Compound Bow Set-up | What do i need for a compound Bow?

Compound Bow Set-up | What do i need for a compound Bow?

You’ve either JUST bought a hunting compound bow, or you’re looking at getting one. 

Let’s talk gear and what you need. 

It’s easy to get this wrong, as there’s a lot of noise out there. 

One of the hardest faculties of archery - is the educational barrier of entry.  There’s a lot to know, and every bit of gear, every accessory & piece of equipment for the sport - has broad optionality - theres a lot to choose from. Every bowhunter / archer, has their own set of biomechanics, their own personality, nuances……and own way of approaching the sport, and you’ll find yours too. But, just starting vs starting in a way thats effective - are two entirely different things. 

There is a baseline for effectivity in archery. This is important. E.g. Ordering a “Complete Archery Kit” on Ebay, is a great way to buy a tool that doesn’t work, is inaccurate, and can’t be tuned. You’ll shoot your interest down on the sport before you’ve even gotten started.

 

In this article I’ll cover the essentials, and some basic information on what you will need to get started. 

 

Compound Bow

• RH or LH: Bow’s orientation - Right handed or Left Handed, should be set based off of your dominant eye. Easiest way to tell? Pick a point in the room, create a triangle with your hands, look through the triangle at the point……..whichever eye you had open to look through. Dominant eye. 
• Draw length: Set to your individual draw - then further dialled to your bio-mechanics. There can be a discrepancy between your measured wingspan and what your body will allow - as far as anchoring. Best to measure twice - then set in person with a bow technician or your local pro shop to get right.
• Stabiliser: Does what it sounds like, stabilises the bow - built mainly for control of balance. Most entry level bows come with a 7-10inch stab, they will do the job for now. Also helps with vibration control. These aren’t ABSOLUTELY essential, but typically it does assist in shooting, and feels better in hand. We can get to pin sway, correct balance and 1%’s in a later article. For now, these do help. If you’ve got extra ched and can go high end - have a look at “Quivalizers” by Option Archery.
• Silencers: Most bows have built in, rubber inserts and nick nacks built into the frame of the bow, again reducing vibration, and quietening down the bow - but silencers on the string make the biggest difference in reducing noise on your hunting compound bow. Not essential for now either. A bow with silencers on the string can be a bit nicer to shoot. If you start going hunting, get  them, a quite release stops you from getting string jumped. 
• Quiver: Essential - you want a bow mounted quiver. 5-6 arrows - with room for Broadheads. Again, if you have the spend for it - look at Quivalizers online. Otherwise most bows have very similar mounting point and brands that create brackets and mounting points for quivers for their bow range. 

 

Arrows

• Cut to length: (measured off your draw)
• Spined correctly: For the poundage of the bow.
• Grain weight suitable for purpose (not necessarily for beginners) 

This is very important, and one of the major thing’s I see newbies get wrong. Accepting whatever arrows come in the kit, or just buying whatever is available on the shelf. Look, your first dozen are going into the bush anyway - but don’t skimp on your next arrow purchase after that. Having incorrect arrows for your set-up will drastically affect aim, consistency, and performance of the bow. Likely to have you questioning yourself and the bow, smashing morale and confidence. Get suited arrows, you’re better off being a little bit more out of pocket - then you are jeopardising your experience with archery. 

We work with two local Aussie companies - building some of our favourite and trusted arrows for our customers. 

https://www.huntervalleytactical.com.au/invictus-archery-carbon-hunting-shafts-x-dozen

 

 

Release Aid

Having a decent or semi decent release aid; good leather / material, a secure & stable buckle / strap becomes just another part of your kit that aids you in being consistent. Leather usually moves & moulds with heat, but for the most part - it’s going to be more secure and reliable than an entry level kit release aid. Advanced trigger mechanics, adjustable pressure, overall better geometry and design can make hooking onto the string and having a clean and consistent release, far easier. (Speaking of index trigger releases here).

Accessories

• Field Tips

Simple, but you NEED field tips! Broadheads are for hunting. Field Tips are for shooting targets, not animals. Learn the difference. 

Target

Goes without saying. If you are going to DIY a target - don’t choose material such as stacked carpet, or rubber, as the impact is too hard on the shafts. Hay bale by all means, good chance with your compound bow - the arrows will slip straight through though. 

For a video on how to DIY a target - follow the link. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oco8s7l3Ejw

 

In Summary, you will need: 

Compound Bow: RH or LH, Draw length set, Stabiliser , Silencers, Quiver 

Arrows: Cut to Length, Spined Correctly, Field tips, Reliable fletching system

Release Aid 

Target

 

And you’re away. Having a carry case can be handy, but again, not needed. I went years hunting without one. It was fine. 

All the best, keep slinging arrows. 

 

Author: Lachlan Keevill