Used in hunting, target practice, and archery, the compound bow is an advanced type of bow that uses pulleys and cable as a levering system to provide enough force that is required to shoot an arrow. Due to their high technological standards and designs, they are more complicated than traditional bows, consisting of many components.
To use a compound bow requires skill, practice, and sufficient knowledge of the bow works. This article will teach you safety steps to take before and during the use of a compound bow and how to string a compound bow.
How to String a Compound Bow
Safety Tips When Stringing
To minimize the risk of injuries, safety procedures must be adhered to. The following are seven must-follow tips while shooting;
Protective Gear
Protective gear, like the archery arm guard, helps to protect certain parts of your body from injury while shooting the arrows.
The importance of protective gear in safety cannot be overemphasized.
Inspection
This is a procedure that should be carried out before the shooting begins.
Carry out a proper inspection of your compound bow and arrows to ensure that no part of the equipment is broken or faulty.
This should be done before buying the equipment and before using it.
One of the causes of injuries to shooters is negligence in checking their equipment to ensure everything is in the right condition before shooting.
Arrow Rest Extension
The arrow rest extension in the compound bow is used to hold the arrow firmly in place, leaving you to concentrate only on the direction at which the direction will be released.
It is suitable for beginners to protect their hands and professionals to increase the accuracy of straight arrow flight.
Length of The Arrow
The general rule of archery is that the arrow to be fired should be long enough to go beyond the back of your bow. Using short arrows can result in injuries to the arm.
This rule should be specially adhered to by beginners as only professionals can shoot short arrows with minimal risks.
Release Aid
The release aid is a mechanism that can help you shoot your arrows with more precision. It is advisable for beginners and shooters who want to avoid finger injuries.
Direction
Before releasing the arrow, make sure that it is pointed towards a specific target and not a person. When nocking the arrow, be sure to point the bow at the ground.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
A bow and arrow in the hands of a shooter can be used as a lethal weapon if handled carelessly.
Before shooting, it is vital to be sure that your surroundings are not occupied by people or other living things that can get hurt by your arrow.
Step-By-Step Process
1. Inspect your Bowstring
If your bowstring is damaged in certain places, it can break and cause serious injuries while shooting. Consider restringing the bow in the event of wear and tear.
2. Select a New Bowstring
You can select a bowstring from any synthetic material of your choice and run bow wax over it before use. Be careful to note any occurrence or presence of bumps and other irregularities that can make restringing unsuccessful.
Also, choose a double pull compound press that is safe for your bow to hold it in place and bend the limbs in appropriate positions.
3. Place the Bow Into The Press
This method requires attention to detail and experience because any slight mistake when placing the bow into the bow press can cause injury to the shooter or the bow.
For beginners, seek help from professionals to carry out this process.
Some bow presses have arms that lock over the bows for restraint, bows that keep the limbs tightened and in place, a series of locks and combinations over the limbs and hand grips.
4. Make Sure the Limbs are Set Back to Default Position
Lower the compound bow slowly until you are sure that the limbs are set back to the default position. Make sure that the loops of your bowstrings are seated fully on the grooves. This is to achieve proper fitting.
5. Test your bow to see how well it works, and repeat the steps if needed.
Bottom Line
There are several ways to string a compound bow. But it is best advised that in the event of confusion, it is best to go to a professional archery shop or have someone with enough experience do it for you to avoid making mistakes that can cause injuries to yourself or the bow when hunting.
