The Best Compound Bow for Beginners in 2022
Archery is an ancient practice that, over time, has evolved into sport and competition, while still retaining a distinguished legacy. It is an art form.
Like most projectile weaponry we have today that send piercing objects hurling through the air at high rates of speed, the bow and arrow were once upon a time used primarily for hunting and combat.
Practice, by necessity, would be the means in which entertainment could be derived. And, as in human nature, healthy competition made its way into training.
For many a toxophilite (a lover or devotee of archery), this is a fever. It consumes us as seasons draw near. And until we are in the field or on the range, it is a painful and disciplined practice to try to focus on much else.
Archery is a noble choice for the modern day hunter and a lot of work goes into a successful hunt.
The concentration and patience it requires to effectively stalk prey, the thrill of the chase, and the leveling of the playing field of the game being hunted, are all choices in these modern and soft times that display rugged character and separate the men from the boys.
This sets the bow hunter apart from most other forms of hunting. Getting close enough to an animal to get a smart and responsible shot requires a great deal of stealth and skill.
With scoped big bore rifles ranging a few hundred yards, the bow and arrow offers a more primal and rugged experience.
Now, gentlemen, I would like to place a disclaimer here. I absolutely LOVE big bore rifle hunting and in no way am I saying anything at all against hunting with modern firearms. I am simply speaking of my respect for the art of archery and I think there is a time and place for all of it.
It takes a good deal of time to hunt with bow and arrow, and life isn’t always set up so that we have a whole lot of time before we have to get back to the many things we try to manage in our lives.
I find a lot, that I simply can’t afford to take a chance on missing out on meat in the freezer or lose time in the process, due to obligations and time constraints. So, in those cases, my 30’06 is the answer.
However, back to topic, today we are discussing the compound bow for beginners. There are some things to consider when deciding which compound bow is best, especially if you’ve never done it before. Let’s take a look!
What’s a Good Compound Bow for Beginners?
Things to consider when looking to buy your first compound bow as a beginner are price, quality, ocular dominance (eye dominance), arm-span/draw length, and draw weight.
Just like anything worth doing well, every great archer had to start from a humble beginning learning the basics, stubbing toes, and ripping the hide off the inside of their forearms a few times.
How Much Does a Basic Compound Bow Cost?
Bows like the Bear Archery Brave Bow Set, geared for youth, are of good quality for a young beginner and run as low as around $70. From there you can climb your way up in price depending on how much you want to invest to get started, but you can expect to cap at around $500 for a beginner package.
It goes without saying that this consideration is completely up to you. One way to look at this is to consider yourself, or the person you may be buying for, and whether or not archery is something that has the potential to become a lasting pastime.
Perhaps this will be a fleeting endeavor and the bow will be shelved to collect dust or sold for far less than you paid for it.
Or, perhaps bow hunting plays such an important role in family legacy that a life-long commitment to buying a top quality bow right out of the gate is almost certain.
It may be wise to stay mid to low in the price range out of the gate and then drop more money on a good quality bow after your strength and talents build.
QUALITY
Quality also equals safety when it comes to compound bows. When making your decision, consider safety a priority.
You don’t have to break the piggy bank to have a good enough bow to start out with. There are some solid quality choices that you can reliably count on for very reasonable prices out there.
Do your own research to ensure that you’re not actually throwing money away buying such low-quality gear that the learning process is hindered, parts are constantly being replaced, or someone gets hurt.
Does Eye Dominance Matter in Archery?
Yes, it does, but which eye is dominant? We can find this out by picking an object or clear point in the room. While keeping both eyes open, point at that object. Close one eye and then close the other. One of your eyes, when open, is going to stay on the object and the other one will move off of the object. The eye that stays on the object is your dominant eye.
For most people, their dominant eye is on the same side as their dominant hand. If your dominant eye is not the same as your dominant side, a general (but not conclusive) rule is to take on the handedness of the dominant eye. By following this rule you can gain a competitive edge.
What’s a Good Draw Length for a Compound Bow?
Draw length, being controlled by the mechanical systems on the bow, is simply how far you can draw the bow back before it stops. To help get you in the ball park, there is a simple tried and true method for determining draw length and that is the Arm span/2.5 method.
This method is started by standing in anatomical position, which is to stand (natural and relaxed) with your arms out and your palms facing forward. Measure from the tip of one middle finger to the other (in inches), divide that number by 2.5, and that is the approximate draw length for your size.
After you set the draw length based on this method, you should be close enough to make minor adjustments and find what length best fits you. And, once you find that, chances are you’re going to want to stick with it, unless you’re a young man and still growing.
Your draw length essentially boils down to comfort and accuracy. You should experiment with this and find a length that allows you to shoot the best and there you have it, no matter what the standard procedures are for measuring what it should be.
What is a Good Draw Weight for Beginners?
For compound bow beginners, draw weight is an important factor to consider before buying. For children, anywhere between 15 - 35 lbs, depending on age, size, and strength. For women, between 25 - 55 lbs. For men, anywhere between 45 - 75 lbs.
The weight of the draw of a bow will be different between compound bows and long bows or recurve bows. Please keep this in mind when considering what weight and resistance is right for you to begin with.
Whether child, woman, or full grown man, it will depend on your physical strength and abilities and, if you stick with it, your strength and abilities will only grow in time allowing you to be able to pull more pounds.
However, another option (which one bow on our list today offers) is to purchase a bow that is fully adjustable and will work for all ages, sizes, and body types. This way, as you grow, so does the bow. Inch by inch and pound by pound.
When you’re just starting out bow hunting, it doesn’t have to be a confusing or daunting experience finding that first bow. Though there are hundreds of choices on the market, there are a few ways to look at this to simplify the process and begin to narrow it down a bit.
It’s good to know where to start and what to look for. That is our AIM today. Let’s take the shot and find The Best Compound Bow for Beginners in 2022!
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the 5 best compound bows for beginners in 2022
Diamond Archery Infinite Edge by Bowtech
Topping off our list today, this high-quality, versatile, feature packed hunting and recreational bow is “out of the box accurate.”
Stepping up from the already best-selling Infinite Edge, the Infinite Edge Pro has extended its draw length to 31” opening up a whole new world for shooters with longer draws.
With an added stabilizer for perfect balance, a flawlessly smooth draw cycle with a completely redesigned cam system, this compound bow is ready for just about anything.
One of the most attractive things about this bow is its versatility. This model is truly a solid fit for the entire family with an age range of 6 and up!
One example of this is the fact that BowTech bows do not require a new cam or module to set your draw length, which is a rarity compared to most bows on the market today. Simply remove the module screws, rotate the module, and re-tighten.
The Infinite Edge Pro is designed to optimize your success by being extremely adjustable, durable, and forgiving.
Whether you’re a beginner or intermediate archer, this bow will prove to be a faithful companion to you for years to come with features that make life easier for you in the field. This is also a great bow if you’re used to shooting a recurve and just want to test the waters in the world of compounds.
Last, but certainly not least, BowTech Archery offers military discounts and programs designed for archery, military, and community enrichment organizations and programs who seek to raise funds through raffles and events to benefit their organization. To top things off, if you include a copy of your event flyer, they will assist in promoting your event via social media. Good looking out, BowTech!
Specs:
Draw Length 13-31"
Axle To Axle 31"
Brace Height 7"
Draw Weight 5-70 lbs
In 1933, with $1,200 and a rugged spirit packed full of grit, Fred Bear and a pal named Chuck started the Bear Archery Company from a garage.
An author, bow hunter, bowyer, and television host (just to name a few things the man did), Fred was widely considered as a pioneer in the bow-hunting community, had many TV appearances, and even had a song written to immortalize him, by (Uncle) Ted Nugent.
Now, America’s #1 brand in youth and institutional archery for over 80 years, Bear Archery’s mission to have an extensive line of bows tailored for just about every age group is a testament to their love of archery and the great outdoors.
With a 26” axle to axle and 15 to 25 lb. peak draw, made for ages 8 and older, The Brave is the quintessential introductory bow for the young and aspiring bowman.
Arriving ready to shoot with two Safetyglass arrows, Whisker Biscuit arrow rest (the safest in the industry), arrow quiver, a 1-pin sight, and an arm guard, The Brave comes in six different colors. However, there is one caveat, and that is that it’s intended for right-handers only. Sorry, southpaws.
A side note, there is a bi-weekly podcast called Fred Bear’s Field Notes that is based on the “The Adventures of Fred Bear” and written by Fred himself, that details 15 of his extraordinary hunts from all over the world.
Specs:
Draw Weight 15 to 25lbs
Draw Length 13.5” - 19.5”
Brace Height 5’5”
Axle to Axle 26”
Men, if there is a special lady in your life who loves to hunt or shows an interest in getting into archery, and your looking for a gift that will blow her mind, look no further.
The Carbon Knockout the perfect bow for her.
Inspired by women, for women, this bow is for the beginner to avid woman archer with Binary Cam technology for easy tuning, comfort and accuracy. A Carbon Riser makes this the lightest and most comfortable women’s bow in its class.
And, of course, an elegant bow made for your lady wouldn’t be complete without some elegant finishes. If looks could kill (and in this case, perhaps they do) then your woman would be bringing home the harvest after every trip into the field!
Specs:
Draw Length - 22.5-27”
Draw Weight - 40,50,60 LBS
Brace Height - 6.75”
Axle to Axle - 30”
Mass Weight - 3.2 LBS
This may be our favorite pick of the day for a best bow for beginners here at Rugged Man because of its absolute versatility and reasonable price tag.
The first compound bow developed to fit virtually everyone, The Genesis Original is the ideal choice for archers of all sizes.
This is a perfect introduction to archery! Beginners won't develop bad habits caused by using the wrong size bow. The Genesis Original can simply be adjusted as the archer grows, gains strength, and develops their skills.
In case the accommodating all sizes thing isn’t enough for you, this bow also accommodates right and left-handed folks.
It has just one cam, which means no tuning problems, much less recoil, more accurate shooting, and less noise.
If you’re not sold yet, here’s a little clout: It’s the official bow of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP). It’s used in over 13,000 schools by over 2 million youth across the country annually.
The NASP website clearly states that the Original Genesis Bow is the only bow approved for the NASP.
That’s a pretty big deal! It tells us that this bow is a solid choice. It tells us that it is a trustworthy tool and must meet extraordinary safety standards in order to hold its dignified position with the NASP and be allowed in schools.
The principle behind Genesis Archery is “to help youth everywhere experience the thrill of drawing back a bow, taking aim and sending an arrow flying straight to the center of a target.”
Kit includes: bow, belt tube quiver, adjustable arm guard, five aluminum arrows, 3/16 inch hex wrench, and an owner's manual.
Specs:
Draw Weight 10-20 lbs
Draw Length 15-30 in.
Axle-to-Axle 35 1/2"
Brace Height 7 5/8”
Last but certainly not least today, another solid bow from Genesis Archery, the Gen-X.
This bow is powerful enough for hunting but simple enough for anyone to use. Surprisingly enough, it shoots beautifully straight out of the box and mimics a super-configurable recurve.
Approved for whitetail hunting in most states, the new Gen-X single cam allows up to 40 lbs. of draw weight to add velocity to your shot, so it’s perfect for stronger target archers.
Compact and lightweight, this bow won’t be a hindrance in the tree stand or out in the field stalking prey. This is an excellent bow for beginners and experienced shooters alike.
An easier and smoother draw cycle delivers speed without sacrificing forgiveness or comfort. The 35 ½" axle-to-axle enhances stability and precision for long-distance shooting, which can come in real handy when walking venison seems like it’s almost out of reach with any other bow.
Included is a machined 6061-T6 aluminum riser, aluminum cam and idler wheel, sturdy composite limbs and high-strength bowstrings, all USA made.
Kit includes: bow, fiber-optic sight, whisker biscuit rest, and detachable quiver with 4 carbon arrows.
Specs:
Axle-to-Axle 35 1/2 "
Brace Height 7 5/8″
Draw Weight 25-40 lbs
Draw Length 21-30 inches
“Because of the challenge. It is hard getting close to animals. You’re in the animal’s red zone when you’re in bow range. Animals are good at staying alive, especially out here, out West where there are mountain lions and other predators hunting them. It’s tough, so they’re pretty dialed in on their surroundings. As a bowhunter, getting into the range is very difficult and that’s why I like it. It’s definitely a test.”
— Cameron Hanes, when asked why he hunts exclusively with the bow
Want to figure out a way to add months to your hunting season? Become a bow hunter! As we know, partly because of the challenge that bow hunting imposes, the seasons are usually extended a great deal longer than modern firearm.
Something that I have not mentioned yet here in this article is the idea of a bow in a survival situation, or any situation for that matter, where staying quiet is paramount. I personally love this about the bow and arrow.
Whether you’re looking to hunt or strictly go into it for sport and competition, learning to become proficient with the bow and arrow is a valuable skill that can serve you for many years to come.
No matter what your reason is for being interested in learning how to shoot and safely handle a compound bow, we here at Rugged Man hope that this article was a friendly boost in the right direction to helping you find a great bow. Learning archery is just another tool to add to your belt and you just can’t have too many of those.
So, let the arrows fly, sharpen those skills, and add another rugged means of protecting and providing for yourself and those you hold dear.
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