Youth archery hunters of my generation followed the exploits of Robin Hood and the American Plainsman with their archery skills. A few years ago the movie The Hunger Games gave more popularity to archery. Youth today are offered archery in schools and the future of the modern stick and string has never been brighter. If you don’t believe it, look at the popular video games now that include archery skills. Never before has there been such a selection of both target shooting, and hunting archery equipment available to the hunting public; the youth being no exception.
It goes without saying that no two young people are alike. That can be said for height, weight, strength and mental ability. Thus it stands to reason that there is no “one size fits all” approach to anything when it comes to outfitting a youth to go afield. When shopping for archery equipment for youth, be prepared to spend some time looking.
David Hawkins
Young people are not dummies, but they are a bit style conscious. There is a lot they don’t know, but they think they do. So, when shopping for a first hunting bow, allow them to have input as to brand and options. Find a bow shop you trust, and plan enough time to look and appraise. Youth are going to be influenced by what their friends have, and are going to want something equal or more prestigious.
Compound or Crossbows for Youth Archery Hunters
Compound bows offer a number of challenges to young shooters. Among these are draw length, draw weight, sustained drawn time, sight pin selection for estimated range, and a release. All these come naturally with age and experience.
Crossbows can be much simpler for some youth to negotiate. A simple trigger allows the young shooter to use a legal crossbow without worrying about the strength to break and hold a compound. Lessening the number of stressors allows the young hunter greater concentration on sight picture, thus better accuracy and cleaner kills. Crossbows also can last the shooter more seasons – as a child grows, they grow out of the draw length chosen on the initial bow. Cocking systems such as 10-Point’s Accu-Draw system allows for easy cocking.
That having been said, there still remains a gulf between archery enthusiasts as to whether crossbows are considered superior to traditional or even compound archery equipment. Some states still restrict bow hunting to traditional long bows or compound bows. Other states require a disability permit for an individual of any age to use a crossbow during archery season. All states provide on-line guidelines, or provide a printed pamphlet that spells out the requirements for that particular state. Know the laws of the states you intend to hunt. Those rules may help determine the archery equipment you and your youthful hunter purchase and use.
Selecting a Compound Bow
At this point we’ll concentrate on what I consider conventional archery equipment. The typical hunting bow is a compound bow that may have adjustments for draw weight, draw length and a number of sighting options. All these things are available and can be well explained by a professional at a bow shop. Draw length is an archery term used to refer to the number of inches an archer needs to effectively pull a bow to full draw. It’s measured in inches from the apex of the string to the throat of the grip. Most bows are adjustable, allowing a youth shooter to grow with the bow.
David Hawkins
A bow’s draw weight is a measurement used to determine how much force is required to draw the bow and how much energy it transfers to the projectile. This measurement is taken in pounds, so a bow with a 70-pound draw weight takes 70 pounds of force to completely draw back.
If you have spent any time in the corporate business world you are familiar with the term KISS/ASSUME. The first part of that phrase is simply; keep it simple, stupid. There is nothing wrong with simplicity for a beginner. Make it a point to hone a youth’s shooting and hunting skills before adding more complex options or equipment. By the time a young hunter is ready to hunt, shooting the bow should have become second nature.
Bear archery, a name synonymous with archery innovation, has been in business for almost a century. Founded by archery icon Fred Bear the company has been a cutting edge leader in hunting bows and equipment. A dedication to excellence has allowed Bear to create what may be the closest thing to a one-size-fits–all hunting bow for youth, and small adults just entering the sport. The Legit and Adapt models offer a wide variety of draw lengths and draw weights.
“The Legit was specifically designed with the young archer in mind,” Bear Archery Products Caleb Sorrells said. “The bow is designed for a youth to grow into, it can be adjusted to fit their needs as the individual matures and increases in personal ability.”
The LEGIT model allows for a draw length of 14 to 30 inches and a draw weight between 12 to 70 pounds. The speed of the bow is 315 fps. Plenty adequate for hunting or target shooting; the bow setup, ready to hunt carries a price of $460.
Bear also offers the ADAPT bow package with a speed of 320 fps it’s models are adjustable for 45 to 60 pounds or 55 to 70, allowing for draw lengths of 24 to 31 inches.
Bear Archery
Other companies have introduced introductory products as well. After all, it is a lucrative market. With the growth and popularity of archery sports at a junior high and high schools today the demand for youth archery equipment has exploded over the last decade. Keep in mind that scholastic archery competitions use a single model bow for all shooters, and are generally provided by the school. Shooting clubs regularly offer 3-D competitions which allow archers to use their own equipment.
Hunting bows are not used in scholastic competitions, but the lessons learned in these events are valuable and participation should be encouraged. Annette Orr Whatley is a coach who works with the MSHSAA (Mississippi State High School Activities Association) to establish and support archery in school programs across Mississippi and the Southeast. She has some advice for young archers.
“Consistency is my mantra,” says Whatley. “Among the first things we do with young archers is establish eye-dominance, and more importantly an anchor point. My first suggestion is the index finger in the corner of the mouth. A knuckle placed on the chin or ear is another option. Too firm a grip with the bow hand can cause movement when the arrow is released so the grip needs to be just enough to hold the bow but not cause it to twist. A wrist strap helps with this. These are just a few of the fundamentals we teach in our classes. But ask my kids what my constant reminder is, and they’ll say consistency. I pound that into them from the start.”
Accessories for Bows
As far as accessories go, many sources suggest fixed bladed broad heads that start cutting upon impact. Releases are another personal choice. A visit to archery pro-shop will generally allow the archer to try-before-they-buy. Other accessories include an arrow rest, peep-sights, stabilizers, string dampeners and quiver.
Bow Targets
Targets can be bales of straw, foam or composite blocks. Some are made to withstand repeated shooting with broadhead-tipped hunting arrows or field points. Archers should practice with the same arrows they hunt with. Illuminated nocks are also a popular item and make finding an arrow after the shot much easier. 3-D targets are fun and allow young archers to hone in on arrow placement for clean kill shots.
Bow Safety
Safety concerns are best taught when youth are learning the ropes. As a teacher, it is up you to teach by example. If hunting from an elevated stand, be it a treestand or a box stand, use a safety harness. One can fall from either with life-changing results if not done carefully. According to L. J. Smith with the National Tree Stand Safety Awareness Association, most accidents occur when climbing into or out of the stand. Using a safety harness properly is a lot like using an automobile seat belt: when you get accustomed to it, it will feel wrong if you don’t use it.
Todd Amenrud
Tree stands have several categories; fixed position, climbers, sling seats and ladder stands. However, there’s nothing wrong with a good ground blind. Ground blinds offer a clear advantage in that the shooter can be accompanied by an adult, coach or camera person. Ground blinds are easy to assemble, erect and takedown. While tripping is always an issue in the woods, a blind at ground level lessens greatly the chance for a dangerous tumble.
There is a plethora of blind makers but one I really recommend is offered by Tide-We. It allows models with see-through mesh all around so that the hunter can see the world around them while the animals can only see the outside of the blind. Primos also offers see-through models. Youth love it that they can see out, but animals cannot see in. When using a blind of any kind, insure that the young archer has practiced from a sitting position and understands where the limbs of her/his bow will go when fired.
Tree stands with shooting rails which double as firearm rests are okay for archers hunting with crossbows but can be problematic for users of conventional archery equipment. Such stands often do not allow enough room for the hunter to come to a complete full draw without the danger of the bow limb striking the stand when released. For this reason some hunters are prone to stand on the seat of the stand, or reach over the railing. It is advisable to use proper safety equipment and a hanging stand for archery hunting, if a tree stand is the only option.
There are more than ample sources of information about all aspects of archery for all ages. Do your homework, talk to experts and archery hunting veterans. As I’ve already said, an archery pro-shop is an excellent place to start. Good hunting and be safe.
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