History of Bow Hunting in America

The first archers, in the Americas’ hemisphere, were accurate hunters long before the European cultures arrived from other continents. At this time hunters of the open plains were using strong bows, that would release arrows great distances. While the forest people used much lighter bows, along with their great stealth, to bring down their food or enemies. The Eskimos from the Western Hemisphere developed bows that became so important to their culture, they were held in high esteem, as symbols of the Eskimos’ powers, hunting skills, and magic.

In 1828, a group of gentlemen from Pennsylvania, organized the United Bowmen Club, making archery and bow hunting accepted sports in America. This club still exists today, as well as, the National Archery Association, which came into existence in 1879.

The sports of archery and hunting had a big set back in the 1930s due to the Great Depression of the era. An excellent archer, Howard Hill, kept the sport alive by appearing in Hollywood movie shorts, demonstrating trick shooting and bow hunting techniques.

In the seventeenth century, the first American archery contests took place. Worldwide Archery contests are represented at the Olympics, but is an American Sport with no international tournaments.