After considering the basic construction and function that all bows share, bows for archery can be categorized in several different ways. Regional laws on using certain bows for certain purposes can vary, but typically the kinds of factors used to categorize bows include those related to their specific construction, design, and use. For example, some bows are categorized by how their strings are meant to be drawn. Others are grouped together according to their shape. Some bows for archery are cataloged by their construction materials, and other bows are sorted by design features that require the archer to exert less force.
Although there are numerous variations, all bows for archery have the same basic construction. Simply put, the construction and design of a bow consists of a string attached to limbs. The limbs are elastic, meaning they are flexible enough to provide some “give,” and they store mechanical energy as the archer pulls the string. Given the basic construction, bows for archery can be divided into two broad categories. The first includes bows designed for the archer to pull the string himself, and the second includes bows that feature a mechanism designed to pull the string.
Most bows for archery are those designed in ways that require the archer to pull the string himself, but under this broad category are other categories. For example, self bows, laminated bows, and composite bows are types of archery bows categorized by their construction materials. Other types of bows for archery, such as the recurve bow, longbow, and flatbow, are categorized by their shape. Perhaps one of the most common of these kinds of bows are the compound bows. Compound bows reduce the amount of force the archer must exert to hold the string, which allows the archer more time and less exertion and makes them popular choices for hunting bows.
Generally, bows for archery that include mechanisms to pull their strings are referred to as crossbows. Crossbows were once popular weapons for war, but these days they are used mostly for target practice and hunting. Anyone wishing to use a crossbow for hunting should first check his local or regional hunting laws. Some areas might allow crossbows, while others reserve the use only for hunters who have injuries that make it impossible for them to use traditional bows. Such injuries might include injuries that limit the use of an archer’s shoulder, elbow, or wrist.
