Bow sights

If you're looking to buy bow sights, there are basically four types, three of which are made for regular field use and one of which is made especially for competition. The four basic types are pendulum, or tree stand sights, fixed pin sights, moveable pin sights, and 3D competition sights.

1. Pendulum sights

Pendulum sights are made for hunting from tree stands. They compensate for the change in elevation when you're shooting downhill. If you've hunted from a tree stand, you know how hard it can be to accurately judge distance from your elevated perch. Throw in gravity, and you can understand why there's a lot of skill involved in tree stand hunting.

Pendulum sights each have a single pin mounted on a pendulum swing. When you tip your bow, forward to shoot downhill the sight pin swings into position, automatically compensating for the shot angle. It's ingenious, and if tree stand hunting is your primary use for your bow, then a pendulum sight, like the Savage Pendulum Max Sight 91573, might be a good choice. You sight it at 20 yards on the ground, and then climb into your tree stand. You shoot to 30 yards and the pendulum compensates for you.

2. Fixed-pin sights

Fixed-pin sights are the most common and are very popular among hunters. Usually they have 3 to 5 pins, and you set each pin for a known distance. Set the top pin for the closest distance, and then set the lower pins for longer distances. After you set the pins, you tighten them in place. They're pretty simple, but require some trial and error to get them just right.

However, once they're set, they're easy to use and very reliable. For example, if your target is located 20 yards from you, then you sight the bow by placing your set 20 yard pin on the target and shoot. When shooting for unknown distances, you have to be able to mentally interpolate, but once you get that skill down, you're good to go. A decent fixed pin sight with 3 pins will cost you around $30 to $75.

3. Movable pin sights

Movable pin sights usually have one single pin that is adjusted prior to each shot. The entire sight housing moves up and down by a system of levers and gears, so you can adjust the pin for any distance quickly. On the back of the sight bracket is an adjustable pointer indicating yardage, with a graduated scale with each mark standing for a known yardage.

Suppose you come upon a target 20 yards away. Just move the pointer to the 20 yard mark and take your shot. Actually, you can mark off as many distances on the scale as you have the patience to mark. Most shooters mark off yardages in 5 yard or 10 yard increments and mentally interpolate for yardages in between. You'll pay $125 to $150 for a decent movable pin sight like the HHA OL 5500.

4. 3D competition sights

3D competition sights, or target sights are specialty sights made for shooting competition. People usually don't use these for hunting because they're big, expensive, and complex. But they are extremely accurate. They're made similar to movable pin sights but are larger, and come with accessories like laser sights that are sold separately and add up quickly in price. A serious competition shooter can easily put several hundred dollars into their 3D competition sight. You should consider which bow sights suit you best before buying.

One of the simpler longbow designs is known as the self bow. By definition, a self bow is made from a single piece of wood. Truly traditional English longbows are self bows, made from yew wood. The bowstave is cut from the radius of the tree so that the sapwood (on the outside of the tree) becomes the back two thirds and the belly, the remaining one third, is heartwood.

Today, good laminated longbows may be made of wood or can be purchased commercially. Any wooden bow must have gentle treatment and be protected from excessive damp or dryness. Wooden bows may shoot as well as fiberglass, but they are more easily dented or broken by abuse. Bows made of modern materials can be left strung for longer amounts of time than wood bows. Wooden bows should be unstrung immediately after use to avoid large amounts of set.