I noticed since the patch my followers don't use the uber handcrafted supershot 2000 bow I gave them and only use the default hunting bow. I noticed after the patch that Erik the slayer failed to use the bow so I tried a few different followers with different bows and they are all the same. I thought it may be a graphics wardrobe malfunction but I have had look in their inventory to make sure that its not equipped.

I also noticed that the follower AI seems to be broken Erik the slayer was more Erik the slacker with him getting lost and stuck every time I turned a corner and missing every battle.

My follower has been using a crappy wooden bow despite the awesome daedric bow I gave her since the game release. Well, at first she used the correct bow but latter in the game, it seems as if she got nostalgia of her old bow and won't switch no matter what. It's not a new 1.2 problem.

Prior to the 1.2 patch my lacky's always used the good bows and weapons I gave them. Only if I gave them some loot to carry they might swap armor or a weapon for some crappy piece useally the helmet for some reason.

I have now tested it on 3 followers and they are all failing to use bows but do use the mellee weapons.

Does the follower have arrows?

Yes i made sure they were kitted out. Thats why I went back and tried it with 2 followers I had kitted out earlier and used before, that I knew can use bows.

If you do not give them arrows they will use the bow you give them. If you give them arrows they will shoot them with the default bow.

I've also heard that they don't use enchanted bows. Try giving them a non-enchanted bow and see what happens.