The Strait and Arrow

The Strait and Arrow

5 minutes

I had an archery set when I was six. My dad would set up a hay bale or some other kind of target in the backyard for me to practice on. Learning was not easy. You use muscles that you didn’t even know you had! Mixing the necessary skills with my cerebral palsy adds another complication. I never thought that I would ever be able to draw a compound bow, so I gave up.

When I got older, I talked about archery with my cousin, who is a bad-ass archer. I was inspired to give it another try. I watched YouTube videos for hours to get the form right. I also did research to figure out what bow to get. You have to understand your limits! For example, it is pointless for me to get an 80-pound draw weight if I can’t draw it back. Your equipment must match your abilities. It’s like with a gun. If you can’t handle a huge recoil, some guns are not right for you.

At 25, I got a beginners bow hunting set from PSE, with the 50-pound draw weight. I was nervous the first time behind the bow. When I drew back, I was pleased to realize it seemed fairly easy. I had no problem hitting on paper, which is a very good start. That meant I just had to tune it in and hit the bullseye.  

I was hooked! I went to the range all the time and kept getting better. Eventually, I could hit a coke can at 20 yards. I felt pretty accomplished. And at a certain point, you start wanting to upgrade your equipment. First, you get better with a bow. Then, you find something is not working well, and you get a different bow. At one point, I had my sights set on a high-end Hoyt bow even though I already had one that served me well! I got bit by the bigger, badder bug. I wanted the latest, greatest thing! And years later, I got my first high-end PSE bow.

Several years passed and I got two amazing, lovable, hilarious Labradors. And I got busy with other interests. But then my youngest pup, Mac, chewed up my very expensive bow release (story for another time). That sent me to the archery shop. When I was getting a new release, I used their range and discovered that it was so good to get out there again. It had been four years since I did any shooting. I forgot how much I love being an archer. It was divine pup intervention.

While I was shooting, my hand was saying, “HEY!!” It was not having fun! Then, my mom suggested that I buy a carbon bow!! Her words were like magic! “OH YES!!”

Carbon bows are top-tier and very light. They are good for hunters because they hold warmth in the bitter cold, unlike aluminum. The two leading companies in carbon bows are Hoyt and PSE (Precision Shooting Equipment).  

Not every company makes carbon bows. The process is complicated. If you choose PSE, know that they have a foam core carbon, which means they take a form cutout and spray it with carbon. Hoyt makes an aluminum core carbon. The PSE is 3.6 pounds, and Hoyt’s carbon is 4 pounds.  There are many other options to choose from.

Laura Crowe
Laura Crowe

I went to a local bow show and handled both bows. For Hoyt, it’s the RX-8. For PSE, it is the Mach 30. Each are great in their own right. The PSE felt like a feather in my hands. The Hoyt was a “four-pound war machine,” and yet, still light! Be warned; carbon bows cost more than most bows, unless you’re considering target bows. I looked at the RX-8 and the Mach 30. I wanted to be sure.

The PSE is what I have always used and it’s very light. The Hoyt is packed with technology and really is the bow I wanted, but I’m not just going to jump into a bow. The two sales reps were super knowledgeable. Kasey was telling me all the specs. He suggested that if I wanted to get into a Hoyt RX-8, I would have to go with a 25-inch draw length. I am a 24-inch draw length, but I learned on a 26-inch, so it would not be a big problem! Kasey said he would work with me to get it right. There’s so much more to archery than grabbing a bow and shooting an arrow.

I did some research and after about a week, I finally settled on the right bow for me. I was supper happy to get to the shop. I told the sales girl that I wanted to order the RX-8. As soon as the owner heard that, he came out and said that they stopped orders on the RX-8. For a second, my heart sank. He said the RX-9 dropped just today! So I got the updated RX-9. Don’t scare me like that people, HAHAHAH. So needless to say, I ordered the RX-9 with the green riser and black limbs. Kasey helped me pick out all my accessories. Bows have a lot of equipment on them. I walked in wanting the 8 and got the 9! Thank you to the big guy in the sky!

Mihai Lazar
Mihai Lazar

I will get my bow in a few weeks. It will be all set up and ready for me to shoot it! I am also going to do a charity 3D hunt. Not to worry! No animals will be hurt. They set up 3D archery targets in the woods. It’s fun and gives you the feel of hunting without the killing part. And you get to enjoy being in the woods! 

I encourage anyone to try archery. I never thought I would be an archer. I never thought I would be able to pull a 50-pound bow. Rising to a challenge is rewarding and archery is so much fun! I will follow up on my new bow when I get it. Meanwhile, GET OUT IN THE WOODS AND HAVE FUN!! 

The Strait and Arrow