A youth's first compound

A youth's first compound

We all know that the future is our youth. That’s not just true with archery, but with everything. However, with the decline of hunting participation in recent years, it is ever so true with the future of our treasured outdoor traditions. We must recruit our young people at an early age and spawn an interest that will last a lifetime.

The lore of archery and the arc of the arrow is something that draws young people fervently. It always has, whether target shooting or simply playing “Cowboys and Indians.” Most everyone loves shooting bows and once it takes root in a person, the possibilities for the future are endless.
However, that said, getting a child started into archery has to be done properly. It still has to be fun or they will quickly get tired and discouraged. It can’t be a chore or a situation where an adult is making them feel pressure. It just has to happen slowly and with as much fun and excitement as possible.
The first step in making that happen is to acquire a bow that is easy and fun to shoot. Starting a child out with a hard-to-pull too-heavy compound bow will lead to all sorts of discontent. Shooting sessions will be tiresome, much shorter in duration, and accuracy will be slow to improve.
One of the first concerns a parent or other person has when purchasing a compound bow for a youth is how long the child can shoot it. Young people grow quickly and are out of new clothes and shoes in no time. Bows can be the same if care is not taken.
There are a variety of options in youth compound bows and the choice of purchase will depend on many factors. Several questions must be answered before looking for a bow. How old is the child? In what stage of growth is he or she? How much weight can the child comfortably draw? What will the bow be used for – fun, targets, 3-D, hunting, or all?

Many of the leading bow manufacturers are making bows designed strictly for youths. Some are for fun and targets only, while others are capable of use for hunting. If the parent or guardian is knowledgeable in the fields of archery and hunting, it is much easier to make a bow buying decision. If not, an archery pro shop or knowledgeable friend is well-worth consulting.

One thing which has really generated a lot of interest in youth archery and the subsequent manufacturing of youth bows is the National Archery in Schools Program (NASP). Young people across the country are having an opportunity to get involved and learn archery right in their own schools thanks to the NASP.
The NASP started with an idea in Kentucky. Originally called Archery in Kentucky Schools, it was introduced there in just a few schools as an experiment. The results were immediate and astounding. It swept across the state and then came interest from many other states and even other countries. It has now spread all across the United States and it is believed that all 50 states will have NASP curriculums in their school systems soon.
One bow which was directly birthed from the NASP is the Genesis bow which was invented by Matthews Inc. Founder and CEO, Matt McPherson. The bow was specifically designed for the school program and will fit most anyone. It’s a great bow for young kids to start out on and is one which can be shot indefinitely and by numerous persons.

The standard Genesis bow automatically covers all draw lengths from 15 to 30 inches. It has a light draw weight which is adjustable from 10 to 20 pounds. It has zero let-off, so it releases good energy at the time of the shot. In fact, set at 20 pounds, the Genesis bow stores and releases enough energy that it is comparable to a 35-pound recurve bow. The bow is a single-cam design and is extremely easy to shoot.

For archers wanting something a little more, the Genesis Pro offers up to 25 pounds of draw weight and a few more frills than the standard model. It still has zero let-off and a single cam, so it will fit virtually anyone. However, it has more features and can accommodate other accessories. One of the best features of the bow is a draw stop which is adjustable from 18 1/2 inches to 30 inches. This provides a solid wall which makes shooting with a mechanical release aid much easier.
As mentioned, many of today’s bow companies are designing and marketing bows to reach our youths. Getting these people interested and involved with archery and bowhunting is imperative to the continuation of our sports. This year, let’s reach out and help a young person learn the fantastic adventure of archery.
For more information on the NASP, visit the web site at www.nasparchery.com or call 608-269-1779. More information on the Genesis bow is available at www.genesisbow.com. Other companies which offer youth bows include Alpine Archery (alpinearchery.com), Ben Pearson Archery (benpearson.com), Browning Archery (browning-archery.com), Diamond Archery (diamondarchery.com), Fred Bear Archery (beararcheryproducts.com), High Country Archery (highcountryarchery.com), Hoyt Bows (hoyt.com), Martin Archery (martinarchery.com), Parker Compound Bows (parkerbows.com), and Precision Shooting Equipment (pse-archery.com). If your favorite bow company isn’t listed here – check with them. More than likely they are producing products for young people as well.