A bow and arrow are two different pieces of archery equipment, yet one is completely useless without the other. Together, these items create a powerful tool that can be used for hunting, target practicing or competing. Today, different types of bows and arrows are available depending on the type of sport you enjoy. For hunting purposes, compound bows or crossbows are preferred, while conventional bows are mostly used for competition or target practicing.
Choosing the right bow and arrow is essential for accurate shooting. Bows come in different sizes and styles to suit your needs and skills, from a single string stretched between the ends of a simple bow to a highly technical device with pulleys and other added features. Arrows are also available in different sizes and lengths depending on the requirements of the shooter and the tips and feathers as well as the material of the arrow can make a difference in the accuracy and distance of your shot.
The bow and arrow is a ranged weapon system consisting of an elastic launching device (bow) and long-shafted projectiles (arrows).
Archery is the art, practice or skill of using bows to shoot arrows. A person who shoots arrows with a bow is called a bowman or an archer. Someone who makes bows is known as a bowyer, one who makes arrows is a fletcher,[3] and one who manufactures metal arrowheads is an arrowsmith.
The use of bows and arrows by humans for hunting predates recorded history and was common to many prehistoric cultures. They were important weapons of war from ancient history until the early modern period, where they were rendered increasingly obsolete by the development of the more powerful and accurate firearms, and were eventually dropped from warfare. Today, bows and arrows are mostly used for hunting and sports.