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Clay Hayes

Archery Expert

Clay Hayes is an Archery Expert based in Idaho. He owns and operates the website Twisted Stave, where he sells merchandise, tutorials, and blogs about his life as an outdoorsman. Clay and his family have built an online community of over 440K archery and hunting enthusiasts with their YouTube channel. Through various media outlets and his YouTube channel, he's introduced hundreds of thousands of people to the outdoors. His goal is to provide people the knowledge and inspiration to not only explore our shared history and the natural world, but to actively participate in it as well.

Education

  • MSc, Wildlife Ecology, Mississippi State University
  • BS, Natural Resource Conservation, University of Florida

Professional Achievements

  • Authored three books and produced hundreds of videos focused on wilderness skills, traditional archery, bow building, and bow hunting
  • Has gained a following of over 444K people on his YouTube channel
  • Built an online community with his website, Twisted Stave, where he blogs, sells books and merchandise, and shares gear recommendations and other outdoor knowledge

Favorite Piece of Advice

If you want to achieve something, throw yourself into it and never turn away. Don't be afraid to fail, for in failure lies the opportunity to learn and improve.

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Q&A Comments (21)

How do I choose a recurve bow?
To properly select a recurve bow, start by determining your approximate draw length and desired draw weight. To estimate the draw length, extend your arms in a T shape and measure from fingertip to fingertip, dividing the result by 2.5. For a more accurate measurement, draw a long arrow to your anchor point and have someone mark the arrow at the back of the bow. Measure from that mark to the throat of the nock. Keep in mind that the draw weight listed on a bow is based on a 28” draw length. If your draw length differs, the actual draw weight will vary. Recurves typically change weight by 2-3 lbs/inch of draw near full draw. For instance, if you draw a bow rated at 50 lbs to 29 lbs, you'll be drawing around 52–53 lbs, and if drawn to 27 lbs, it will be around 47–48 lbs. Regardless of draw length, choose a bow that allows for comfortable shooting. Consider bow length as well. Longer bows generally offer a smoother draw, less finger pinch, and increased comfort. However, they may be less efficient for shorter draw lengths. Shorter bows are more maneuverable for hunting but may be uncomfortable for those with longer draw lengths. Find the right balance for your intended use. For example, with a 29” draw length, a 64” bow may be preferred, while a 60” bow might suit a 27” draw length.
What's the difference between a regular bow and a recurve bow?
Differentiating between a regular bow and a recurve bow often involves understanding the variations in their force draw curves rather than their power or arrow-shooting distance. The force draw curve refers to the relationship between the draw length and the draw weight of a bow. For instance, if we consider a recurve bow with a brace height of nine inches (the distance between the deepest part of the handle and the string when the bow is at rest), drawing it from nine to ten inches on a scale would yield a certain weight, let's say, five pounds. This process is repeated in increments (e.g., 11, 12, 13, 14 inches), and the corresponding weights are recorded and plotted on a graph, resulting in a curve. The critical distinction lies in the shape of this curve. A longbow will exhibit a different curve compared to a recurve bow. This variation is crucial for archers because it impacts how the bow feels during use. Longbows typically place the weight towards the end of the draw curve. However, if an archer experiences "stacking," a rapid increase in draw weight towards the end of the draw, it can be problematic. Stacking can occur if, for example, at a 28-inch draw length, the draw weight significantly increases when reaching 27 inches, indicating a potential issue. Recurve bows, in general terms (acknowledging individual variations), mitigate this stacking effect. They are designed to smooth out the final inches of the draw, providing a more consistent draw weight experience. This design choice is advantageous as it prevents undesirable stacking effects that may occur with straight-limbed bows.
How do I properly grip a compound bow?
Hold the compound bow with the pressure from the grip centered on the fleshy part at the base of your thumb, where the large fleshy area seamlessly transitions into your palm. Ensure that the pressure travels directly up your arm and through your shoulders, maintaining a straight alignment. Avoid bending your wrist inward, outward, up, or down. The goal is to establish a straight shot from the contact point at the base of your thumb through your arm, elbow, and shoulders. This grip provides optimal structural support, requiring minimal muscle effort to hold the bow at full draw.
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Co-authored Articles (17)

How to

String a Recurve Bow

Stringing your bow is not difficult with the proper equipment. It still requires attention and caution, however, to avoid whacking yourself with a bow limb under stress. You can start shooting as soon as you've strung th...

How to

Shoot an Arrow

Archery has been around for thousands of years and remains a fun, challenging activity to this day. Whether you’re doing it for sport, competition, or food, knowing how to properly load, aim, and fire your bow will mak...

How to

Adjust a Compound Bow

Archery is a unique activity that has been practiced as both a sport and skill of hunting and warfare for thousands of years. Advances in technology in recent years have led to the design and creation of bows that can sh...

How to

Aim a Compound Bow

A compound bow uses a set of pulleys to propel an arrow toward a target at faster speeds than a conventional bow. The key to successfully using a compound bow is aiming it correctly. Fortunately, a compound bow is equip...

How to

Set Up a Recurve Bow

You've bought a recurve bow, but you have no idea how to set it up. There are many complicated accessories, some necessary and some not, that you can attach to your bow. They will help your shots to get more and more acc...

How to

Shoot a Recurve Bow

Archery has become a popular sport recently. The recurve bow’s popularity is in part due to it being the weapon of choice for Katniss Everdeen, the protagonist of The Hunger Games. By choosing the right bow and arrows ...

How to

Hold an Archery Bow

Are you hoping to hone your archery talents but aren't sure of the right way to hold your bow? You're not alone. There are many misconceptions about bow grip, and we're here to clear them up. Developing a proper archery ...

How to

Build a Longbow

Building a longbow from scratch isn’t quite so simple as finding a long piece of wood and attaching a string to it. That said, it isn’t beyond the skills of the average DIYer, and it can be a very rewarding project. ...

How to

Install a Peep Sight

In archery, a peep sight (often just called a “peep”) is an aiming aid that’s attached directly to the bowstring of a compound or recurve bow.. 04 January 2024. “Peeping” through the sight while the bow is draw...

How to Make an Arrow Yourself

Learn to create a DIY arrow with our simple stepsWhether you're working with the same basic materials our human ancestors used upwards of 10,000 years ago, or you've just made a trip to the local hardware store to gather...

How to

Make a Recurve Bow

A recurve bow gives a traditional bow the ability to propel arrows further and with more power than a traditional bow. While it takes skill and years practice to make a perfect recurve bow, these steps will help get you...

How to

Start Archery

Everything you need to know to get started with a bow & arrowArchery has been around, both for sport and hunting, for centuries, and it remains popular today. While it is not too hard to get involved in, it requires more...

How to

Choose an Archery Bow

Archery is a broad activity, as you'd expect from something humans have been doing since before recorded history. Hunters, competitive target archers, and families shooting for fun all meet on the same range. The option...

How to

Shoot a Compound Bow

Archery is a practice that has been around for thousands of years, and humans have been trying to master the weapon for equally as long. These days, archery is much easier thanks to new equipment on the market, including...

How to

Test Bow Poundage

Bow poundage, usually called draw weight, is the amount of force required to draw the bowstring back to a normal shooting position.. 04 January 2024. Poundage means that this weight is measured in pounds, but you could a...

How to

Choose a Draw Weight for Your Recurve Bow

A recurve bow's draw weight is a measurement of how hard it is to pull back the string. Unfortunately, many archers choose a bow with a draw weight that is too high, both when starting out and when upgrading their bow. T...

How to

Go Deer Hunting

Venison is one of the healthiest sources of animal protein for human consumption. Hunting deer is almost always a unique experience. Of course, your goal should always be to an on target, quick and humane kill, but some...