Equipment

 

Important: Key Leader Input

Please consult the key leaders before purchasing equipment. They can offer specific advice before you make an investment.

For full equipment descriptions and information, see the Colorado State 4-H Shooting Sports Rule Book (Revised 3/3/2024).

 

Required Equipment

(All personal equipment should be labeled with the archer’s name or initials.)

Bow — Bows must be stored flat – on pegs, bow rack, under the bed, or in a case. Recurve bows should be unstrung after use. Do not leave equipment where it would be exposed to extreme heat, cold, or moisture.

Arrows — All arrows must be fitted to the archer and bow. They must be long enough so that the tip extends beyond the back of the bow when at full draw. Arrows cannot be made of fiberglass. Wood arrows are not preferred but may be used only with recurve bows. Field tips only. Arrows should be stored in a quiver, out of reach of smaller children.

Armguard

Hip quiver

Finger tab, archery glove, or release

Wrist sling or finger sling

Recommended Equipment

Arrow lubrication

Arrow puller

Notebook and pencil for keeping score or recording coaching tips

Optional Equipment

Binoculars (no rangefinders or monocular optics allowed)

 
 

Bow Class Specifications

Maximum draw weight is 60 pounds.

Senior archers compete at 50, 40, 30, and 20-yard distances as well as multiple 3D targets at variable, unknown distances.

Junior archers compete at 40, 30, 20, and 10-yard distances as well as multiple 3D targets at variable, unknown distances.

 

Compound Bow Classes

 
 
Bow Class Bow Sight Peep Sight Rest Stabilizer Release Aid
Compound Traditional Any compound bow No sight allowed No peep sight allowed. Any stick-on arrow rest or any arrow rest that screws into the burger button hole that the arrow sits on a shelf or a spring will be allowed. No stabilizer. Finger tab or glove only. (Finger Rolls may be used on the bowstring in place of a finger tab/glove).
Compound Limited Any compound bow Single pin or multiple pin sight only. (No laser range-finding, magnified, or optical sights allowed. No clarifiers or magnifiers.) Peep sight without magnification. Arrow rest. (Drop away rests are allowed only at a maximum of 2-inches behind
the face of the bow.) Whisker biscuits are allowed.		 Stabilizer 12” in length or less measured from the back of the bow to the end of the stabilizer including all adapters, connectors, etc. Fingers or release. (Finger rolls may be used on the bowstring in place of a finger tab/glove).
Compound Unlimited Any compound bow Any sight including scope. Can have a level. (No laser range-finding sights allowed.) Any peep sight including clarifier. Any arrow rest except overdraw. (Drop away arrow rests are allowed only at a maximum of 2 inches behind the face of the bow.) Whisker biscuits are allowed. Any stabilizer. Fingers or any mechanical release. (Finger Rolls may be used on the bowstring in place of a finger tab/glove).
 
 

Recurve Bow Classes

 
 
Bow Class Bow Sight Peep Sight Rest Stabilizer Release Aid
Recurve Traditional Any recurve or longbow. No sights or levels. No peep sight allowed. Stick-on rest or arrow shelf only. No stabilizer. Finger tab or glove only. (Finger Rolls may be used on the bowstring in place of a finger tab/glove).
Recurve Limited Any recurve or longbow. Any sight. No peep sight allowed. Any arrow rest.
 Any stabilizer. Finger tab or glove only. (Finger Rolls may be used on the bowstring in place of a finger tab/glove).
 
 

Parts of a Bow

Steps of Shooting

  1. Stance

  2. Bow hand

  3. Nock

  4. Set hook (string hand)

  5. Focus

  6. Pre-draw

  7. Draw

  8. Anchor

  9. Breathing and aim

  10. Release

  11. Follow-through

  12. Evaluate

 

For full equipment descriptions and information, see the Colorado State 4-H Shooting Sports Rule Book (Revised 4/2024).