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Types of Bows


There are four basic types of bows:
Long bows (also called "stick bows")

 Recurve bows
Compound bows

Crossbows
Crossbow

Long bows, recurve bows and compound bows use the bowhunter's body as a cocking and shooting platform. Crossbows use a wooden or fiberglass stock (like a firearm has) as a cocking and shooting platform.

The modern-day bow is built in one of two ways:

  1. Solid construction - made of either wood, aluminum, fiberglass or carbon composite materials.
  2. Laminated construction - made from a combination of wood and fiberglass laminated together.

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