Finding just the right compound bow for hunting can bring more misery as pleasure.
Why?
Because there are so many things that you need to consider before buying the bow that will either make or break your hunting trip.
Let’s face it.
Some bows are not up for the task when you specifically want to use them for hunting purposes. Some of them are way too long which makes it harder to shoot from within a tight space.
The solution…
In this article, I am going to cover 10 compound bows that are the best when it comes to hunting. I will cover very important aspects such as draw weight, speed, the cost, draw length and also some of the accessories that will give you an edge.
>> Click Here To See Our Favorite Compound Bow For Hunting <<
Feel free to go over the guide below which will deal with how to choose the right bow for your hunting needs.
If you want to skip that section then I would recommend you to head over to the products section.
How to choose the right bow for hunting?
If you are new to hunting or shooting or just bow hunting in general, then I would highly recommend this section to you especially if you do not know what you want yet. If you are a newbie when it comes to compound bows, then I would recommend reading this article on best beginner compound bows. You can also learn more about my crossbow guide if you are into crossbows.
Draw weight & speed
There are 2 factors that will determine if a bow is suitable for hunting or not and it includes draw weight and speed.
The draw weight is the amount of force needed to pull the string of the bow out of its resting position.
Once the string is pulled back, it will load the bow with potential energy that will be released as kinetic energy into the arrow once released.
The mass of the arrow along with the kinetic energy will create momentum and speed which is important for if you want to take down animals.
The minimum required speed is recommended to be at least 250 feet per second for hunting.
The draw weight is determined by how tight or how loose the upper and lower limbs are. The tighter the limbs, the higher the draw weight and the looser the lower the draw weight.
For deer (I consider deer to be of medium frame), I would recommend a bow with a draw weight of at least 40 pounds.
Animals such as the elk, moose, and bear, I would consider as large frame animals and they need a stronger bow in order to take down.
For larger animals such as elk, I would recommend a bow with at least 50 pounds of draw weight and animals such as moose and bear, I would recommend at least 65 pounds of draw weight.
Please view the summary below for more info:
- Deer (medium frame) – at least 40 pounds draw weight.
- Elk (Medium/Large frame) – at least 50 pounds of draw weight.
- Moose and bear (Large frame) – at least 65 pounds of draw weight.
If you would like to get your hands on a bow that has the ability to take down all of the mentioned animals plus more, then I would highly recommend the Bear Archery Cruzer which is also my top recommended.
Most of the bows in this article can be adjusted by loosening the lower or upper limb bolts. Please view the video below for how to adjust the draw weight of your bow:
Budget
It is very hard to find a good quality compound bow suitable for hunting where the price is under $100 per bow. The least expensive option in this listing is around $100 while one of the most expensive bows are almost reaching the $400 mark.
The average price range will go from $150 up to $350.
If you are new to bow hunting in general or you are not that serious when it comes to bow hunting and you want the least expensive option, then I would recommend the bow from Leader Accessories which is also a good option.
Draw length
The draw length is the distance of the string from resting position to where it cannot be pulled any further. All of the bows in this listing will have a minimum and also a maximum draw length.
The draw length will range from a minimum of 11 inches up to 31 inches max.
Here, you also need to make sure that your arm has enough “reach” for those longer draw lengths.
If you would like to introduce one of your youngsters to bow hunting then I would recommend the PSE Fever as this bow has a minimum draw length of 11 inches which is short enough for youngsters.
Additional accessories
There are some accessories that you just cannot go without. Below I will mention some of the accessories that will really make a difference.
a) Optical Sight
One of those accessories is going to be the sight. If you do not have a good sight, then how will you be able to “estimate” where your shot is going to land?
If you are picky like me and you would like a bow that comes with the best sight, then I would recommend the SAS Feud which has a 5 pin sight which is also illuminated.
b) Weight Stabilizer
The weight stabilizer will act as a counterweight to the limbs and cams of the bow once drawn.This will give you so much better control over the bow.
let’s be honest.
You need as much control as possible before launching the arrow in order to land that perfect shot. There are a few things worse as wounding an animal.
Below are some of the bows that have very balanced counterweights:
1. Bear Archery Cruzer (Top Pick)
All of these bows are good options but I prefer the first one.
c) String dampener
This is the part that will connect with the string once it is in its resting position.
Most of them are made out of rubber which cancels most of the noise when the string will start to vibrate.
If you do not have one of these dampeners, then your bow will most likely sound like a one string guitar which is not good for hunting at all.
d) Compatible Quiver
Most of the bows will also come with a quiver that you can attach to your bow.
Most quivers will hold an average of 4 arrows and are very important for having quick access to an arrow after spotting that buck which antlers are trophy worthy.
#1 Bear Archery Cruzer (Editor’s Choice)
- Rating: 10/10
- Price: $$$
- Draw Weight: 5 – 70 pounds
- Speed: 310 fps
- Draw Lenght: 12 – 30 inches
If you would like to know which bow was my favorite, then I would point you out to the Bear Archery Cruzer which is of very high quality and not that expensive compared to some of the other bows with the same stats.
More on the features:
- Is made to be strong and lightweight. This product is made out of aluminum which is both a strong and lightweight metals which also adds to the durability.
- Very flexible draw weight. This bow can operate a draw weight from 5 up to 70 pounds. This makes it ideal for almost any person. You can easily adjust the draw weight by loosening the lower or upper limb bolts.
- Can shoot from medium to large frame game. You can shoot from hogs up to even a moose with this bow if your draw weight is set high enough.
- Has a speed to die for. This bow has a maximum speed of 296 feet per second which is more than enough to classify this bow as a hunting bow.
- Has a very effective stabilizer. You will notice that this bow has longer stabilizer than some of the other which mean that it will compensate for more weight which will make you more accurate.
- Has an illuminated sight and noise dampener. The sight of this bow has 4 pins where at the point of each point will also be illuminated which make it good to use at either dawn or dusk. The noise damper will also cancel out most of the noise which might scare away the animals.
- Also comes with a quiver. The quiver can be attached to the side of the bow and can hold up to 5 arrows.
Now at least, you know why this bow is my favorite. This bow can also be used by beginners or experts alike. The only minor problem might be the setup where most beginners might struggle to attach all of the components. Play video below to learn more about the Bear Archery Cruzer. Also keep in mind that the price went down after this video was shot.
What we liked
What we didn’t like
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#2 Leader Accessories Compound Bow
- Rating: 7/10
- Price: $
- Draw Weight: 30 – 55 pounds
- Speed: 296 fps
- Draw Lenght: 19 – 29 inches
If you are just getting started with bow hunting and you do not want to spend that much money, then I would highly recommend the Leader Accessories Compound Bow. This bow is also the least expensive bow in this review but is still able to hunt deer and larger game.
Some of the features that make this bow good:
- Can mostly hunt small to medium game. This bow has a draw weight of 30-55 pounds which is enough to kill the most medium sized game and some larger sizes as well.
- Has a pretty decent speed. This compound bow has a maximum speed of 296 feet per second which is fast enough to take down animals in the hunting space.
- Relatively lightweight. This bow is also very lightweight with a weight of 3.3 pounds or just under 1.5 kg.
- Preferred arrow weight. This bow will need a preferred arrow with a weight of 100 grains.
- The draw weight can be adjusted. You can make the use of an Allen key to adjust the draw weight by adjusting the upper and lower limb bolts.
- Not such a good sight. The sight will resemble a 1 sharp pin that can also be adjusted.
This is a perfect bow for those that are just getting started with bow hunting. The only problem with this bow is that it is a mere skeleton but also has massive potential once you start to pack some “meat” on it. Play video below to learn more about the Leader Accessories Compound Bow.
What we liked
What we didn’t like
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#3 SAS Scorpii
- Rating: 8/10
- Price: $
- Draw Weight: 30 – 55 pounds
- Speed: 260 fps
- Draw Lenght: 19 – 29 inches
If you still want a very inexpensive bow that also comes with a better sight and a damper then you will love the bow from SAS Scorpii. This bow is in the same price class as the Leader Accessories bow.
Some of the features that you will love:
- Can take down most types of game. This bow has a draw weight of 30 – 55 pounds that can also be changed by adjusting the upper and lower limb bolts.
- The speed is pretty good. This bow will have a maximum speed of 260 feet per second which is fast enough at least for hunting.
- Will shoot more accurately. You will also get a stabilizer that you can attach that will help you to better aim at your target.
- Will not make a lot of noise. This is crucial for hunting as the noise that you make can scare the game away. This bow also has a sting damper that will cancel out some of the noise.
- Has a better sight. The sight that comes with the bow also has 3 pins that can be used to compensate for the arrow drop across longer distances.
This is a very good bow that has some of the premium features that I really like such as a better sight, string damper and also a stabilizer. There is also more options and colors available to choose from.
What we liked
What we didn’t like
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#4 SAS Rage
- Rating: 8.5/10
- Price: $
- Draw Weight: 55 – 70 pounds
- Speed: 270 fps
- Draw Lenght: 25 – 31 inches
If you want a bow that has enough draw weight to take down most of the larger game like elk and moose then you might want to consider looking at the SAS Rage. This bow is not expensive at all compared to what it can do and all that is included.
More info on this powerhouse:
- Can take down any medium to large frame game. You are not only limited to deer but can also take down elk and other larger type animals such as a moose even at its lowest draw weight range. This bow has a draw weight of 55 – 70 pounds.
- Relatively good speed. This bow has a maximum speed of 270 feet per second which is more than enough for most game.
- Has a longer draw length. This product has a draw length of 25 up to 31 inches which might not be suitable for women or child at all. If you are a male with a larger frame, then you might be able to execute this bow without any problems.
- Will shoot silently. This bow also has a damper that will cancel some of the noise that the string makes which will result in a stealthier hunt.
- The sight is pretty good. Compared to some of the other bows in this review, this one had a very nice sight that has 3 pins for multiple ranges.
- Also comes with a stabilizer. This stabilizer will help to balance the bow and in return will make your shooting much more accurate.
For me, this was a perfect bow for if you want to hunt a larger animal. The only drawback is that you need longer arms in order to fully utilize this bow. Play video below to learn more about the SAS Rage.
What we liked
What we didn’t like
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#5 Predator Archery RAPTOR
- Rating: 9/10
- Price: $$
- Draw Weight: 30 – 70 pounds
- Speed: 315 fps
- Draw Lenght: 24.5 – 31 inches
If you would like to get your hands on some of the more premium bows, that are fully equipped for hunting, then you might want to consider the Predator Archery Raptor. We are also starting to reach the $200 mark.
Let’s see what this bow can do:
- Has enough power to take down larger animals. This bow has a draw weight of 30 to 70 pounds which makes it possible to take down larger animals such as a moose.
- Is fast enough for a flatter trajectory. The speed of the arrow will reach a maximum of 315 feet per second which will be fast enough to give you a flatter trajectory.
- Also has a longer draw length. This bow has almost the same output as the SAS Rage which means that it will also have a similar draw length of 24.5 – 31 inches which is better for larger people.
- Is best used with a 350-grain arrow. If you use an arrow that has the right type and weight then you will bring out the full potential out of this bow.
- Has a good sight, damper, and stabilizer. You will get all 3 of these items where the sight has 5 distance pins, a damper that makes it less noisy and also a stabilizer that will give you better control over this bow.
- Will have a better hold on this bow. When the draw weight is set to maximum (which is 70 pounds) and you pull the string back until it reaches a certain point, then you only need to hold it with 17.5 pounds which also gives you a period until you need to release the arrow.
This is a very good bow that has some pretty good features. The only problem was that the stabilizer might be too lightweight for this size bow.
What we liked
What we didn’t like
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#6 Quest Radical
- Rating: 9/10
- Price: $$$
- Draw Weight: 15 – 70 pounds
- Speed: 295 fps
- Draw Lenght: 17.5 – 30 inches
If you want a bow similar to the Bear Archery Cruzer regarding specs and performance, then I would highly recommend this bow from Quest Radical. This bow is also suitable for everyone because of its flexibility when it comes to draw-weight. This bow is also in the same price class as that of the Bear Archery bow, but a little bit more expensive.
Features that you will love:
- Comes in more than 1 color: This bow comes in 2 main colors which will be the normal Realtree and also purple.
- I suitable for everyone. This bow has a draw weight of between 15 up to 70 pounds which makes easier for your kids to use as well. You can adjust the draw weight of this bow by either tightening or loosen the arms screws.
- Can take down medium to large frame animals. This bow comes with the standard 40 pounds draw weight that is enough to take down deer. You can also tighten up the arms to give you a high draw weight for killing larger animals such as an elk.
- Is fast enough to take down most animals. This bow comes with a whopping 295 feet per second which are fast enough to hunt game.
- The accessories alone impressed me. You will get a 4-pin sight that will take your hunting experience to the next level along with a stabilizer to make you even more accurate. You also get string dampener that will cancel out some of the noise and also a 6-arrow quiver that can also be adjusted along your bow.
This bow is very similar to my top recommended bow in this review. It is very flexible and can be used by both children and adults. Play video below to learn more about the Quest Radical.
What we liked
What we didn’t like
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#7 Diamond Infinite Edge Pro
- Rating: 8.5/10
- Price: $$$
- Draw Weight: 5 – 70 pounds
- Speed: 310 fps
- Draw Lenght: 13 – 31 inches
If you would like to have a bow that is extremely versatile and also feature rich then you might want to have a look at the Diamond Infinite Edge Pro. It is very similar to the normal Infinite Edge but with a longer draw weight. This bow is also $50 more expensive than the Bear Archery Cruzer.
Some of the features that you will love:
- Is very versatile. This bow has a draw weight of 5 – 70 pounds which makes it usable by men, women and also children. Just remember to adjust the arms in order to lower the draw weight.
- Comes in 3 available colors. This bow comes in the colors Black, Mossy Oak Country, and Pink Blaze. This enables the bow to be used as either a hunting bow or for recreational use.
- Has superior speed. This bow definitely does not lack in the “speed compartment”. It has a speed of around 310 feet per second which makes it ideal for hunting.
- Comes with additional accessories. This bow comes with a 3-Pin tundra sight, a stabilizer, string dampener and also a 5-arrow quiver use for hunting.
This is the perfect bow that you can use to get started and can be used by everyone. The only thing that I might want to improve is going to be the sight which is only a 3 pin sight. Play video below to learn more about the Diamond Infinite Edge Pro.
What we liked
What we didn’t like
>> Check Price And Availability <<
#8 SAS Feud
- Rating: 8/10
- Price: $$$
- Draw Weight: 25 – 70 pounds
- Speed: 300 fps
- Draw Lenght: 19 – 31 inches
If you are picky when it comes to bows that have the best sights, then you might want to consider the SAS Feud which has a 5-pin illuminated sight. This bow is also very versatile and suitable for all ages and the price is also not that bad either.
More benefits that you will l0ve:
- Has a top notch sight. This bow has an illuminated 5 pin sight that will make your life a hell of a lot easier. It will also give you an edge when it is starting to get dark.
- Can be enjoyed by all age groups. This bow has a draw weight of 25 – 70 pounds that can take down most animals. The SAS Feud is not as flexible as the Bear Cruzer or the Infinite Edge Pro but is still flexible enough to be enjoyed by all youngsters as well.
- Is suitable for hunting. The speed of this bow is also around 300 feet per second which is more than enough to classify as a hunting bow.
- Can take up to 4 arrows. This bow also comes with a quick-detachable quiver that can hold up to 4 arrows for hunting purposes.
- Will shoot more accurate. The SAS Feud also comes with a 6.5oz aluminum stabilizer that will act as a counterweight which will give you better control over the bow.
I personally really love this bow and consider it one of the best. The sight was really to die for and is best recommended for those that need a great sight for their bows. Play video below to learn more about the SAS Feud.
What we liked
What we didn’t like
>> Check Price And Availability <<
#9 SereneLife Compound Bow
- Rating: 7/10
- Price: $$
- Draw Weight: 30 – 70 pounds
- Speed: 320 fps
- Draw Lenght: 23.5 – 30.5 inches
If you are tired of trying of trying to buy all of the parts for your bow separately, then you might like the SereneLife Compound Bow as this bow will come with everything that you might need in order to hunt. This bow is also not that expensive compared to some of the other bows in this article.
Some of the things that you will love:
- Comes with everything you need. This bow is packed with all of the accessories that come with compound bows and also comes with 12 arrows that are 30 inches in length.
- Is great for hunting. This bow has a draw weight of between 30 – 70 pounds and a speed of 320 feet per second. This makes this bow ideal for hunting medium to large animals as well.
- The sight is moderate to good. The sight is really not bad quality and makes the use of a 5-pin sight that will compensate for some of the drop associated with flying arrows.
- Comes with a 4-arrow quiver. This quiver also can be attached or removed from the bow with ease. It also allows you to have fast access to the arrows for your next shot.
Overall, I think this is the perfect bow for those that are just starting out as it comes with everything you need in order to hunt.
What we liked
What we didn’t like
>> Check Price And Availability <<
#10 PSE Fever
- Rating: 7/10
- Price: $$$
- Draw Weight: 30 – 60 pounds
- Speed: 300 fps
- Draw Lenght: 11 – 29 inches
If you want to groom your child into bow hunting then maybe you should look into the PSE Fever as this bow has the shortest draw length of all the bows in this review. You can also adjust the draw weight as well.
More features suitable for youngsters:
- Is ideal for the younger bow hunter. This bow has a draw distance from 11 up to 29 inches. It also has the shortest minimum draw length of all the other bows which makes it ideal for children as well.
- Can also be adjusted. This bow will also make it possible to grow with your child as you can adjust the draw weight as they grow up. The draw weight starts at 30 – 60 pounds.
- Is suitable for deer and also elk hunting. I would not recommend this bow for larger game such as Moose and maybe a bear (if you are brave enough).
- Has moderate to good accessories. This bow comes with a 3 pin sight and a string dampener but unfortunately not a stabilizer.
This is not a bad bow to get you or your youngster started in bow hunting. The power and speed is not bad but I would have liked this bow even more if it came with a stabilizer. Play video below to learn more about the PSE Fever.
What we liked
What we didn’t like
>> Check Price And Availability <<
Comparison Table for Compound Bows
Product Name | Draw Weight | Speed | Price |
1. Bear Archery Cruzer (Top Pick) | 5 – 70 lbs | 310 fps | $$$ |
2. Leader Accessories | 30 – 55 lbs | 296 fps | $ |
3. SAS Scorpii | 30 – 55 lbs | 260 fps | $ |
4. SAS Rage | 55 – 70 lbs | 270 fps | $ |
5. Predator Archery RAPTOR | 30 – 70 lbs | 315 fps | $$ |
6. Quest Radical | 15 – 70 lbs | 295 fps | $$$ |
7. Diamond Infinite Edge Pro | 5 – 70 lbs | 310 fps | $$$ |
8. SAS Feud | 25 – 70 lbs | 300 fps | $$$ |
9. SereneLife Compound Bow | 30 – 70 lbs | 320 fps | $$ |
10. PSE Fever | 30 – 60 lbs | 300 fps | $$$ |
Final Take
In this article, I revealed 10 of the best compound bows for deer hunting that will also make your life so much easier.
I went through several aspects such as the cost, speed, draw weight and also some of the other accessories that cannot be missed.
If you still could not make up your mind on a bow, then I would highly recommend the Bear Archery Cruzer which was also my favorite.
Now it is your turn.
Tell us what was your favorite bow by commenting below. If you are not into compound bows and would like to look at other types, then check out our bowhunting gear page.
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