Types of Bows for Archers and Hunters – How to Choose a Bow That’s Right For You

The history of the bow and arrow dates back over 65,000 years.  While there are many advanced modern bows, some of the best archers rely on ones that are quite similar in design to traditional bows. In this guide we are doing to introduce you to some of the most common bows used today —  the recurve bow, compound bow, crossbow, reflex bow and longbow — to help you choose the best one for you!

Archery can be traced back to Stone Age when people used bows and arrows for hunting and also warfare. It is believed that the earliest people known to have embraced archery were the Egyptians although in ancient China, archery is dated back to the Shang Dynasty. 

South Korea is however regarded as the leading country in modern archery. Fast forward to the present world, it has become so popular that it is now recognized as a sport, not just a skill.

Archery is a skill, an art, and a hobby!

Whether for bow hunting or archery sports, your success relies on the bow they choose to use. Although preferences differ from one person to the other, a good bow should be comfortable in your hand and it should not be too heavy to carry around. When choosing a bow, you need something that will not weigh you down especially when you are out in the woods hunting. 

Related: Best Bow Sights for Hunting, Archery & Target Shooting — Buying Guide

When choosing a bow, make sure to choose one that fits your experience level.

In this beginner's guide, we are going to cover the five main bows used by archers and hunters:  the recurve bow, compound bow, crossbow, reflex bow and longbow. 

Our list of the most common bows used for hunting and archery certainly does not include every type of bow there is.  There are many bows that are associated with different cultures or time periods. Here are some examples:

• Yumi Bow  - Also known as a Kyudo bow, the Yumi is a Japanese bow used in martial arts. Yumi means "bow" in Japanese, while Kyudo is the term for archery. Usually made from bamboo, the Yumi is tall and resembles a long bow.
• Self Bow -  This is the most basic form of bow, which is why it is also called a simple bow.  These are usually handmade bows — made by yourself or an expert boyer — from a single piece of wood and string (or sinew). If you were a child who liked playing in the woods, you may have even made one of these yourself! Historically, these would be the earliest types found by archaeologists. 
• Composite Bow - A composite bow is somewhat similar to the simple bow. However, instead of just wood, this traditional bow is made from a composite of materials connected to each other — most often animal horns or antlers. The art of making composite bows continues today and from time to time you may even see a modern composite bow used in competitions.
• Flat Bow - Also known at the "American Flatbow", is most associated with Native American culture. It is at type of simple bow where the ends of the wood are carved to be flat and wide, while the center is rounded to allow a space for the archer to grip the bow.

These are just a few examples as each culture  is likely to have their own version or style of bow and arrow (eg. Mongolia under Ghengis Khan - Mongol bow; Qing Empire of China - Manchu bow).  While a true historical bow would cost quite a pretty penny, if you are into history or collecting, you can find modern replicas made by professional bowyers.

It is important to note that within each category of bow on our list, there are different styles and levels. One one end of the spectrum you will find ones designed for amateurs or recreational archers and hunters. And on the opposite end, you will find bows with more advanced features that are used for professional competitions. Some competition bows are referred to as Olympic bows, such as Olympic Recurve Bows.

Let’s look at the best types of bows available for both archers and hunters to help you decide which one is the perfect fit for you.

1. Recurve Bow: Traditional and Takedown Bows

The recurve is an ancient type of bow. It has a unique shape, in that, the ends curve away from the archer while the center of the bow curves towards the archer. It is usually the ideal bow for anyone beginning to learn about archery. 

There are two main types of recurve bows: the traditional and a takedown bow. Because many recurve bows are made with more than one type of material, they are considered to be composite bows.  

The traditional recurve bow is a singular whole item, also known as one-piece while the takedown bow, just like its name, can be detached after use and attached when you need to use it. A takedown bow is often preferred because you won’t have to buy the entire bow in case one part is faulty. You only have to acquire the part that needs replacement.

The recurve bow has been used for thousands of years, mainly for hunting and can also be made at home. Modern times however, have seen manufacturers coming up with more advanced versions of the same.

Before you acquire a recurve bow, do a thorough research on the design, parts and accessories. Find one that is easy to carry around and also consider the draw weight. Draw weight is the amount of energy or force that you require to pull an arrow before you release it to hit your target. If you are experienced, you may want too upgrade to a competition level recurve bow (fortunately, compared to compound and cross bows, they aren't "super" expensive).

2. Compound Bow

The compound bow is a special type of bow that has different moving parts when you draw an arrow to hit target. Because of its speed and efficiency, it has become common among hunters. It is also used in archery competitions.

Compound bows have been around for years, and probably will still be around for decades to come. There are traditional compound bows and recurve compound bows. Most hunters prefer it because unlike traditional recurve bows, a compound bow can take down larger animals. Compound bow is best used for hunting and competition archery because they have incredible accuracy.

Another beauty of a compound bow is also that it allows an archer to customize the draw weights, making it easier and more efficient to use. Because of the ability to customize the draw weights, hunters and archers of different strengths can easily use a compound bow. They are also versatile and are available in different sizes. 

It is called a compound bow because of the different moving parts: cables, pulleys also known as cam and leverages. It requires constant maintenance to ensure the moving parts work properly and in sync. You can also add accessories like sight pins to the compound bow to aid the archer for a more accurate aim at the target. 

For beginners, the Genesis Original Kit is the official bow of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP). And the cost is quite affordable at around $200 before sales.

If your looking for something more advanced, perhaps like you've seen on the Arrow, you'll want to look into brands such as Oneida Eagle or Precision Shooting Equipment (PSE) whose compound bows REALLY were used in the TV show.

Another good option is Bear Archery.

3. Crossbow

If you are out there looking for a versatile weapon, a crossbow is yours to the rescue. It is small and lightweight. To release a bow from a crossbow, you need to release a trigger after drawing back your arrow, just before release. For beginners, the Centerpoint 370 is often chosen as one of the best entry level crossbows. Barnett also has some good options.

Crossbows are often used in archery competitions due to its speed, accuracy, simplicity and easy to use nature. It also has accessories that can be added just like in compound bow above. The added accessories help in getting a clear aim on the target and also firing. Crossbows can easily hit a target from a farther distance, making it easier to aim at a target while hunting without scaring them.

Like compound bows, crossbows are very accurate, that is why they are preferred by professional hunters. They are also a bit quieter compared to the other types of bows.

When an arrow is released from a bow, it usually makes some sound, but crossbows don’t have that sound, another reason why hunters love it. When you go out into the woods to harvest your own meat, the last thing you want to happen is scare away your target after a long walk into the forest looking for game.

4. Reflex Bow

A reflex bow is a type of recurve bow. You can tell visually tell the difference between them because the curve on a reflex bow will be much sharper, with the entire bow curving away from the archer in the shape of the letter "C".

With arms that reflex from the archer when the arrow is drawn, the reflex bow stands out from the rest of the bows. It is a popular bow in Indian traditional archery and is mostly used in pastime archery, not competition. Due to its light weight, it was used in ancient Asia for warfare on horseback.

The reflex bow is not as versatile as the other bows, and therefore, cannot sustain the kind of pressure that comes with hunting or competition archery. 

For anyone learning to be an archer, the reflex bow is one of the bows they can choose for learning purposes.  They are also said to suit archers who have a slightly smaller frame, especially young girls and amateur women shooters.

Because of the way it curves away from the archer when an arrow is drawn, it puts so much weight on the other parts of the bow making it unstable and may easily miss the target. It also makes a lot of noise when the arrows is released, that is why it is not best fit for hunting, but it’s better for archery.

5. Longbows

One of the oldest bows to ever exist in history is the longbow. Any movie that has a warfare scene dating back to the 16^th century probably has this type of bow in the set.

Aiming this type of bow is the hardest challenge any archer can face because they do not have arrow rests or sights like the other bows. It is just a simple bow made out of curved wood. This should actually explain why it is considered an ancient bow.

Longbows are fairly tall, just about the height of the archer, which gives them a fairly long draw. History has it that it dominated medieval warfare and is mostly attributed to the Welsh.

You will find both traditional "straight" as well as recurve longbows on the market. Some of the best (and most affordable) modern longbows for both beginner archers and experienced hunters are available from brands such as TopArchery, PG1 Archery, PSE Archery, and SinoArt.

There are of course, also higher end longbows that will cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars, depending upon the construction.

Gaining a Perfect Grip of Your Bow

Archery, and even hunting, is a fun-fare and it involves different components coming together to create a perfect shot on your target. To enjoy the most out of it, you need to know how to get a grip of your bow, your form and the draw weight.

The primary rule of a good grip cuts across all usages — whether you are in archery for fun, for competition or hunting in the woods. A perfect grip provides you the comfort you need to draw your arrow and release it.

To gain a good grip and reduce torqueing — that’s the bow twisting from side to side — place your hand on the "throat" or deepest part of the curve of your bow. If you need help ensuring proper hand place and developing muscle memory, you can use a training aid (as demonstrated in the video above).

Do not hold it tightly, simply place your hand and relax. Your thumb should be pointing towards your target while the rest of your fingers relax on the front part of the bow. Don't squeeze the bow. Instead, place your fingers in a slackened manner and shoot away at the target.

Another important thing you are going to decide when choosing a bow is whether you will be engaging in barebow archery or using a bow sight. Some people find shooting a bow without a site, aka a bare bow, to be more of a challenge. But if you are looking for accuracy, you will want help with focusing on your target. This is where bow sights come in.