The complete guide to equipment, technique, and competition LARRY WISECopyright © 1992 by Stackpole Books Published by STACKPOLE BOOKS 5067 Ritter Road Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 www stackpolebooks.com All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or por- tions thereof in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying. recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. All inquiries should be addressed to Stackpole Books, 5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055. Printed in the United States of America 1098 7 First edition Cover illustration and design by Mark B. Olszewski Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Wise, Larry. Bow and arrow : the complete guide to equipment, technique, and competition / Larry Wise. — Ist ed. p. om. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-8117-2411-5 1, Archery. 2, Archery— Equipment and supplies. I, Title. GV1185.WS7 1992 799.3'2—de20 91-34325 CIP_ 2. w 4. CONTENTS Choosing a Bow ............sceeeeceeerreneenereeereees 1 Longbows 3 Recurve Bows 9 Compound Bows 17 Crossbows 37 The Stored Energy of Bows 44 Selecting and Assembling Arrows .............. seawall! Basics of the Arrow and Its Flight 47 Wooden Arrows 53 Aluminum Arrows 63 Aluminum-Carbon Arrows 74 Carbon Arrows 79 Selecting and Adjusting Arrow Rests ................. 88 Rests for Bows with No Center-Shot Adjustment 88 Rests for Center-Shot Handles 90 Center-Shot Alignment of the Arrow 93 Fletch Clearance 93 Installing and Using Accessories . The Bowstring 95 Nockset Locators 99 Bow Sights 103 Rear Sights 110 Shooting Gloves, Finger Tabs, and Release Aids 114 Stabilizers 118 Quivers 121 The Wrist Sling 123 Toolbox Items 124