The bow and arrow have been around for thousands of years, from about 10,000 B.C. The bow was used to a great advantage in self defense among ancient civilizations. However, in those days, they only knew the art of instinctive shooting, meaning that the archer had to rely solely on his subconscious perception to execute the shot accurately. While there are many archery enthusiasts today who still love and practically master this traditional style of shooting, for everyone else, the bow sight has worked wonders as it has evolved remarkably over the centuries.
Bow sights for hunting include a plethora of options when it comes to manufacturers, models, features, and prices. There are single pin and multi pin vertical bow sights where some companies have focused solely on this style of archery sight based on popularity. Then there are those who prefer horizontal pin sights as they can provide accuracy at longer ranges by providing multiple pin sights, usually in ten yard increments. Then came the pendulum sight which took the market by storm as it automatically compensates for elevation adjustment which all those hunting from a tree stand would appreciate. The pendulum is a single pin vertical bow sight that will move on its own once properly adjusted, to accommodate shooters in an elevated position, most of these models can also be locked into position when shooting from the ground .
Competition archery sights can be a bit more complex and much more expensive. While most of these manufacturers make these professional sights their primary focus, almost all of them also offer a line for the bowhunter. Competition scopes are generally built with much higher quality material and offer a much wider range of options not offered in traditional hunting scopes. Now, you could definitely use these scopes for hunting, however they tend to be much bulkier and can get hung up in brush or other debris. In short, they are not very ideal when you are in the field. Make no mistake though, there are plenty of bow hunting sights on the market that are made of excellent quality.
One focus that is shared by all archery scope manufacturers is the ability to provide visibility in low light conditions. Over the years these companies have mastered this through fiber optics by being able to harness natural light and then project it onto the pins, making them illuminate. There are many different sights that also have a ring around the inside of the case that also lights up. By providing light on archery sights, it makes it exceptionally ideal considering that most wild game tend to become more active towards dusk.
It is essential to find a bow sight that is reliable and resistant. One that can stand the test of time and be passed down from generation to generation. Given the many options available in today’s archery world, there are multiple makes and models on the market to suit everyone’s specific needs.