If you’re new to archery or looking to upgrade your bow, you may have heard about the benefits of using a compound bow. These bows are popular among hunters and target shooters for their high accuracy, power, and speed.
The usefulness of a compound bow is linked to its ability to shoot, and for it to fire, the string must be pulled back. A compound bow can be difficult or easy to draw back, depending on the draw weight. When choosing a compound bow, archers are often advised to consider the draw weight that best suits their strength and techniques.
Pulling Back A Compound Bow

Compound bows are usually easier to draw back than traditional bows because they have a lower draw weight for their power level. This is due to the mechanical advantage of the pulley and cam system. The pulley and cam system are a mechanism that reduces the amount of power required to draw the bowstring. An average compound bow consists of two pulleys, one mounted on each bow’s limbs, with one or two cams.
When an archer draws the bowstring of a compound bow, the pulleys and cams rotate, increasing the bow limbs’ length and reducing the draw weight; the reduction in draw weight makes it easier for the archer to hold the string at full draw for more extended periods, which is essential for accuracy and consistency in a shooting. The Pulley system also helps the shooter to know when the drawstring is fully pulled.
The cam system in a compound bow is of different kinds, each with its unique designs and characteristics:
- Single Cam System: A single-cam bow design consists of only one cam, which rotates as the bow is drawn and is usually located at the bottom of the limb. The other limb will also feature a small wheel not part of the cam system. The single-cam designs are known for their smooth, quiet performance and low maintenance requirements. The single cam is usually more accurate than the dual cam.

2. Dual Cam System: This design has two cams, one affixed to each of the compound bow’s limbs, which reduces the compound bow’s draw weight. The dual-cam bow designs may not be as accurate as the single-cam, but they are better in speed, power, and consistency.

Overall, a compound bow’s pulley and cam system offers various advantages over traditional bows, including lower draw weight, higher accuracy and consistency, and enhanced speed and power.
Factors that make a Compound Bow easier or hard to pull back
While some individuals might find a compound bow easier to pull back, others might find it difficult. The English longbow was one of the hardest to pull back in the medieval era. Hence, it’s only reserved for the firm and trained archers in the army. Below are some of the factors that make a bow easier or harder to pull back:
- The Draw Weight: This remains crucial for beginners and experienced archers choosing a bow. The draw weight of a compound bow determines the power or force at which its arrow can travel after it’s been shot. While a higher draw weight results in more energy and a longer distance of travel for the arrow, drawing or pulling back is also more difficult. Archers are frequently advised to select a bow with a draw weight corresponding to their strength and techniques.
- The Type of Arrow: The arrows come in different weights and sizes and are often recommended for different types of bows. The difference in weight and size of the arrow also determines if they are easier or harder to pull back. Archers should make sure their arrow is well suited for the bow and light enough for them to pull back.
- Shape and Flexibility of the Bow Limb: The bow limbs’ form can also impact how simple or difficult it is to pull a bow. Curved limb bows are often simpler to draw because they flex under pressure and give energy to the shot. On the other hand, bows with straight limbs might be more difficult to pull since they are not made to bend and require greater archer strength.
- Archers’ Techniques: Every bow has its unique technique. For compound bows, the back muscle is as important as the arm muscle when drawing the bow. An archer using a poor technique may struggle to pull the string back, leading to fatigue or potential injury.
- Physical Limitation: The physical qualities of the archer also determine how hard or easy a compound bow can be pulled. The archer’s height, weight, arm length, and strength generally matter when drawing a bow. This is why it’s often recommended that archers choose a bow that matches their power and physical qualities. Also, The physical condition of the archer matters too. For instance, an archer with a shoulder injury will struggle to pull the bowstring.
How to Choose the Best Weight for Your Compound Bows
Choosing the right weight for your compound bow is essential as it ensures you shoot accurately and comfortably. The muscle used to pull back the bowstring is often underdeveloped, so judging the poundage of a compound bow with the poundage of a regular weight-lifting tool (like a dumbbell) might be incorrect.
In choosing the best weight for a compound bow, the first thing to consider is the physical attribute and condition of the archer. Then the next important thing is the technique of the archer. The placement of the arm is one of the crucial factors here. Most experienced archers advise that it should beat equal height with your nose.
Any imbalance between the archer’s strength and draw weight suggests a need to reduce the compound bow’s draw weight. Signs like a shaky hand after a bow is drawn or pulling down of feet and aiming higher show that the draw weight is too heavy.
According to Shooting time, the following is the recommended draw weight for compound bows based on the individuals:
- Smaller children (45-65 lbs) = 10-20lbs
- Children (65-95 lbs) = 20-35lbs
- Women and boys (95-125 lbs) = 35-45 lbs
- Larger women and boys (125-145 lbs) = 45-55 lbs
- Men (145-175 lbs) = 55-65 lbs
- Muscular men = 60-70 lbs
- Muscular barbarians = 70-100 lbs
Risks associated with Compound Bows that are hard to pull
- Arm, shoulder, back, and joint injuries.
Your arms and shoulders will be too stressed if you use a bow that is hard to pull. You could develop muscle strain, soreness, and even an injury if you’re not careful.
- Injuring or overstretching your arm’s ligaments and tendons
The tendons and ligaments in your arm will be put under significant strain if the bow is too heavy to pull. They can become inflamed or even tear without proper protection, resulting in pain and permanent damage.
- Inability to control the tension on the string
It can be challenging to keep a constant amount of force on the bowstring when using a bow that is difficult to pull. If you’re not careful, you could injure yourself or damage your gear by drawing the bow too hard.
- Difficulty aiming and shooting the bow
If you have trouble drawing back the bow, you may have trouble getting a good shot. Your inability to consistently aim at and pull the string toward the target will make shooting difficult. An imbalance between the archer’s strength and the draw weight will always affect the archer’s accuracy.
Conclusion
Using a bow that requires much effort to pull carries the same dangers as using any other piece of equipment. It is possible to minimize these risks and enjoy the benefits of this equipment safely by taking the necessary precautions and maintaining good technique when shooting.