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List of Recurve Bow Accessories for Archery and Bowhunting

A recurve bow is a recreational and competitive sports gear gone through robust sophistication over time. Thus, the industry has brought many innovative recurve bow accessories that serious archers and hunters cannot ignore.

But do not confuse recurve bow parts with their accessories as they differ in many ways. One significant difference is the material used to build them, and the other major difference is the rules each category plays. Whereas the right add-ons can simplify the sports, the parts are integral to the bow itself.

Not to ignore, they have one thing in common that a bow can be an intimidating piece of equipment for people who are not familiar with the basics of either. Here you find the most popular recurve bow accessories explained. Read on to learn why and how they are crucial for archery and bow hunting.

As we said, recurve accessories are not the main parts but they are add-ons to make the key task easier and convenience. Hence, they are called by recurve bow attachments.

1. Hip Quiver

Hip Quiver is a great accessory for archery and recurve bow shooting. The Quiver attaches to your belt and allows you to have quick access to your arrows without having to walk back and forth from the target.

Not leaving the shooting range can make it easier to concentrate on shooting. Hip Quivers also keep arrows in the same orientation, preventing them from getting caught on clothing or causing other problems.

To keep arrows close to the body, they are often attached to the belt with clips or wrap them around the waist. So, you can draw your weapon with ease. The primary purpose of this type of Quiver is for immediate use if you are in an ambush situation.


2. Bow Stand

A bow stand is an important accessory for your archery or recurve bow because it helps to elevate the bow off of the ground. So, they do not get dirty or wet while staying more stable. Some people might think the bow stand is stupid and unnecessary, but it's actually not.

Some people will also use a bow stand to store their bow on the same mechanism, but this is not its primary function. If archery is a sport of skill and accuracy, one befitting accessory is a stand for bows you can no way ignore.


3. Bow Case

A bow case is essential for recurve bow owners, whether they are traveling for hunting or tournaments. These cases are made of heavy-duty fabric and lined with foam. They come in different shapes and sizes and should fit the bow properly. A good case should also have space for arrow storage. In addition, most archers purchase a recurve arrow tube, which can be packed in the bow case or separately.

This add-on is important because your recurve bow is not guaranteed against damage due to improper stringing. A soft or hard case is great for short trips and the back seat of your car, but a hard case will protect your recurve bow from damage during long trips.


4. Bow Sight

The bow sight is one of the essential equipment for any hunter. It is a device attached to the string that helps the hunter aim and shoot with greater accuracy and precision. Recurve bow sights can be either fixed or adjustable depending on how much you want to spend or what type of hunting you will be doing.

Fixed sights are great for those who don't need to adjust their shots often, but those who want greater flexibility should probably use an adjustable sight.

This piece of equipment for aiming an arrow or other projectile is made from various materials, such as wood, metal, plastic, and fiberglass. 

A good quality bow sight can make a huge difference in the accuracy and trajectory of an arrow and help get the perfect shot. If you are hunting a game animal, a fixed set-up makes aiming easy and a great choice when hunting a game. 


5. Bow Stabilizer

A bow stabilizer is a piece of equipment that attaches to your bow's riser and provides support to the front limbs. It holds these limbs in place, allowing them to be fully relaxed. The bow's limbs will then help counteract any unwanted movement on the shooter's part. It also increases accuracy and control.

Bows can be stabilized and balanced with many different materials. Some common stabilizers include foam, cork, leather, and carbide.

Recurve bow stabilizers are common in competitive archery because they decrease the effects of vibration and shock after releasing an arrow. They also reduce weight on the limbs and increase stability and accuracy. The most common rubber-foot type reduces vibration by 20% to 30%. 


6. Arrow Rest

People argue that an arrow rests an accessory and not the main organ because it's unnecessary to shoot an arrow. However, arrow rest can be useful for drawing and shooting arrows. There are different arrow rests that different suit purposes, such as stabilizing the string when releasing the arrow or avoiding damage to the fingers when releasing the string.

The best materials for a recurve bow arrow rest are usually plastic, bone, horn, or similar natural materials. A more modern option is latex rubber. Any material can be used as long as it will not slip or slide when pressure is applied to it during shooting. Often these are of simple shapes that are easy to attach to the bow with screws or glue.


7. Arm Guard

One accessory that can be used to protect an archer's arm is an armed guard attached to the shooting arm's elbow. The most common arm guard or elbow protector type is made from high-density foam and covered in either cloth or leather. The arm guard is available in many colors and materials (cotton or leather) to suit your needs and taste.

While not necessary for shooting some forms of archery, it is a popular accessory for recurve bows. They are also sometimes used on compound bows to protect the arms of novice shooters.


8. Arrow Puller

An arrow puller's function is to remove the arrow from the archer's arrow rest once it has been fired. The arrow puller and rest are designed to be as close as possible so that the arrow is not damaged when the rest is opened.

The recurve bow arrow puller quickly grips the arrow at the end and removes it from the bowstring to release its energy. Found in many different shapes and sizes, the arrow puller is made with three different material types; plastic, steel, and rubber.

For those who have ever attempted to pull an arrow from a recurve bow, you know the struggle of not being able to reach the arrow with your fingers. This is one of many reasons why many people choose to make or purchase a recurve bow arrow puller.


9. Finger Sling

A finger sling may seem to be a simple piece of gear, but it is essential to any archery type. It brings you greater stability and control, and it can also help release your string faster.

This sling is a device that archers and recurve bow enthusiasts wear on their fingers to keep the string on the finger and improve their aim and accuracy. Worn over the middle or index finger and used with a three-finger grip, finger slings are a new and interesting accessory for bow hunters.

In fine, the purpose of using a sling is to get more of the pull weight off the fingers and onto the forearm, ideally making it easier to hold up the bow's weight for longer periods.


10. Archery Target

Targets are important for recurve bow shooting as there would be no other way of knowing how accurate the shot was. In addition, targets are a fun and competitive way for people to practice archery with their friends. They come in different shapes and sizes and can be used indoors and outdoors.

One common target is the hay bale designed to simulate a human torso. A foam target is also very popular because it's lightweight but durable to withstand shot arrows. Paper is good for archers who are practicing shooting at close range.

A target can be made out of anything from tape to cardboard to wood, but the most popular materials are straw-filled or foam-filled insulation boards. Most standard targets consist of a circular metal frame with a central bullseye.


11. Finger Tab

Finger tabs are used to protect the fingers when holding the bowstring. They are traditionally made of leather but can be made from other materials such as fabric. Usually held in place by looping it through the first index finger, a tab runs through the second joint or attaches to a thumb loop.

So, they act as protection for your fingers when hit by the string or a bow that is too high on the rest. They also help to keep your fingers from sliding into the release, as well as offer a place to support your thumb.


12. Bow String Wax

Bowstring wax is a substance applied to string to make it slide easily across the length of the bow's limbs without fear of breaking. It is used during both tuning and maintenance of recurve bows.

The wax runs down the length of the string, which can be seen when pulled taut. This allows for smoother tuning because the string moves with less friction across the limbs.

Any bowhunter needs to ensure access to high-quality wax for their bow. Using wax can help protect the bow from humidity, dirt, and other elements damaging the string. To be even clear, it helps preserve it and keep it from rotting, becoming brittle, or drying out over time.

Furthermore, using wax can assist in maintaining a consistent draw length, improve arrow flight by reducing drag, and increase accuracy.


13. Archery Multitool

The Archery Multitool is a set of Allen wrenches. This set is very crucial for making any adjustment to the bow. The toolkit contains two different sized wrenches, one to adjust arrow rest positioning and one to adjust arrow rest height.

There are also three different wrench sizes for setting up peep sights. One wrench fits the threaded inserts on the sight housing, another fits the screw that adjusts elevation, and the third fits the windage adjustment screw.

Ruining your shot with an adjustment gone wrong is no fun, but it doesn't have to be a problem when you have the Archery Multitool in your pocket. This set includes six hex keys for adjusting your sight, stabilizer, and other small parts on your bow.


14. String Whisker Silencer

String Whisker Silencer, also known as a whisker biscuit, is a small plastic device attached to the string on a recurve bow. The String Whisker Silencer helps decrease the noise when shooting an arrow by leaps and bounds.

String Whisker Silencers are very simple to attach to a bow.

Rising to prominence in the 1970s due to the growing sport of archery, string whiskers are now considered a vital accessory for any recurve bow. String Whiskers serve as a protective layer that sits between the bowstring and the arrow rest, preventing your bow from being scratched or damaged by your arrow.

In addition to protecting from scratches, string whiskers also help protect against another common problem for recurve bows: nocking breakage.


Wrap Up

Now that you have made a tour through the run-down of the most indispensable accessories of a recurve bow, you are well educated in what, when, how, and why to use them. If a recurve bow is a great addition to any hunter's arsenal, the talked about equipment is also integral given their ease and convenience.

So, now you can invest in the said recurve bow accessories that will answer your need, suit your skill level, and match the type of game involved.

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