In this episode I cover my thoughts on the excellent Uukha product demonstration at Merlin Archery on Tuesday this week. I was fortunate enough to obtain a ticket for the presentations where Uukha representatives went through the company history, product design, manufacture and development along with their new range of products, covering the risers and limbs.
This was a great opportunity to hear how their product differs from others and to try the bows. The one downside was they didn’t have the 19 inch riser which they are producing for 2026. The reason I mention this is because of the ability to shoot it off the shelf which is an obvious appeal for me.
With my engineering head on , it was interesting to hear the difference in the production of the products, with the differing levels and quality of carbon used in the limb range. I really like the look of the yangi limb.
Here are a few photos from the day
As always the episode is live on Spotify and Amazon music
I do feel that Uukha need to produce the flying squirrel as a soft toy as it stole the show in the video walk through of their factory.
Huge thanks to Merlin Archery for organising this event, which seemed to go very well.
As always thanks for reading, listening and supporting this site.
Welcome to the last podcast of 2025. How crazy is it to think 2025 is almost over. It’s that strange time between Christmas and the New Year, where we lose track of which day of the week it is and its still festive but not Christmas.
In this episode, where I dare to be in front of the camera, rather than just a voice, I give a quick review of 2025 from Off the Arrow Shelf HQ, also known as my office come fletching room, but more importantly I get the opportunity to say thanks to all my followers, listeners and subscribers. I’ve uploaded it to YouTube, Spotify and it’s on Amazon music.
There is my YouTube channel where I have been uploading more content this year, both shorts and longer form recordings of 3D reviews, gear review and more. If you enjoy the content, please hit the Like button and consider subscribing to the channel.
Two videos that have seen a lot of feedback have the the breakdown of the NFAS shooting styles for Barebow and Traditional Bowhunter. I hope to do some more of these covering different shooting styles.
I have been very fortunate to have some fantastic guests this year from the world of archery, scouting and beyond.
I would also like to give a special thanks to my friends who have been amazing this year. A year that has been very emotional with the recent loss of of my Mam
As for 2026? I have a few ideas for some more 3D target reviews along with some coaching topics including how to use a range finder to aid your archery development, along with working on videos I mentioned earlier. I might even get to do some archery, if I can decide on which bow to shoot. In the meantime remember to enjoy your archery.
If you have any questions or queries you can drop me an email on or via this website
Most of all remember to enjoy your shooting and as always thanks for listening, watching and supporting me over the past year.
The is no doubt that the last few weeks have been very exhausting, with my Mams funeral in Wales, helping at a weekend long scout camp, half term with associated childcare and more. To finish it all off with an ambulance journey to the local hospital accident and emergency department. Why? Well, it was thanks to knocking myself out at the archery wood, when I fell and hit my head on the car park tarmac (asphalt). So in all it’s been very tiring. Anyway, back to the topic of this post.
Before I dive into the main context of this article, I’d like to mention I have recorded a video and uploaded it on YouTube giving a review and my thoughts on the SRT wild boar target. Feel free to check it out. I’m hoping to do more reviews of this kind so if you find them useful let me know.
Onto the main focus of this episode of the podcast and this is a question which could be at best a hugely contentious issue or at worse a downright explosive one.
Here are links to Amazon music and Spotify versions of the podcast can be played below.
Is it time to license bow ownership in the UK?
I explore this question, offering my thoughts on the matter and consider what possible alternatives are available. So you might wonder why I am posing this question.
Well at my Mams funeral I got talking to my cousin who is a police officer and the subject of knife crime and licensing of bows come up in the conversation. This got me thinking and hence this episode.
I try to approach the topic from a pragmatic view point of what is practical or realistic. If you listen to the various media reports you could believe that all bow ownership whether longbow, compound or crossbow is in some ways unnecessary and they should be licensed as firearms are in the UK.
I don’t think licensing is an option, as those who wish to use a bow for nefarious reasons aren’t likely to register ownership. I do think there are some practical steps that could be taken such as limiting the sale of bows to archery shops or recognised sport shops, where people can be given advice on what is suitable. I go into more details in the podcast.
In an ideal world there would not have to be any thought of restrictions but we don’t live in a perfect world and there are people who will use bows inappropriately. Sadly this is likely to always happen. There is one other factor to consider and that are the current media stories and style of reporting, which can be quite sensationalist in some cases and in turn can greatly influence government policy and the general publics view.
Let me know what your thoughts are on the subject. Thanks for reading.
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