Advanced Techniques:

Compound Bow

The compound bow uses a system of cables and pulleys or cams to give it more power with less effort by the shooter. The compound bow is the most popular bow for both hunting and target shooting.

The greatest advantage of the compound bow is its "draw weight let-off." As you draw the compound bow, you reach the "peak" weight before you come to the full draw. When holding at full draw, the weight you are actually holding is reduced by 50% to 85% on modern bows. For example, a 60-pound bow with a 50% "let-off" only requires you to hold 30 pounds of draw weight at full draw. This "let-off" feature of the compound bow is favored by bowhunters because it reduces muscle fatigue while the drawn bow is being aimed at game.