to 70%. You would need to apply 41 pounds to this bow to extend it to its full draw. But when you reach the full draw of 27.5 inches then you would only require 35% of its 41 pound draw weight, or approximately 14 pounds, to keep the bow at its full draw of 27.5 inches. This significant reduction in weight is easy to detect and it will happen suddenly when you have the bow at full draw. This significant reduction in weight allows you to take your time to carefully aim your arrow at the target. When you release the arrow the cams will apply the full weight of 41 pounds to the arrow as the arrow is fired from the bow. The let-off does not reduce the velocity or the energy of the arrow. The let-off only makes it more comfortable to hold the bow at full draw so you can focus your attention on aiming your arrow.
Arrow Velocity and Energy: Depending on the draw weight and the draw length of a compound bow, a compound bow will usually fire an arrow at a velocity between 250 to 350 feet per second, more or less. This is about 170 to 240 miles per hour. This is the point-blank velocity of the arrow when it first exits the bow. The velocity will decrease as the arrow continues to travel over its flight path. The energy of the arrow will also decrease as its velocity decreases.

The Advantages of a Compound Bow:

It is usually easier to learn how to shoot a compound bow when compared to a longbow or a recurve bow.
Compound bows are usually more powerful that a longbow or a recurve bow because the cams assist in pulling the bowstring to a full draw, and the cams reduce the amount of energy required to hold the bow at full draw. This minimizes the impact of fatigue and it allows a person to enjoy shooting the bow longer during each practice session.
The let-off of a compound bow allows the archer to focus on the task of aiming the arrow.
Sights can be installed on a compound bow. After the sights have been adjusted by the user, the sights may increase the accuracy of the bow. Fiber optic glowing sights will glow gently in low-light hunting situations, such as the early morning or the late evening, but they do not work in the dark. However, unlike the scope sights on a rifle, the sights on a compound bow must be adjusted to each user of the bow.
Since the bowstring is in the center of the compound bow, the bowstring has a extremely small chance of making contact with the inside of your left forearm (if you are holding the bow with your left hand). This is a common problem with longbows and recurve bows and a special forearm protector is sold to prevent this type of injury. A long-sleeve shirt will also help to prevent this type of string burn on your forearm. However, the best solution is to learn how to hold and shoot a bow so that the string is far away from your forearm.
Since the arrow is on top of an arrow rest in the center of a compound bow, the feathers on the arrow will not slice across the top of your left hand and draw blood (if your hand is too high on the bow grip). This is a common problem with longbows and recurve bows and thin leather gloves are recommended to prevent this type of injury when shooting a longbow or a recurve bow.
Regardless of what type of bow you have, if you will wear a thin leather glove on your right hand then your fingers will be protected when you pull the bowstring back (if you pull the string with your fingers). The next option can eliminate the need for a glove on the right hand.
A mechanical release can be used with a compound bow and this may reduce the amount of movement when the string is released and this may improve the accuracy of the bow. If you have weak or arthritic fingers then a mechanical release is a good solution because it allows you to use your forearm and your wrist to pull the bowstring instead of your fingers. The mechanical release in the picture on the right has a wrist strap, and it has a trigger release that opens the front clamp to release the bowstring. The cheap mechanical releases are not recommended. If you read the customer reviews you will discover that they cause a variety of problems. If you believe you need a mechanical release then be prepared to spend a reasonable amount of money for a good quality release. However, if you learn how to use your fingers to shoot the bow then you can avoid the problems associated with mechanical releases and your fingers will always be there when you need them. Mechanical releases are normally used with a D-loop that attaches to the bowstring directly behind the place where the arrow string notch makes contact with the string. If you purchase a mechanical release then you should also use a D-loop to extend the life of your bowstring.

The Disadvantages of a Compound Bow:

A compound bow may need to be professionally adjusted to match the strength and the arm length of the person using the bow.
The number of moving parts requires more frequent maintenance of a compound bow, and if any one part fails then the bow will fail.
When the bowstring needs to be replaced you will need to take the compound bow to a bow shop and have a professional replace the bowstring with the aid of a bow press.
A compound bow should not be fired without an arrow (called dry firing) because the bow is not designed to be used in this manner and dry firing could damage the bow and you could injure yourself.
A compound bow that fires an arrow at 350 feet per second can shoot an arrow approximately 100 yards but the arrow may not hit the intended target. Skilled archers can accurately shoot a compound bow at a target at a distance of between 30 to 60 yards. However, when hunting big game animals the effective range of a compound bow is between 20 to 40 yards due to the decrease in the energy of the arrow as it travels over its trajectory. A professional archer or skilled hunter can increase these distances with significant practice.

Arrow Characteristics:
The arrows that are used with compound bows, longbows, and recurve bows have the following general characteristics:

Cost: Arrows that are purchased one-at-a-time usually sell for between $3.00 to $7.00 each. Competition arrows cost a lot more. Arrows that are sold by the box (such as 12 per box) are usually sold at a discount. The cost of the arrow is based on how it is made and what it is made of.
Shaft Composition: Arrows may be made of wood, aluminum alloy, or fiber alloy. However, a wood arrow is rarely used with a compound bow.
Shaft Length: The length of an arrow is the distance from one end of the arrow to the other end of the arrow but it does not include the point of the arrow. The optimum length of an arrow should be based on how far back the shooter will be pulling the bowstring. The front of the arrow should remain on the arrow rest and the front end of the arrow should extend at least 1.5 to 2 inches beyond the front part of the bow. The arrow should be at least one-inch longer than your draw length. The arrow can be a little longer than necessary but the arrow should not be too short because the arrow may fall off the rear of the arrow rest (depending on how the arrow rest is designed). If you use an arrow that is too short then you may shoot yourself in your hand if the arrow slides off the back of the arrow rest. Some bow shops will cut their arrows to the exact length you specify. However, arrows are also available in pre-cut lengths from 24 inches up to 32 inches in one-inch increments.
Nock or String Notch: The string notch may be oriented so that the off-color feather is pointing straight down or straight up, or the off-color feather may be pointing to the left. Before you purchase arrows you should examine the string notch on the arrow and verify that the off-color feather is correctly oriented for the type of bow you will be using. If the off-color feather is in direct alignment with the string notch at the rear of the arrow then the arrow will work correctly with most of the current compound bows that are available because the off-color feather can be positioned so that it points straight down or straight up. However, if the off-color feather is at 90 degrees to the string notch then the arrow will work with most longbows and recurve bows and the off-color feather will point out to the left.
Fletching or Feather Colors: If you have a variety of colors to select from, then choose bright colors that are not common in the normal terrain where you will be using your bow. Arrows with brightly colored feathers are relatively easy to find if you should miss the target. However, dull earth-color arrows will blend in with the ground and you may have to invest a lot of time searching for your arrows, and you may sometimes lose an arrow because your can't find it because it blends in perfectly with the terrain. Wild game animals will usually not notice a small brightly colored feather that is a reasonable distance away from them. Therefore the feather color will not reduce your ability to blend in with nature. It should also be mentioned that a brightly colored arrow feather can sometimes help you find a wounded animal that is hiding in some thick brush. However, different archers have different opinions about the best color for an arrow feather so you should follow whatever advice you believe is best for your particular situation.
Arrowheads or Points:
Target arrows normally have a simple metal "field" or "target" or "bullet" point. These types of points normally cost about $0.35 each.
Hunting arrows normally have more expensive points. Stainless steel razor points normally cost between $3 to $15 each.
In the picture on the right the arrow on the top has a detached metal "target" point shown in front of the blunt end of the arrow.
In the picture on the right the arrow in the middle has the metal "target" point screwed into the blunt end of the arrow.
In the picture on the right the arrow on the bottom has a stainless steel razor arrowhead shown just above the arrow. And a razor arrowhead is also shown screwed into the blunt end of the arrow.
The arrowheads used by the American Indians usually had a sharp point and a squared off rear end with an extension that could be tied to an arrow shaft. The squared off rear end kept the arrow inside the animal and it could not be dislodged if the animal ran through some thick bushes. In the 21st century some stainless steel razor arrowheads have a squared off rear end, such as in the picture, or a pointed rear end that prevents the arrow from being pulled out of the animal. However, some razor arrowheads have a gradually tapered rear end and this allows for the easy removal of the arrow from the animal by simply pulling on the arrow because the front and rear of the arrowhead have a sharp cutting edge. You will need to make your own decision on the design you prefer. As you can see in the picture, I prefer an arrowhead that remains inside the animal until I cut the arrow out of the animal with my hunting knife.
Target Arrows: Target arrows that are shot at a target are reusable if you can find them.
Hunting Arrows: Hunting arrows may be damaged by the animal as it runs away, or the arrow may be damaged when the animal falls to the ground. However, if you can find the animal then you can still retrieve your arrowhead even if you have to discard your arrow because it is damaged.
Lost Arrows: Hunting arrows may be lost it the arrow hits the animal in a location that does not kill or cripple the animal, and the animal may escape to an area where the animal (and the arrow) cannot be found. However, as previously mentioned, brightly colored arrow feathers can sometimes help you find a wounded animal that is hiding in some thick brush, or that has bled to death after lying down in some thick brush.

Conclusion
Unfortunately the quality of many products is not a good as it was a few years ago. Even some "name brand" products that once had a reputation for being of the highest quality are now of average or below average quality. This includes some automobiles, some home appliances, and some bows and arrows. Please read all the customer reviews before you make a purchase decision because you may discover that the "name brand" item that you are considering is no longer a high quality product. This includes products made in the U.S.A. and products made in other countries, such as China.

The internet has a lot of good information on how to use a compound bow, including the correct stance, the correct way to hold the bow, the correct way to draw the bow, and other good information. Even if you can't afford a compound bow at this time, you might wish to invest a little of your time researching how to correctly use a compound bow. You could then practice the correct stance, and the correct holding position, and the correct way to draw the bow and release the arrow. This would help you to be better prepared to select a good bow when you can afford one.

If you can find a gently used compound bow for sale then you may wish to consider the investment. Sometimes the person will have a nice collection of arrows, and points, and other accessories that they will include in the purchase price. Carefully examine the bow to make sure there are not any hairline cracks in its limbs. And carefully feel the bowstring to make sure it is still in good condition. If possible, have the person shoot a few arrows with the bow to verify that the bow is in good condition and that the bow does not make any unusual noises when it is used.

Learning how to successfully use a bow and arrows increases the chances that a person will be able to survive if the future should unfold in a way that the person was not expecting.

A person who knows how to make a homemade longbow and arrows using some wood and a knife would possess some basic survival knowledge that could prove to be extremely useful in the not-to-distant future.

Respectfully,
Grandpappy.

Grandpappy's e-mail address is: RobertWayneAtkins@hotmail.com

Height	Draw Length	Height	Draw Length
5' 4"	25.5"	5' 10"	28"
5' 6"	26.5"	6' 0"	28.75"
5' 8"	27.25"	6' 2"	29.5"