One of the most important decisions you have to make when buying bowhunting equipment is what bow to buy. Here are a few tips to help you.



The first thing you have to do is to find out which is your dominant eye. You can accomplish this by doing this exercise. Choose an object in the room. Point at it using your index finger, while keeping your eyes open. While still pointing at the object, close your left eye. Make sure that you do not move your finger. Check if the finger is still pointing at the target or if it has moved. If the finger remains pointed at the target with the left eye closed and the right eye open, then the dominant eye is the right eye. Do this also with the opposite eye. Most people who are right-handed are also right eye dominant; however, this is not always the case. Knowing which eye is the dominant one is important so that you can take accurate shots.

If you are both right hand and eye dominant, buy yourself some right-handed equipment. If you are left dominant, then get yourself left-handed equipment. This becomes a problem when you are cross dominant. For example, if you are left eye dominant but you are right-handed, you can either buy left-handed equipment and learn to shoot with your left hand or buy right-handed equipment and shoot with your right eye closed. Many people choose the latter option since there are more right-handed bowhunting products available in the market.

Next, get to know the different kinds of bows that you can use for bowhunting. A good piece to start with is a compound bow, and many experts recommend this. Crossbows can also be used in bowhunting; however, these are best left to the more experienced hunters.

Draw weight is an important aspect of bows. Draw weight refers to the force that is needed to keep the string pulled in a steady manner. Bows that have higher draw weights tend to be more powerful, meaning they are able to shoot heavier arrows with a faster speed and a longer distance. If you're just starting out, pick a bow with a small draw weight first, and gradually work from there. A good starting draw weight for most males is around 50-55 pounds. Females need something lighter, and typically use bows with draw weights of 25-35 pounds. If you get a bow with a much higher draw weight than what you can handle, you will get tired easily and you might even end up injuring your shoulder muscles. A good technique is to buy a bow whose string you can pull while you are sitting.

Aside from the draw weight, also consider the draw length. Draw length is the farthest distance that the string can be pulled. Choosing the wrong bow length can result in balance problems. Also, check the brace height, which is the distance from the grip to the bowstring. A bow with a brace height of 7-8 inches will do for most beginners.

Finally, before buying your bow, consider the price. Although it is important to invest in a good bow, you don't have to spend your entire savings account on one. Don't focus on brands. Look for an archery store that has a shooting lane and try using some bows –you're bound to find one that will suit you and will fit in your budget.