Archery 101: Tips And Tricks For Beginners

Will you consider archery for self-defense and hunting? Read on to see how a bow and arrow might be essential for survival.

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In this article:

1. Survival Archery 101
2. Survival Archery as Plan B
3. Survival Archery – They Won’t Hear You Coming
4. Survival Archery More Than Meets the Eye

All About Archery and Its Survival Essence

—This post is courtesy of PreppersWill.com and shared with permission—

Survival Archery 101

The invention of gunpowder changed the battlefield forever and a man was able to improve his ways of waging war and killing food. Long before gunpowder was invented, a sharp stick propelled down range was the top of ballistic technology.

For thousands of years, survival archery was the only thing that helped man provide for his family and defend his lands.

In today’s modern world, using a simple bow and arrow might seem useless and obsolete. After all, we have an incredible variety of guns that would do a much better job, than a simple bow or crossbow.

That might be true, but in a post SHTF world, a bow and arrow are a must-have weapon if you want to survive. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to convince you to give up your lead throwers and stick with just a bow and arrow.

Guns have their place in a doomed world, but there will be times when survival archery will have an advantage over firearms.

Whether you need to be completely silent, have run out of ammo or simply need to send a line over a high tree branch, it is nice to have a tool available that can do all these things and even more.

For most of the readers, their first encounter with a bow and arrow was probably during summer camp and it most certainly didn’t include extended lessons that would improve one’s archery skills.

Survival Archery as Plan B

When given the choice of only carrying one weapon, let’s say the Glock 19 or a compact crossbow, I bet that many of the readers will choose the pistol in the blink of an eye. And they’re not wrong, given that choice; I would probably do the same thing.

However, one knows that emergency preparedness and long-term survival is about always having a plan B. You have a backup plan already and most of us have even a backup for our initial backup.

Having access to a bow and a good variety of arrows is a great alternative means of hunting and defense.

I don’t want to get into a debate about the pros and cons of survival archery. I think it is better if we explore the advantages of knowing how to launch projectiles down range without making noise and why a bow (regardless its configuration) should be included in your arsenal.

This amazing hunting and survival tool is strong enough to take down anything from rabbit to whitetail with pinpoint accuracy.

If you remember summer camp, you should probably remember that archery is a good way to get kids involved in developing their concentration and aiming skills.

Survival archery is a good way to get your kids involved in emergency preparedness and with the right lessons, kids will learn how to contribute to the defense or the hunting needs of your family. Not to mention that it is a great bonding experience and one of the few times when you can calmly discuss with them and teach the kids some discipline.

Survival archery requires commitment and you need to learn about the techniques and equipment options. The advantage is that you can practice survival archery even in suburban or urban surroundings without drawing attention to yourself.

You don’t have the same luxury when using a gun and in many jurisdictions, it is illegal to practice shooting in your backyard.

RELATED: Archery Tips For Women

Survival Archery – They Won’t Hear You Coming

The bow and arrow were the first, true stealth weapon system and this characteristic will become useful in a world where you constantly need to stay under the radar. If you live in a suburban or urban environment and bugging out is not an option for you, keeping a low sonic profile is vital.

After you outlast the first waves of causalities, you will need to defend your home ground or catch your next meal without making a noise. Survival archery will be your main option and it will make sure you keep your base camp protected and your plate full.

If the world will go off the grid tomorrow, you will need to compete with whole groups of starving, unprepared and angry people. Going hunting with a firearm when there is so much competition around is not a good idea, not unless you want to share your prize.

Using a bow and arrow will ensure a stealthy takedown and you will be able to return to your base camp without attracting any hostiles.

Survival Archery More Than Meets the Eye

When discussing survival archery, one must understand that it is not a skill that can be used only for hunting and defensive or offensive tactics. Survival archery is about versatility and about how one can use a bow and arrow under various circumstances.

A bow is a versatile tool that can be easily carried (especially if you have a takedown recurve bow that can be broken down into pieces) and it will never run out of ammo.

It was the first flamethrower, and using a bow and flaming arrow was not only a war tactic. It was also used as a signal to reach others when in need.

Suggested reading: How to signal for help in the wilderness

You can also attach a string to an arrow and shoot it over a high limb or a gap. It will help you get a rope out farther than you can throw it by hand.

Attaching a string to an arrow is also a good method of fishing and with a little practice, you will be able to procure dinner.

Bows have a wide variety of purposes and there are many configurations that one can use. This is why you will always find debates about which calibers are best for survival archery, what type of arrows you should use in a post SHTF world and other such topics.

I think that it’s a matter of personal preference and it all depends on what you are comfortable with and what you needed it for.

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Primitive history shows how archery bow and arrows were once the go-to weapons of our ancestors. While crossbows and archery are only more popular today because of pop culture, survivalists include bows and arrows in their arsenal for long now.

Now you know, with practice, you can depend on archery for self-defense and for hunting. So take some archery lessons now and improve your archery shooting techniques because you never know when they might come in handy.

Would you consider taking on archery for survival? Tell us your thoughts about it in the comments section below!

Up Next:

• Survival Skill: Proper Archery Form
• Survival Skills and Hobbies That Can Save Your Life
• Watch This Kid Make an AMAZING Archery Trick Shot!

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on January 29, 2016, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.