Are you planning to hunt some elks this weekend? Then you’re at the right place! That’s because today we’re going to take a look at some of our picks for the best bow for hunting deer. As you probably know, there are many alternatives available out there. However, only a few are actually able to provide satisfactory performance. On this occasion, we’ll give you some of the most recommended alternatives for the best compound bow for hunting deer.
Before we start with the reviews, we’ll give you a kind of quick buying guide. Here we’ll discuss several factors that you should consider, before choosing the best recurve bow for hunting deer. So are you all guys ready? Let’s just get started then!
How to Choose The Best Bow for Hunting Deer
Picking the best bow for hunting deer is never an easy task. Especially if you’re relatively new to bowhunting. But don’t worry, because that’s exactly why you are here. We’ll help you out by uncovering three factors you should consider before buying the best compound bow for hunting deer or the best recurve bow for hunting deer. Keep reading to find a more detailed explanation of this.
Recurve or Compound
Most hunters will prefer compound bows. That’s because they’re generally easier to aim for and draw. You’ll also get more power. That’s why this type of bow is highly recommended for beginners.
Meanwhile, recurve bows are usually much simpler. However, they tend to offer less power and are slightly more difficult to operate. So, whenever you decide to look for the best bow for hunting deer, always consider it based on your needs.
Silencer
In case you didn’t know, deer are sensitive animals. They can hear a noise, even from a considerable distance. So, unless you get the best compound bow for hunting deer or the best recurve bow for hunting deer with good sound suppression, forget about getting your game in the ideal range.
However, you need to know that not a single crossbow is completely silent. There’ll always be a slight noise or vibration when you release the arrow. But the good news is, you can minimize this with string silencers or dampeners. So, make sure you’re looking for this feature when choosing the best bow for hunting deer.
Velocity
Next, make sure that the best bow for hunting the deer you get is capable of flying arrows fairly quickly. In other words, you’re going to want good velocity. It’s measured in fps or feet per second. The higher the fps number, the faster the arrow will cut through the air. A decent hunting bow should have an fps figure of around 400. So if you’re looking at anything below that, we’d suggest considering other alternatives.
What Pound Bow Should I Use for Deer Hunting?
In our experience, a bow with a draw weight of 40 pounds will be more than enough to knock out some big games. But if you’re planning on chasing down an elk, bear, or moose, you might want to go with something around 50 pounds.
Are Crossbows More Accurate Than Bows?
Well, the short answer is no. A crossbow is generally heavier and not easy to handle. Apart from that, it’ll be much harder for you to get steady while shooting. Therefore, a bow would be a much more accurate hunting gear.
Which is a Better Crossbow or Bow?
This actually depends on your personal preference. Both are actually great for hunting. If you need quick shots, go with the crossbow. But if you prefer something easier to handle, the bow will be a remarkable choice.
Southland Archery Supply SAS Rage 70
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Southland Archery Supply SAS Rage will be great for any novice hunter. It doesn’t have a bow sight, stabilizer, quiver, or basically all the items you need for deer-hunting. Wait, what? Yep, you read that right. However, this is actually something positive. Since the crossbow doesn’t come with the pre-installed part, you can choose to add the ones you really feel you need the most. This way, you’ll learn more about bowhunting at the same time!
As for feet per second, the SAS Rage will give you no less than 270. That’s much better than most similar products. Apart from that, this best bow for deer hunting has a draw weight of between 55 and 70 pounds, which is more than enough for beginner hunters.
What We Love
Offers the opportunity to add parts as needed
Pros:
- Opportunity for customization
- 270 fps
- Great for deer-hunting
- 70% let-off
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with a sight and stabilizer
Buy on:
Leader Accessories Compound Bow
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Getting the right gear for the best crossbow for hunting deer can be a hassle, especially if you’re a youth archer. That’s why we always recommend getting a crossbow that comes in a ready-to-wear form – just like the Leader Accessories Compound Bow. Besides the bow sight and drop-away rest, you’ll also get a bow release, stabilizer, 12 carbon arrows, and a travel case.
As for the weight draw, the Leader Accessories Compound Bow lies between 30-50 pounds. We know, it’s a little lacking if you plan on knocking down bigger targets. But if you’re looking for the best crossbow for hunting deer, this is perfect. Apart from that, this crossbow has a maximum fps of 296, which is faster than most crossbows in its class.
What We Love
Comes in a ready-to-use form
Pros:
- Come with pre-installed parts
- 296 fps
- Recommended for beginners
- Ideal for deer-hunting
Cons:
- Not suitable for left-handed archers
Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro Package
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Looking to improve your game? Then look no further than the Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro Bow Package. Comes with no less than 310 fps, this crossbow is far more superior to similar gears of its caliber. Apart from that, you’ll get an adjustable draw weight. So if you’re new to bowhunting, you can start with the low draw weight. Over time, you can improve your technique, and gradually shift to a higher weight.
With a maximum draw length of up to 30 inches, this is also the best crossbow for hunting deer suitable for tall archers. However, if you’re planning to knock down targets at a longer distance, you may want to change the default sight. The same applies to the stabilizer. This way, you’ll get much better stability.
What We Love
Adjustable draw weight, great for beginner bowhunters
Pros:
- 310 feet-per-second
- Adjustable draw weight
- Stiff back wall
- Redesigned cam system
Cons:
- The stabilizer could be better
Bear Cruzer G2
10
Bear Cruzer G2 is a fairly popular hunting gear. It stands out in a lot of categories, making it ideal for many different scenarios – including deer-hunting. One of the things that makes this bow so popular is its adaptability. Bear Cruzer allows users to set draw cycle settings based on their own skills and profile. With G2, this has improved significantly. Instead of having to fiddle with tons of hardware, you just have to choose between performance or comfort mode.
When it comes to accuracy, the G2 definitely deserves to be called the best bow for hunting deer. It has four-panel shooters, which are proven to provide minimal vibration and no less than 86 percent efficiency. So, if you’re looking for the best compound bow for hunting deer, this one is definitely worth considering.
What We Love
Simple setup
Pros:
- 315 fps
- Light
- 86 percent efficiency
- Ideal for a variety of different scenarios
Cons:
- It’s quite noisy
Buy on:
PSE Archery Full Throttle
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It’s no exaggeration to call the PSE Archery Full Throttle one of the fastest bows around. In optimal conditions, this is the best bow for hunting deer that can send arrows up to a maximum speed of 370 feet per second. It’s definitely an impressive ability, especially when compared to other hunting gear of the same caliber.
PSE has long been known to produce some of the best compound bows for hunting deer and Full Throttle definitely lives up to that reputation. It comes with two fantastic features, a hybrid cam system, and preloaded limbs. Especially for the cams, they’re made specifically using 6061 T6 aluminum. This will ensure the gear is extremely strong and can last more than just a season.
What We Love
One of the fastest bow around
Pros:
- 370 fps
- Great precision
- X-technology
- Hybrid cam
Cons:
- It comes only with a bow
Bear Archery Cruzer RTH
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Did you know that archery is one of the activities that can be learned from an early age? It’ll teach children some values such as hard work, decision making, to self-confidence. But of course, provided it’s done with optimal safety and care. Fortunately, there’s the Bear Archery Cruzer that allows you to do just that.
This is the best bow for hunting deer that is suitable for children aged four to adults. All thanks to its fully-adjustable draw length. You can choose anything between 12 to 30 inches. The same applies to the draw weight, which allows you to choose between 15 and 70 lbs. Best of all, these settings don’t require you to have a bow press. In other words, you can do it yourself at home!
What We Love
Great and suitable for all ages
Pros:
- Adjustable draw weight
- Great for target practice
- No bow press required
- Only weighs about 3 lbs
Cons:
- Nothing, as far as we know
Quest Forge DTH
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Bowhunting is something that’s not easy to learn. Sometimes, most people choose to quit because they feel intimidated by the various components and accessories that are needed. In fact, not all of these things are really essential. And for that, we highly recommend the Quest Forge DTH Compound Bow Package.
This is the best bow for hunting deer designed with youth archers in mind. It comes in a compact and ready-to-use package. The draw length itself ranges from 25.5 to 30 inches, or in other words, perfect for most people. As for the draw weight, you’ll get around 40 pounds, although that can be adjusted up to 70 pounds. Apart from that, you’ll also get some essential goodies such as a stabilizer, optical sight, neoprene wrist sling, quiver, and arrow rest.
What We Love
Comes in a ready-to-use form
Pros:
- Single cam bow
- Forged machine construction
- Slide guard roller
- Wider limbs
Cons:
- The light on the arrow sight is finicky
Mandarin Duck Nighthawk
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Mandarin Duck Nighthawk is the best bow for hunting deer that’ll make you scrunch your eyebrows. It has a design that is, if we might say, completely out of the ordinary. We’ve to admit, we’ve never seen anything like this before. But when it comes to performance, the Duck Nighthawk is just like, or even superior, to most of the best compound bows for hunting deer.
Once you get hold of this fantastic unit, you’ll find it tiny, yet sturdy enough to take on a different kind of abuse. After we checked the specs list, we found that the bow is only 24 inches long and weighs a total of 4.4 lbs. Wow, impressive! Nevertheless, it has some great tricks under its sleeves. First of all, it is capable of shooting arrows at speeds of up to 270 fps. Apart from that, the design is so smart that this bow will suit both rights and left-handed.
What We Love
Unique design, impressive performance
Pros:
- Compact design
- Light
- Grip style pistol
- Remarkable accuracy
Cons:
- The design may not be for everyone
iGlow 55lb
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Looking for something that doesn’t force you to break the bank? iGlow 55lb would definitely meet those criteria. This product is designed to be your first step into archery, something that many consider an expensive hobby.
iGlow has a really affordable price tag. But apart from that, this is the best bow for hunting deer that is relatively easy to manage. Anyone, ranging from beginner to intermediate hunter, should be able to do well with this gear. It has a 55-pound draw weight, which should be more than enough to hunt several medium-size targets. We also like the fact that this bow only weighs about 4 pounds. This way, you will have no trouble carrying it for a long time.
What We Love
A recommended entry-level bow
Pros:
- Up to 55 lb draw weight
- Nicely polished
- Decent precision
- 220 fps
Cons:
- Don’t come up with a quiver
Buy on:
Diamond Archery Edge Sb-1
4
How’re you, left-handed guys? Having trouble finding the best bow for hunting deer that suits you? Well, we have some great news here. Introducing the Diamond Archery Edge SB-1. This is hunting gear specially designed for left-handers. You’ll get nothing less than a true Southpaw bow. Accuracy, safety, stability, it’s all here!
Looking for something specific? Don’t worry, because the SB-1 has a completely adjustable draw weight. You can choose anything between 7 and 70 pounds, depending on your profile and skills. Apart from that, this fantastic bow will have your arrows cut through the air to a maximum speed of 318 fps. That should be more than enough to knock out some big games. If you ask us, this is the best compound bow for hunting deer which is really impressive and of high quality. Don’t hesitate to pick it up if you happen to see one in the wild.
What We Love
Great for left-handers
Pros:
- 318 fps
- Adjustable draw weight
- Affordable
- Easy to pick
Cons:
- It’s a little louder than most bows
Buy on:
Bear Approach HC
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Most people say that archery is quite an expensive hobby. While that’s not entirely wrong, you can actually get decent equipment at affordable prices. One of them is the Bear Approach HC. This is the best bow for hunting deer that comes in a complete package. It has everything you need to knock out some big games, while at the same time it won’t hurt your wallet.
Speed is one of the things that makes Bear Approach HC stand out from the crowd. It’s capable of shooting bolts up to speeds of 340 feet-per-second, effectively making it one of the best compound bows for hunting deer around. It’s all possible thanks to the presence of a hybrid cam and Sonic Nocks, which allows you to get fewer vibrations. Apart from that, the bow also has an adjustable draw length, making it perfect for beginners.
Looking for some other hunting gear recommendations? Then you might want to take a look at the list of the 13 best rubber hunting boots. For extra protection, check out our coverage of the 13 best hunting jackets.
What We Love
Affordable price, decent performance
Pros:
- Realtree pattern
- 340 fps
- Hybrid cam system
- Smooth draw cycle
Cons:
- Nothing, as far as we know
Bear Divergent EKO
2
If you’re looking for a bow that looks good, is light, and easy to manage, Bear Divergent EKO is a remarkable choice. The feature we like the most about this gear is the EKO Cam system. It allows you to set the number of let-offs, according to your profile. Apart from that, the bow has decent shot capabilities, averaging 1.52-inch groups.
However, that doesn’t mean EKO’s Bear Divergent is a flawless product. First of all, it’s one of the loudest bows on this list. You’ll feel a fair amount of vibration, as you open fire. Apart from that, you’ll need quite a bit of effort to pull the strings. With this being said, this is still the best bow for hunting deer. If you’re a little tight on a budget, this would be great.
What We Love
Looks great, offers a nice fit
Pros:
- Compact design
- EKO Cam system
- Adjustable let-off
- Easy to operate
Cons:
- It’s pretty loud
Buy on:
Hoyt Axius Alpha
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Hoyt Axius Alpha will be great for anyone who needs some quick shots. The new ZTR cam is a significant improvement over the previous model. It successfully suppresses both noise and vibration. Other than that, the bow has a solid black wall, just as promised.
On the downside, the Axius Alpha is a pretty demanding bow. The draw cycle will require you to put a lot of effort into it. Apart from that, the price is also quite expensive for the best bow for hunting deer. However, it’s not all dooms and glooms. As a bonus, you’ll get some impressive features such as a rear stabilizer port and an Integrated Rest System.
So, have you decided where to go hunting this weekend? If you’re planning on going somewhere cold, you might want to get some extra protection. Check out our list for the 13 best boots for hunting in cold weather.
What We Love
Highly recommended for quick shots
Pros:
- New ZTR cam system
- Built for tight spaces
- Integrated Rest System
- Aircraft-grade aluminum riser
Cons:
- The draw cycle is quite demanding
