A bow setup is more than the bow. It's the sight, rest, release, arrows, broadheads and whatever stabilizer and quiver you hang on it. You can buy all of it in one box for under $800, or spend that much on a sight and rest alone. Here is how to think about each budget, and what to upgrade first.

Start with fit, not parts

My bow was fitted to me by a pro, and my arrows were custom cut to my draw length at the bow shop. My advice: everyone should go to a trusted bow technician. A good tech sets your draw length, helps pick a draw weight and arrow spine, and tunes the rest and sight so everything works together. That matters more than any single part on this page.

Budget: a ready-to-hunt package

Ready-to-hunt (RTH) packages come with a sight, rest, quiver, stabilizer and peep already on the bow. Three under $800, with maker specs, are compared in our budget hunting bows guide:

Outdoor Life's 2026 test found the Alaskan Pro shot within about an inch of the flagship field average at 50 yards. You still need a release, arrows and broadheads on top of the package.

Mid budget: upgrade the parts that touch the arrow

If you have money to add later, these are the usual first upgrades:

  1. Arrows. Have a shop cut and fletch arrows with the right spine for your draw weight and length. Arrow weight also changes your energy, which our draw weight guide explains.
  2. Rest. A drop-away rest falls out of the way when you shoot, so the fletching doesn't touch it. A QAD Ultra-Rest HDX is one option, listed around $169.99 on Amazon.
  3. Sight. A better sight is easier to see in low light and holds its settings. More on sight types below.

High end: a flagship bow and premium accessories

Flagship bows in Field & Stream's 2026 test ran $1,459 to $1,999.99. Add a sliding sight such as the UV Slider 2, listed at $499.99 by ULTRAVIEW, and a premium rest, and the bow alone can pass $2,000 before arrows.

My setup

This is what I hunt with. Where I haven't confirmed a model, I've kept it generic.

Part What I use
Bow Mathews Lift X 33 at 70 lb
Sight UltraView UV Slider, horizontal pins
Rest QAD drop-away
Back stabilizer mount AAE Gripper
Counterweights budget counterweights (I'm cheap with my counterweights)
Quiver an attached quiver that locks onto the bow
Release a trigger release
Arrows Black Eagle, custom cut to my draw length
Broadheads broadheads (model to be confirmed)
Limb legs Mathews EXO Engage

The rest link above is one QAD model, not necessarily mine. The UV Slider link is the current version on ULTRAVIEW's site.

A few notes from my own bow:

  • The sight was the big change. Last year I shot a fixed-pin sight. Switching to the UV Slider has been a massive game changer for me. I like the horizontal pins, but that's personal preference.
  • I love the attached quiver. It locks onto the bow.
  • I wouldn't change anything. I love where it's at. Maybe a dampener on the stabilizer someday, but that's a varsity refinement that only matters if you're highly practiced.

Fixed pins or a slider?

A fixed-pin sight has one pin per distance, so there's nothing to move before the shot. A slider uses one pin (or a few) and a dial you set to the yardage, which gives a cleaner sight picture but adds a step. ULTRAVIEW's Slider 2 includes a "Home Stop" that returns the sight to a set yardage without looking at the tape, per its spec page. Try both at a shop before you buy.

Other good options

  • Whisker Biscuit style rests. These come on many RTH bows, including the Adapt 2 HP package, and hold the arrow in place without timing a drop-away.
  • A shop package deal. Many pro shops will set up and tune a bow with accessories when you buy it there. Ask what's included.
  • Used bows. Last year's flagship can cost much less. Have a tech check strings, cables and limbs first.

Questions hunters ask

What should I buy first if I'm on a tight budget? A ready-to-hunt bow that fits you, a release, and arrows cut for you at a shop. Upgrade the rest and sight later.

Does a broadhead need to match my setup? Yes. Shoot your broadheads before the season to make sure they fly with your field points. A tech can help if they don't.

Is a heavier draw weight better? Only if you can draw it smoothly from your hunting position. See the draw weight guide.

Sources

  • Bear Archery, Alaskan Pro RTH: https://www.beararchery.com/products/bear-archery-alaskan-pro-rth-compound-bow
  • Bear Adapt 2 HP RTH+ Amazon listing (package contents): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GGNSLGSG
  • Diamond Archery, Deploy SB: https://diamondarchery.com/bows/deploy-sb/
  • Outdoor Life, Bear Alaskan Pro budget bow test: https://www.outdoorlife.com/gear/bear-alaskan-pro-budget-compound-bow/
  • Field & Stream, best budget bows: https://fieldandstream.com/outdoor-gear/hunting-gear/bow-hunting/compound-bows/best-budget-bows
  • Field & Stream, best compound bows of 2026: https://fieldandstream.com/outdoor-gear/hunting-gear/bow-hunting/compound-bows/best-compound-bows
  • ULTRAVIEW, UV Slider 2: https://ultraviewarchery.com/products/uv-slider-2
  • QAD Ultra-Rest HDX Amazon listing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0052B2Z78
  • AAE Gripper Single: https://arizonaarchery.com/product/gripper-single/
  • Black Eagle hunting arrows: https://blackeaglearrows.com/collections/hunting-arrows
  • Mathews Lift X 33: https://mathewsinc.com/products/lift-x-33