Archery Safety

So tomorrow (Saturday, September 29) is the first day of archery in PA. I'm sure many Pennsylvania hunters are just as excited as I am about the start of the season. However, just like with any other firearm, there are many things to remember when using a bow. I recently had a post a bout gun safety, so I figured it would be a good idea to put up a post about bow safety as well.

The first rule of using a bow is the same for guns: Don't ever aim a loaded bow at anything other than the target. Even if you think you have a good grip on your string, even if you are using a release, the string can slip from your fingers or even break and release the arrow.

Another very important rule is to ALWAYS inspect your bow and your arrows before every use. You want to check for cracks of any abnormalities in your arrows. If you have an arrow with a damaged shaft, it could possibly break, causing injury to the shooter. You should also always inspect the nock on each of your arrows. If you have an arrow with a broken nock, you should make sure it is fixed before it is used. If you try to use an arrow with a damaged nock, you will probably have the arrow slip off or fire in the wrong direction. You should also always check your bow strings for any fraying or any weak spots that may cause it to snap when pulled back. Also, you should always wax your bow string in order to protect and prevent drying and cracking.

When it comes to shooting with multiple people at the same time, you should always stand in a straight line side by side to avoid anyone getting accidentally shot. You should also always have a predetermined signals that is called out only when every person is finished shooting.

Another really important thing to remember is to NEVER pull your bow string back and release it when there is no arrow on the string. Alot of people like to have other people try and pull back their bows for one reason or another, but this really is not a good idea. If you think someone can't pull back your bow at the weight it is set at, don't even let them try. They may get it pulled all the way back, but chances are that they won't be able to slowly let it back in. They will probably lose control and end up releasing the string completely. Not only can this really hurt them, it can also do alot of damage to your bow.

If you use broadheads on your arrows, you want to make sure that you are extremely careful when you are sharpening them.

Overall, if you use some common sense, you should be okay when using your bow. Just always remember to never aim a loaded bow at anything other than the intended target. Also, always be sure to regularly check all of your equipment, and never pull your bow back without an arrow loaded on it.