Archery is growing in popularity for target shooting and as a means of hunting. While it is accessible, it takes some skill to become proficient and good at the sport.
You can discover quite a few things to know how to do to ensure you are doing it right.
If an element of your archery is off or you are poor in this ear, then the rest of your form and function can suffer.
Whether you are using a beginner recurve bow or not, you need to get the technique right, or you won’t improve. (Find the Best Hunting Recurve Bow)
In our guide, you can learn how to shoot recurve bow to improve your skill and accuracy when you release the arrow.
Is A Recurve Bow Hard to Shoot?
Recurve bows can be harder to shoot than compound bows, yet this doesn’t mean they are challenging to shoot.
You also need to check the benefits of bow types before you fully understand which is better.
A recurve bow is a type of traditional bow, yet made with modern techniques and styling.
You can find recurve bows to fit all sizes, and each will come with a different draw strength to suit a certain upper body strength.
A longbow can be differentiated from the recurve bow by shape. The grip is straight, and the arc of the bow will be in one curve. A recurve bow resembles a number three where it has greater depth it is thinner in width.
Shooting a longbow can be far more complex as you need the correct form and the thicker depth makes it harder to shoot straight arrows. (Read Why is Hunting Good)
Recurve bows are designed to shoot faster and deliver more power. The draw length on recurve bows is more critical where a traditional bow’s bowstring can be drawn back to the limit of your arm. Recurve bows have set drawback lengths, though these can be adjusted.
Mastering traditional bow skills need a great deal of practice, technique, and more. Your recurve bow skills rely on your arm strength as much as anything, and it is this where a new archer may think using a recurve is hard.
Can You Shoot a Recurve Bow with a Release?
Some recurve archers prefer shooting with a release instead of a tab.
Archers can have muscle issues or conditions in their fingers that stop them from firing usually. Other archers prefer shooting using a release as they don’t like the string feel in their fingers.
While it is possible, you may not see many archers doing this, mainly because many things change.
Here’s what you need to know about using a release.
Using a release to shoot a recurve bow takes adjustments in several areas. Without a release, you need to make some adjustments.
Anchor point
Here is the first significant difference when you shoot with a release. The anchor point is below the chin, corner of your mouth, or cheek when using a tab. However, even if you could do this with a release, it’s uncomfortable. Most archers anchor behind the jaw, though this depends on the type of release used.
Your Draw
When drawing with a tab, your hand is vertical with your thumb up. Shooting with a release, and the index finger often triggers a wrist release with your hand horizontal and your thumb facing your cheek. (Read Is It Legal To Shoot A Bow In City Limits)
Changes in your draw make an impact on muscles as different groups will be used. Therefore, you may find it harder to draw as you are using untrained muscles.
Draw Length
Once your anchor point changes, you’ll discover your draw length changes. The D-loop and the release decrease draw length by an inch at least.
With at least an inch. Many archers anchor toward the back of their face closer to the cheekbone because small changes in draw length impact energy transferred to the arrow. Draw weight has a direct relation to arrow speed. (Find the Best Arrows For Target Shooting)
How Far Can You Shoot with a Recurve Bow?
Understanding how far your arrow will go when shooting a recurve is something you’ll learn very early. It doesn’t matter as you can step forward for targets; hunting with your recurve is different as you’ll need to be at the exact distance for a clean kill.
Calculating how far your recurve bow can shoot is straightforward.
Recurve bows are capable of shooting hundreds of yards. However, endless factors change this, such as draw weight, draw length, and arrow weight.
While you can fire this distance, it doesn’t mean it’s an effective distance. Aiming is the final element, and this brings an effective distance of 10 to 35 yards, depending on skill level when hunting.
How Do You Aim a Recurve Bow?
Archery Stance
A correct stance is important as it increases stability, posture, and aiming. It also enables you to draw and release the bowstring without injury.
Two archery stances you can take are a Square Stance and an Open Stance.
In the square stance, place both feet shoulder-width apart on either side of your shooting line.
Have your left foot leading your right foot and perpendicular to the target.
Take a half-step back with your left foot in the open stance and point it toward the target. Use this on uneven ground.
Nocking the Arrow
Push the arrow’s nock into the bowstring
Holding the arrow in your right hand, position it onto the arrow rest on the left side of the bow.
Position the arrow with your index fletching faced away from your bow.
Make sure not to wrap your index finger of your left hand around the arrow shaft so the arrow will rest on the bow by itself.
Hook Your Bowstring
The standard way to hook your bowstring is using the Mediterranean Draw. Using three fingers, place your index finger on the upper finger guide. The other two fingers will be on the lower finger guide.
You will find it best to hook the bowstring using the first joints of your fingers.
Holding the Bow
Grip the bow, so it rests on the padded surface of your palm and thumb. A good indicator you’re holding the bow correctly is when your knuckles make a 45-degree angle to the centerline of your bow.
Suppose you are right-eye dominant. You’ll hold your bow in your left hand. The dominant eye is the best for aiming.
Elbow Rotation
Grip the bow as it is essential for arm rotation. Grip too tightly, and you’ll rotate your forearm in line with the bowstring, and it can hurt without an armed guard.
Shooting Form
Ready your shot by raising the left arm to shoulder height and hooking your bowstring. As you pull the arrow back, you want to pull your right elbow high in line with your arrow. Every time, your anchor point should be the same.
Use your back muscles when drawing your bow as they are stronger than your arm muscles. Do this by pulling shoulder blades toward each other.
Releasing the Arrow
When you are releasing the arrow, it has to be and smooth. Relax your right hand and move it back slightly as you relax your fingers and the bowstring slips out.
Once you release the string, follow through with your shot by relaxing your hand until it hangs by your ear, the bow tilts forward during this follow-through.
You may think shooting recurve bows is challenging, yet follow the above and keep your form in the correct position, and you can improve your skills with plenty of practice. You may not reach Olympic standard, yet you will hit the target or be successful when hunting.
