AT HOME ON THE (ARCHERY) RANGE

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BOW LOWDOWN

Most modern bows can be divided into two categories: the graceful, traditional recurve and the futuristic compound bow. About ten years ago, the latter (a contraption made up of fiberglass, wood, magnesium, cables, and pulleys) arrived on the scene and took the archery world by storm. Its invention is considered the biggest advance in bow technology since the recurve began to replace the longbow centuries ago. Both types, however, are good ... the choice will depend primarily on yourbudget.

The major differences between the two are the speed at which they propel an arrow and the ease of pulling them. A compound shoots faster (which makes accuracy easier) and requires less strength to hold the string all the way back (at the point called "full draw") than does the older type of bow. The farther you pull a recurve, the more the resistance increases. With the compound weapon, however, resistance increases only to a point about two-thirds of the way to full draw, then drops off from 35% to 50%.

Since the compound first became available, archers have flocked to it by the thousand, leaving many top-quality recurves languishing in closets and classified ads. Bows that sold new for $100 to $150 only a few years ago are now bringing no more than $25 at yard sales. Yet despite the fact that there is definitely a buyer's market in recurves, you might be better off with a compound bow. Here's why.

In the days BC (before compounds) a beginning archer would often buy a bow that had only moderate resistance (measured in pounds), in order to work on developing good shooting form without straining muscles in the process. Then, once the novice gained skill, he or she often had to buy another bow, with a heavier draw weight, to use for hunting or longrange target practice. (You should, in fact, never use too heavy a bow when you're learning, since you won't be able to hold it at full draw long enough to check your form before releasing the arrow.)

So, although the initial cost of a compound bow is relatively high, such a tool will help you to learn more quickly, and because many models can be adjusted through a range of draw weights-a compound can even save you money in the long run. For example, if you buy a bow that's adjustable from 45 to 60 pounds with a 50% "let-off", you will be, with the compound at its lightest setting, holding only 22-1/2 pounds at full draw. Then, after you've mastered the basics, you can simply tighten the adjustment screws (according to the directions that come with the bow) to achieve any weight up to 60 pounds (which will still require a pressure of only 30 pounds to maintain full draw). Therefore, you won't need to buy a second bow, or get used to a different one . . . your learning bow will also be your shooting bow.

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