Q1:  Right Hand or Left Hand Bow?

A right-handed person generally shoots a right-hand bow.  A left-handed person generally shoots a left-hand bow.  Some people get this one confused - and understandably so - as a right-handed bow is actually held in the left-hand.  However, for a small percentage of people - there is one slight detail....eye-dominance.  Most right-handed people are right-eye-dominant.  Most left-handed people are left-eye dominant.  If your eye dominance is different than your hand dominance - sighting your bow may be very awkward.  To check for eye-dominance:  place your hands out in front of you at arm's length.  Make a small triangle with your two thumbs and index fingers.  Then, looking though the triangle (with both eyes open), focus on an object across the room.  Now close your left-eye only.  If the object you were focusing on is still inside the triangle - you are right-eye dominant.  If the object is no longer visible through the triangle (the image "shifts" to the side) - you are left-eye dominant.  If your hand and eye dominance are not the same - you might want to consider shooting a bow that matches your eye-dominance rather than your hand-dominance.

If you choose 30-40# limbs for example: the bow can be adjusted for any draw weight within that 10# range.  However, it cannot be adjusted to say.... 45#.... or any other value outside of the 10# range.  If you decide later that you want a draw weight that's higher or lower than the range you originally chose - your bow will need to have new limbs installed.

Tip:  A bow is more efficient when operating at or near is peak draw weight.  [Adults]  For this reason, if you intend to permanently set and shoot your new bow at 40#, you probably should not choose 40-50# limbs (and set the bow for it's minimum weight).  Instead, choose the 30-40# limbs (and set the bow for it's peak weight).  Admittedly, the difference in performance is minor - but worth considering nonetheless.  [Youth]  If you are purchasing a new compound bow for a growing youth-archer, you should probably not worry about bow efficiency - and choose limbs that leave some room to grow - as kids build strength very quickly when they begin to shoot their bows regularly.

NOTE:  Some states require a compound bow to meet certain draw weight minimums in order to hunt large game like Whitetail Deer.  Always observe the rules and regulations for legally harvesting game in your state. 

When we setup and tune your bow, we will adjust it for the precise draw weight you specify.  The draw weight that is appropriate for you is totally dependant upon your size and muscularity.  However, ladies with average strength will be most comfortable with a 30-40# draw weight.  If you are unsure about what draw weight is most appropriate for you, we recommend you choose a more moderate weight.  Most big-game hunters can be just as effective (and more accurate) with a little more reasonable draw weight.

Unlike a traditional recurve bow that can be drawn back to virtually any length, a compound bow will draw back only a specific distance before it stops (the wall).  Compound bows are designed to be shot from the full-draw position.  If a compound bow is set for a 26" draw length, it should always be shot from the full 26" draw position.  But the bow cannot be over-drawn, say to 27" or 28", without modifying the setup on the bow.  So the draw length on your compound bow must be set to match your particular size.  When we setup your bow, we will adjust the bow for your precise draw length.

To measure your draw length, determine the length of your arm-span in inches.  Stand with your arms out and palms facing forward.  Don't stretch when measuring.  Just stand naturally.  Have someone else help you, and measure from the tip of one middle finger to the other.  Then simply divide that number by 2.5.  The quotient is your proper draw length (in inches) for your body size.

The majority of compound bow owners set their bows for too much draw length, which results in poor shooting form - inaccuracy - and painful string slap on the forearm.  You will better enjoy - and be more successful with your new bow when it is fitted properly to your body.  And REMEMBER!  If in doubt, choose a little LESS draw length rather than a little more.  If you are still unsure, or plan to shoot with a string loop, you may benefit from reading our Additional Discussion on Draw Length.   

If you are a person of average proportions, your arm-span will be roughly equal to your height (in inches).  So there is often a direct correlation between a person's height and their draw length as well.  Once you have computed your draw length using the method above, you can double-check yourself by using the scale below - to see if your number is within the expected range.

In contrast with the traditional bow, the draw weight of the compound bow decreases at the end of the drawstroke.  This is known as Let-Off.  Your bow may come with a choice of high or low let-off options.  We will be happy to set your new bow to the let-off you desire.  Remember, a higher let-off percentage means less holding weight at full draw - allowing you more time to aim and shoot without straining.  A lower let-off percentage requires more holding weight at full draw.  If you are unsure about which one you should pick, here are a few things you should consider.

The average archer will find the mid to high let-off bow to be more comfortable to shoot, and the high let-off option is the popular choice on most new bows.  But the lower let-off bow has some benefits too.  To begin, a bow set for 65% let-off will generally shoot a tick faster than a bow set for 80% let-off.  Also, maintaining some level of resistance at full draw is necessary to keep things in good natural alignment - so there is some argument that a bow can have too much let-off.  However, the most common reason for choosing the low let-off option WAS Pope & Young compliance.  The Pope & Young Club once only allowed a maximum of 65% let-off to qualify for listing in their record book.  However, that rule has now been amended.  Animals taken with higher let-offs will still be listed, but an asterisk "*" will appear beside the name, indicating a high let-off bow was used. 

We custom build arrows to match each and every bow system we sell.  However, the type of fletching material and colors are up to you.  We offer you a choice of plastic Duravanes™ (3 or 4 inch) in your choice of colors OR you may choose Gateway Feathers (3 or 4 inch) in your choice of solid colors.  While this choice is entirely a personal preference, each type of fletching material has some advantages to consider.  

Plastic vanes (pictured left) are more durable than feathers.  We strongly recommend Duravanes for youth-archers, as well as for others who tend to handle their equipment less delicately.  Duravanes™ can be crumpled and abused (up to a point of course) and generally still pop back into shape.  And since Duravanes™ can be fletched in a straight - offset - or helical configuration - they can be used with practically any style arrow rest.  Vanes are the popular choice in our shop.  

However, for many archers - feathers offer some enticing advantages as well.  Feathers are very light.  Three 4" Gateway Feathers weigh about 9 grains - while 3 equal sized vanes weigh nearly 25 grains.  The savings in weight means that your arrows are lighter and fly faster with flatter trajectory.  The weight savings in the rear of the arrow also means better front-of-center balance on your arrows - especially for those who use lighter tips.  Feathers are generally fletched in a helical configuration and offer excellent stability for broadheads.

If you elect to have your arrows fletched with vanes, you may also choose the configuration of the fletchings.  Choose straight fletch, 4º Offset Fletch, or Right Helical Fletch.  Each configuration has some notable advantages and disadvantages.  

If you are planning to use a mechanical release, we would be happy to setup your new bow system for a direct-string release or a string-loop release.  This allows you the option of placing your caliper release directly around the bow's string or around a small c-shaped piece of rope.  While customers are more evenly split on this option - the string loop is still the popular choice.

Direct String Release	String Loop
Choose this option if you would like to hook your caliper release directly around the string.  A brass nocking point and rubber Eliminator button will be installed.  The rubber Eliminator button provides cushion between your release and the nock of the arrow - keeping the arrow from dislodging from the string at full draw - and protecting the nock from being gouged by the metal caliper.  Good choice for longer axle bows.	Choose this option if you would like to hook your caliper release around a string loop.  A brass nocking point is still installed, and the arrow is positioned just beneath it - in between the string loop ends.  The string loop protects the actual bowstring from the abrasive effects of the metal caliper.  The string loop is usually the best choice for short axle bows - minimizing the effects of an acute string angle.   Does a String Loop Change my Draw Length?

Our bow systems come with a peep-sight already installed.  You have the choice of a small - medium - or large size aperture.  Larger sizes are easier to see through, particularly in low-light hunting conditions.  But smaller sizes are more pin-point accurate.  Customer choice varies here too, but the medium aperture is the popular choice. 

A special note about peep-sights:  We serve all peep sights in place using a short-serve technique.  This locks the peep sight in place so that it will not move under normal shooting conditions - while still allowing for some adjustments without the need to re-serve the peep sight.  For Ladies and Youth packages, peep sights are served 12 cm above the nocking point on the bowstring.  While this suits the vast majority of shooters just fine, you may wish to move the peep sight up or down the string slightly to accommodate your particular shooting style.  A blue booklet entitled Getting Started with your New Compound Bow will be provided with your bow system, simple instructions for adjusting your peep sight are included in the booklet.

THAT'S IT!!!
If you still have questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Call 877-410-7811 9-6 EST M-F or email us.