Archery beginner and bow for backyard

Welcome! I'm excited to help you get started with backyard archery. Before we jump into the different bow types and safety setups, I'd love to learn a little bit more about what you're hoping to get out of this.

To help me tailor this guide to your specific goals and budget, could you tell me a little bit about why you're interested in archery (e.g., target practice for fun, hunting preparation) and if you have any previous experience at all?

Just a casual hobby to relieve stress, no experience.

Using archery as a stress-relieving hobby is a wonderful choice. The slow, rhythmic focus required to aim and release an arrow makes it feel almost like a form of active meditation. Before we worry about picking out any gear, let's look at our game plan to get you safely and confidently shooting in your yard.

Your path

Fitting Yourself: Draw Length and Eye Dominance

Backyard Setup and Safety

Selecting Your First Bow and Accessories

What is Archery?

At its core, is the art, practice, or skill of using a bow to propel arrows. While it began thousands of years ago as a crucial tool for survival—used strictly for hunting and warfare—it has evolved today into a popular, peaceful recreational sport.

Because you are shooting in a backyard, our absolute first priority is safety. Unlike hitting a public range, backyard archery requires setting up a clear, controlled environment. We will cover how to design a safe shooting lane, set up a proper backstop to catch rogue arrows, and make sure you aren't violating any local town ordinances. Before we design that backyard range, though, we need to talk about the physical tool you'll actually be holding: the bow.