Best Bow Hunting Gear for New Deer Hunters

best bow hunting gear - hunter with bow in hand in field

Starting your own bow hunting journey can be very exciting. There’s just a lot to love about fall archery hunts. But it’s also important to have the right bow hunting equipment if you want to be comfortable and successful. Here’s a breakdown of the best bow hunting gear to get you started.

Why Bow Hunting?

First, let’s discuss some of the common reasons people choose archery hunts over other hunts.

Challenge and Skill

Increased difficulty: Bow hunting requires skill, patience, and precision, all of which take time to improve on. To ethically kill an animal quickly, you need to be proficient.
Closer encounters: Bow hunters often need to get much closer to their target, which provides a more intimate and exciting experience. But it also introduces the challenge of fooling a whitetail’s keen senses at close range.
Personal preference: Some hunters simply prefer the ethics and philosophy behind bow hunting as compared to firearm hunting, maybe perceiving it as being fairer or more respectful to the animal.

Connection to Nature

Quiet and stealth: Bow hunting emphasizes silence and observation, allowing hunters to immerse themselves in the natural world. Even the shot is silent, so it can feel less disrupting to the world around you.
Outdoor experience: Spending time in nature is a primary motivation for most hunters. But bow hunting offers a very long season (compared to most gun hunts), often the entirety of the fall. That puts you in beautiful fall scenery for months.

Best Bow Hunting Gear

Now let’s dive into the best bow hunting gear for new hunters. It can be tough to fully equip yourself with all this at first, so slowly add new pieces as you’re able to. Keep a bow hunting gear list handy, so you can check items off as you get them.

Basic Bow Hunting Equipment

Bow: Obviously, a bow is one of the first things you’ll need. Choose a bow that fits your draw length and weight comfortably. Consider factors like draw weight, let-off, and speed. Hunter-Ed has a great article about this topic.
Arrows: Match your arrows to your bow’s specifications and what you intend to hunt. Consider arrow length, weight, and construction material.
Broadheads: Essential for hunting, broadheads are designed to penetrate and kill the animal. There are two primary designs: fixed broadheads and mechanical broadheads. Fixed broadheads are more sturdy and can punch through tougher hides/muscle, while mechanical broadheads expand to increase the cutting surface and are great on smaller animals or whitetails.
Release: If you’re hunting with a modern compound bow, you will need some kind of a release. Options include thumb releases and index finger releases. I prefer index finger releases that strap to your wrist, but see what works best for you.
Quiver: A quiver holds your arrows securely and conveniently. Make sure to find one that is functional while hunting.

best bow hunting gear - compound bow with arrows and broadheads

Safety and Comfort

Tree Stand: You may be able to hunt effectively from a ground blind, but tree stand hunting offers a better shot angle. Whether you choose a ladder stand, hang-on stand, or climber, ensure it’s a quality brand with good craftsmanship.
Safety Equipment: When it comes to the best bow hunting gear, a safety harness is absolutely critical for tree stand hunting. It ensures you won’t hit the ground if you slip out of your tree stand while hunting or your tree stand fails.
Clothing: Seek out camouflage clothing that’s quiet, comfortable, and blends in with your surroundings. From base layers to an outer shell and everything in between, layered performance clothing allows you to adjust to changing weather conditions common in the fall. First Lite is a brand I love, and they offer several different camo patterns for multiple clothing types and builds.
Footwear: Sturdy, waterproof boots provide support and comfort, especially when hiking through various terrain. Rubber boots also conceal your scent from a whitetail’s keen sense of smell.

best bow hunting gear - ladder tree stand in fall

Accessories

Backpack: If you hunt all day, it’s essential to have a backpack that can store the best bow hunting gear, such as calls, a knife, a first-aid kit, and some snacks/water.
Rangefinder: You really need to know your shooting distance when bow hunting, and a rangefinder helps estimate distances to your target easily. If you’ve practiced a lot, you may be able to get by without one.
Binoculars: If you’re hunting in a semi-open area, binoculars can come in handy. You can scan the surrounding environment for movement. But if you’re hunting in a thickly wooded area, binos may be pointless.
Call: Deer calls come in several forms and can attract deer and increase your chances of a successful hunt. Grunt tubes, can calls, and rattling antlers can all be used in some fashion.

Other Considerations

Practice: Consistent practice is required to become a good bowhunter.
Safety: Always prioritize safety, both for yourself and others.
Respect Wildlife: Understand deer behavior and habitat to increase your chances of success.
Local Regulations: Familiarize yourself with hunting regulations in your area and get all appropriate licenses/tags.

Remember, this is all just a starting point. As you gain experience bow hunting, you’ll likely find yourself adding to your archery gear collection. Try to prioritize quality over quantity, and invest in the best bow hunting gear that suits your hunting style and preferences.

Would you like to learn more about a specific piece of gear? Let me know in the comments.