Field Guide / Archery Gear & Setup
Compound Bow
Also called: compound, cam bow
The most popular hunting bow: cams and cables let the draw weight drop at full draw, so you can hold and aim longer.
- Type
- Bows
- Typical hunting draw weight
- About 40 to 70 pounds
- Let-off
- About 65 to 90 percent
- Arrow speed
- Roughly 250 to 320 feet per second with hunting arrows
- Used for
- Deer & big game, Turkey, Small game, Target practice
Safety: Never dry-fire a bow or crossbow (release the string without an arrow). It can break the limbs, string, or cams and injure you.
What it is good for
- Deer, elk, and other big game, with the right draw weight and arrows.
- Hunters who want a flat shot and a steady hold at full draw.
- Target practice and 3D shooting, since it is very accurate.
Where it falls short
- More parts to tune and maintain than a traditional bow.
- Needs a bow press for some repairs and string changes, which a pro shop can do.
- Heavier and more costly than a recurve or longbow.
Tips
- Have a pro shop set draw length and tune the bow.
- Check the string, cables, and cams for fraying and wear before each season.
Works well with
- Release Aid: most compound shooters use one.
- Bow Sight: pins or a single pin help aim at distance.
- Recurve Bow: a simpler, traditional bow without cams.
Field notes
The cams on a compound bow store energy and then let off the holding weight. A 70-pound bow with 80 percent let-off holds at about 14 pounds, which helps with aim and with waiting for a shot.
Related guides
Numbers here are typical, not guarantees. Have a pro shop set up and tune your bow or crossbow, follow the maker's manual, and never dry-fire a bow. Legal equipment, draw weights, crossbow seasons, and broadhead rules differ by state and area; our state resources directory links to each state's official regulations. Not sure what to buy? Try our bow and crossbow wizard.