Dynamic archery practice requires four things....
A TRADITIONAL BOW
For most beginners, a 20–25 lb bow makes a good starting point. Your bow should suit your strength, draw length and shooting technique.
APPROPRIATE ARROWS
We recommend durable, feather-fletched target arrows matched to your bow and draw length. One dozen is enough to begin. The arrows provided through DAMAI are most commonly carbon arrows with 3 or 4 natural feathers set 5 cms forward of fast-loading nocks.
A SUITABLE TARGET
DAMAI uses the Original Kassai System (OKS) target face which must be attached to a suitable arrow-stopping target. Building or sourcing targets locally is usually the most economical solution. Reach out for advice on building a target. The target face can also be crafted at home or printed locally from the following PDF file: OKS Target File
A SAFE PLACE TO PRACTISE
A properly set-up shooting range with adequate space and a safe shooting area.
Need equipment? Choose your starting point
We offer the following ready-to-ship equipment options for fast North American set-up and shipping. The selections are proven to work very well for dynamic archery training and will be chosen to match your body size and strength, as well as your intended loading and draw style (if known) prior to shipping. This allows you to take the first step while avoiding common equipment selection mistakes for those who are entering new territory.
TRADITIONAL HORSEBOW
Traditional Laminated AF Archery Horsebow
Depending on your height we will choose a Tatar or Ming model from AF Archery, and in a draw weight of 20, 25, or 30 lbs, depending on your strength. Higher or lower draw weights are available but not always stocked.
For their value, we believe these models offer phenomenal shooting and durability performance and carry a 1-year warranty from AF Archery. We will reach out to contact you with your order so we can set up the strings nocking point in advance to support top-down or bottom-up nocking, depending on your intended shooting style. If needed we'll also support you through the first stringing of the bow to help you through this essential routine skill from the beginning.
DYNAMIC ARCHERY STARTER SET
Traditional Horsebow + 12 Matched Arrows
Build your set. Save as you go.
Begin with the essentials: a traditional horsebow and twelve matched arrows, which saves $25 when you purchase your bow and arrows together due to combined shipping.
Expand your set with optional additions by choosing what you need to begin:
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Traditional Leather AF Archery Quiver
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AF Archery Leather Arm Guard
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OKS Target Face
By combining your equipment into one shipment package, we pass the shipping cost savings on to you.
Did you know?
DAMAI's equipement requirements for bows derive from historical traditional archery. For this we follow the guidelines of the World Traditional Archery Federation:
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Traditional bows only, representing historical archery traditions.
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Natural or synthetic materials are permitted, including horn bows and modern carbon-composite traditional bows.
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No modern recurve or compound bows (arrows must be rested and shot off the bowhand).
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No sights or aiming aids, including stickers or markings used for aiming.
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Grip coverings, traditional string wrappings and decorative feathers are permitted.
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All bows must pass equipment inspection before official competition.