Image Title: Bow and arrow
Alt Title: A man with a bow and arrow
Image Description: A man practicing archery
What comes to your mind when you hear the term bows and arrows? Does it remind you of the time when humans would use the weapon for hunting? Even today, hunting is many people’s favorite sport. If you have taken up archery to improve your hunting skills, this article is just for you.
There is more to archery than traditional bows and arrows. Nowadays, besides traditional bows, you have other options, such as recurve bows and compound bows available. Here, we will talk about which one of the two bows – traditional and compound – is suitable for you. Even though both bows have unique advantages, it is essential to have a look at which one of the two is best suited for hunting. Before we draw a detailed comparison between the two, let us understand what compound and recurve bows are.
Compound Bows and Recurve Bows
Compound bows are bows that use a levering system. They are equipped with cables and pulleys that bend one’s limbs and are widely used for hunting and target practices.
A recurve bow, on the other hand, is a type of archery equipment that has shorter limbs and which curves back from the bellow of the bow. This bow, however, gives a greater amount of speed and energy to the bow.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Recurve Bow and Compound Bow
Before we draw a comparison between the two, let us look at the general advantages and disadvantages of the two types of bows.
Advantages of a Recurve Bow
- Traditional sportsmanship
- Less mechanisms to upkeep
- Lighter and easier to carry
Disadvantages of a Recurve Bow
- Must be closer to the target
- Difficult to use – requires more practice
- Requires more upper body strength to hold and draw
Advantages of a Compound Bow
- Greater distance from the target
- Doesn’t require more upper body strength
- Comes with more add-ons
- Has the option of customization
- More accuracy
- Great power
Disadvantages of a Compound Bow
- Requires more maintenance
- Draw length is important
- Quite heavy
Compound Bows and Recurve Bows – Which One Is Better?
Choosing between a recurve bow or a compound bow can be a bit challenging. In this article, we compare the two bows based on certain factors. Have a look and find out for yourself which bow you should use on your hunting trips.
1. Ease of Use
When you are out hunting, you should pay attention to the archery equipment you are taking along with you. A recurve bow is considered for hunting trips primarily because of its ease of use. Since they don’t have any complex moving parts, they are pretty straight forward to use. Some models of recurve bows also come with removable parts. This makes the bow even more versatile because you can take it down and stuff it in your backpack and take it someplace deep down in the woods and reassemble it before shooting at your target.
A compound bow is not far behind when it comes to ease of using it. One of the salient features of this bow is that it lets you hold the equipment for a long time without you feeling much strain in your shoulders.
2. For Beginners
If you have just started hunting, a recurve bow will be better for you. Apart from it being less expensive, the recurve bow is far easier to maintain. They are highly portable and can be easily carried from one location to the other. Compound bows, however, are best suited for more advanced players who are more experienced.
3. Effective Kill Range
When you are out in the woods, you may not find the target close to you. You will have to shoot the target from a distance. However, it is also important for you to kill the target instantly. The rules of hunting teach us that you shouldn’t leave the hunt in pain for a long time. When it comes to the range of the bow, both recurve and compound bows are effective. While the former provides you with a range of 20 to 25 yards, the latter gives you a 30- 35 yard range. The effective range is when you are able to make a lethal, life-ending shot. It depends on the speed and kinetic energy of the arrow. The energy measures the penetrability of the arrow. This means that when you make the shot, the arrow should be able to penetrate into the vital organ of the prey for instant death. In case it misses it and hit someplace else, you will end up hurting it badly. Keeping these specifics in mind, it can be said that compound bows offer a greater kill range. They shoot at defined speeds. Before setting out for hunting, it is important that you have a look at the effective kill range of the bow so that you can use it effectively and do not end up causing pain to the prey.
Hunting with a Recurve Bow Vs Compound Bow – the Final Choice
Both recurve and compound bows are effective and excellent archery equipment. Which one of the two you choose depends on your experience and your skillset. If you are a beginner, owning a recurve bow will be okay as it is easier to carry and has high portability. In case you possess advanced skillsets, you should go with a compound bow that will allow you to hunt down the prey more effectively. Also, hunting is a test of your patience. You have to remain at the aiming position for a long time before you actually shoot at the target. For this, a compound bow is the right option as it doesn’t cause strains.