Archery
Archery
Best Hunting Bows and Crossbows: 6 Picks for 2026
Looking for the best hunting bows and crossbows of 2026? These six picks cover compound bows and crossbows at a range of speeds, features and prices.
Archery
August Recon: What Late-Summer Deer Sign Can Tell You About Fall
Late-summer whitetail scouting is about more than hanging trail cameras. Learn how truck scouting, backtracking trails, map study and mock hunts can help turn August deer movement into useful fall hunting intel.
Archery
Speed Ain’t Free, So How Much Do Bowhunters Really Need?
Faster arrows fly flatter, but every extra foot per second comes with tradeoffs. P.J. Reilly explains how draw weight, brace height, cam design and arrow weight affect speed—and why a hunting bow you can shoot accurately beats one built simply to chase the chronograph.
Archery
Why Crossbow Arrows Are So Hard to Pull—and How to Fix It
Modern crossbows can make arrow removal from foam targets downright miserable. We compare foam and specialized high-speed targets, explain why arrows stick, and test practical fixes—including arrow lube—to help you choose the right target for the way you shoot.
Archery
Hook & Barrel's Bow Season Blueprint
Our seven-part Bow Season Blueprint series helps hunters sharpen the skills, gear and strategies that matter before opening day.
Archery
Try This 4-Day Late-Summer Archery Practice Plan
Randomly shooting arrows won’t fully prepare you for bow season. This four-session archery practice plan helps bowhunters improve their form, first-arrow accuracy and ability to perform from realistic positions and under pressure.
Archery
Bowhunting Practice That Prepares You for Real-World Shots
Standing on flat ground and shooting a block target at 20 yards has its place, but real deer rarely follow that script. Here’s how to make your bowhunting practice more realistic before opening day.
Archery
Why a Three-Pin Slider Is the Best Bow Sight for Hunting
A three-pin slider may be the best bow sight for hunting because it gives bowhunters quick fixed-pin aiming references and the ability to dial precise yardage when time allows.
Archery
Why Most Bowhunters Are Using Stabilizers Wrong — And How to Fix It
Most bowhunters either skip stabilizers or use short rubber models that do little for balance. Here’s how real bowhunting stabilizers can help steady your shot when it matters most.
Archery
Mathews ARC 30 Review: Fast, Refined and Built for Bowhunters
The Mathews ARC 30 promised speed, but its smooth draw and steady hold kept stealing the show. After several long sessions and a hunting-style chronograph test, this compact bow proved far harder to put down than expected.
