Bowhunting – Outdoor Empire https://outdoorempire.com Gear Up and Get Outside! Thu, 03 Aug 2023 20:26:46 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://outdoorempire.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/cropped-OutdoorEmpire_LogoDesign_ClearBack-Color-08-32x32.png Bowhunting – Outdoor Empire https://outdoorempire.com 32 32 6 Best Arrow Rests Reviewed & Revealed (Hands-on Guide) https://outdoorempire.com/how-to-pick-best-arrow-rest/ https://outdoorempire.com/how-to-pick-best-arrow-rest/#comments Thu, 11 Mar 2021 18:50:04 +0000 https://outdoorempire.com/?p=6088 As is the case with many components and accessories associated with bows like release aids and strings, there are many options available for arrow rests and the choice of which to use can be complex. This article will discuss some of the best options available on the market, an explanation of why choosing the right ... Read more

The post 6 Best Arrow Rests Reviewed & Revealed (Hands-on Guide) appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

]]>
As is the case with many components and accessories associated with bows like release aids and strings, there are many options available for arrow rests and the choice of which to use can be complex.

This article will discuss some of the best options available on the market, an explanation of why choosing the right rest is important and some instructions on how to select the arrow rest that is right for you.  

To narrow down the discussion, the focus will be on rests for compound bows being used in hunting situations, shot by an archer using a release.   

DISCLOSURE: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links in this article are affiliate links. If you click on a link we may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

[toc]

The 6 Top Arrow Rests: Outdoor Empire Reviews

These are our top recommendations for arrow rests:

  1. Best whisker biscuit: Trophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit Sure Shot Pro
  2. Best drop-away: Vapor Trail LimbDriver Pro-V Rest
  3. Best for hunting: Quality Archery Design Ultra Rest HDX

Looking for a specific feature? Check out our quick-reference chart below:

ProductTrophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit Sure Shot Pro
Trophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit Sure Shot Pro

Trophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit Quick Shot
Trophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit Quick Shot

Vapor Trail Limbdriver Pro-V Rest
Vapor Trail Limbdriver Pro-V Rest

Ripcord Technologies Code Red
Ripcord Technologies Code Red

Trophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit Power Shot
Trophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit Power Shot

Quality Archery Design UltraRest HDX
Quality Archery Design UltraRest HDX

Biscuit Size (inner)- 0.320 in (Medium)
- 0.300 in (Small)
- 0.320 in (Medium)
- 0.395 in (Large)
not specified by manufacturernot specified by manufacturer- 0.300 in (Small)
- 0.320in (Medium)
- 0.385 in (Large)
not specified by manufacturer
Weightnot specified by manufacturer8 oz10 oz4.8 oz4 oz8 oz
Dimensionsnot specified by manufacturer10 x 10 x 2 in6 x 5 x 2.5 in 7.8 x 5 x 2.2 in6 x 4 x 2 in2.5 x 5.3 x 7.3 in
CostCheck Price



Check Price



Check Price



Check PriceCheck Price



Check Price



Best Whisker Biscuit Arrow Rests 

Whisker Biscuit rests are still the market favorite. When it comes to which brand to buy, you can choose between Trophy Ridge or Trophy Ridge. Carolina Archery originally patented the Whisker Biscuit design before eventually selling the product to Trophy Ridge.

While many brands have attempted to mimic the success of the full-containment Whisker Biscuit concept, none have succeeded. Trophy Ridge now makes four models of the Whisker Biscuit, which fall on a good, better, best spectrum.  

1. Trophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit Sure Shot Pro

The Sure Shot Pro is the best of the best. Its aluminum construction makes it both rugged and lightweight. It is easily adjustable for windage and elevation, with laser engraved reference marks. This means your bow will be much simpler to tune.

The full-containment of the Whisker Biscuit makes it ideal for hunters who want the peace of mind that their arrow will be in the right spot when the time comes to take a shot.  

While fletching contact with the rest has a negative impact on accuracy, Trophy Ridge has engineered the rest over time to minimize the downside.

Rest contact with the arrow shaft improves accuracy, so the Whisker Biscuit helps itself by remaining in contact with the arrow until it leaves the bow.  

The Sure Shot Pro has rubber boots protecting the loading area for the arrow. This reduces arrow-loading noise that could be harmful in hunting scenarios. 

2. Trophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit Quick Shot

Compare prices at: Sportsman’s Warehouse, Sportsman’s Guide, Bass Pro Shops

The Whisker Biscuit Quick Shot gives you the basic functional benefits of the more expensive Whisker Biscuit products at a budget price. It is everything you need in an arrow rest and nothing you do not.  

If you subscribe to the “you get what you pay for” school of thought (as you should), you are asking yourself what you are not getting because of the budget price. 

The Quick Shot has a composite construction as opposed to aluminum, it also has windage adjustments only. The lack of elevation adjustment means you must rely on moving your d-loop for tuning of the bow.

However, once setup and tuned, you would not notice much difference between this “good” option compared to the “best.”

Best Drop-Away Rests 

While your choice of Whisker Biscuit brands is straightforward, the drop-away rest market is full of brands and designs to choose from.

Options are nice, but the sheer number of choices can be overwhelming especially if you do not have prioritized needs when it comes to features.  

Here are two great choices for drop-away rests if you want to simplify your search. 

3. Vapor Trail Limbdriver Pro-V Rest

When considering the downsides of a drop-away rest versus a Whisker Biscuit, the biggest concerns are ease of use and risk of failure. The central factor with both of those concerns is the timing cord.

While a failure could come from another source, a broken cord is probably the most likely scenario. Because the Vapor Trail Limbdriver Pro V is limb-driven, it eliminates the issues associated with a timing cord and takes the top spot among drop-away rests.  

The limb-driven operation makes timing simple, and Vapor Trail’s full-capture system put it above other limb-driven designs.

As was discussed about the Whisker Biscuit, rest contact with the arrow shaft increases accuracy. In the case of the LimbDriver Pro V, Vapor Trail boasts that the rest is in contact with the shaft for 70% of the shot cycle.

This helps the arrow track straight until it reaches the velocity needed to stabilize itself. Once the rest falls away, the fletchings pass through with zero contact.  

Other features and specifications of the Limbdriver Pro V are: 

  • Adjustable spring tension 
  • Free-floating launcher arm 
  • Easy to setup 
  • Available in left and right-handed models 
  • Many colors available 

4. Ripcord Technologies Code Red

Compare prices at: Sportsman’s Warehouse

Some fall-away arrow rests have a disadvantage compared with whisker biscuits: they don’t completely contain the arrow.

Not so the Code Red by Ripcord Technologies. The arrow rest completely encloses the arrow shaft from draw to release, which is when the rest falls away. This keeps the arrow from falling off the rest as you draw on that deer!

An added bonus is an internal brake system that eats the inertia from the rest falling. This means that the rest won’t bounce back up and knock your arrow off of its trajectory.

The base material is lightweight aluminum so the Code Red won’t pull your bow off balance. However, Ripcord Technologies knows that aluminum can be noisy, so every part of the rest an arrow might touch has been covered in quiet overmolding.

Setup is easy, and you can adjust the rest’s windage, so this rest fits your bow no matter how wide the riser.

Features

  • Falls away so your arrow’s vanes don’t touch any part of the bow, ensuring accuracy
  • Internal brakes stop inertia, preventing the rest from bouncing back and from causing noise
  • Can be set to cock as you start drawing the arrow or for manual cocking
  • The arrow is fully contained within the rest

Best Hunting Arrow Rests 

5. Trophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit Power Shot

Compare prices at: Bass Pro Shops

When it comes to functionality, price and hunter preference, the Whisker Biscuit is still king. While this article has already given the nod to the Sure Shot Pro as the best Trophy Ridge has to offer, for hunting purposes many may prefer the Power Shot. 

The Power Shot’s composite construction and Ballistix CoPolymer System reduce vibration and noise at the time of the shot.  

The Power Shot has elevation and windage adjustments, and is also reversible for left and right-handed bows. Finally, it can be adjusted for bows that have high or low anchor points.  

Like the other high-end Trophy Ridge products, it is available in black or camo.

6. Quality Archery Design UltraRest HDX

Compare prices at: Sportsman’s Warehouse, Bass Pro Shops

For those hunters that want to gain a little arrow speed and accuracy, the Quality Archery Design (QAD) HDX is a great choice. The tradeoffs to those benefits are cost and a slight reliability factor.

However, the HDX boasts a long list of features that offset those concerns for many hunters. 

With a combination of aluminum and stainless steel components, the HDX is rugged and durable. Built to be used in hunting scenarios where it will be exposed to some amount of abuse, the full-containment system keeps your arrow in place during those situations.  

The HDX is customizable and adjustable, which makes it the perfect rest to use on a wide variety of compound bows.  

QAD has been a leader in the arrow rest market for a long time, and their rests are made in the USA and come with a limited lifetime warranty. 

The HDX is available in stock black and camo options, as well as custom colors.

The Importance of Choosing a Good Rest 

man aiming arrow

Imagine yourself at full-draw on a bull elk of a lifetime. He is 20 yards in front of you, covered in mud, fired-up from a half hour where you have antagonized him with a cacophony of bugles, chuckles and tree-raking.

He takes that final step and you prepare to let your arrow fly. It is a moment you have visualized a thousand times; but imagine now that instead of watching the arrow hit its mark, you watch it sluff off the side of your arrow rest and clank harmlessly to the ground.   

There are far too many hunters out there that do not have to imagine how this or a similar failure would feel because they have actually lived out this moment.

The frustration, let down and disappointment is immense. The tragedy of it is so much broader than just that moment.Consider what it takes to get to that point:

  • the days and days of scouting
  • placing trail cameras
  • practicing with your bow

Think about the energy in miles walked and the dollars spent on your hunting license, bow, binoculars, apparel, rangefinder, GPS, calls, travel and, and, and…

Then think how silly you would feel if, after all that time, money and energy spent, your opportunity was spoiled because you skimped on one of the most crucial components of your bow- your arrow rest. 

Similarly, purchasing and becoming comfortable with a quality arrow rest can give you peace of mind that one factor in the moment will be a constant and not a variable.

Your rest is the last thing your arrow contacts before it is officially sent on its way towards your prey or target. Give yourself confidence and not heartache by choosing your arrow rest wisely.  

Choosing Your Rest 

Nock On RestChoosing between types and brands of arrow rests will be a little about your shooting scenarios and a lot about personal preferences. 

For hunting applications, it is going to come down to either a whisker-biscuit or drop-away style. There are a lot of quality options to choose from in each category and some of the great choices are reviewed above.

Whisker Biscuit  

You may have heard people discussing the “K.I.S.S.” (Keep It Simple, Stupid) method in various contexts and a whisker biscuit is the quintessence of that concept.

Whisker biscuits are simple and foolproof which has led them to be a favorite choice among hunters. Not only is there very little that can go wrong with them, but they are also very quiet as the arrow is released.  

Downside

Of course, even the whisker biscuit comes with some tradeoffs.

1. While the odds of something catastrophic happening are almost non-existent, you give up a little performance on a smaller scale.

2. You can figure on losing a little arrow speed compared to a drop-away rest (think two to three feet per second).

3. The whisker biscuit has more contact with the arrow and fletchings than a drop-away rest which will cause slight irregularities in arrow flight.

For hunting purposes, the inaccuracies caused by the differing arrow flights are considered by most to be negligible. 

Drop-away Rest

Still, if optimum arrow speeds and accuracy are your top priority, a drop-away rest is the best choice.

As opposed to the whisker-biscuit style rest where the fletchings contact the rest as it passes through, a drop-away rest falls away from the shaft of the arrow before the fletchings or vanes can make contact.

This is what gives you the increases accuracy and arrow speed.  

Downside

1. The downside of a drop-away rest is its complexity. Most people understand that the more complex something is, the greater the chance for failure; and drop-away rests are no exception.

2. Setup, tuning and timing of the drop-away rest are important, and those tasks can be a little overwhelming for new archers. Keeping the arrow on the rest as the bow is drawn and the arrow is raised into position can be tricky for new users as well.

These factors combine to make a whisker-biscuit style the smart choice for anyone new to archery.  

Final Thoughts

If you scour sporting good stores and the internet, you can probably still find standard rests. However, the whisker biscuit has been greatly improved over its time on the market and since drop-away rests joined them as an option, standard rests have become obsolete.    

Considering how much money goes into a hunting experience, deciding on a rest based on cost is not advised. If you find one that is right for you, an extra $50 is minor when you consider the importance of your rest. 

If possible, try shooting some bows with a variety of rest options to determine your favorite before buying. Fortunately, most modern rests are easy to install and remove, so you are not stuck with your initial choice if you decide to go another direction.  

The post 6 Best Arrow Rests Reviewed & Revealed (Hands-on Guide) appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

]]>
https://outdoorempire.com/how-to-pick-best-arrow-rest/feed/ 3
Best Youth Compound Bows Reviewed (Hands-on Kid Bow Guide) https://outdoorempire.com/how-to-choose-youth-compound-bow/ Thu, 11 Mar 2021 16:05:31 +0000 https://outdoorempire.com/?p=2989 If you are looking for more detailed information about compound bows in general, take a look at our selecting a best compound bow guide. One of the greatest traditions in bow hunting is passing it on. This means introducing the next generation to the joys of chasing animals with archery tackle, and using woodsmanship and ... Read more

The post Best Youth Compound Bows Reviewed (Hands-on Kid Bow Guide) appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

]]>
If you are looking for more detailed information about compound bows in general, take a look at our selecting a best compound bow guide.

One of the greatest traditions in bow hunting is passing it on. This means introducing the next generation to the joys of chasing animals with archery tackle, and using woodsmanship and keen skill to take the game.

The downside is that many hunters must wait for the right time until they’re able to use a full-sized bow that is strong enough to kill the game at a distance.

The answer here is to look towards the new breed of youth bow models that offer several advantages such as reduced overall weight, reduced pull weight, and other features that can help new hunters enjoy archery sooner and a lot more.

[toc]

The 4 Top Kid’s Compound Bows of 2021: Outdoor Empire Reviews

These are our top recommendations for youth and kid compound bows:

  1. Best overall: Get the PSE Mini Burner
  2. Get the Bear Archery Brave
  3. Best package #1: Get the Barnett Vortex Hunter
  4. Best package #2: Get the Genesis Original Kit

*Looking for a specific feature? Check out our quick-reference chart below:

ModelPSE Mini Burner
PSE Mini Burner

Bear Archery Brave
Bear Archery Brave

Barnett Vortex Hunter
Barnett Vortex Hunter

Axle-to-Axle26 in26 in27.5 in
Draw Weight4-40 lbs15 - 25 lbs45 - 60 lbs
Brace Height6 and 5/8 in5.5 in6.8 in
Let Off70%65%60 - 70%
Draw Length16-26.5 in13.5 - 19 in25 - 30 in
Weight2.5 lbs2 lbs2.3 lbs
CostCheck PriceCheck PriceCheck Price

1. Best Overall

PSE Mini Burner
$249.77
View on Amazon
08/15/2023 06:45 am GMT

Too often there’s this idea that you should get a cheap and flimsy copy of an adult tool to give to your child. But that’s no way to get them into an engaging hobby for the rest of their life!

You won’t fall into that trap with the PSE Mini Burner. It’s a miniature version of PSE’s legendary hunting bows and is fully capable of everything a “proper” compound can do while being lighter and smaller.

The Mini Burner takes standard accessories. This means that you’re not stuck with the arrow rest or pin sight that comes with the bow. You can replace them with better versions as you see fit.

Features

  • Comes with a three-pin sight, arrow quiver, arrow rest, stabilizer, and three carbon arrows
  • Can be upgraded
  • Meets the minimum draw weight for hunting deer in many states when set to the maximum

Specs

  • Draw Weight: 4-40 pounds
  • Draw Length: 16-26.5 inches
  • Brace Height: 6 and 5/8 inches
  • Weight: 2.5 pounds

You can set the PSE Mini Burner to draw 4 pounds and 16 inches and teach a 6-year-old to shoot this bow. It’ll grow with them until they can pull 40 pounds at a draw length of 26.5 inches, so your child can practice with the same bow for a very long time.

2. Bear Archery Brave 

A starter bow for a youth hunter needs to have several qualities.

This is a great option from Brave that is perfect for starting a hunter off just before they’re able to hunt until they begin to chase game more seriously and at extended ranges.

Features

  • Great bare bones kit for getting a youngster ready to hunt.
  • The kit includes a basic pin sight, a whisker biscuit arrow rest, and a basic clip on the quiver.
  • It is very much a basic, quality kit for little money.

Specs

  • Draw weight: 15 – 25 lbs
  • Draw length: 13.5 – 19 in
  • Brace height: 5.5 in
  • Weight: 2 lbs

A little on the longer side for a kid’s bow, this is still great for a 5 or 6-year-old ready to respect the safety rules and begin to learn how to hunt with archery tackle responsibly. It is ideal for hunting small, thin skinned game.

3. Best Youth Compound Bow Package #1: Barnett Vortex Hunter

Barnett Vortex

Barnett, a name normally known for their crossbows and accessories, brings this excellent small-framed bow to the market that comes with everything that a youth needs to get started in the woods.

Features

  • Four arrows, a fixed pin sight, quiver, and an arrow release are included in the package.
  • If you need an affordable yet effective bow for your youngster and you want a one stop shop for arrows, sight, and a bow ready to go, this is the best route.

Specs

  • Draw weight: 45 – 60 lbs
  • Draw length: 25 – 30 in
  • Brace height: 6.8 in
  • Weight: 2.3 lbs

This is one of the strongest compound bows for youth hunters. It is effective for hunting thin skinned game like whitetail deer and small hogs. It is something that can be used for season after season until the kid hunter is strong enough to move on to a full-sized bow.

4. Best Youth Compound Bow Package #2

If you’re looking for a good starter compound bow kit for your child, why not use the official bow of the National Archery in Schools Program (NASP)?

NASP’s official bow is the Genesis Original. It can be used to teach anybody the basics of both compound and recurve bows thanks to its light weight, light draw, wide draw length, and single-cam design.

The kit comes with Easton #1820 aluminum arrows, which are the same ones required by NASP for their competitions. Honestly, though, you may want to get higher-quality carbon arrows, since these are not known for durability.

Features

  • Comes with a bow, quiver, five arrows, 3/16-inch hex wrench, and an adjustable arm guard
  • Long draw length for a youth compound bow
  • Single cam for shooting with less noise and vibration, though this means it has no let-off
  • Drilled and tapped for standard accessories such as arrow rests and pin sights
  • Available in many different color options

Specs

  • Draw Weight: 10-20 pounds
  • Draw Length: 15-30 inches
  • Brace Height: 7 and 5/8 inches
  • Weight: 3.5 pounds

The Genesis Original is a great youth bow that can be used to teach anybody, even adults, how to shoot. However, it has a maximum draw weight of 20 pounds, so it’s only good for teaching, practice, and NASP competitions.

How Youth Bow Differs From Regular?

Diamond Archery
Diamond Archery

Size

A compound bow made specifically for the youth hunter is smaller than an adult bow. Smaller meaning shorter draw length, less weight, and shorter axle to axle length.

A long, heavy bow is easier to shoot for adults but is difficult for a young hunter to hold it up and balance. Especially for a shooter hunter, they may have trouble banging their bottom axle on the tree stand steps while trying to shoot at an animal.

Overall Package

Packages for youth hunters are often just leftover pieces of gear from adult setups that don’t fit the bill, as well as purpose-made equipment does. Smaller sized arrow rests, releases, sights, and quivers all make for a light bow and easier to use setup.

Another important part of a bow setup is a larger peep and more silencing materials.

  • A larger peep helps a younger shooter settle on a sight alignment and make a good shot.
  • More silencing material is important because youth bows tend to shoot slower and string jump is a real threat.

Arrows & Broadheads

Youth sized arrows must be shorter because the draw lengths are shorter. The good news is, the quality of bolts that both adults and kids use have the same standards.

Just because a hunter is younger or inexperienced doesn’t mean you should have to use subpar equipment. For marksmanship training, use cheaper arrows until they stop losing them, and then get a good set for hunting.

Stay away from expandable broadheads. They sap energy and can limit penetration. Plus, youth bows already lack power and speed. Use a high-quality fixed broadhead until they step up to a standard draw weight.

Accessories

Accessories for archery tackle can be just as important as the bow. A high-quality release aid and comfortable sling both make using a bow joyful. Even little things like an arrow puller, a fun target, and realistic shooting gear makes hunting and training a blast.

Tip: If you’re stuck between two items, pick the one that the youth hunter wants if safety or ethics is not a concern (as of the moment) while hunting.

9 Aspects to Consider For Kids Bow

When you are shopping for a new bow for a youth hunter, remember a few things. Buying one is much like getting an adult’s compound bow with a few key differences because of who they are designed for.

Game Hunted

white tail deer

Most youth hunters chase whitetail deer. For the lucky little guys who get to go out on a western elk or a black bear hunt, each game needs a different kind of compound bow. The bigger and tougher the game, the stronger bow is needed.

No one needs a 90-pound draw weight, including the youth. The rule of thumb is 45 lbs minimum for even the largest game. Use your good judgment when choosing.

Expected Ranges 

As ranges move out, speed needs to increase so that you can ensure a flat trajectory to make a reliable hit. This can mean ratcheting up the draw weight to get a faster arrow speed or using a slightly lighter arrow.

Most youth hunters should hunt at closer ranges where the target distance is more forgiving, around a maximum of 25 yards. That way, there’s room for error if they get nervous. Unlike a 40-yard shot that most adults can make, but with much practice.

Axle to Axle Length

As a rule, longer is better. But with a youth bow, you must reach a happy medium.

Many bows have gone with a fad of short and light weight but they are hard to shoot. Youth bows should be smaller but avoid the tiny novelty bows and awful recurve bows that do not shoot effectively.

Draw Weight

Every state has a minimum draw weight for both compound and recurve bows; they also impose recommendations that a hunter should look for.

A good rule of thumb:

  • For the medium thin skinned game like deer, 35 lbs is a decent weight that’ll kill it down reliably every time.
  • For a big boned game like elk, bear or large hogs, 45 lbs is a battle.
  • For any game, including state minimum, 25 lbs is usually the norm.

Overall Weight

The overall weight of a bow should be as light as possible.

Hand shock isn’t as big of a deal as it used to be in old school lightweight bows, so go as light as possible. Use a lightweight bow to begin with and use lightweight sights, slings, quivers, and arrow weight.

It doesn’t matter as much during hunting, but your kid will certainly feel it during long practice sessions leading up to the opening day.

Let-off

Let-off is the weight reduction due to the shape of the cam on a compound bow when held at full draw.

Most have 60-85% let-off. This isn’t a big deal as many people make it out to be, especially with a youth bow. Youth hunters rarely hold their shot for very long so it has little use in the field.

It can be a bad idea if the shooter gets complacent with the shot and lets the bow string creep forward. This sudden yank of the bow while attached to the string at the wrist can scar a kid for life.

Durability

Youth bows will often be put together with much looser tolerances than others. This isn’t inherently a problem because these are only used for a few years anyway.

Camo Pattern

kid hunting on tree stand

Some of the novelty camouflage patterns that has come out in the past few years featuring pink, lime green or blue are fine for the youth hunter. Camouflage is icing on the cake anyway. So if your kid happens to like the novelty camo, go for it.

Hunting should be first and foremost FUN!

Cost

High-end youth bows exist. But the more expensive the bow is, the harder it is to justify. Unless of course, you have an unlimited budget. Most likely, this youth bow will only be used for a few years and will ultimately become a keepsake.

It just needs to be capable of serving for a couple of years and doesn’t need any luxury features of levels of quality. A final price should be around $300 total for a package and arrow setup.

Before You Start

Introducing a new hunter to the outdoors is a fragile time.

You must walk a tight rope of providing a fun, easy-going hunt but you also want to show them the tough side of hunting. This is applicable to every youth hunter, especially to those into archery hunting.

Intentionally limiting your range and lethality by using archery tackle is a big deal for youth and dialing in their bow is important. Equipment goes a long way to make sure you get to see the game and be successful on your hunt.

A good youth bow is smaller with higher let-off and a lighter draw weight. Bells and whistles are hindrances, and so is trying to get a bow to do it all. Search around for a plain-Jane gear, train up for the opening day, and get the little ones to the woods!

The post Best Youth Compound Bows Reviewed (Hands-on Kid Bow Guide) appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

]]>
12 Best Compound Bows Reviewed & Revealed (Hands-on Guide) https://outdoorempire.com/selecting-compound-bow-reviews/ https://outdoorempire.com/selecting-compound-bow-reviews/#comments Thu, 11 Mar 2021 15:32:02 +0000 https://outdoorempire.com/?p=8012 Picking a compound bow that fits you and your hunting style is a critical choice. Not only will you have to carry your bow around for the entire hunting season, it is a huge factor in that deciding moment that ultimately determines whether or not you are successful. A bow that is the right choice ... Read more

The post 12 Best Compound Bows Reviewed & Revealed (Hands-on Guide) appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

]]>
Picking a compound bow that fits you and your hunting style is a critical choice.

Not only will you have to carry your bow around for the entire hunting season, it is a huge factor in that deciding moment that ultimately determines whether or not you are successful.

A bow that is the right choice for a given hunter is like an extension of their body. They can operate it smoothly and it is a precise fit for optimum efficiency.

The wrong hunting bow can create a multitude of complications:

  • If the draw weight is too great the hunter may not be able to smoothly and stealthily draw the bow on game. Once the bow is drawn, the shooter may also have problems holding it steady while preparing to shoot.
  • A bow that does not fit correctly is more difficult to aim.
  • If you buy a bow that is too heavy or not compact enough it can be a serious burden if you hunt where you cover a lot of ground or travel through brush.
  • Bows that are too heavy or not good fits often create bad shooting habits.
  • Not buying the right bow the first time around will often be more expensive since you have to buy a replacement.

Clearly, there is more to picking a bow than just going with a popular brand or the right camo pattern. But, with a myriad of options out there, how do you know which bow is for you?  This article will guide you through the process and hopefully help you arrive at the right bow for you.

In this article:

  1. first up is our best bow picks for variety of categories
  2. then we explain what makes a good compound bow
  3. if you didn’t like our recommendations, then you can use our overview of leading compound bow brands to start your own research

DISCLOSURE: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links in this article are affiliate links. If you click on a link we may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

[toc]

12 Top Hunting Bows of 2021: Outdoor Empire Reviews

Among our 12 recommendations, the bows below are our top picks for hunting bows in 2021:

    1. Best overall: Bear Cruzer G2
    2. Best for the money: SAS Rage
    3. Fastest bow: PSE Archery Full Throttle
    4. Best for youth: Bear Archery Cruzer RTH
    5. Best beginner: Quest Forge DTH
    6. Best compact: Mandarin Duck Nighthawk 
    7. Best cheap: iGlow 55lb
    8. Best left-hand: Diamond Archery Edge Sb-1

Best Overall

Bear Archery is one of the best compound bow manufacturers, and the Cruzer G2 is their flagship compound bow.

The Cruzer G2 is your typical compound bow in looks, but that’s part of why it’s a classic and such a good value.

BEST OVERALL
Bear Cruzer G2
$341.39
Features: The Cruzer G2 is a versatile bow. It can be adjusted for draw lengths from 12 inches to 30 inches and for draw weights from 5 pounds to 70 pounds. This makes it great for beginners and experienced hunters alike. It’s especially great for beginners who will turn into hunters. Plus, unlike some compound bows, you can adjust the Cruzer G2 with an Allen wrench. You don't need to pay for a bow press. The EnduraFiber limbs and twin cams give you a smooth draw with 70 percent let-off. The Cruzer G2 comes with six accessories made by Trophy Ridge: a four-pin sight, whisker biscuit arrow rest, five-arrow quiver, stabilizer with sling, peep sight, and nock loop. All this, and the bow weighs only three pounds, so you can hunt all day without discomfort!
View on Amazon View at Sportsman's
08/16/2023 05:11 am GMT

Compare prices at: Walmart, Sportsman’s Guide, Cabela’s

Is it worth the price?

Absolutely.

You can get a compound bow that’s better than the Cruzer G2, but you’ll be spending a lot more money for only a little bit better bow.

Instead of paying for a much more expensive bow that won’t actually be any more accurate, why not save that money and upgrade the included whisker biscuit arrow rest to a drop-away style instead?

Specs

  • Speed: 315 feet per second
  • Weight: 3 pounds
  • Axle to Axle: 30 inches
  • Brace Height: 6 and 1/2 inches
  • Draw Weight: 5-70 pounds
  • Draw Length: 12-30 inches

2. Bowtech Reign 7

rsz bowtech reign 7

The Bowtech Reign 7 is a pro-grade hunting bow that’s not for the faint of heart. It’s a powerful, smooth shooting bow that sends arrows downrange at 340 feet per second. It’s not the fastest, but delivers consistent accuracy shot after shot.

It is SmartBow and the idea behind it is that you can harness complete and total control over the bow from the moment you touch the string to releasing it.

For an example, OverDrive binary cams allow you to fine tune the bow for your needs and PowerShift technology provides provides distinct draw cycle options.

Features

  • The Bowtech Rein 7 allows you to customize the draw weight in 10-pound increments. Starting at 50 and going to 70 pounds.
  • The draw length is also adjustable from 25 to 31 inches.
  • It’s a lightweight 4.3 pounds and delivers a consistently smooth and controlled draw.

The Rein is an overall outstanding bow. It’s not a cheap one, but when you want the very best, it costs you.

3. Best Compound Bow for the Money

Many people find that in respect to their hobbies, it is difficult to afford everything top of the line.

There are those who are interested in getting into bow hunting or compound bow shooting. But when they see some price tags, they drop the idea altogether.

For those on a budget or even those who may only shoot occasionally would be interested in a bow that works well with a low price, the SAS Rage is just the thing.

BEST FOR THE MONEY
SAS Rage (or later Outrage model)
$179.99
Features: It has a slightly adjustable draw length ranging from 26 to 30 inches and a draw weight from 55 to 70 pounds. It weighs 4.4 pounds which make it fairly heavy, although a fair price to pay for money. It is sturdy and comfortable to use which makes it functional for hunting. It is accurate and consistent right from the setup.
View on Amazon
08/16/2023 05:11 am GMT

Southland Archery Supply is a small company that developed the Rage which is an adult bow. It comes in black or camouflage, and you can purchase packages with it.

Overcome the Downsides

Its weight can be tiring when sighting or hunting with it. It also has been known to have string issues as well as loose bolts. It is not the quietest either so silencers may help.

It would be wise to replace the bow string right out of the box. With the loose bolts, many overcome it by purchasing a dampening kit to reduce the vibration, plus check and retighten them when shooting too.

The SAS Rage is hard to beat when it comes to a good buy bow. If you don’t mind a heavier bow or a little extra maintenance, it is one of the recommended bows on the market for the price.

Specs 

  • Draw Length: 26″ – 30”
  • Speed: 270 FPS
  • Weight: 4.4 lbs
  • ATA: 35”
  • Draw Weight: 55 -70 lbs

4. Infinite Edge Pro Bow Package by Diamond Archery

Before you look at the price of the Infinite Edge Pro Bow Package I want you to remember the key word here is package.

Package being the keyword. This isn’t just a bow, it’s a complete archery package. The only thing not included is the arrows and a target.

The Diamond Archery Infinite Edge bow is already an outstanding bow:

Infinite Edge Pro Bow Package by Diamond Archery
Features: It launches arrows at over 300 feet per second. It only weighs 3.2 pounds and has a draw weight of up to 70 pounds total. The Infinite Edge Pro can be used by anybody from an experienced sportsman to new shooters. It’s incredibly versatile in its adjustments for both weight and draw length. Draw length goes from 13 to 31 inches and the weight range is 5 to 70 pounds. Now that's what I call versatile. The Infinite Edge Pro has an incredibly smooth draw cycle, and there isn’t a hump, grind, or kick to be felt. At the end of a draw stroke you meet a solid wall and it’s nearly impossible to overdraw. The let off is 80% which is a little high, but nothing crazy.
View on Amazon View at Cabela's

Compare prices at: Bass Pro Shops

What the package includes

The bow is great, and the package provided is fantastic. It includes a 3 pin Tundra Sight, a hostage XL arrow rest, a Deadlock Lite octane quiver, a tube peep sight, a BCY string loop, a wrist sling, and 5-inch ultra-lite octane stabilizer.

Add in the bow and you really are getting an excellent deal for the money.

Specs:

  • Speed: 310 FPS
  • Weight: 3.2 Lbs
  • Brace Height: 7”
  • Axle to Axle: 31.5”
  • Draw Weight: 5-70 lbs
  • Draw Length: 13-31”

5. Fastest Compound Bow

The PSE Full Throttle is the fastest shooting bow in the world. Through a stunning feat of engineering shooters are seeing speeds up to 370 feet per second with the Full Throttle. This defies most expectations and PSE is certainly proud of their feat.

The Full Throttle is an outstanding bow and lives up to the PSE reputation. The Full Throttle uses a hybrid cam system and preloaded limbs. The cams are made from 6061 T6 aluminum so its super strong and will last forever.

PSE Archery Full Throttle
Features: The Full Throttle has a let off of 70%, and you can adjust the weight to a variety of settings, including 50, 60, 65, and 70 pounds. The draw length can be adjusted by the half inch from 26.5 to 30 inches. The bow is not only fast, but exceptionally accurate. This is one of the benefits to the PSE’s Planar Flex riser which gives the bow a 25% rigidity increase. At 70 pounds you're maximizing your speed at the cost of max weight. However, you can set the Full Throttle to a lower weight and still have a significant speed advantage when compared to similar bows. With this much speed there is some concern for string oscillation. Luckily the included Backstop Lite string suppressor reduces this a significant degree.
View on Amazon

Who is it for?

While the PSE Full Throttle is an outstanding bow it’s not for every shooter. This bow is for experienced shooters and isn’t suited for newbies. With speed like this you need to have your draw length down to a science or you are wasting the bow’s potential.

Specs:

  • Speed: 370 FPS
  • Weight: 4.1 lbs
  • Brace Height: 5.25”
  • Axle to Axle: 33.25”
  • Draw Weight: 50 to 70lbs
  • Draw Length: 26.5” to 30”

6. Best Youth Bow

Bow hunting is a very complex form of hunting.

The dedicated practice and confidence, approach, closing the distance, accuracy, thinking under pressure, making quick and ethical judgments.

These are just a few of the extreme factors that bow hunters face continually.

With the younger generations, we find that children are becoming more exposed and have better access to learning adult sports at an early age. Those who do not understand bow hunting may see that teaching it to children is unhealthy since it involves a weapon.

The reality is, it teaches them deeper lessons that can help them through their life:

  • improving by practice
  • confidence
  • hard work
  • making decisions
  • strength
  • exercise
  • love for the outdoors
  • overcoming failure
  • endurance
  • an everlasting respect for nature

Many companies understand these valuable lessons for the future generations and have made it possible to accomplish these. The Bear Archery Cruzer does just that.

BEST YOUTH BOW
Bear Archery Cruzer RTH
Features: It allows children as young as 4 years old to an adult age to target shoot and hunt. It is versatile as the draw length can be adjusted from 12 to 30 inches and the draw weight from 15 to 70 lbs. These adjustments can also be done at home without using a bow press. It is perfect for young children as they grow. Another great aspect is its 75% let-off that allows you to pull it to full draw and hold with little resistance. It is perfect for target shooting until the minimum poundage for big game hunting has been met.
View on Amazon

Specs

  • Draw Weight: 15 -70 lbs
  • Draw Length: 12″ – 30 “
  • Let-off: 75%
  • Brace Height: 6.5″
  • Weight: 3.6 lbs

7. Best Bow for Beginner Hunters

Many people find that entering into a new hobby can be overwhelming because it is difficult to determine what is essential and what isn’t.

It seems that Prime had the beginners in mind when they built and set up the Quest.

It is constructed for those individuals who want to get into archery and could eventually decide that they would like to get into hunting as well.

It comes with everything needed to get out and get shooting.

One thing that every beginner should know is their draw length since it will determine the bow settings and arrow lengths, and this is easily done in nearly any archery store. This will also narrow your options and make everything a bit less overwhelming.

BEST BOW FOR BEGINNERS
Quest Forge DTH Compound Bow Package
Features: Its draw length ranges from 25.5 to 30 inches, which falls perfectly into the average person's range. The draw weight, on the other hand, can be adjusted to pretty much every state's minimum poundage requirement for hunting big game of 40 pounds but can be adjusted up to 70 pounds. The higher the poundage, the flatter your arrow will shoot and the faster it will fly. For hunting, it is ideal to have the highest poundage you can safely pull back. It also has a creep-free string.
View on Amazon

Out of the Box

Right out of the box, it comes with everything you need to shoot (minus the arrows):

  • stabilizer
  • tool-less fiber optic sight
  • Halo full containment rest
  • neoprene wrist sling
  • meta peep
  • rubber stabilizer
  • quiver to hold your arrows
  • rest for your arrow

From the rest to the quiver, it seems that the best attachment it comes with is the tool-less fiber optic sight.

Any archer who has been shooting since the fiber optic sights came out understands how great tool-less sights are. No need for two or three different size hex keys in your pockets while out on the range.

Specs

  • Draw Length: 25.5″ – 30″
  • Weight: 3.9 lbs
  • Draw Weight: 40 – 70 lbs
  • ATA: 32”
  • Brace Height: 7”
  • Speed: 315 FPS

8. Best Compact Bow: Mandarin Duck Nighthawk

Mandarin Duck Nighthawk

The Mandarin Duck Nighthawk is the oddest looking bow I’ve ever seen, but it does give users a lightweight, and compact option. It’s remarkably small, but also quite powerful. It’s only 24 inches long and weighs only 4.4 pounds.

It’s still capable of launching an arrow at 270 FPS. This odd Duck is an interesting design and is compatible with both left and right-handed shooters.

Features

  • Besides its small size and lightweight, the Mandarin Duck Nighthawk is compatible with a 5 pin sight, an arrow rest and take down quiver.
  • The draw weight is 50 pounds and length is 27 inches.
  • It’s remarkably accurate and packs a good punch for such a small bow. It’s easy to strap across your back and hit the field with.
  • The included pistol style grip aids in control and makes drawing the bow simple for most shooters.
  • It’s great for maneuverability, especially if you are hunting in thicker brush, or have a well-camouflaged tree stand.

9. Best Cheap Bow

New shooters maybe looking to dive into the bow world without spending a ton of money. It’s understandable when it comes to a new and expensive hobby like archery.

The iGlow 55 lb lets shooters try their hand and archery and have that opportunity to get hooked on tossing arrows down range.

BEST CHEAP BOW
iGlow 55lb
$84.99
Features: The iGlow’s 55-pound draw weight is appropriate for most shooters and is just powerful for doing some medium game hunting. It’s light enough to avoid intimidating new shooters and powerful enough to bag a big buck. The bow launches a standard arrow roughly 206 feet per second. The bow itself is quite light, weighing only 4 pounds and being made from fiberglass it’s easy to carry and hold for extended periods of time. The draw weight is adjustable from 40 to 55 pounds and the draw length is adjustable from 27 to 29 inches
View on Amazon
08/15/2023 06:07 pm GMT

The iGlow was chosen not only due to its low price, but because it’s a relatively easy bow for any shooter to pick up and shoot.

Conclusion

The iGlow is a very basic bow that doesn’t include a ton of fancy features.

Instead it focuses on being brilliant in the basics. Its rudimentary sights aren’t fancy, but they’re effective. It’s accurate and easy to shoot, and you are best suited using traditional aluminum, fiberglass, or carbon with this bow.

The bow is available by itself at a great price, or you can choose package options that will set you up with a variety of accessories and upgrades for a great price.

Specs:

  • Speed: 310 FPS
  • Weight: 4.4 lbs
  • Brace Height: 7.5”
  • Axle to Axle: 31.5”
  • Draw Weight: 40 to 70 lbs
  • Draw Length: 25-31”

10. Best Left-hand Compound Bow

The Diamond Archery Edge SB-1 is a bow built from the ground up for left-handed shooters. It does have a right-hand variant as well, but they didn’t just move some features over and call it left handed. This is a true Southpaw bow. This maximizes comfort, safety, accuracy, and ease of use for all you lefties out there.

Diamond Archery Edge Sb-1
$329.99
Features: This is a complete system that is a bow, a stabilizer, a sight, quiver, and arrow rest. All you need is your chosen arrows and you are ready to rock. The Bow is easy to configure for most users and weighs only 3.6 pounds. It launches arrows at 318 fps and has an adjustable draw weight from 7 to 70 pounds with a draw length adjustable from 15 to 30 inches. This is one of the highest quality and most affordable options for the left-handed bowhunter out there.
View on Amazon
08/15/2023 07:45 pm GMT

The Diamond Archery is a solid performer for hunting or recreation.

Best Bows From ATA 2019 Trade Show

Anyone hunter that’s ever had an animal jump string on them understands the frustration of a loud bow.  Understandably, there seem to be millions of variables for each shot of a hunt. In this article, we will review some of our favorite bows from ATA 2019.

11. Best Overall Bow: The Mathews Triax

The Mathews TriaxWhen a manufacturer puts forth an effort to reduce these variables of their bow, the product will help your chances of a more successful hunt. Especially dampening vibration and sound! When it comes to buying bows, we tend to lean towards certain brands. This is because they have created trust with consumers and stand by their names.

Mathews is a name that everyone seems to know because they only develop high-quality bows.  Their only goal is to help their customers be as successful as possible. By creating bows they themselves love to use, they did not disappoint with their newest flagship bow, the Mathews Triax.

The Triax stands out above the rest with its new technology. It provides an outstanding 78% less vibration than the competing bows! This Matthews is a compact design that allows hunters more maneuverability to get into extremely close range.

Coming in at 28 inches from axel to axel, the Triax is even better in tight areas than its competitors. We think it is one of the most balanced, stable, and accurate bows ever made. Not only is it ridiculously quiet, but it has been designed with the Mathews Crosssentric Cam System.

The Triax was designed to maintain accuracy by keeping the nock at travel level. Additionally, you can purchase a flat back grip. This is a synthetic rubber grip made to concentrate pressure at full draw. This reduces hand torque.

Specifications

Brace Height: 6 inches
IBO: Up to 343-feet-per-second
Axel to Axel: 28 inches
Draw Lengths: 24.5 to 30.5 inches
Draw Weight: 50, 60, or 70 pounds
Let off: 75 or 85%
Weight: 4.4 pounds
MSRP: $ 1,099

Learn more about Mathew’s Bows.

12. Best Value for the Money

Not every hunter can afford top of the line equipment in all areas of hunting gear. So, it’s great when you can get products that both get the job done and allow you to stay on a tight budget.  Bear is a company that makes hunting affordable for anyone that wants to get into the sport.

If you are looking for a bow that is great for the money but still has the feel and accuracy of a name brand flagship bow, then look no further than the Bear Approach HC!

Bear Approach HC

When it comes to speed, the Bear Approach HC is neck and neck with most high-end bows. It comes in at 340-feet-per-second! How is this possible? Their hybrid cams obtain the speed. In addition, the Approach has been designed with Sonic Nocks. These cut vibrations to help keep your bow as quiet as possible.

View on Amazon

Another fantastic design feature of the Bear Approach HC is the at-home adjustable draw length. It completely eliminates the need of a bow press! This allows anyone to fine-tune perfect length for themselves.

At $449.99, this bow cannot be beaten when it comes to speed and accuracy. This is the perfect bow for anyone that needs to stay on budget but doesn’t want to sacrifice quality in order to do so.

Specifications

Brace Height: 6 inches
IBO: Up to 340-feet-per-second
Axel to Axel: 32 inches
Draw Lengths: 25.5 to 30 inches
Draw Weight: 55 to 70, or 45 to 60 pounds
Let off: 75%
Weight: 4 pounds

Other Reviewed Compound Bows

Factors to Consider Before Purchasing

Compound bow gear

With a wide array of bows on the market, it may be difficult to find the exact one you want.

It is very similar to shopping for a new vehicle. If you don’t know what kind of car or truck you want, then with so many decisions, it would be easier to just walk to wherever you want to go.

But, by breaking everything down, the decision almost presents itself “What will be my main use for the vehicle? Work, transportation or play?”.

Once you have that figured out, you can narrow your search down and get on the right track for a car or truck.

This same idea applies for archery, ”What will my main use for the bow be? Hunting, target shooting, recreation?”.

Most people get into archery for competition shooting or hunting.

In this section we focus on features and specifications that make up a good compound bow for hunting.

Speed

released arrow

With hunting in mind, it seems that speed is the one thing that grabs a hunter’s eye more than anything.

Ten to fifteen years ago, if a bow could shoot over 250 FPS, it was a jaw dropper. With all the current advancements, some bows are now capable of shooting up to 370 FPS.

Jumped String

Anyone who has ever archery hunted seems to have the same story to tell. As soon as they shoot at an animal, the animal moved right before the arrow even hit it. This is called jumped string.

This sickening sight causes any hunter to think back and wish that he or she had a faster bow for it to give better shots, more accuracy, lower arc, and a more ethical kill. With that in mind, it is essential to make sure the bow’s speed is right where you want it.

Just to remind you that speed isn’t everything.

Achieving Accuracy

arrow flying to target

With the thought of ”speed isn’t everything” in the back of your mind, there is one thing that should be rated higher than speed.

Don’t get me wrong. I love the fact that we can shoot as fast as we can. But as long as my bow shoots around 300 FPS, I am shooting an arrow the full length of a football field in one second.

So can I shoot an apple off someone’s head the full length of the football field? Of course, I would never try that, but that brings up the next major point — accuracy.

Brace Height

Besides consistency in shooting and a well-tuned bow, brace height plays a huge part in accuracy. It is the measurement from the grip of your bow to the string where you place your arrow. The taller the brace height is, the easier it is to shoot the bow.

However, the taller the brace height is, the slower your bow shoots. So when the brace height is smaller, the faster and less accurate the bow shoots. Before you take less accurate to heart, let me explain.

The majority of shooters find the 7 inches brace height to be optimal, 6 inches are considered as speed bows and 8 inches are competition bows. So anything out of the 6-8 inches range are bows for special purpose.

Focusing On Getting Better

archer practicing

The difference would be similar to me trying to play golf against Tiger Woods when he was in his prime. I could use the same golf clubs that he used and he would have smoked me.

The reason is because his golf clubs were blades, meaning the sweet spot was a lot smaller to hit. So his form had to be perfect for his shot to play out exactly how he wanted it to.

This same example fits perfectly for a small brace height. If you have perfect form and you are able to do the same thing every time, then the brace height won’t make much of a difference and you will want a shorter one to help with speed.

But if you torque your wrist or are shaky when in the valley of the draw, then your shooting will suffer immensely.

The main thing is to first learn how to shoot a compound bow properly, and then after a lot of practice you should start worrying about advanced factors like brace height.

My Experience

I have been shooting bows for over 30 years and I still feel that I don’t have great form.

I prefer a taller brace height over speed, mainly because if there ever comes a day where I need William Tell a shot and shoot an apple off someone’s head at 100 yards, I will have a 1% chance instead of a 0% chance.

Weight

Again, your bow’s weight is dependent on your purpose. If your goal is for recreation or target practice, then you can use a heavier bow and set it down between shots.

If it is for hunting, then it is important to note that you will be carrying your bow, gear, arrows and everything else for as long as you are hunting. It can be quite exhausting to carry your hunting gear and to hold your bow up or even at full draw for certain lengths of time.

Now, when a manufacturer advertises the weight of their bow, remember that they are referring to the dry weight. You still have to account for the weight from the sights, arrows plus broadheads, rest, and quiver.

Helpful Tips

Just a small tip if you plan on hunting, it is suggested to practice shooting your bow with a quiver full of arrows and anything else you might have on your bow when trying to harvest an animal.

Understandably, the amount of weight that the quiver full of arrows is very minimal. But when crunch time comes, muscle memory is all you will have to do as you draw and release your shot.

The weight of the quiver on the side of your bow may not throw you off when shooting something like 30 or 40 yards. But if you are trying to reach out to 60 yards, it may affect you more than you think.

Let-off

Let-off is basically the amount of mechanical relaxation that your bow achieves at full draw, which is measured in percentage. It is usually the same proportion with the bow’s peak draw weight.

Compound bow let-off

If your bow is set to 60%, it means that as you draw the bow back it is 60 lbs, but once you get close to full draw the weight reduces. This way you can pull a bow back and hold it at full draw.

This fantastic invention allows the shooter to have time aiming without added shaking if you had to hold the full 60 lbs. This ultimately will increase accuracy.

If you are hunting, then this is the whole reason you are shooting a compound bow — to be able to pull back 60 pounds and hold at full draw for as long as you can until the animal steps out from behind the tree or turns and gives you an ethical shot.

Importance of let-off in hunting

The greater percentage will allow more time at full draw and give you more hunting opportunities instead of becoming fatigued and needing to lower your bow.

Many hunters know that in that moment from when you pull your bow back, you need to hold perfectly still while your heart is beating out of your chest.

If you become fatigued and lower your bow, usually that drastic move will cause the animal to see you and to stop in their tracks. These are reasons why hunters choose a high percentage so they can avoid many disappointing experiences.

Make sure to check your state’s rules and regulations as some states have a requirement that a compound bow cannot exceed at a certain percentage of the let-off.

Draw Length

draw length

Knowing your draw length will narrow your options and make everything a bit less overwhelming. This is done in different ways but it measures your wing span or one arm up to a certain point.

It gives a great guideline for setting up a bow with what should be comfortable. If you have too long draw length, then you will be pulling the highest poundage a lot of further back into your draw and it will cause other inconsistencies.

A shorter draw length is also hard and requires you to bend your elbow or not get the bow back to your anchor spots against your face.

Choosing the length of draw

I highly recommend getting fitted at a pro shop for any bow you want to buy or even try to shoot. Draw length is probably the most important aspect and setup you need to shoot a bow correctly.

It does not only create consistency but it also greatly reduces injuries like slapping your forearm with the string, to hurting your shoulder if pulling the bow back too far.

Some of the modern compound bows have the ability to adjust the draw length fifteen to twenty inches right there in your living room. Other bows require different cams or machines to change the draw length.

Any pro-staff can easily figure out your draw length with you there in their shop. But here’s a simple technique for you:

graph for calculating compound bow draw length

Draw Weight

Understand that not all bows are versatile when it comes to the poundage. Many bows are designed with a  10-pound adjustment window.

For example, you can purchase a bow that will have the lowest weight setting at 50 pounds and the max that it can be set to is 60. These bows may require different cams or limbs to withstand the new weight. Then there are bows that can be set from 13 to 70 lbs.

Recommended Ranges for Modern Compound Bows

Very small child (55-70 lbs) 10-15 lbs
Small child (70-100 lbs) 15-25 lbs
Large child (100-130 lbs) 25-35 lbs
Small framed women (100-130 lbs) 25-35 lbs
Medium framed women (130-160 lbs) 30-40 lbs
Athletic older boy kids (130 lbs-150 lbs) 40-50 lbs
Small framed men (120-150 lbs) 45-55 lbs
Large Framed women (160+ lbs) 45-55 lbs
Medium framed men (150-180 lbs) 55-65 lbs
Large framed men (180+ lbs) 65-75 lbs

It’s also important to have matching arrows for your bow’s draw weight, check our article on choosing the best hunting arrows for more information.

State Regulation

Some states have minimum poundage that you must have your bow set to attempt to take big game.

When I first turned ten and was old enough to deer hunt in my state, I knew the minimum poundage for Arizona was 40 lbs. I shot my bow every day and did as many pushups as I could to try to meet that goal.

It took me a couple of years, but I finally got my bow set at that weight.

The reason for the minimum poundage is a great and much needed law. As any true hunter understands, an ethical kill is something that is always desired.

If your bow is shooting a lower poundage and a lower amount of kinetic energy then even with a perfect shot, you may just end up wounding the animal you are after. Just like draw length, some bows can be easily adjusted at home in a matter of seconds.

Sights

Trophy Ridge Alpha Bow Sight
Trophy Ridge Alpha Bow Sight

The sights on your bow allow you to pin point how high to hold your bow depending on how many yards you are from your target.

For many, they would have a pin set at 20 yards, the next would be at 30 yards and so on in increments of 10 yards. With the modern advancement in bows, understandably the accuracy has progressed in leaps and bounds. Sights are one of these progressions.

Different Types of Sights

It seems there are more options with different sights than there are with bows. From floating pins to 7 pin setups, the options are limitless.

If your bow doesn’t come with a sight, you need to understand the area and style you will be hunting. Tree stand, still hunting, ground blind, spot and stalk. Each sight has a benefit for those different styles of hunting.

7 pin sights are ideal for spot and stock or still hunting. This allows you to approach an animal or jump one and quickly find the pin depending on the distance.

The floating pin or adjustable single pin is perfect for ground blinds or a comfortable tree stand where you can adjust the sight to where the animal may be standing.

Make sure to also read our article on how to sight in a bow.

Sights & Ethical Shot

Field Logic IQ Micro 5 Pin sight
Field Logic IQ Micro 5 Pin Sight

The new advancement has also opened the door for sights such as 5 or 7 pin fixed, with the bottom pin being a floater. This allows the shooter to dial in a distance much farther than some believe ethical.

For some avid hunters, they will practice a really far shot such as 80 yards. Not to hunt at that distance, but it allows them to fix flaws with forms since mistakes are drastically noticeable.

Then when they move up to a closer distance, they are more consistent and make fewer mistakes with their form.

Keep in mind that you need to be extremely confident at any distance to make an ethical shot and you should only hunt within your confidence range.

Rest

A rest is an attachment on the bow that holds the arrow consistently in the same place and same angle every time as you draw back your bow and shoot.

Back in the day, the shooter would hold the arrow in place as they draw their bow back in order to keep it from falling off.

Rests have pretty much followed the technology with the sights, from drop away or whisker biscuits to mechanical rests, all the different styles are available. With the new styles, each one is effective so it comes down to preference.

Whisker Biscuit

Trophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit Dead Shot
Trophy Ridge

A whisker biscuit is a bunch of bristles that hold your arrow in place but also allows the fletchings on the arrow to slip through the bristles unnoticed.

Drop Away

DOA Drop Away Arrow Rest
AAE DOA

Drop away rests will hold your arrow up and when you release the string, the stand will drop and the arrow will float and shoot forward.

As with anything mechanical it can always malfunction, many people will steer clear of them because of the risks that they have. With any malfunction, it can cause the arrow to shoot off to one side or even injure the shooter among other results.

It all depends on who you talk to and what their preference is and the stories they have heard. I have personally shot both and both did the trick.

Further reading:

The Best Arrow Rests of 2019: The Definitive Guide (In-Depth Reviews)

Release Aids

Release-aid

Even though it isn’t part of a bow or attached to it, a good release aid can work wonders in grouping from consistency to perfect shot placements. A good release helps you draw the bow in comfort while waiting at full draw if need be.

Style

WOlLF 440C release-aid
WOLF 440C

There are a few different styles, some strap around your wrist and others are hand-held. Many of them are adjustable to different lengths which matter to get consistent anchor points which result in more consistency.

A cheap release-aid can have a stiff trigger which can cause flinching when trying to shoot at an animal during that adrenaline rush. The trigger shouldn’t be choppy at all, it should be a smooth process.

Hook caliper and double calipers are just a couple options for release-aids. Some argue that the double moving caliper is the way to go as the string won’t slip off the release, it will slide out smoothly seems how both jaws are moving at the same time.

Test them out first

Just like purchasing a bow, the way to find out what style of release you want is to test drive as many as possible. Any pro shop or big name outdoor store will have numerous release-aids that customers can try out until they find the exact one they want.

Some vary in size, length, and styles so you might end up buying one and then with more experience look into a different style.

Price to Quality Ratios

price tag

Price and quality are what majority of the people initially look at and want to know when purchasing a gear. You first need to understand what you plan to do with your bow.

If you are an adult, you can just buy one bow to last the rest of your life depending on the quality and money you invested on it. For those that are just going to shoot occasionally, then there is less need for a top of the line bow.

Purpose

If you are going to hunt, then there are corners that cannot be cut. Or if you are going into competitive shooting, then you might want the top of the line for the opportunity of the perfect shots.

Low-cost but cheaply manufactured bows tend to malfunction so sacrificing certain things make buyers regret later.

Looking at the top of the line bows, you are guaranteed quality which may even surpass the shooter themselves if being shot with poor form. For these bows, you must be willing to drop close to or over $1,000 for the bare bow.

Then there are great bows with good quality that the shooter could match and others that you can surpass. Poundage is one thing that many hunters and shooters can surpass so that needs to be accounted for and thought for future use.

My Experience

archer with generic bow

The bow I used to shoot as a young adult was my dad’s bow in the late 80’s.

I shot that bow for years until I was able to save up the money for a higher end bow. Then I went to several archery pro shops and shot every bow they had until I found one that felt perfect, smooth and most importantly comfortable in my hand.

In all honesty, it wasn’t the bow I was expecting. It didn’t cost me $1,000, it was just a basic no named bow that I liked. I didn’t buy it for the name. I bought it solely because of how it felt and how consistently it shot for me.

My wife recently did the same and ended up with a less expensive bow even when shot side by side with the top of the line bows.

Leading Compound Bow Brands

Precision Shooting Equipment (PSE)

PSE

Precision Shooting Equipment (PSE) is the largest privately owned archery manufacturer in the United States. PSE seems to incorporate everyone who may be interested in archery. Located in Tucson, Arizona, their customer service and their dealers seem to be top notch.

Any given day out on the range, the majority of bows that people will be shooting are PSE. Simply because this company offers such a wide variety of bows that everyone can afford and enjoy.

A lot of people have complained that their bows seem to have small issues or they need to be tuned quite often. But they have good customer service that are always willing to stand by their product and correct anything that is out of the norm such as a defect or mechanical issues.

Bowtech

Bowtech

Bowtech turned up the heat back in 2005 with their Allegiance by shooting it at 315 FPS.

This caused all of their competitors to up their game in order to hang with Bowtech. Their engineering seemed to have one up on all the other competitors. But as of today, the speed of all the bows has peaked around 350 FPS.

They produced the RPM 360 giving a speed of, well, 360 FPS. With a bow this fast, it is nice to see that they still have their engineering team always trying to improve their bows, and they are still in the business.

Bowtech also has their Diamond series bows, produced for those people who want to get into hunting but don’t want to take out a second mortgage on their home. Reasonably priced, their Diamond bows can hang with PSE’s lower priced bows.

Customer service

thumb down

One thing to take into account is that if you ever have any issues with your Bowtech bow, hopefully you have a great pro shop that you can take it to.

Their customer service is sub-par in the sense that even if your bow is still under warranty, you will have a fight on your hands.

Your best bet would be to take your bow to a local pro shop and see if their rep can help you out.

But that is a tricky part too. Some pro shops and major outdoor stores have stopped selling Bowtech because of this.

Regardless of the fact that their customer service isn’t that great, their flagship bows are hard to beat. Speed, accuracy and price range all fall in the range that a professional would expect them to be.

Mathews

Mathews

Matt McPherson first started making bows back in the early 70’s.

In the 90’s, Matthews came out with the Solo Cam which was considered by industry insiders as the greatest innovation of that era. The Solo Cam was quieter and extremely easy to tune making it a game changer in accuracy.

McPherson is an outdoorsman and understands what it takes to run a company. He understands that the hunter or consumer is what makes a company thrive so he has always put the customers’ needs before that of the company’s profit.

With just the opposite as Bowtech, Matthews’ customer service couldn’t be any better. They try to resolve all issues and concerns within a 24-hour window. They are a well-known brand and always produce quality equipment.

Hoyt

Hoyt

Hoyt is arguably the best of the best when it comes to competition and hunting bows.

With a quick visit to a non-sponsored pro shop, you will find nothing but great customer service and advice as the pro shop wants you to return to their store again.

Hoyt has been around since 1931 and seems to be the premier choice for celebrities and people with money. Once again, the phrase, you get what you pay for fits perfect for Hoyt. With their new carbon bows, they seem to be leading the industry in quality and performance.

Now, It Is Your Turn

James River Archery display
James River Archery display

When it comes to these top of the line manufacturers, it’s like you are arguing over Chevy, Ford or Dodge.

Each of those truck manufacturers does a great job, but if you ask some people who have strong negative opinions regarding a brand or two, and refuse to drive a certain type because of bad experiences or other issues.

The same goes for PSE, Bowtech, Mathews and Hoyt. Each company does a phenomenal job and pushes its competitors to be better.

But don’t just go and make a purchase of the first one you see. Make sure you test drive each brand, each model and decide for yourself, not just because your favorite celebrity shoots it. Shoot it because you feel comfortable shooting it.

This post is part of our hunting & shooting gear guide.

Other resources worth checking:

National Field Archery Association

North American Outfitters – Hunting bows service and repair.

Bowhunting Safari – Organizes bowhunting excursions worldwide.

The post 12 Best Compound Bows Reviewed & Revealed (Hands-on Guide) appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

]]>
https://outdoorempire.com/selecting-compound-bow-reviews/feed/ 19 PSE Bows - Design and brace height nonadult
7 Best Beginner Compound Bows Reviewed (Hands-on Guide) https://outdoorempire.com/choosing-beginner-compound-bow/ https://outdoorempire.com/choosing-beginner-compound-bow/#comments Thu, 11 Mar 2021 15:32:01 +0000 https://outdoorempire.com/?p=4805 If you are a new bow hunter and you walk into a bow shop or the bow section at a sporting goods store, the variety of bows on the wall can be intimidating. Usually, a shop has bows of all styles, sizes, colors, feature and part sets. So where do you start? It’s common fact ... Read more

The post 7 Best Beginner Compound Bows Reviewed (Hands-on Guide) appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

]]>
If you are a new bow hunter and you walk into a bow shop or the bow section at a sporting goods store, the variety of bows on the wall can be intimidating. Usually, a shop has bows of all styles, sizes, colors, feature and part sets. So where do you start?

It’s common fact that bows, like handguns, are not ideal as a present without the recipient’s input.

However, some bows naturally lend themselves towards being perfect for beginners.

These are good starting points as you handle and compare other bows in each category.

[toc]

The 7 Top Beginner Bows of 2021: Outdoor Empire Reviews

These are our top recommendations for beginner compound bows in 2021:

  1. Best all-around: Diamond Archery Infinite Edge
  2. SAS Rage
  3. Quest Radical
  4. Bear Authority Compound Bow
  5. Best youth: Bear Archery Cruzer Lite
  6. Best female: Bowtech Carbon Rose
  7. Best budget: Leader Accessories Compound Bow

*Looking for a specific feature? Check out our quick-reference chart below:
Product
Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Diamond Archery Infinite Edge
Bear Archery Cruzer Lite
Bear Archery Cruzer Lite

Bowtech Carbon Rose Bowtech Carbon Rose
IBO Speed310 FPS290 FPS302 FPS
Brace Height7 in6 in7 in
Axle to Axle31 in27 1/8 in30 in
Draw Length13-31 in12 - 27 in22.5 - 27 in
Let Off80%70%80%
CostCheck Price



Check PriceCheck Price

1. Best All-Around Beginner Bow

This category is for anyone that is an adult or has outgrown the youth and female category bows.

Some teenagers are going to be big enough and strong enough to shoot a full-size bow so there is no reason to start them on a youth bow at the upper end of its adjustability.

Some taller females may also have a draw length longer than the “female” bows are capable of adjusting to.

It comes with a lot of adjustability in an ideally sized frame. The price is extremely reasonable which is a huge plus.

As a beginning bow hunter, there is a good chance that your first bow is going to be a gateway to your next one so paying top dollar for the “end-all” bow is probably not the best choice.

Specs & Features

  • Adjustable draw weight from 5-70 pounds
  • Extremely adjustable draw length ranges from 13”-31”
  • Can shoot arrows up to 310 FPS
  • Smooth draw is easier for beginners to manage
  • 7” Brace Height and 31” axle to axle length is moderate measurements well-suited for beginners
  • Lightweight at 3.2 pounds so fatigue from carrying and handling the bow is less likely
  • Package includes rest, sight, stabilizer, and quiver — all basic for beginner use

2. SAS Rage

The SAS Rage is an affordable beginner’s bow that offers shooters a long-lasting and durable option. This dual eccentric cam design utilizes a draw length of 25 to 31 inches and an adjustable weight from 55 to 70 pounds. This is perfect for new archers and new hunters.

The bow limbs are made from ABS, which guarantees a long service life. ABS is a great compromise between strength, durability, and weight. The user can adjust the weight in 5-pound increments which allows them to tune the bow to their strength and to maximize power.

The SAS Rage sends arrows downrange at 270 FPS, and that’s plenty fast for hunters. Of course that 270- FPS is only reached when the bow is set to 70-pound draw weight. The Rage uses aluminum cams which do allow for a smooth and clean draw.

The SAS Rage gives shooters a bow they can confidently handle and shoot. Confidence is important, and the ability to easily change the draw weight is a major boost for new shooters.

Many may not be able to start at 70 pounds, but the bow allows them to work their way up to that speed. As they get stronger, they can move slowly up the draw weight as they learn and grow. The SAS Rage is perfect for beginners and comes in at a killer price.

Specs & Features:

  • Adjustable weight from 55 to 70 pounds in 5-pound
  • Arrows can reach 270 FPS
  • Designed to be easy to shoot
  • Affordable

3. Quest Radical

The Quest Radical is a vicious bow, but its perfect for beginners. It’ll give you a long service life and get you to the point where you’re a bit better than a beginner.

The bow can take you from beginner to skilled user and serve you at both stages well. The Quest Radical is nice and adjustable in a variety of ways.

The first is the draw weight. The weight can be adjusted from a light 40 pounds to a heavier 70 pounds. This makes it a solid choice for both shooters young and experienced.

40 pounds sounds heavier than it is, and most older children can easily handle it. When the bow is tuned to 70 pounds, you can easily hunt deer and hogs with it.

The Quest Radical also has an adjustable draw length from 26.5 inches to 31 inches. This accommodates a variety of different sized shooters. The bow weighs only 3.9 pounds and is an excellent bow for new archers. Get it and go.

Specs and Features:

  • Adjustable draw weight from 40 to 70 pounds
  • Adjustable draw length from 26.5 to 31 inches
  • 340 Feet Per Second arrow speed
  • Rotation Adjusting Draw length

4. Bear Authority Compound Bow

Bear Authority Compound BowThe Bear Authority Compound Bow is a lightweight little bow that won’t induce fatigue as you shoot round after round downrange. It weighs 4 pounds but still features a straight aluminum riser.

It’s a capable hunting bow and gives users an adjustable draw weight of 50-70 pounds.

The Bear Authority Compound Bow features an excellent customizable grip that allows you to change it for glove wearing, small hands, big hands, and more.

The Bear Authority is a short little bow which makes it excellent for humping through the woods and climbing a tree stand with.

The Bear Authority Compound Bow is affordable and a perfect new bow for new archers.

Specs and Features:

  • Adjustable Weight 50 to 70 pounds
  • 315 Feet per second arrow speed
  • Customizable grip
  • Short 6 ¾” brace height
  • Adjustable draw length from 24.5 to 31.5 inches

5. Best Youth Beginner Bow: Bear Archery Cruzer Lite

Buying a bow for a young hunter is a little bit like buying shoes for a teenage boy — both the shoes and the bow are going to be outgrown quickly.

With that in mind, a good beginner bow for a youth shooter is going to have lots of adjustability in draw weight and length, and should be reasonably priced.

Bear Archery Cruzer Lite

The Cruzer Lite by Bear Archery is my choice for best beginner youth bow because your youth hunter should get extended use out of it compared to less-adjustable bows.

With over 40 pounds of adjustment in draw weight and 15 inches in draw length, the Cruzer Lite can grow with the shooter. It is sold as a package (as most youth bows are) and it has an assortment of other features that make it an excellent choice.

Specs & Features

  • 45-pound max draw weight means it could be used legally to hunt big game in most states.
  • 5-pound minimum draw weight makes it shoot-able for shooters of almost any strength
  • Draw length adjusts from 12 to 27 inches
  • Available in purple, yellow and Realtree camouflage to appeal to a variety of preferences
  • Weighs just 3.2 pounds
  • 6” Brace Height and 27 1/8” Axle to Axle make it ideally sized for youth shooters
  • Capable of shooting arrows at up to 290 FPS
  • Comes with basic, quality accessories including a 3-Pin sight, Whisker Biscuit rest, and 4-arrow quiver, all made by Trophy Ridge.

6. Best Female Beginner Bow: Bowtech Carbon Rose

As the number of women participating in archery as hunters and target shooters has increased, so does the number of bows designed especially for females.

Not long ago, many female shooters were forced to buy a youth bow or bows marketed to women, which was most likely a standard bow in pink or purple camo.

Today, many manufacturers are designing bows from start to finish that caters female shooters.

Bowtech Carbon Rose

It is everything that has not been available in a bow for women in the past. While it is the “sister” bow of the Bowtech Carbon Overdrive, it has been built for the female shooter.

Bowtech sized it down to fit almost any female shooter and its design makes it smooth to draw and shoot. Because it is a serious bow, you pay a more serious price. Its features make it great for female shooters, from beginner to expert.

Specs & Features

  • Draw weight from 30-60 pounds makes it ideal for any woman who has outgrown youth bows like the Cruzer Lite
  • Draw Length of 22.5”-27” fits most females
  • Capable of arrow speeds of up to 302 FPS
  • 7” brace height and 30” axle to axle length are catered to women and right dimensions for beginners
  • Slim, comfortable grip for smaller hands
  • Can be purchased as a package or a bare bow
  • Available in Mossy Oak camo or carbon (both with purple accents)

7. Best Budget Beginner Compound Bow: Leader Accessories Compound Bow

Leader Accessories Compound Bow

It’s easy to lose quality when you’re trying to save money.

Leader Accessories’ compound bow is a leader in the value/quality department, though.

This beginner’s compound bow is a surprisingly capable bow that has a draw weight of 30 pounds on the low end and 55 pounds on the high end. This is low enough for beginner adult archers and goes high enough for deer and even black bear hunting.

The maximum speed of 296 feet per second is respectable, as is the 70 percent let-off.

Part of what makes this bow so good, though, is that the kit includes a fair amount of accessories you’d have to otherwise buy yourself. They aren’t the highest quality, but they are good enough for most people.

If you want to go all-in, there’s a full accessory kit (ASIN: B077DMK8TR) that adds even more to the package, such as a dozen arrows, a dozen paper targets, a bow bag, two types of arrow rests, limb dampeners, and even an arrow puller!

Leader Accessories even covers this bow with a 1-year warranty.

Specs & Features

  • Adjustable draw weight from 30 to 55 pounds
  • Adjustable draw length from 19 inches to 29 inches
  • Adjusts with an Allen wrench
  • Arrow speeds can reach 296 feet per second
  • Lets off 70 percent of the weight at full draw
  • Weighs only 3.3 pounds
  • Package includes a bow, release, nock loop, peep sight, flight rail lube, drop-away arrow rest, fiber-optic pin sight, and two 30-inch aluminum arrows
  • 1-year warranty

Points to Consider When Choosing

Pick a Good Bow Shop

As a beginning bow hunter, you might be tempted to price-shop bows, which can often lead you to buy from a store based on price. This may work out for you, but often it does not.

If you have multiple places to purchase bows near you, visit a couple of shops and see where the staff is the most helpful and knowledgeable. Online reviews are also useful for finding a quality bow shop.

The right bow shop will be a huge help in selecting and setting up a bow for you initially. They will also be helpful as you learn more about shooting and when your bow will need further accessorizing and adjusting.

At the wrong bow shop, you may have a hard time getting any help at all.

Start Simple

Hoyt compound bows

It is tempting to go straight to the newest bow loaded with all of the accessories. However, there are certain features on a bow that make them ideal for advanced shooters, but not as ideal for a new shooter. Here are a couple of specifics to consider:

Brace Height

Brace height is the distance between the grip of the bow and the bow string when in the undrawn position.

If the bow has a longer brace height, the arrow spends less time in contact with the string. This makes it more forgiving for new shooters. A shorter brace height results in a faster arrow speed so it may be a better choice for a bow down the line.

Axle to Axle Dimension

Generally, bows seem to be getting smaller and smaller, particularly when the axle to axle dimension is concerned.

Short bows are lighter and more compact, making them easier to carry around in the woods or up to tree stands. However, they are also a little less stable when shooting than their longer counterparts.

For your first bow, look for something in the middle of the spectrum which should afford you some increased stability without being overly large.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi78tus3KtA

Draw Weight

Buying a bow that tests the upper limits of your strength is likely to yield poor results. Just because you can draw a bow set at 70 pounds does not make it a good choice. Start with a bow adjusted to a weight that you can draw comfortably.

Starting with a bow that requires too much force to draw is likely to create bad habits that may be inaccurate or unsafe.

Simple Accessories

There are lots of options when it comes to rests, sights, stabilizers and a gamut of other products you can hang off your bow.

If you intend to upgrade to a drop-away rest in the future, I suggest starting with a basic, stationary one like a Whisker Biscuit. Similarly, I suggest going with a simple, multiple pin sight.

Handle and Shoot Lots of Bows

bow hunter hands on compound bow

After finding your preferred bow shop and narrowing down your selection with the above criteria, it is time to pick your bow.

Ask for the bows that fit into your category and hold them to know how they feel on the hand. This is one area where having a good shop comes into play.

The right store, with an attached range, should let you demo a variety of bows to know which one works best for you. If the bow meets the other criteria points and feels great to handle and shoot, it is the right one for you.

Price

price tag

Depending on your budget, the price may or may not have to be a factor in your decision. However, cheap bows are not as easy to shoot and may likely cause a discouraging experience.

Bows made by reputable manufacturers, on the other hand, are less likely to have this issue but the price is slightly higher.

Buying a moderately priced bow as your first is going to give you an idea of what you like or do not like, so buying your second bow is a little less painful.

Final Thoughts

I favor beginner bows that have lots of adjustability because they fit a variety of shooters. Unless you are very tall, one of these three bows should fit you and adjust to your draw length.

They also adjust up or down to accommodate almost any level of strength. All of them are also capable of draw weights legal for hunting and propelling arrows at lethal speeds.

I also favored bows that are sold as packages with the basic accessories included. This simplifies the purchasing process, and again, you can decide your preferences for accessories as you become more experienced.

I believe if you follow the steps for selecting the first bow, you are going to have a good bow-buying experience. The suggested bows should provide an excellent starting point when you ask to handle or shoot an assortment of bows at your local shop.

Make sure to also take a look at our guide to best compound bow which will go more in-depth about a lot of topics discussed here and it will have even more bow recommendations for you.

For more advice on getting started with archery check out our guide on how to shoot a bow.

The post 7 Best Beginner Compound Bows Reviewed (Hands-on Guide) appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

]]>
https://outdoorempire.com/choosing-beginner-compound-bow/feed/ 4 Bowhunting Archives | Outdoor Empire nonadult