Archery is the art, sport, practice, or skill of using a bow to shoot arrows. Historically; archery has been used for hunting and combat. In modern times, it is mainly a competitive sport and recreational activity.

The earliest evidence of the bow and arrow indicate that they were invented in the later Palaeolithic or early Mesolithic periods. Modern advancements led to the compound bow, fiberglass arrows, better fletching and other features that make it easier than ever for anyone to shoot.

Three basic styles of bows are the most common: longbows, recurves and compounds, the latter being bows that use pulleys for extra mechanical advantage. The bow that will be right for you will depend on your personal preferences, physique and on what kind of archery you are interested in. People who like simplicity and tradition often lean towards longbows or recurve bows. People who seek the fastest possible bows, or wish to compete in certain kinds of target shooting often choose compound bows.