Make sure an
instructor or pro shop employee has verified that
your arrows are long enough for you. Be sure to
select an arrow long enough for your bow, one too
short will result in you overdrawing the arrow.
This extremely dangerous because the arrow could
shatter if it lodges behind the bow; it can even
embed itself in your arm.
Inspect your
bowstring. If it’s frayed or if any strand
of the string is broken, replace the bowstring
immediately before using.
Check the serving
on your bowstring. If it is unraveling, tie it
off, have it re-served, or replace the string.
Inspect you bow. If
the bow shows any signs of cracking in the limbs
do not shoot your bow. Have your instructor or an
employee at a pro shop inspect it. If a cracked
bow is not fixed the bow could break at full draw
and cause an injury.
If you are shooting
with a recurve-bow, be sure to examine the brace
height to make sure it is at least 6 inches.
Failure to check the brace height could result in
the bowstring slapping your wrist.
If you are using a
compound bow make sure that the steel cables are
routed properly on the pulleys and that the
bowstring is attached to the cables securely.
Safety - Inspect
your arrows. Wood arrows that are cracked should
be broken in ½ then discarded. Aluminum arrows
that are bent to the extremes should be
straightened before you shoot them if possible.
Every arrow should have a tip installed properly.
Safety - Inspect
your arrows’ nocks. Nocks that are cracked
or broken should be removed and replaced as soon
as possible because a damaged nock could slip off
the string before release.
When dressing to
shoot, avoid baggy shirts and sleeves, and chest
pockets with buttons for trim. Remove pens and
pencils from shirt pockets. Avoid necklaces and
pins too. A bowstring could catch on to any of
these things.
You may want to tie
back your hair if it is long so that it
doesn’t get caught in the string.
Be sure to wear
shoes when shooting because an arrow dropped on
your bare foot or stepped on in the grass could
cause a serious injury.
Wear
an arm guard and a finger tab doing so will
protect you from bruises and blisters.
