How We Test Bows, Arrows & Bowhunting Gear
At North American Bowhunter, we take gear seriously because bowhunting leaves no room for unreliable equipment. A broadhead that doesn’t fly true, a rest that loses tune, or a sight that won’t hold zero can end a hunt in a heartbeat. That’s why our testing process is grounded in long-term field use and real bowhunter experience.
Every review you read on this site is written by a bowhunter who tests gear the same way our readers use it: tuning it, shooting it, hauling it into the woods, and pushing it through a season’s worth of real-world conditions.
Independent Experts, Independent Results
Every piece of testing content on this site comes from a subject matter expert, someone who lives and breathes the topic of their articles. Click on their names in the article bylines and read their bios about who they are and their experiences to see why they are uniquely capable of offering opinions grounded in reality.
Our writers operate independently, which means:
- They choose how to test their gear
- They decide what matters most in performance
- They form their own conclusions
This structure allows something valuable: different writers can come away with different opinions on the same bow, broadhead, or sight.
That’s a strength, not a weakness.
One bowhunter might value a smooth draw cycle above all else. Another might prefer sheer arrow speed. A third may judge broadheads heavily on durability or penetration. These authentic differences shape our reviews and help you understand which product fits your style.
Unbiased Gear Sourcing
Our testing pool comes from two places:
Gear We Buy
Bows, arrows, stabilizers, rests, releases, and sights we purchase ourselves are tested with complete independence.
Gear Sent by Brands
Bow companies, accessory manufacturers, and broadhead designers often send products for evaluation. But receiving gear never influences our results:
- No brand gets a guaranteed ranking
- No advertiser gets editorial control
- Negative findings are not hidden or softened
If something disappoints, we say it plainly.
How We Test Bowhunting Equipment
Bow Tuning & Setup
Each bow is tuned for optimum performance and made ready for the hunt, including:
- cam timing
- center shot
- paper tuning
- broadhead flight tuning
Shooting Evaluation
We assess:
- draw cycle smoothness
- vibration during/after the shot
- sound output
- accuracy at multiple distances
- other key specifications
Broadhead & Arrow Testing
Our writers test:
- penetration
- flight consistency
- durability after repeated impacts
- grouping with fixed vs. mechanical heads
In-the-Field Performance
Gear is used on:
- preseason scouting
- early-season hunts
- rut hunts
- cold-weather late-season sits
- spot-and-stalk days
Sweat, cold, moisture, dirt, and long hikes reveal weaknesses you’ll never see on a target range.
Reviews That Evolve With Each Season
Bowhunting technology progresses quickly with new cams, new rests, new broadhead designs, and new arrows hitting the market every year. When a new product arrives that clearly outperforms something on our list, we update our content.
Our reviews are living documents, not frozen snapshots.
Why Our Process Earns Trust
Bowhunters rely on dependable equipment in unforgiving conditions. Our testing method ensures every recommendation we make is earned through hands-on use, not marketing language or sponsored influence. If we trust it in the woods, you can trust it too.