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Glossary This section contains a glossary for common archery expression, on equipment and jargon… So that one may better communicate in the field of archery…

AMO

Archery Manufactures and Merchants Association. This organization usually sets standards for the industry such as the comparative bow standard, nock sizes and so on.

Anchor

That position to which the bowstring and the arrow are pulled to.

Arrow Rest

A small device installed onto a bow where the arrow can be held away from the riser. In more modern times these rests also allow to reduce contanct with the arrow itself.

Back

The side of the bow facing away from the archer.

Belly

The side of the bow facing the archer

Bowbender

A expression used for archers. Usually this term is more appropriate for traditional archery shooters.

Bowstring

A string of a bow which is usually composed  of dacron or Fast-Flight material.

Bowyer

One who builds or repairs bows.

Brace Height

It indicates the correct distance between the bow and the bowstring at the handle.

Buck Fever / Target Panic

The loss a control over ones self due to a target or a buck.

Butt

The distance a bow can propel and arrow.

Cams

"Pulleys" located at the end of the limbs of compound bows. They vary in shape and size, but all have a common function. Which is  to store energy and produce a let-off.

NOTE: That some cams store more energy than others depending on their design.

 

The distance a bow can propel an arrow.

Clearance (Arrow)

Synomyme to Pass Thru: The way to verifiy if you arrow is clearing the bow without any contact you must perferom the following test:

 

First, you must cover the arrow with baby powder and then shoot the bow. After this step is complete, verify the bow, rest, cables, sight window to see if any powder is on it. If found, simply adjust one of the following to remedy the problem.

Adjust Nock

Adjust Fletch (change the posistion of the cock feather)

Adjust rest (or get one that will permit clearance)

Crest

Colored marks placed near the nock of an arrow for identification purposes.

Deflexed

The shape of the riser, which in this case it is deflexed (pushed outwards).

Draw

The pull of the bowstring back into the shooting position with proper anchor.

Draw Weight

The draw weight of a bow is calculated by the number of kilograms (or pounds) required to draw the bowstring back to full draw length. Usually the minimum requirement draw weight is no less than 18.2 kilograms (40 pounds).

Draw Length

The draw lengths of a bow is the distance the arrow is drawn back before release. To determine your correct draw lengths, draw an arrow all the way back and have someone mark the shaft with a pencil at a point even with the front of the bow. To make sure that arrowhead does not contact the fingers of the bow hand when shooting, an additional 2 to 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) is added to the measured draw length. Draw length determines what length of arrows you should use.

Fast Flight

Different style of string used on modern bows. This usually also replaces the cables on the compound.

 

Front Of Center: The balance point of the arrow... Usually 60% of the weight in the back and 40% in the front... The weight should be more towards the front than the back. To find the arrow balance point, simply balance it and then measure the distances... Once done calculate the percentage and your set.

Grains

Standard measurement of weight in archery.

Handle

The center of the bow, the part which the archer uses in gripping the bow, also called the riser.

IBO

International Bowhunters Organization. They set other standards such as 6 grains of weight per pound pulled.

Kinetic Energy

Term used in physics, this term basically mean the energy being transferred from the archer, to the bow and then on to the arrow. More kinetic energy basically means more penetration, thus a more humane kill.

Kisser Buttons

Put on string and placed in such a way that it touches your lips when at full draw. Helps to maintain consistency.

Limbs

The two "ends" of a bow, from the handle out, which bend and give the arrow its flight motivation.

Nock

The deep groove in the end of an arrow into which the bowstring is fitted. Also, the grooves at either and of the bow (or teardrops) which hold the bowstring in place.

Nocking Point

The spot on the bowstring where the nock of the arrow is to be placed prior to drawing and shooting.

Pass through

The act of the arrow clearing the bow while having nominal contact, this will improve accuracy and consistency.

Peep Sight

Placed on string to help seeing through it. This is used for better consistency and easier use of sights.

Projectile

Arrow released from the bow.

Pull

The act of pulling the bowstring to full draw.

Quiver

A device for holding arrows, located on the bow or the arhcer himself.

Overdraw

Device use to shorten the length of the arrow, this adds speed and makes a lighter arrow.

Reflexed

The shape of the riser, in this case it is reflexed (pushed inwards).

Riser

See Handle.

Serving

The extra thread wrapped around the middle of the bowstring to prevent the arrow or the archer’s fingers from fraying the string causing it to break.

Sight Window

The cut out area of the riser. With the help of today’s new composite materials the Sight Window is much larger allowing for shorter arrows and larger broadheads.

Spine

The strenght and stiffness of an arrow.

Stick Bows

These are recurves and longbows. Considered to be  the more "primitive" bows.

Takedown Bows

A recurve that has removable limbs, that permits even smaller storage areas

Tear Drops

A attachment at the end of the cable. That is used to attached the string (compounds only), this helps in rapid change of string… Even in field conditions.

NOTE: Not available on Fast-Flight harnesses.

Tiller

The measured distance between the string and the meeting point between the limbs and riser (compound). This is used in the tuning of the bow.

Torque

The act of the bow twisting due to  improper twisting of the string by an improper hold.

Trigger / Release

See archery/bowhunting accessories

Unlimited

A category of shooters and their bow, that can be simply stated as one who shoots with a trigger and has a stabilizer bar longer than 15".

Velocity

The speed at which the arrow travels measured in feet per second.

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