[2020] The bow is useless.

Bow is my primary weapon for most of my gameplay. Sure the primitive bow is not great, but it's a starter item, so it's not expected to be. Once you upgrade to the wooden bow, and again the compound bow, it improves dramatically.

Also, how is the wooden bow not accessible? Early on you just loot and visit traders. Usually have one set up by the second horde.

Your dissertation sounds like you want bows to be more on-par with guns. Which just isn't reasonable. They're currently pretty well balanced for the gameplay they are designed for.

First, Bows are precision weapons- If you're not hitting the head, you're failing. On the default difficulty, Even a Q1 primitive bow without a mod in it using stone arrows can drop normal zombies with 3-5 solid hits to the head. By the time you have a decently modded wooden bow and a mid-to-high skill level in the Archery skill and using iron arrows you'll frequently be one or two shotting enemies you hit in the head, especially if its done from stealth. By high quality compound with steel and mods you'll be close to if not actually one shotting even the beefier zombies.

Second, The damage increase from Primitive to Wooden is more than you might realize. The loaded ammunition type is reflected in the listed damage value on the bow; Further, equipped mods increase weapon damage by 15% per mod. So if you're comparing a modded out primitive bow loaded with iron or steel arrows to a freshly crafted and unmodded bow, which defaults to being loaded with stone arrows, then you're not seeing a proper view of the disparity in damage.

Three things.

1. Bows are quiet weapons, and the sneak bonus multiplier truly is substantial when used effectively.
   
2. When comparing bows to shotguns, you should factor in the cost of the ammunition as well.
   
3. The devs are going to add pipe pistols/pipe rifles to fill out the early game ranged weapon options.