Compound Bow Accessories: The Ultimate Guide

The arrow rest for a compound bow helps you shoot arrows accurately. Most compound bows will let you shoot without the arrow rest, but they will be more accurate with it. There are three types of arrow rests: Drop-away rests, containment rests, and tab rests.

If you don’t have the most expensive gear, these eight items will help you make more accurate shots. While others called hostage rest, Shaft limits contact points to reduce friction.

Tab rests are usually used for training bows and junior bows. They are simple tabs that hold the arrow off the shelf.

Even experienced shooters can struggle to hit their target with perfect accuracy. Bow sights make it much easier for even novice shooters to hit their target. There are two main types of bow sights- single pin and multi-pin.

Multi-pin sights allow you to sight each pin at a specific distance. For example, you might have pins set for 20, 30, and 40 yards.

Single pin sights are more precise than other types of bow sights. This allows the archer to adjust the pin on the fly for different target distances. Every bow sight uses pins and a peephole.

The peep is a small hole put into the bowstring so you can see through it and line up your shot. There are different sizes and types of peeps, depending on your eyesight and what you prefer.

You will need a release when you shoot your bow. This is important to help you hit the bow correctly and not hurt your fingers. There are different types of releases, so you can find the one that works best for you.

Wrist releases are the most popular. They buckle to your draw wrist and utilize a caliper mechanism with a trigger. You pull to open the caliper and catch the string. A light touch on the trigger unlocks the string and fires the arrow when you pull back. Bowhunters favor wrist releases since they may be left on all day, ready to draw at any moment.

There are many different types of hand-held releases. Depending on the model, some have a thumb trigger, while others have a pinky trigger. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some shooters prefer hand-held releases that attach to a wrist strap for quick access and a drawing assist.

Archers need a place to store their arrows. People who use a bow for target practice have a hip quiver. Bowhunters usually use a bow-mounted quiver that holds their arrows safely and keeps the sharp blades from cutting them.

Many archers use vibration dampeners on their bows. This helps reduce the bow’s noise and vibrations when the bow is shot. Bowhunters want to be as silent as possible when they shoot. At the same time, target archers need to reduce hand vibration to keep shooting accurately.

A stabilizer is an essential part of a compound bow. It helps to balance the bow and keep it still while shooting. This will make it easier for you to hit your mark. The stabilizer also absorbs vibration and noise, making it quieter when you shoot.

The bow sling is not just a bracelet for your bow. To prevent your bow from twisting when you shoot, you must keep a loose grip on it. Many bows feel they might jump out of your hand, but you don’t have to worry about that with the sling. You can focus on your form and let the arrow do its thing.

Bows, even budget bows, are an investment. Spend a few dollars on string wax and use it frequently to extend the life of your strings and avoid costly re-stringing costs. After every 50 shots or so, my pro shop suggests it. Use your fingers to rub it into the main strings and cables (not the serving strings wrapped on top of those). As the wax melts in your hands, it will be easier to work into the fibers.

Some things are always helpful for compound bow shooters, but others depend on the situation. Many compound bow shooters find it beneficial to have the following items, which you’ll find in this section of our guide.

Targets:

You need something to shoot at. At a range, if you can’t shoot in your own backyard, you can. If you want to shoot somewhere else, you’ll need a safe target. A backstop is also a good idea.

Allen Wrench:

Compound bows can usually be adjusted to different weights and lengths. Allen wrenches, and hex wrenches are the most common tools for this task. This tool can also adjust the accessories attached to the bow as sights and arrow rest.

Arm Guard:

Most archers, even those who compete in the Olympics, wear arm guards since your bow and form may impact this. When I took lessons with two different bows – a Genesis compound and an unknown recurve – I got a lot of string slap. But over two years of using my Mission Hype DTX for practice and hunting, I only think I’ve slapped my arm a couple times.

Bow Stand, Bow Hanger, Limb Legs:

Having a bow stand is helpful, so you don’t have to put your bow on the ground every time you shoot an arrow. This can be helpful if you are at a range, but if you are not at a range, you might want to use a portable set of limb legs to keep your bow out of the dirt.

These are some of the accessories that can make using a compound bow easier or more enjoyable. They’re not all necessary, but devoted fans may find them useful. Most of these accessories are reasonably priced.

Arrow Puller:

Sometimes arrows get stuck in targets. We’ve included the following items in this section of our guide to aid compound bow shooters.

Sight Lights:

Sight lights are a strange novelty. Most people don’t shoot in dim enough conditions to need them. And in many areas, they’re illegal for hunting, much like lighted nocks. You might be able to use them during practice or for field archery and 3D archery.

Grip Coach:

Having a good grip can make a huge difference in accuracy and consistency for beginning archers. Use a grip coach, a cheap tool that can help you improve your grip.

Optics:

Optics means a rangefinder or small reticle, like a pocket monocle. When you are trying to shoot something far away, the arrows can be hard to see. You can use a spotting scope or binoculars to help you see where you are hitting without having to walk all the way down.

Counter:

A thumb counter is a tool that helps you track how many times you have shot your bow. Using this method, you can monitor how much time you spend practicing and identify when your bow might benefit from some maintenance. For example, you might need to wax the string or tune the bow.

String Stop:

Many compounds come with this already installed. If yours doesn’t, consider adding this accessory to reduce vibration, noise, and the potential for string slap.

Grips:

There are bow grips of all sizes. You don’t need to let a great bow stop you from shooting well. You can get aftermarket grips to make it fit your hand better.

Arrow Lube:

Another optional accessory is arrow lube. This will help you remove your arrows from the target if you have trouble doing so.

Bow Press:

This is an optional accessory for the really serious bow enthusiasts. Some people might want a portable press to adjust their bow. Still, most archers will be better off taking their bow to a shop for more complicated tuning and adjustments.

This guide to compound bow accessories will help you as you start learning about archery. Some things are essential for shooting well. Other things might depend on your situation. And still, other things might be nice to have or be best for the most devoted archery shooters.

You can check out this link to learn more about compound bows.