Can Compound Bows Shoot Wooden Arrows? Read On To Find Out!

Maybe you’ve just been into our shop and purchased one of our great compound bows. You’ve noticed that our prices are low because we source directly from the manufacturer. You’ve also spoken with one of our super friendly team of archery experts. After all of this, you’ve walked away with a modern compound bow that is just right for your strength and height. This all sounds great so far, of course, but the problem comes a few months down the track when you’ve run out of carbon fibre arrows and your mate hands you a quiver of old woodies to try out with your compound bow. Your question to us over the phone: can compound bows shoot wood arrows?

Always Play It Safe with Sharp Objects

Do you remember when your parents told you not to run around with scissor in case you stabbed someone or injured yourself? Well, if you apply this logic to shooting wooden arrows from a modern compound bow, you’ll be in the right ball park!

Our answer is: don’t do it! Those wooden arrows were not designed for the power that a compound bow can produce. Wooden arrows may have a length history of use, but they were primarily designed for long bows and recurve bows. Modern compound bows just have too much power at most settings.

Unlike ancient bows, compound bows use a mechanical cam and pulley system to draw back the string and impart power and force. This mechanical system, though popular amongst archers because it makes things so convenient and increases power, is bad news for wooden arrows. Even thick wooden arrows with a straight grain will struggle when the force of a compound bow hits it! And modern compound bows are even more powerful than the ones from 20 or 30 years ago.

So what happens when you try it? Well, we’ve heard plenty of horror stories where the wooden arrow has splintered even before leaving the bow and has impaled a hand, a finger, or has ended up in an eye. The arrows that do make it out of the bow often shatter part way through their trajectory, and the rare few strong woodies that can handle a few shots end up in pieces after only a short time.

It might sound like a good idea to use those wooden arrows and even save a bit of cash, but the truth is that you shouldn’t play around with sharp objects, whether it is scissors or an arrow! Just put the woodies away and invest in carbon fibre shafts instead.

Talk To Us First

It’s great that you want to take up archery with such enthusiasm, but if you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to give us a call, or even come into the shop. We’re always happy to help and can definitely point you in the right direction. All of our staff are friendly, and we make customer service our top priority.