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what reflex bow would you recommend for a beginner and what arrows would go with the bow?
<font color="red"> Bows and arrows are tricky because you really just have to find one that fits you -see below- and then arrows. For a beginner, aluminum arrows are best because they are cheaper if/when you lose/break them. There are also carbon as well as aluminum carbon composite shafts. Once you get comfortable shooting you will find what works best for you. There are arrow charts for the type of bow, poundage and draw length available at
Easton archery arrow selector </font>
what safety equipment do i need?
<font color="red"> The only real safety equipment is an armguard but lots of guys don't wear them because the string doesnt hit their arm anyways.</font>
is there a training course required to obtain a license for archery ranges?
<font color="red"> I'm not sure if you mean to shoot or to have an archery range. If you want to have an archery range it is supposed to be certified by the National Field Archery Association (NFAA) to make sure it is safe.
If you meant to shoot then no, you just show up and shoot.
To bowhunt you have to have a Bowhunter's Ed class. </font>
any book i can pick up to learn more about archery or online webpage that you frequent? maybe a forum for archers that you like?
<font color="red"> archerytalk.com is great, they have a classifieds sectionfor all kinds of stuff. robinhoodarchery.org is our clubs page.
A good book is
Idiot Proof Archery by Bernie Pellerite. </font>
are the costs low once you purchase your bow and other equipment?
<font color="red"> For the most part. A really good setup (bow, arrows, release, rest, sight, stabilizer) is around $1000. If you find a good archery club, they should have leagues which cost around $35 - 40 for an 8 to 10 week league. There are also tournaments most weekends which are around $10. </font>
what else do i need to be concerned with?
<font color="red"> This question is funny because there are 25 million things to be concerned with, but you can really only figure out which ones affect you with practice. </font>
edit: what numbers do the numbers on bows mean? like what does weight refer to- the power behind the line or the difficulty of pulling it back? (i know it sounds kind of related but which is it?)
<font color="red"> Weight refers to how many pounds of draw force it takes to pull it back. Compound bows have a letoff once you get drawn about halfway back so you are only holding about 15 - 20% of the draw weight at full draw and trying to aim. </font>
i am 6ft tall and 160lbs if that helps for bow sizing. specific brands that you like as well as online distributors that have been good to you would be nice to know.
<font color="red"> Mathews sells good bows, they are kind of pricey if that is a concern but they shoot the smoothest of any bow I have ever shot.
Golden Key makes great arrow rests, Sure-Loc makes good sights, Easton is the only way to go for arrows, and there are lots of good stabilizers out there.
The only two retailers I have used online are Lancaster Archery and FS Arrows. FS has lots of good discounts and Lancaster usually has the newest stuff. I would recommend going to a local pro shop and checking out the equipment there because you won't get a feel for it unless you actually shoot it to know if you like it or not.
As for sizing, you just have to get your draw length measured and then ask if you can shoot a few to figure out what your comfortable draw weight is. If you have average strength 40 - 60 pounds is plenty adequate.
It really is all about finding out what works best for you and your individual shooting style and what type of shooting you plan to do.
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Denver Archery Ranges
I live in Kearney, Nebraska about 6 hours from Denver, if you guys ever want to come to a 3-D shoot here or somewhere in between, let me know!!