Parker BlackHawk EZ Draw Compound Bow $599.99 Time Remaining: 20d 6h Buy It Now : $599.99

Parker EZ26 size module Blackhawk Legend XP EZ Draw bows $25.00 Time Remaining: 19d 5h 50m Buy It Now : $25.00

One of the reasons this is such a great bow is because it has been through various changes in its lifecycle; the 2011 Blackhawk EZ draw is simply a progression of the Parker Blackhawk bow but it has a new and improved cam system which is Parkers in house "EZ-draw" cam. This is responsible for giving this bow a silky smooth draw - so much so that it is actually rated as one of the smoothest on the market.

Beginners often have problems pulling the string out on a bow but this one should be no real challenge even if you have never shot before. In addition to that, weighing just 3.5lbs it means that it is easy to hold - your shooting arm will be able be fine while you hold your shot even if your muscles havent been built up through practice.

Another great thing about the bow is the riser - the quad-vent design is machined aluminum which has less material due to the way it is built which keeps it light.

If there is one thing that lets this bow down it is the speed. Rated at 290FPS it is not the quickest on the market and with many new bows able of 300FPS it is something that you would have thought they could have squeezed a little more out of. The small draw lengths keep the speed down, but with 80% let off the Parker Blackhawk EZ draw does feel like it has more power than it is rated at.

Lets not forget that this bow is all about one thing - being ultra smooth to draw. It has many top features in it and unless you need the fastest bow on the market, this would make an ideal purchase.

Parker Blackhawk EZ Draw Specifications

Draw Weights : 50-60, 60-70 lbs
Draw Lengths : 25-27” (short draw) 28-30” (long draw)
Axle to Axle : 32-1/4″ (short draw) 31-3/4” (long draw)
Brace Height : 6.8″ (short draw) 7-1/8 (long draw)
Mass Weight : 3.85 lbs
Effective Let Off : 80%
IBO Speed : 290 fps

The simple answer is: Yes. You can.

[Ed: But you may find yourself tire quicker if you dont use a sight!]

However, in more depth, it depends on the circumstances. If you are aiming to shoot competitively then it depends on the tournament, the NFAA rules are quite strict on this matter.

If you are shooting a compound bow barebow style then the chances are you will not get away with using a sight anyway, so this is worth considering. If you can get more used to the bow without a sight then you are going to be a much more natural shooter than someone who has learnt only to use one.

With a sight, the arrow does not sit on your finger but on the sight itself. This may have some benefits it a tournament allows it but a lot of archers and of course hunters much prefer to not use one since it means the experience is much more solid.

Consider this; if you practice day in, day out with a sight and then try to shoot at a random distance, you will find it very, very hard to actually hit the target. However, if you practiced without using a sight then you would probably have a better gauge on the distance.

Tools and gadgets are all very well, but you shouldnt look at using something just because joe random does. Instead, consider what you want out of your sport or hobby. If you want to use a sight, then remember that you can almost always hit a static, same distance target better than an instict shooter. However, you may have to suffer if the distance changes just a few metres. There are pros and cons to any sport - know your limitations.

The compound bow uses pulleys to facilitate the bow string being pulled back. The compound bow also has a unique fact or characteristic. It is known as Let off. The bowstring when sufficiently pulled back loses some of its tension and the amount of tension needed to keep the string pulled back reduces drastically. This helps the archer aim straighter and easier. This characteristic drastically reduces the holding weight of a bow. The stance and position assumed by the archer remains the same for a compound bow as the other bows.

To shoot a compound bow, first assume an easy and relaxed stance. Choose an open stance for more comfort and efficiency. Next attach the release to the string. If you have a loop, it is even better. Attach the release to the loop.

Once this is done place your hand in the grip. Take care to ensure that the pressure point is at the thick part of your thumb. After release, the pressure should go directly into your bow arm. Try and keep the bow arm as relaxed as possible. The bow should not be gripped by your bow arm fingers. A finger sling or a bow sling will help with keeping your hand relaxed. A relaxed arm will not twitch or shake. There should be no shake or twitch after the release.

Next step is to lift the bow and point it to the target. Do not lift the bow above the target. This is a practice common with recurve bow archers. They do this to gain extra leverage. However with the compound bow, this should be avoided. The idea of pointing it above the target is to get extra leverage in a recurve bow. However this is not possible in a compound bow. Even in the event of a misfire, the arrow must stay in the shooting area. Just lift the bow with your bow arm and let it find a natural and comfortable position. Do no pull it back or rotate it. Try and rest it at a comfortable position. Practise drawing the bow string to acclimatise your muscles with the weight and tension of the bow string. However dry firing is not advised. Practice on a free string.
The next step is to draw the string. Draw the string with your back muscles and not your arm muscles. The draw should a clean and straight motion. The draw length is best decided in consultation with an experienced archer or a coach.

The next important point is the anchor. A low anchor below your jaw bone is preferred. Try and draw the string to your nose. It helps in maintain the arrow in a straight line. The brain automatically focuses on the centre of the target. As you practice, over time you will become quite accurate at shooting a compound bow and may decide you are ready for hunting!

Therefore it is a much better buy. It is far more accurate that the other bows. The arrows can be shot with great velocity and have a much wider range than, say, bows made of natural materials such as wood.

However compound bows store a lot of tension and force in their limbs. Care has to be taken while using it. Restringing a compound bow is a tricky job and you will need something called a bow press to do it. It is better if a professional looks after re-stringing a compound bow and it's advised that amateurs not try to attempt this. The string has a lot of tension and so do the limbs and it can lead to serious injury.

Check the original string. Take care and inspect the original string properly. If the string snaps or even if it is not removed correctly the limbs have a lot of tension in them and will bounce back resulting in injury. The limbs have to be placed in a device known as the bow press. This is a device that bends the bow safely and holds it in place. The bow cannot be bent by other means and archers should not try to attempt it. However, if the bow press is implemented properly, the bow is bent safely and the bow string can be removed.

Inspect the new string for any faults however you will rarely find any. It is better to be safe and inspect it though. Put a loop of the string into each end of the limb. The old string has to be carefully slipped over the new string in order to take it out. Extreme care and caution must be used in this process. Use the bow press to modify and modify the tension of the string and the limbs using the bow press. Always wax the new string to get good results.

The restringing of a compound bow is a task best left to professionals. The risk of injury is very high. The tensions in the limbs can cause serious damage. Amateurs should not try this. Trying to bend the limbs without a bow press is also cause for worry. A bow press is needed to press the limbs into the right position for the restringing. At the least, bending the bow with no bow press causes the bow to bend in the wrong way. This will ruin the bow and its aim.

You will not be able to shoot straight with a crooked bow. Care should be taken every time you use the compound bow. Before every use, check the string for any wear or tear. There is every chance of injury if the string breaks mid use. These are tips on how to restring a compound bow. Take care to ensure they are followed and have a great time shooting.

The compound bow also has an interesting characteristic. The weight or the tension one feels when they pull the bow string back is not uniform. At one point, the tension reduces and it becomes easier to hold it back. This is known as the let off. A compound bow is much easier to use than the recurve or the long bow. However it still needs a lot of skill and practice.

While you are trying to aim a compound bow, stand so that you are perpendicular or at ninety degrees to the target. Space your feet so that they are spaced, shoulder width apart. Lift the bow easily and hold it up. Do not rotate or adjust your shoulder. Let it find a relaxed and natural spot. There should be no extra effort in maintaining the shoulder in its position. Do not point the bow above the target. This is commonly used in the recurve and long bow archery. However it must be avoided with a compound bow. Take care to ensure the bow is perfectly vertical and perpendicular to the ground. A slant bow affects the aim adversely.

Place the arrow in the nock and draw it back in a single fluid motion. Nocking is simple, similar to the long bow or the recurve bow. Place the nock at the end of the arrow on to the bow string. The different coloured fletching should be placed such that it does not touch the bow on the way forward. Make sure the arrow is horizontal.

Once this is done, pull the arrow back in fluid and strong motion. Try and use your back muscles to pull the arrow back. Using the back muscles to pull the arrow back ensures that the release is smooth and not sudden or jarring. The arrow is released smoothly in this case and ensures the target is not missed. The uniqueness of the compound bow is visible in these situations. Pulling the bowstring back completely reduces the tension and eight needed to hold it back. Thus one can relax a little and aim easily.

Check the angle of the bow and make sure it is still perpendicular and aim the arrow tip right at the target. Some compound bows have sight pins. These are very helpful in aiming. Focus the end of the appropriate sight pin at the target to aim properly. Release the arrow. Take to ensure that the pressure is taken by your bow arm and completely absorbed by the wrist of your bow arm.

Note down the point where the arrow hit. Compare notes and think of adjustments that can be made to increase your accuracy. Fire subsequent shots with these adjustments, to improve your aim.

This process helps you become a better archer and make use of the advantages a compound on has to offer.