Archery is not all about shooting arrows, and archers have to put lots of thought and time into perfecting their shooting stance, style and shot placement. Even though you would find many archery guides available online coupled with archery blogs and tutorial videos to teach learners different aspects of archery.
But nothing can beat the traditional book when diving deep into the archery world and its history. Even if you have aced the physical aspect of archery, there are books that can really change the way you look at this sport and help you develop the right mindset for archery. You will find books that talk about the facts, history, tips and tricks, and other aspects of archery.
That means there is something for every archer out there looking to improve their knowledge and get invaluable advice. We have shared a list of top archery books that you can buy according to your requirements.
Best Archery Books
① Beginner’s Guide To Traditional Archery
Are you starting your archery journey? And don’t know where to begin? If yes, then you should read this book. The Beginner’s Guide to Traditional Archery by Brian J.Sorrells delves new archers into this easy to understand guide that will help them in bowhunting and target shooting. Apart from this, the author has also discussed the exclusive training programs based on instinctive shooting methods.
You can select an ideal arrow, bow, and other additional accessories to carry out a successful shooting experience with its first-hand advice. If you are starting your archery journey, this one should be the first book you would read about archery.
Apart from beginners, professional archers can also benefit from the knowledge provided in this book and improve their archery skills. Brian Sorrels is an outdoorsman and avid hunter. He has worked with the U.S. Army for four years before working as a law enforcement officer.
Pros
- Very informative.
- Suitable for beginners.
- Experienced author.
Cons
- It doesn’t focus on the absolute basics.
② Traditional Bowyer’s Handbook: How To Build Wooden Bows And Arrows
Most of you have guessed about the content of this book from the title. The traditional bowyer’s handbook usually focuses on bow building using the first-hand knowledge and experience gathered in three decades by Clay Hayes.
If you are thinking about developing your own bow, then the traditional bowyer’s handbook delves the right path that leads you to modify your bow according to your requirement. Everything ranging from bow design to modifying techniques, you will learn all those things from this book.
The author talks about the different kinds of woods and how to shape them into fast and strong bows. Plus, every step in this book is well illustrated so that you won’t have problems understanding the different aspects of crafting your own bow.
Pros
- Easy to read.
- Perfect for bowyers.
- Include tons of invaluable advice.
Cons
- Only suitable for traditional archers.
③ Archery By USA Archery
Looking for a way to level up your archery game? If so, Archery by USA Archery is an ideal book for your needs. This book has been written by top archery coaches in the world as it is full of tricks and tips, strategies to enhance your overall archery game. If you want to take your archery to the next level, then this book has everything to offer you.
Since this book is written by the USAA, they are members of world archery. That means you should treat this book as your expert guide and learn where you can improve when falling short at archery practice. This guide will help you improve consistency, accuracy and achieve competitive success.
Pros
- Written by the world’s top archers.
- Tricks and tips by KiSik Lee.
- Perfect for experts.
- First-hand advice by USA archery.
Cons
- Not recommended for beginners.
④ Archery: Steps To Success
Are you looking for a way to improve your archery skills? If so, this book has got you covered as it is full of strategies, techniques, and skills. “Archery: Steps to Success” focuses on assisting the archer in shooting safely, consistently and accurately.
Bowhunters can get an advantage from the strategies discussed in this book as it will help them shoot at uneven terrain and be able to judge the distance. The best thing is that this book includes a minimum of 92 exercises to enhance your shooting game and enable you to hit the bullseye.
Plus, it also focuses on how to measure your progress as every archer will learn at their own pace and develop shooting strategies and techniques according to their ability. This book was written by two authors, Catherine Lewis. Ms Haywood and Kathleen M. Haywood.
Pros
- Well illustrated.
- Very informative.
- Suitable for both naive and intermediaries.
Cons
- Not recommended for professional archers.
⑤ Archery Anatomy: An Introduction To Techniques For Improved Performance
If you really want to hone your archery techniques and skills, then this book has everything you need to improve your archery skills. Ray Axford (the author) breaks down popular myths of archery and relates the facts with science.
This concise book is helpful for every archer out there as it explains the interrelationship between the anatomy of the human body and the bow with the help of efficient, accurate, and clear drawings and diagrams. That way, you can understand the difference between different subjects and improve your shooting stance.
The author has explained every aspect better and helps you get references whenever you need them. Once you understand the interrelationship between the anatomy of the bow and the human body, you can easily adjust and improve your shooting accuracy, stance, style, etc.
Pros
- Recommended for both naive and expert archers.
- Well-illustrated through visuals.
- Concisely written.
Cons
- Lots of technical terms for beginners.
- Some of the information is outdated.
How To Choose An Ideal Archery Book?
Every book varies in its aspects, lessons, and techniques, making it hard to select a perfect archery book for you. Before you explore various book options, you need to define the purpose of buying an archery book, what you want to learn from that book.
Are you ready to gain knowledge and apply it in your practice? If so, here are some things that you have to consider to find the best archery book for your needs.
- Beginners’ Archery Book
Archery is an excellent sport that you can learn and improve with consistent practice. Today, many people are learning archery due to the popularity of this beloved game. There are different archery games that encourage archers to hone their skills and win these games and competitions like The Hunger Games.
If you don’t know where to start, you need an archery book for beginners. Many archery guides are available on the market, and you should choose a book that aligns with your skill level. Before choosing a book for archery beginners, be sure to check that it includes tips on basics, what archery gear to purchase, and should have a background of the sport and how to shoot an arrow with a proper foam and technique.
Archery has a beautiful history as it has been part of humanity since 3000 BC for warfare and hunting. In 1900, archery first appeared in the Olympic games as a sport and now it is played worldwide.
- Author
There are hundreds of archery books available on the market, and most of them are written by those who never shoot from a bow. You probably want a book written by an author that has gained lots of archery experience in their lives. You will find various books on the market written by professional archers, and reading their first-hand experience would be a great start to your archery journey.
There are books written by archery teachers and university professors, which would be great for beginners as it includes tips and tricks that have helped them kick start their archery journey.
So, if you want to start your archery journey with professional advice and guidance, you should check the experience and background of the author. However, if you have a mentor, you can also follow in their footsteps to move forward in your archery journey.
- Subject
Archery is a wider term as there are lots of things that you would find about archery. Similarly, there are lots of aspects covered in different books as some might focus on a single aspect and others might focus on various topics.
So, you should choose a book according to your requirements. Whether you want to learn a certain aspect of archery or a whole archery guide, you would get everything available on the market.
- Skill Building
There are tons of books available out there that focus on honing archery skills. These books are usually written by archery experts as they include quotes and tips that have proven helpful for leveling up your game.
In these books, you will find step-by-step guides and professional advice from well-known archers who have gained much experience in this sport. Remember, the sections should be organized and labeled well so that you can jump to the chapter you want to learn.
- Bows
Most archery face difficulty choosing the best bow as it can be hard to understand the different types of bows and evaluate their pros and cons. Fortunately, some authors have dedicated this entire section to helping naive or intermediate archers to choose the right archery bow for their needs. Usually, there are four types of archery bow:
If you don’t know which bow would be best for you, then there are some books that will explain the difference between these types of bows. It is better to view the content available in the book before making a purchase.
- Anatomy
We all know that standing form in archery can either make or break your shooting experience. So, if you are interested in learning the interrelationship between the anatomy of the human body and the bow, then you should look for archery books that discuss the anatomy.
Gaining this knowledge would improve the shooting accuracy and help you develop a better standing form for professional archers.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How Many Times Should You Practice Archery In A Week?
Regular practice is not that necessary unless you are preparing for the Olympics. However, if you want to hone your skills, you should practice once or twice a week.
- What Is The Ideal Distance For A Naive Archer To Start With?
Naive archers should start shooting at close targets (within 20 yards) so that they won’t have problems mastering their standing position and shooting stance.
- Can You Learn Archery By Yourself?
Yes, as long as you have access to the right knowledge, archery can be self-taught. You can get assistance from professional archers and read the books of experienced archers to perfect your form.
- Is It Legal To Start Archery At 16?
When participating in the Olympics, the minimum age limit of the archer should be 16, but there is no upper or lower limit to start learning archery and hone your skills.
- How Long Would It Take To Become Good At Archery?
It will usually take around 5-6 weeks for most beginners to shoot arrows and increase their archery level. Similarly, most beginner courses are designed that way only, and it depends on one archery club to another.
Conclusion
We have reviewed several archery books that focus on different aspects of archery, and you can learn so many things from every book mentioned above. We know that archery is a delicate and challenging sport that requires countless hours of practice to hone your skills. So, when looking for an archery book, you should consider an author that knows what he’s talking about. You can also focus on other factors to find an ideal archery book for your needs.
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