Archery

PhireSide

PhireSide

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So, I've been looking for a new hobby to pick up and something that I've done before (albeit very briefly) is archery, and it's piqued my interest a bit. Previous hobbies are paintball and I played recreational squash for a few years too. Also used to cycle quite a bit pre-covid and I really enjoyed clay pigeon shooting.

But, I know next to nothing about this sport other than the bare basics - you need a bow and some arrows to get started. Bonus points if the bow has a string. I know you get different types of bow (recurve, compound, etc.) and different draw weights but I have NFI beyond that.

Is there anyone on here that partakes in archery, if so how did you get into the sport and do you enjoy it? What would a decent beginner/intermediate set cost to get me started? We have a local archery club about 5 minutes from me, with a decent range as well. I see a lot of 'EK Archery' branded stuff if I punch it into Google.

My intention is just to get started with targets, as I'm not interested in hunting etc.

Thanks :)
 
I did a beginners archery course at near Kings Park (outer fields) in Durban a few years back, I think it was over about 4-5 Saturdays, an hour each. They teach you all the basics, provide a standard bow and you spend time shooting targets. Was great fun but I didn't take it up after that..

Maybe see if your local club has something similar...
 
Ive been throwing arrows around for about 13 years now. BEST sport ever! I can only comment on shooting with a compound bow, since thats all I really know.

Best advice I can give you is to try before you buy. Normally the shops will have something you can rent for an hour or two like a Diamond Infinite Edge (or something similar) which is a very adjustable compound bow. They will help you get the basics right you can see whether it is for you or not. Also try different brands. There are a few options but the major ones are Bowtech, Diamond (made by Bowtech), Hoyt, Matthews.

As for the kit, I would suggest something the is very adjustable (like the bow I mentioned above). If the bug bites you will ten to one upgrade later and selling a highly adjustable bow is much easier. You can get them for R6000 to R8000, but make sure someone at a bowshop checks the bow you first.

Dont get caught in the macho my bow is xxxx pounds thing. Start off with a draw weight that is comfortable for you. Unfortunately people try to go too heavy too quickly and the hurt themselves.

Archery is all about consistency. Get the basics right and make sure your shot execution is as repeatable as possible.

Where are you from? You are welcome to PM me with more questions.

EDIT: please, please, please stay away from EK archery and Mankung bows.
 
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We played darts with a bow once on a huge dartboard. Was much fun. Only experience I've had with it. Was a compound bow.
 
Thanks for the info so far.

@karnuffel sounds like you have a proper hobby on your hands, if I can think of any questions I'll post them up here rather if that's OK? For the greater audience to learn, as it were. Edit: Based in Port Elizabeth.

I must think back to what draw weight we used when I did an open day a few years back. Was a simple recurve bow so I doubt it was over 20lbs. We weren't given any bracers so some of the other guys had lekker blue and black left arms a few days later :ROFL:

I'll take a look at what options there are but visiting the range is probably priority #1. As for 2nd hand gear - a bit scared of this as I wouldn't know what to look out for. The last thing I want is to buy a bow from someone and have the thing delaminate on my first tryout and hurt someone.

https://archersedge.co.za/ seems like a good place to start looking for if/when I look for gear - they seem to be well rated and generally well-regarded?
 
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PS: Is Bear Archery a good brand? If you asked me about paintball I could tell you what type of detent a 98 Custom uses, or why there is a part called a tombstone on a Tippmann A5 but when it comes to this stuff I am out of my depth :X3:
 
PhireSide said:
Thanks for the info so far.

@karnuffel sounds like you have a proper hobby on your hands, if I can think of any questions I'll post them up here rather if that's OK? For the greater audience to learn, as it were. Edit: Based in Port Elizabeth.

I must think back to what draw weight we used when I did an open day a few years back. Was a simple recurve bow so I doubt it was over 20lbs. We weren't given any bracers so some of the other guys had lekker blue and black left arms a few days later :ROFL:

I'll take a look at what options there are but visiting the range is probably priority #1. As for 2nd hand gear - a bit scared of this as I wouldn't know what to look out for. The last thing I want is to buy a bow from someone and have the thing delaminate on my first tryout and hurt someone.

https://archersedge.co.za/ seems like a good place to start looking for if/when I look for gear - they seem to be well rated and generally well-regarded?
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110% for Archers Edge. Brilliant and honest people.
 
PhireSide said:
PS: Is Bear Archery a good brand? If you asked me about paintball I could tell you what type of detent a 98 Custom uses, or why there is a part called a tombstone on a Tippmann A5 but when it comes to this stuff I am out of my depth :X3:
Click to expand...
Yes Bear is a very decent brand, but sadly not widely used in SA so support and spares is sometimes a bit tricky (not that you would need that often).
 
karnuffel said:
Yes Bear is a very decent brand, but sadly not widely used in SA so support and spares is sometimes a bit tricky (not that you would need that often).
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Dankie. I can't find any local bowyers in town, so best bet might be to ask the local range. I am sure they have people selling stuff as they upgrade, etc.

Time to contact the range and arrange a visit :)
 
karnuffel said:
Ive been throwing arrows around for about 13 years now. BEST sport ever! I can only comment on shooting with a compound bow, since thats all I really know.

Best advice I can give you is to try before you buy. Normally the shops will have something you can rent for an hour or two like a Diamond Infinite Edge (or something similar) which is a very adjustable compound bow. They will help you get the basics right you can see whether it is for you or not. Also try different brands. There are a few options but the major ones are Bowtech, Diamond (made by Bowtech), Hoyt, Matthews.

As for the kit, I would suggest something the is very adjustable (like the bow I mentioned above). If the bug bites you will ten to one upgrade later and selling a highly adjustable bow is much easier. You can get them for R6000 to R8000, but make sure someone at a bowshop checks the bow you first.

Dont get caught in the macho my bow is xxxx pounds thing. Start off with a draw weight that is comfortable for you. Unfortunately people try to go too heavy too quickly and the hurt themselves.

Archery is all about consistency. Get the basics right and make sure your shot execution is as repeatable as possible.

Where are you from? You are welcome to PM me with more questions.

EDIT: please, please, please stay away from EK archery and Mankung bows.
Click to expand...

I did a deep dive on archery a long time ago lol, what I picked up from that is to find a REALLY low draw weight bow, e.g. for kids and learn proper form off of that.

Apparently a lot of people will start too high and badly damage their rotator cuffs?
 
animal531 said:
I did a deep dive on archery a long time ago lol, what I picked up from that is to find a REALLY low draw weight bow, e.g. for kids and learn proper form off of that.

Apparently a lot of people will start too high and badly damage their rotator cuffs?
Click to expand...
Makes sense, much like how you are meant to start off on a small bike and not go from a 125cc Vuka to a Hayabusa?

This looks like a good beginner set, comes with a set of arrows too - hard to beat this type of value in this day and age-

1745332241693.png
 
PhireSide said:
Makes sense, much like how you are meant to start off on a small bike and not go from a 125cc Vuka to a Hayabusa?

This looks like a good beginner set, comes with a set of arrows too - hard to beat this type of value in this day and age-

View attachment 1815037
Click to expand...
LOL!!!

I think 50 to 55 pounds should be low enough, but there are some bows that allows for a very wide range (like the diamond I mentioned earlier). Something I omitted earlier is that you need to get someone to help you with your draw length, which is based on your body. Im sure someone at the club will be able to assist
 
Thanks @karnuffel.

I'll get my draw length sorted so I know what to look out for. I also joined the 'Bowstuff South Africa' group on FB; seems like there is a dearth of information and classifieds if it comes to that and the hobby takes hold.

The new equipment is pretty pricey (saw prices upwards of R35k for a compound) but secondhand stuff in good nick seems really affordable. I went past the local gunsmith shop here today but they only seem to do firearms. Also got a suggestion that BKB might be of assistance but I have yet to go there myself.

Been down with the sickness so once I am feeling a bit better I will get in touch with the range and go from there.
 
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