Northdraw
A good first bow makes a kid want to shoot again tomorrow. A bow that is too heavy or too long does the opposite. Here is how to choose.
1. Get the draw length right
Measure your child's wingspan, fingertip to fingertip with arms out, and divide by 2.5. That gives a starting draw length in inches. Kids grow fast, so choose a bow whose range goes beyond today's number.
- Our Scout Kids kit covers 16 to 25.5 inches, for ages 5 to 15.
- The Scout Pro covers 17 to 27 inches and adjusts without a bow press.
2. Start with a light draw weight
A child should draw smoothly, without lifting the bow over the head or shaking. Light weights build good form; heavy weights build bad habits.
- Scout Kids: 10 to 20 lb.
- Scout Pro: 10 to 40 lb, so it can follow a teenager all the way to a first hunting setup (check your state's minimum for big game).
3. Choose a complete kit for the first bow
The Scout Kids kit comes with three arrows, a sight, a rest, a quiver, an arm guard, a bow stand and targets. For the Scout Pro, our Youth Starter Pack adds youth arrows, a target and an arm guard.
4. Safety rules for the backyard
- An adult supervises every session.
- Shoot toward a target with a safe backstop and nobody beyond it.
- Never draw and release without an arrow (dry fire).
- Arrows are nocked only on the shooting line, never while someone is near the target.
5. Make it fun
Short sessions, close targets at first (5 to 10 yards), and lots of praise for good form rather than hits. Move the target back as groups tighten.
Children shoot under adult supervision. Bows are bought by an adult.
