Test Page – please accept my apologies whilst I try and rebuild this site
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Talk about a "as broad as it is long" type of subject ……
The Long Bow Archer, once they have their bow and arrows ready, they are pretty much set an eagre to go (as is, to some extent, the Recurve Bare bow archer).
The dedicated Compound and Recurve Archers tend to use ("need") additional equipment to allow them to carry out their sport, although it is possible for them to also shoot “out of the box”.
The problem is that the additional fittings make shooting a little easier, a little more straight forward, and, dare I say, a little more consistant. The problem is sorting out what you defiantly need from what you would like to have, but could possibly manage without – to start with at least.
Not unlike walking round your local Supermarket, the number of items stocked by many to the Archery Suppliers can literally be mind boggling. If you have spent any time at all looking at the various sites from your “local” on-line supplier (try looking at Quicks.com, for example. Take particular notice of the index on the left hand side – select On-line Shop and then accessories) you will see the myriad of "this and that’s" that the Archer can purchase.
I have to be honest – and this is a personal view – it still confuses me what some of the items for sale actually do – and I’ve been shooting for a couple of years now.
However, at the start of an Archer’s career, there are certain "bottom line" items that any archer should consider. Apart from a decent case to carry you equipment around in, and, assuming you have already sorted yourself out a Bow and a set of arrows that suit you, here are some additional “basics” that I would recommend :
Quivers – Everyone should have a quiver. It is safest way to carry your arrows round. All of the Archery disciplines make use of Quivers. Whether they are made from leather or the latest man made materials, it is the comfortable way to transport your arrows.
Stabilisers/Long Rods – 
Of relevance particularly for Recurve and Compound Archers – the use of stabilisers on both sets of equipments are means that the bow is given a sense of balance, thus assisting accurate shooting. You can actually begin your archery career without this piece of equipment, but it should, with support, be a fairly early purchase.
Finger Tabs – 
These are used by most Archers as a means of protecting their fingers from un-due damage as you pull back on the string. There are several designs – several are shown below. The most common types are the Tab and the three fingered Glove. Again, they come in all shapes and sizes, so be careful to try and find one suitable for you.
Bracers – Also known to many Archers as an Arm Guard, these should be, like Finger tabs, a early purchase. Again, like the Finger tabs above, come in several shapes and sizes – but it is an item I would certainly recommend. The Bracer "deflects" the travel of the string to stop your clothing interferring with the correct release of your arrow.
Sights – 
This is a device that assists the archer in aiming his arrows with a little more accuracy. The cost of these devices can range vastly, but they are one of the more expensive additions you can purchase for your bow. Quite equally, there is certainly an argument of you get what you pay for. Again I would advise trying sights before you buy one. Ask a fellow club member, or take a ride out to a local supplier. There are also variations in the types of sights used by the differing disciplines. Compound Sights have a certain optical element – usually a basic lens (which can be supplied with different dioptre ratings) that has a focal point in the centre. Recurve Archers tend to use a “finger point” type Sight. Before you buy one of these sights, please bare in mind there competition rules that effect the type of sight you can use in certain situations.
