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So You Might Be a New Archer in 2025?

Welcome to the Thwack Life Bullseye Club!


Welcome to the wonderful world of archery! Whether you're channeling your inner Robin Hood, Katniss Everdeen, the elven Legolas or just looking for a new hobby, you've picked one of the most timeless, rewarding, and downright cool activities out there.

Legolas, Katniss, Green Arrow, Robin Hood
Legolas, Katniss, Green Arrow & Robin Hood

Let’s face it: archery isn’t just a sport—it’s a vibe.


So, you’ve decided to take the plunge in 2025. What should you know as a new archer in this tech-savvy, eco-conscious era? Stick around; we’ve got the lowdown on much of what will be helpful to kickstart your archery journey, from safety to goals, and a little gear info as well.





Step 1: Get the Right Gear (Because Style and Substance Matter)

The Bow: Your Trusty Sidekick

Modern bows come in all shapes, sizes, and purposes. Here’s a quick rundown of your options:



  • Recurve Bow: The Olympic classic and a recreational favorite. Sleek, lightweight, and beginner-friendly. Check out the Samick Sage Takedown Recurve Bow—a popular choice for new archers.


  • Compound Bow: For the gadget lover. This high-tech marvel uses cams and pulleys for precision and power.


  • Longbow: Simple, elegant, and oh-so-traditional. Great if you want to channel medieval knight vibes.


  • Then there is the Genesis hybrid bow that so many beginning archers are handed when they go to a range for the first time these days.



Various Arrow Styles
Arrows

Arrows: They’re Not One-Size-Fits-All

Arrows are as personal as the bow itself. Factors like length, weight, and material matter. Aluminum and carbon arrows are beginner-friendly. Check out Easton Archery’s Axis 5MM for an excellent all-rounder option.

Accessories You Didn’t Know You Needed



Arm Guard
Arm Guard

  • Armguard: Unless you enjoy the sting of string slap (spoiler: you won’t), grab one. The SAS Adjustable Armguard is both affordable and effective.








  • Finger Tab for most bows or Release Aid for compound bows: Protect those digits! The AAE Cavalier Tab is a solid pick.


  • Bow Sight: Improve your accuracy with a beginner-friendly sight like the Trophy Ridge Fix Series. And to REALLY hone in your sighting, a PEEP SIGHT for the back end of your "scope."

Pro Tip: Visit your local archery shop (yes, they still exist in 2025!) to get fitted properly. They’ll ensure your gear matches your draw length, strength, and aspirations.

Step 2: Find Your Range (and Your Tribe)

Gone are the days when finding an archery range was like searching for a unicorn. In 2025, you can use apps like Archery Finder 3.0 or OnTarget to locate ranges, clubs, and events near you. thwacklife.com also has a directory being developed that can be used to find shops, ranges, manufacturers, organizations, and stores for any of your archery needs. Don’t underestimate the power of joining a club—archery is more fun with friends, and experienced archers are usually happy to share tips. Online archery communities are the next step in the evolution of clubs for archers.

Cool Ranges to Check Out

  • Virtual Ranges: These are popping up everywhere. Think VR meets archery. Try Archer’s Edge VR Centers if there’s one in your city.

  • Outdoor Ranges: Perfect for soaking up some Vitamin D while you’re nailing those targets. National parks often have archery areas—just Google "archery ranges near me."

  • Indoor Ranges: Climate-controlled comfort for year-round shooting. A solid choice if you’re in colder climates. Or super hot climates, for that matter.

Step 3: Learn the Basics (Because Nobody Wants to Be "That Archer")

Safety First

Archery is safe—when done correctly. Here are the golden rules:

  1. Never point your bow at anything you don’t intend to shoot.

  2. Check your equipment for wear and tear before every session. And frequently while shooting.

Always wait for the range to clear before retrieving or shooting arrows.


** CONSISTENCY is THE Key to ALL Progress in Archery **

Form is Everything

Master the basics before you start channeling Legolas:

  • Stance: Feet shoulder-width apart, perpendicular to the target.

  • Grip: Relaxed but firm. Death grips are for gladiators, not archers.

  • Anchor Point: Find a consistent spot on your face to draw your string to—it’s your aiming anchor.

Aim, Release, Repeat

Don’t expect bullseyes from day one (but celebrate like crazy when you get them). The key is consistency. Practice at shorter distances (10-20 yards) and gradually increase as your confidence grows.

Step 4: Set Goals (Because Progress is Addictive)

  • Short-Term Goals: Hit the target consistently. Work on grouping your arrows.

  • Mid-Term Goals: Try out for a local competition or tackle a 3D archery course.

  • Long-Term Goals: Dream big! Maybe it’s Olympic-level archery, or maybe it’s simply shooting an apple off a (fake) head without trembling.

Step 5: Embrace the Tech (Because, Hello, It’s 2025)

The future of archery is now. Here’s some tech to keep you ahead of the curve:

  • Wearable Trackers: Devices like the BowFit Tracker 2025 analyze your draw strength, release time, and even your heart rate.

  • Smart Targets: Targets like the iBullseye Pro record your hits and misses, offering instant feedback via an app.

  • Virtual Coaching: Apps like ArcheryCoach AI use your phone’s camera to analyze your form and provide tips in real-time.

  • Bow-mounted intelligent shooting analysis systems like the Mantis X8 track your movements when shooting and feed that information to your smartwatch or tablet to give real-time feedback on the mechanics of your shot.

Resources to Dive Deeper

Websites

Books

  • Archery Fundamentals by Teresa Johnson

  • The Archer's Bible by Fred Bear

YouTube Channels

  • Nock On Archery: Great for beginners.

  • Archery 360: Gear reviews, tutorials, and more.

  • Thwack Life: Curated playlists of videos featuring archery equipment, set-up and repairs, reviews, and training.

  • LCArchery: George Ryals IV and crew give tips on how to improve your archery game.

Apps

  • Archer’s Notebook: Track your progress.

  • Archery Scorekeeper: Digital scoring made easy.

Final Thoughts

Starting archery in 2025 is like stepping into a world where tradition meets technology. It’s a sport that’s as much about the journey as it is about the target. So, embrace the learning curve, laugh at your early misses, and celebrate every little victory. After all, every arrow you shoot brings you one step closer to your bullseye dreams.

Now grab your bow, hit the range, and remember: the archer’s journey is always evolving—just like you!

"Only the next arrow matters."

Got questions or want to share your progress? Drop a comment below or tag me on social media with your archery adventures!

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