How to buy that Bow or Arrows I like to use as an example of how to buy that new bow or arrows to a pair of pants when explaining to people that are new to the sport (We all were at one time or another). Whether you are looking to buy a bow here on eBay or from somewhere else, the first thing you are going to have to know is your draw length.

The best way to measure draw length is to visit your local archery shop and have one of the pro’s measure you. If that isn’t possible and you have a bow,draw the bow back and measure the distance from the string at full draw to the back of the bow. Another quick way is too place a yardstick in the middle of your chest and extend your arms and fingers out on to the yardstick as far as possible. The reading on the yardstick at the end of your fingers tips is your approximate draw length. Either way its best to have someone help is doing the reading of the measurement.

It’s really not as complicated as it sounds. Now back to why it’s important to get the correct draw length. When you go into the shopping mall to get a pair of pants, you are looking for a pair that fits you well like the bow. If the pants are too big, you spend most of the time pulling them up and come off looking like you had just finished the Dr. Phil’s weight loss challenge. If you end up buying a pair that’s too small, try as you might but in the end it’s a no go because you can’t fit into them. The bow is the same way, if you end up with one that is too small, you will be unable to get too full draw too shoot, too large and you won't be able to have the let off at full draw. Most bows have an adjustable draw length. (Example: 28 too 30) There should be a sticker on the limb of the bow if it hasn’t been removed.

When buying here on eBay, ask those questions:

1. What is the draw length and is it adjustable
2. If used… is there any damage to the bow, cracked limb, worn string, worn cams and so on.
3. How old is the bow if not new
4. What is the let off
5. Does it have an over draw if that’s what you are looking for.

Let-off is on compound bows. It’s what percentage of the weight that the archer is holding back at full draw. An example is of a bow with a 50% let-off. If the bow weight is set too 60 pounds, the archer at about ¾ draw will notice it get easier to pull the bow back and that there is actually less energy needed( 30 pounds) to keep it at full draw. An overdraw on a bow is a device that mounts on the bow that allows the archer to shoot shorter arrows at faster speeds by extending the arrow rest further back toward the archer. Some like it and some don’t. I use the overdraw on one of my compounds and nothing on the other, its all about personal preference at this point.

When buying arrows for your bow, you also need the correct length. If you feel comfortable cutting the arrow to the correct length I suggest that you buy new uncut arrows measuring 32 inches. I personally know of no giant that shoots an arrow longer that that. The way to measure to get the proper arrow length is to place an arrow on the bow and have you draw it back to where your thumb and index finger fit comfortable up against your jaw (anchor point). Have the person mark on the arrow with a black or red marker one inch beyond the end of the arrow rest. To get the right size arrow I suggest you visit Easton’s chart area that allows you to match your draw length with the poundage your bow is going to be set at. http://www.eastonarchery.com/products.asp?show=chartsSelectors .

This will be my 28th year of bow hunting with many harvests under my belt, I also taught the NYS bow hunting certificate program for a number of years. Please always be smart and safe around this equipment… they are not toys and can actually really hurt of kill someone. To the parents, do not allow your kids to be un-supervised when the bow is out, take up the sport as a family event… you will reap the rewards. I hope this somewhat better explained some of the things you will need to know when buying that next bow or arrows.