Bow

Bows are weapons used in ranged combat that require a certain Ranged level to wield. They require ammunition in the form of arrows. Bows can be created by members through the Fletching skill and come in two varieties: longbows and shortbows. Composite bows are also a reward from Treasure Trails, but they can not be fletched.

Shortbows
Shortbows fire arrows at a faster rate than longbows but may not fire from as long of a distance.

Longbows
Longbows can fire arrows at targets from a further distance than shortbows can, but they fire at a slower rate.

Bow vs Crossbow
Many rangers choose the bow style of range weapon for its high fire rate in comparison to the crossbow, although some bows sacrifice damage and accuracy in comparison to their crossbow equivalent. The main disadvantage for bows is the fact they are 2 handed weapons where crossbows are only one handed, allowing for use with a shield.

Trivia

 * It is commonly believed that bows are the only weapons to be used in a left-handed stance. However, most players do not realise that the use of a bow is determined not by hand dominancy, but by eye dominancy. This still leaves an inconsistency though, as while bows are used from a left eye dominant position, crossbows are used from a right eye dominant position. Because the use of bows is determined by eye dominancy, the only weapons to be used from a left-handed stance (rather than a left eye dominant stance) are mauls.
 * The Elves taught humans how to make and use bows sometime near the God Wars.
 * Although yew trees can be cut in non-members worlds, only bows up to maple, can be wielded on non-member accounts.