The Parts of a Compound Bow (What You Need to Know)

Compound bows are powerful and versatile tools that are widely used in hunting and archery. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced shooter, understanding the parts of a compound bow is crucial for maximizing your performance and enjoyment.

In this post, we will take a closer look at the various components that make up a compound bow and explain their functions in detail. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a solid understanding of the anatomy of a compound bow and be better equipped to choose, maintain, and shoot your bow effectively.

From the cams to the cables, the sights to the stabilizers, each part of a compound bow plays a crucial role in determining its accuracy, speed, and overall performance. By knowing how each part works and how they interact with each other, you’ll be able to fine-tune your bow to suit your needs and preferences.

So, whether you’re looking to upgrade your equipment or simply want to deepen your understanding of archery, keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the parts of a compound bow.

The Parts of a Compound Bow

Riser and Limbs

The main body of the compound bow is called the riser. The riser is the vertical portion and foundation of your bow providing reliability, comfort, and determining its long-term strength. The limbs are attached to the riser at the top and bottom of the bow and are the support beams that bend and flex every time you shoot.

The limbs are attached to the riser at the top and bottom of the bow, serving as the crucial support beams that bend and flex with each shot. Not only do they provide structural integrity, but they also play a vital role in the power and speed of your shots by acting as attachment points for the cams.

In many modern bows, split limb technology is utilized to enhance shootability and reduce noise levels. This innovative approach to limb design has revolutionized bow performance, allowing for smoother shots and quieter operation.

By employing split limb technology, bows have become more efficient and user-friendly, making them a preferred choice among archers seeking precision and reliability in their equipment.

Compound bow limbs are typically made of fiberglass or composite material.

Cams

The cams are the round disks you find at both ends of the bow. They are the tools that provide the power when it is put into operation and they are also the tool that makes using a compound bow easy to hold after the string is drawn. Some types of cams include round wheels, soft cams, hard cams, single (solo) cams, and 1.5 hybrid cams. These then form the type of cam systems that manufacturers use to increase speed and kinetic energy. We will talk more about cam systems below.

Bowstring

The bowstring is the main part used to draw and shoot the arrows. Bowstrings are largely made of B50 Dacron or Dacrogen, with a little stretch to increase shootability. In addition, most bowstrings are made up of approximately 20-24 individual strings, wound to construct a strong stable shooting platform.

The string on a bow serves multiple important functions crucial to the operation and performance of the archery equipment. Firstly, it acts as the point of connection where the archer attaches their release aid, which is essential for maintaining a secure and smooth shot execution. In addition, the string is what the archer pulls back and releases to propel the arrow towards the intended target.

Furthermore, many archers opt to use a “D loop” attachment on the bowstring, which not only facilitates the quick attachment of the release aid but also aids in enhancing accuracy during shooting. By providing a reliable point of connection for the release aid, the string plays a key role in ensuring consistent and precise arrow release.

Regular maintenance and inspection of the bowstring are essential practices for archers before and after shooting sessions or hunting expeditions. This preventive measure helps identify any signs of damage or wear on the string that could potentially lead to more serious issues, such as a broken string. A damaged string not only compromises the performance of the bow but also poses a safety risk to the shooter and those in the vicinity.

Cables, the Cable Slide, and the Cable Guard

The cables are connected to the cams and are what rotate the cams when the bowstring is pulled back (as shown in the image below). Cables are an essential component of a bow that plays a crucial role in its operation. They are responsible for connecting the bow’s cams, which in turn help in moving the cams when the archer pulls back the string.

The cables work in conjunction with the string to facilitate the smooth and efficient movement of the cams, ensuring the proper functioning of the bow during shooting. It is recommended to replace the cables at regular intervals as advised by the manufacturer or your local bow shop to maintain optimal performance of the bow.

The cable slide allows the cables to move freely under control, while attached to the cable guard, which keeps the cables away from the bowstring to allow it to launch arrows freely when shot.

String Vibration Arrestor

The string vibration arrestor is used to minimize the vibration of the string and to stop the string when you shoot. It also helps minimize the sound when firing the bow.

Bow Grip

The grip on a bow is the section that the archer holds while shooting. It serves as the connection between the archer and the bow itself. These grips can be crafted from a variety of materials including wood, rubber, plastic, and metal. How an archer interacts with the grip plays a crucial role in the accuracy of their shots.

If an archer grips the bow too tightly or applies additional pressure or a twist to the grip during the release, the arrow’s trajectory can deviate from the intended target. This disturbance in the grip can introduce inconsistencies in the shot execution, leading to decreased accuracy. In this way, the grip acts as a critical component in maintaining precision and consistency in archery.

Nocking Point

The nocking point on a bowstring serves as the precise spot where the arrow is attached to the bowstring through the use of the arrow nock. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that the arrow is properly positioned for an accurate and consistent shot.

Additionally, the D-loop is connected above and below the nocking point, further optimizing the arrow’s alignment and stability during the shot.

ATA Bow Length

The axle-to-axle length measurement in bow design refers to the distance between the centers of the cams on a compound bow. This measurement is crucial in determining the bow’s forgiveness and accuracy in arrow flight, especially at longer distances.

A longer axle-to-axle length generally translates to a more forgiving bow that can yield better accuracy over greater distances. However, while a longer axle-to-axle length may improve accuracy, it can also affect the bow’s maneuverability in tight hunting scenarios.

Required Bow Accessories

You can’t shoot a compound bow effectively without some required bowhunting accessories. There are several other accessory items that you will need if you want to have the optimal performance of your bow when hunting. These items must be factored in when setting your budget as they can add significant costs to your archery hunting setup.

These accessories include:

Arrow Rest

The Arrow Rest is a critical part of your bow setup and tuning. In our example image above and below you can see that we’ve used a “Whisker Biscuit” arrow rest as our example. This is a contained rest that holds your arrow in place and helps maintain its trajectory through the shot.

There are multiple types of arrow rests that provide for minimal arrow friction and a faster release of the arrow on the market. They can range in price from $15 to $300 or more depending on their individual features. The one thing you need to remember is that while there are expensive options, many hunters kill game animals every year with the standard whisker biscuit arrow release.

• Recommended Closed Arrow Rest – Trophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit
• Recommended Drop Away Frictionless Rest – QAD Ultra-Rest HDX

Bow Sight

The Bow Sight is another critical component to your hunting success. This accessory, coupled with a peep sight mounted on the bowstring, will allow you to quickly align your bow sight to the arrow rest for a highly accurate shot when your bow is tuned properly. You can’t hunt effectively without a good bow sight. That being said, bow sights range in price from $10 to $1300. In fact, some new models actually come with laser rangefinders included in the sight.

• Recommended Bow Sight – Trophy Ridge Hotwire Bow Sight (One of the most popular bow sights on the market)
• Recommended Budget Bow Sight – Trophy Ridge Mist Sight
• Recommended Single Pin Bow Sight – Apex Covert Pro Single Dot Reticle Sight

Peep Sight

The Peep Sight is mounted and intertwined into the bowstring. Much like open sights on a rifle, the peep sight is the rear sight that helps create the sight alignment from your shooting eye, through the peep sight, through your bow sight, to the target.

The peep is mounted based on your draw length and can be raised or lowered on the bowstring to allow for the best anchor point when aiming and the best sight alignment that will optimize your bow’s speed and your bow sight’s setup and capabilities. Peep sights come in various types and sizes, from simple, small, medium, and large; to tubular and optical.

Nock Loop

The Nock Loop is a very important component and is a critical element of your shooting process. The Nock loop is where the nock on your arrow connects to the bowstring. This connection is contained by the Nock loop’s connection to the bowstring.

In addition, the Nock Loop is also where your mechanical release or finger release will connect to allow you to draw the bowstring back to shoot. The alignment of the Nock loop with the Arrow Rest is an essential element to an accurate shot. This is also an element of the bow-tuning process.

Stabilizer

The stabilizer is used to do two things. First, it does exactly what it says. It is meant to stabilize your bow while shooting to provide you with a balanced shooting platform. Second, the stabilizer absorbs the vibration of the bow when you are shooting, thus minimizing it and making for a more stable shot overall.

The stabilizer mount on a bow serves as a universal threaded hole located in the riser. This mount is specifically designed for the attachment of a stabilizer, which plays a crucial role in balancing the bow while drawing and shooting.

By helping to stabilize the bow during these actions, the stabilizer works to minimize movement and enhance accuracy. Additionally, stabilizers often include vibration-dampening properties to reduce any unwanted feedback or noise. Beyond its stabilizing function, the back of the stabilizer commonly serves as the attachment point for a wrist sling, offering further support and control for the archer.

Arrow Quiver

A bow-mounted Arrow Quiver is not a necessity, but it is highly recommended. You will need to be able to carry your arrows with you safely as you hunt. In addition, you will most likely want to have an Arrow Quiver that is removable and can be taken off and put back on your bow quickly.

A lot of bowhunters like to take off their quiver when they get to their hunting spot to enhance their maneuverability and to get the extra weight of their arrows off the bow for easier shooting. Bow hunters will hang the quiver on the tree where it is easily accessed while hunting.

Wrist Loop

The wrist loop, also commonly called the wrist strap, is an essential accessory for your bow setup. One of the most basic fundamentals of bow shooting is to maintain a loose grip on the bow grip. When a shooter’s hand has the wrist loop around it while gripping the bow for a shot, the wrist loop keeps the shooter from dropping the bow. This is a safety measure you should always have in place; especially when shooting from different angles in an elevated position or a tree stand.

Ready to Hunt!

Now that you know all the parts of a compound bow and other required bowhunting accessories, you can start your search for your first bow. I have a blog post that will help you learn the features and specifications that you need to understand and the 5 things you need to know before you choose a new bow. Check out the How to Buy a Compound Bow post here now.

Good Luck!