How expensive is archery?

The cliché answer is, as expensive as you make it to be. But what exactly is the dollar value of that?

The most important thing before planning your archery budget is to know that this is something you want to do. Unless you’re sure of it, you’re probably better off visiting a local range, sign up for some classes – use their equipment (package of 6 would run you around $120), talk to a few people that are already doing it, and just sit on it for a few weeks. This will likely save you hundreds, possibly thousands, over the next few months.

Now that you know you want to participate, here’s a few more things to consider. Are you going to be shooting a traditional bow, a recurve/olympic one, or a compound bow? Are you looking for a hobby and shooting in your back yard / local club a few nights per week is enough, or do you want to represent your country at the next Olympics (make that 2 or 3 Olympics from now)? Are you cool with older and used equipment or do you have to have the latest and greatest available? Do you want to get started today, or can you  spend some time shopping around, hunting for deals and sales?

With all those questions answered, you’re now ready to start your budgeting. I do target compound archery so that’s what I’ll focus on, but recurve shooters can expect about the same.

First, a bow – as low as $200 for something old and used that an adult can shoot, or as high as $1200+ for a top end brand new bow. An excellent 2-3 year old used bow can be found online in the range $500 – $750.

Next, the bow must have an arrow rest. If you buy used equipment, your bow may come with one. If not, expect to spend $30 – $60 for used or up to $130 – $150 for a brand new top of the line rest.

You must also have arrows – and these can range from dirt cheap to stupid expensive. And this is something you’ll likely upgrade if you get serious, so don’t go buying the $350 for dozen shafts just yet. 6 used arrows online, fully assembled with points, nocks and fletching will run you about $50, maybe less. You go to a local shop, you’ll pay about $90 for brand new ones.

You also need a sight and a scope (possibly with a lens, that can wait for now). When buying new, these don’t come together. Sight is one purchase. Scope is another. On the low end you’re looking at $50 – $80. This would be the total price for a used, low end sight and scope combo. A used higher-end combo would run you about $300. The same set, only brand new, $500.

Highly recommended for compound shooters, a release aid. Expect to pay about $50 – $80 for a decent used one, or up to $200 for a good new one.

Optional – stabilization. A front/side set with a mounting bracket and some weights, on the low end, $80 – $150. A high end set, used, $250 - $350. A high end brand new set, $500.

Optional – bow case. If you can find a used one, $20 – $50. If you can’t, $120 – $150.

Tuning – you have a “new” bow you’ve never shot before and a bunch accessories that need to be installed correctly. You should have someone who knows what they’re doing do this for you the first few times. About $75.

With this you’re ready to shoot. Next, range fees in GTA.

Unless you’re shooting in your back yard (highly dangerous and probably illegal) or at the free outdoor range in E.T. Seton Park near Ontario Science Center in North York, you’ll need to become a member of a club or pay hourly/daily. Clubs charge about $200 (Peel Archery Club) to $300 (Archers of Caledon) for a single yearly membership (discounts for families), or $15/hour at the Ontario Center for Classical Sports.

So to summarize, to get started with archery and own your equipment, you need at least $700 plus club fees. Once you are serious about the sport and are ready to upgrade your equipment, expect to spend close to $3000 for a good setup. If you want to go over the top you can always spend more, and elite (competing) archers have different setups for different disciplines (indoor, outdoor, 3D), and have two identical setups (in case of a failure during a competition).

Good luck!

M.