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8 Compound Bow Accessories Every Archer Needs

Dec 21, 2020Archery Basics

Archery has been around for thousands of years. What started as a simple bow and arrow has evolved and grown into what we have today. The most recent advancement has been the development of the compound bow. Compounds take a proven design and improve it with the use of modern technology. If you’re interested in, or currently shooting a compound bow, there are a number of accessories you’ll need. See how you can improve your performance with these top compound bow accessories.

Compound Bow Accessories Explained

If you’re wondering what accessories you need for a compound bow, then you’ve come to the right place. Here you will find the top eight accessories that complement compound archery and why they are important. A new bow rarely includes any of these additional accessories, so it’s important to make sure you get everything you need.

1. Bow Sights

The first and most important accessory you need is a bow sight. Without a bow sight, you have to rely on instinctive or gap shooting, which is much more challenging. Sights provide archers a way to aim their bow at a number of distances. This makes a dramatic impact on an archer’s accuracy and consistency.

Bow sights are made up of three basic components: pins, a bubble level, and a pin guard. Pins are generally made with fiber optics and are what you use to aim at a target. These are designed for low light situations, making them very bright and easy to see. The bubble level helps ensure your bow is level when shooting on uneven ground. Finally, the pin guard is the circular piece that holds everything together, protecting the pins from damage. If you’re looking for improved accuracy, bow sights are first on our list of top accessories.

2. Bow Stabilizer

A stabilizer is a piece of equipment that mounts to the front of a bow riser, protruding forwards a number of inches. Its main purpose is to provide balance and absorb shock when the bow is fired.

Stabilizers add stability by adding inertia to a bow. This refers to an objects tendency to stay at rest or stay in motion. This is important when aiming because a stabilizer will slow the movement of an archer’s bow arm. This increases accuracy by helping the archer aim with steadiness.

Stabilizers also help absorb shock. This protects you and your bow. Unchecked vibration can lead to sore joints and bow damage over time. A well-designed stabilizer will absorb that shock and keep you aiming steady throughout the shot.

3. Bow Rest

Every compound bow needs a place for the arrow to rest while at full draw. A well-designed arrow rest provides support and won’t impact arrow flight upon release. Some compound bows allow an archer to shoot from the arrow shelf itself, but most require a bow rest. There are three major types: launcher rests, containment rests, and drop away rests.

Launcher rests have been around for years and are a solid choice. Their design varies between prongs and a ‘blade” like design. Blade designs are commonly known as a snake or lizard tongue rest. Drop away bow rests are very common today because they minimize contact, friction, and noise while improving speed and accuracy. Containment rests are very popular with bowhunters because they completely hold an arrow in place while shooting. They are simple, easy to use, and minimize the chance of your arrow falling off the rest.

4. Peep Sight

A peep sight is a small, plastic oval that integrates into your bow string. Think of it like the rear sight of a gun. Its purpose is to help you stay consistent and align your sights with your target. They provide a solid, consistent anchor point and help to properly align everything while shooting.

They come in many different sizes, although most archers use a 3/16” or a ¼” diameter. Generally speaking, you want your peep to match your sight guard diameter while at full draw. However, be aware of the fact that small peep sights can be difficult to use because of limited light.

5. Release Aids

In order to effectively shoot a compound, you’ll need a release aid. A majority of compound shooters use some kind of mechanical release over fingers. These devices help preserve your fingers and provide a consistent and well-executed release of the string. Consistency is vital to your success with archery and a well-designed release will drastically help with that consistency.

There are many different styles to choose from. Below, you’ll see a list of the available options. Some are beginner friendly and some are for more advanced archers. If you’d like to read more about these options, check out our Beginners Guide to Archery Release Aids for more information.

  • Caliper release
  • Thumb release
  • Hinge release
  • Tension release

Caliper releases have been the most popular for a many years, but other options are starting to grow in popularity. You can’t go wrong with a caliper or thumb release when starting out. That said, hinge and tension releases could be an option if you feel it will improve your accuracy. Whichever you choose, it will help provide a clean, consistent release, every single time.

6. Wrist Sling

Buying a compound bow can be an expensive purchase. The last thing you want to do is drop it! A wrist sling is a simple strap that goes around your wrist and holds the bow in place while shooting. This strap attaches near the grip of the bow and goes around your wrist.

Proper archery form requires you to maintain a relaxed grip through the shot. Though it can feel as though the bow will jump out of your hand, a wrist sling keeps your bow in place without concern.

7. Archery Quiver

Arrows are an essential part of archery and you’ll likely be carrying a number of them. Although you can carry arrows in your hand, it’s not very practical. A quiver is a device designed to hold all your arrows while you’re out shooting.

There are many different quiver designs to choose from, but you’ll likely choose from two broad options: hip quivers and bow quivers. Hip quivers attach to a belt around your waist and hold up to a dozen or more arrows. Bow quivers attach to the bow itself and hold about three to five arrows.

Most target shooters use hip quivers and most hunters use a bow quiver, although the choice is up to you. Regardless of what you choose, find yourself a good quiver because it’s an accessory you’ll want to have.

8. String Suppressors

Compound bows are very powerful. They transfer a massive amount of energy into an arrow, but there isn’t a complete transfer of that energy. Some of that energy is maintained within the bow itself and string suppressors help absorb that energy. This helps keep your bow quiet and protect it from wear and tear.

String suppressors come in many different shapes, sizes, and forms. They are usually made with some kind of rubber material and attach to different parts of a bow. Some attach to your string, some to your limbs, and some to the riser of the bow. Personally, I have string suppressors and a string decelerator. This not only helps reduce vibration, but also increases consistency by stopping the string at the same place every single time.

Final Thoughts

Compound bows are complicated enough and with so many accessories, it can seem overwhelming. However, once you start shooting regularly, it becomes less and less complicated. By following this list, you’ll be well on your way and ready for the range in no time!

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