Bow and arrow Bow and arrow The bow and arrow is a ranged weapon system consisting of an elastic launching device (bow) and long-shafted projectiles (arrows). "Archery" is the art, practice or skill of using bows to shoot arrows. A person who shoots arrows with a bow is called a "bowman" or an "archer". Someone who makes bows is known as a "bowyer", one who makes arrows is a "fletcher", and one who manufactures metal arrowheads is an "arrowsmith". The use of bows and arrows by humans for hunting predates recorded history and was common to many prehistoric cultures. They were important weapons
World Archery Championships bows, the recurve bow from 1931 and the compound bow since 1995. Although less widely recognised, World Championship events are also held in Youth archery (outdoor only - field and indoor youth events are held alongside the senior championships), Para-archery, University archery and 3D archery. A ski archery World Championships was last held in 2007, but is not part of the current rotation. Following the accession of archery to permanent sports at the Summer Universiade, the University world championships will also cease to be part of the World Archery Championships rotation in 2014. The 8th Ski Archery World Championships held