Archery

Crossbows

Crossbows have become the dominant archery hunting platform in most states, offering rifle-like accuracy with archery season access. Modern crossbows from Ravin, TenPoint, and Excalibur shoot 400+ fps and are accurate well past 60 yards with proper technique. Ravin’s HeliCoil technology produces extremely narrow axle-to-axle widths (as little as 6″ cocked) that make them easy to maneuver from a treestand. TenPoint focuses on safety and accuracy, with their Nitro series producing consistent sub-1-inch groups at 20 yards. Barnett and Killer Instinct offer capable crossbows at more accessible price points. CenterPoint and Excalibur serve the recurve crossbow market for hunters who prefer simpler mechanics and easier maintenance.

Compound Bows

Compound bows use a system of cams and cables to reduce the holding weight at full draw, allowing shooters to hold at full draw longer for more accurate shots. Hoyt, Mathews, PSE, Bear, and Elite are the leading compound bow manufacturers. Hoyt and Mathews command a premium for their precision manufacturing and cam systems; PSE and Bear offer strong performance at more accessible prices. Draw weight and draw length must be properly fit to the shooter — most bow purchases benefit from a proper draw length fitting at a pro shop. Let-off (how much the draw weight reduces at full draw) typically ranges from 70–90%, with higher let-off being easier to hold.

Crossbow vs. Compound Bow: Which Is Right for You?

Crossbows are easier to learn, can be held at full draw indefinitely (once cocked), and are more accessible for hunters with physical limitations. Most states allow crossbow use during archery season for all hunters, though some still restrict them to specific seasons or disabled hunters — check your state regulations. Compound bows require more practice to shoot accurately, but offer a more immersive archery experience and typically have lower cost of operation (bolts are more expensive than arrows). For hunters new to archery, crossbows provide the fastest path to accuracy and success in the field.

Arrows and Bolts

Arrow selection for compound bows involves spine stiffness (matched to draw weight and arrow length), point weight, and fletching type. Carbon arrows from Easton, Gold Tip, and Carbon Express are the standard for hunting — lighter than aluminum, more consistent, and resilient to bending. For crossbows, bolt length and weight must match the manufacturer’s specifications. Using the wrong bolts voids warranties and can damage the crossbow. Most crossbow manufacturers sell their own bolts, but aftermarket options from Carbon Express and Gold Tip are widely used.

Broadheads

Broadheads are the business end of a hunting arrow or bolt. Fixed-blade broadheads (like Muzzy and G5 Montec) are more accurate at distance and more durable; mechanical (expandable) broadheads like Rage and G5 Deadmeat fly more like field points but depend on reliable blade deployment. For crossbow hunting at higher speeds, mechanical broadheads designed specifically for crossbow velocities (typically labeled as such) are important — standard archery mechanical broadheads can deploy prematurely at crossbow speeds. Always practice with your chosen broadhead before season.

Bow Sights and Accessories

Bow sights range from simple single-pin fixed sights to multi-pin adjustable sights to digital rangefinding sights. Trophy Ridge, Black Gold, Axcel, and HHA Sports are well-regarded sight manufacturers. Peep sights, arrow rests (drop-away and whisker biscuit styles), stabilizers, and wrist slings round out a complete bow setup. For crossbows, most come with a scope; aftermarket crossbow-specific scopes from Vortex and TenPoint improve ranging precision. A quality release aid is essential for compound bow accuracy — wrist strap releases for beginners, thumb releases or hinge releases for advanced shooters.

Related Pages

Browse our dedicated crossbow selection for the full crossbow inventory. See our hunting gear page for other hunting accessories, and hunting rifles for firearm alternatives during rifle season.