Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I determine
the best draw weight and draw length?
A:
To measure your draw
length, determine the length of your arm-span in inches. Stand
with your arms out and palms facing forward. Don't
stretch when measuring. Just stand naturally.
Have someone else help you, and measure from the tip of one middle
finger to the other. Then simply divide that number by 2.5.
The quotient is your proper draw length (in inches) for your body size.
This measurement can then be confirmed by one of the staff members at
East Texas Archery.
To determine the best draw weight you must first drop any notions of
how much superhuman strength you may possess. Ultimately the goal
for any archer is accuracy. The following chart is a basic
formulation for draw weights by size of the individual.
|
Very Small Child (55-70 lbs.) |
10-15 lbs. |
|
Small Child (70-100 lbs.) |
15-25 lbs. |
|
Larger Child (100-130 lbs.) |
25-35 lbs. |
|
Small Frame Women (100-130 lbs.) |
25-35 lbs. |
|
Medium Frame Women (130-160 lbs) |
30-40 lbs. |
|
Athletic Older Child (Boys 130-150
lbs.) |
40-50 lbs. |
|
Small Frame Men (120-150 lbs.) |
45-55 lbs. |
|
Large Frame Women (160+ lbs.) |
45-55 lbs. |
|
Medium Frame Men (150-180 lbs.) |
55-65 lbs. |
|
Large Frame Men (180+ lbs.) |
65-75 lbs. |
Q: What is involved in "tuning" a bow?
A: In order to fly straight and true, an arrow must
be spined according to the archer's arrow length and the pull weight of
the bow. As draw weight and arrow length increase, so must ARROW
STIFFNESS. Use the graphic below as a visual aid and indicator.
 |
Nock ends of
properly tuned
arrows as they would
appear in the target. |
Arrow too limber.
|
Arrow too stiff. |
Q: What is the farthest distance I should
try to shoot a game animal with a bow?
A: Many hunters have boasted claims of taking game animals by bow at
great distances. This is a bad practice for any bow hunter of any
skill level. As with gun hunting the responsible practice is to
not leave the animal wounded. Many stories have been told of game
animals reacting to the sound of the bow nearly the instant the arrow is
released. The greater the distance the greater the opportunity for
the deer to move. Shots from 15 to 30 yards are pretty
commonplace, and is a good range to try to stay within for placement of
an accurate and lethal shot.