Traditional bow hunting is gaining in popularity in the United States. Hunters enjoy the use of primitive weapons to both connect with the past and provide for a greater challenge while hunting.
The use of the bow dates back thousands of years. First used as a hunting weapon, it swiftly became an instrument of warfare. Improvements in design followed until the invention of firearms, making the bow obsolete despite the bow’s superiority in rapidity of fire and accuracy. Archery was revived during Victorian times, especially in England. This was the beginning of the modern use of bows for hunting and sport.
In the United States, one name in particular stands out as a great influence on the sport. Ben Pearson, an early archery enthusiast, created a line of affordable, quality bows that were mass-produced starting in the 1930s. Archery sets were his main seller. After WWII bow hunting gained enthusiasts and Pearson’s hunting bows and arrows helped introduce many to the sport.
Primitive bow hunters generally use the longbow or the recurved bow. Longbows should be about the same length as the height of the user. In shape, they have long limbs and rounded cross-sections. The selfbow, a type of longbow, is made from a single piece of wood. Laminated longbows are engineered using two or more types of wood with different properties. Modern materials such as fiberglass make for a durable bow. Recurved bows have a curve at the tips of the two limbs. This design element allows for a shorter bow as the recurved shape stores more potential energy. Ease of use in close environments is a major factor in choosing a recurved bow.
Outfitting for the sport requires only a bow, arrows, quiver and protective equipment. Most states have long bow seasons, another incentive to join this growing sport. Join the sport with the use of PSE bow or Parker bow.
