Does your bow make a lot of noise when you release an arrow? There are countless reasons why a bow might be noisy, and, more importantly, there are different solutions depending on the type of bow you have. If you’re planning to compete, there are also several rules to consider.

Competition Rules:

• Longbow: String silencers are allowed but must not be placed closer than 30 cm from the nocking point. Limb dampeners are not allowed.
• Instinctive: String silencers are allowed but must not be placed closer than 30 cm from the nocking point. Limb dampeners are allowed.
• Barebow: The string may only have a center serving and two nocking points—no string silencers. Limb dampeners are allowed.
• Recurve: The string may only have a center serving, two nocking points, and a lip/nose mark—no string silencers. Limb dampeners are allowed. Stabilizers and vibration dampeners are permitted.
• Compound: String silencers, limb dampeners, and bow dampeners are allowed as long as they are not powered by electricity.

First Steps to Reduce Noise:

Ensure that everything on your bow is securely fastened. Loose screws or accessories can cause unnecessary noise.

Accessories to Quiet Your Bow:

To make your bow quieter, consider these options:

• String silencers: Attachments to reduce string vibrations.
• Limb dampeners: Small rubber devices or materials that stick onto the limbs, usually just below the string loops.
• Vibration dampeners: Designed for the bow frame to minimize vibrations.

Additionally, a well-tuned bow will naturally be quieter. Factors like nocking point, brace height, arrow weight, spine, and alignment all play a role. The more energy your bow transfers efficiently to the arrow, the less energy is absorbed into the bow, which reduces noise. For more information on bow tuning, click [here].

Video Tutorials:

To demonstrate how to use some of these accessories, we’ve selected a few excellent videos from other archers on YouTube. These include a clip from Lancaster Archery and another from Survival Lilly.

Here’s a great video on making your compound bow quieter:

Här är ett bra klipp för att göra din jaktrecurve, barebow eller långbåge tystare: