Gifts for Bowhunters and Archers: Ideas by Budget

Buying a present for an archer or bowhunter can be surprisingly tricky. A lot of archery gear has to match the person's bow, draw weight, draw length and shooting style exactly, and the wrong arrows or broadheads can be useless, or even unsafe. The good news is that there are plenty of gifts that suit almost any archer, and a few simple questions make the rest much easier.

This guide is written for gift buyers, including people who don't shoot. We haven't tested the products mentioned; instead we explain categories of gifts, what's safe to buy without asking, what to check first, what never to guess, and ideas at different budget levels.

Before you buy: five things to find out quietly

If you want to buy gear that must fit, try to find out:

1. Bow type: compound, recurve, longbow or crossbow.
2. Draw weight and draw length: often printed on the bow's limb sticker or known to the archer's shop.
3. The arrows they use: model, spine and length. Archery 360's tip is to "bring one of their arrows to the archery shop."
4. Field point and broadhead weight, if you're thinking of points or heads.
5. Right- or left-handed.

Archery 360 suggests that if you know "their draw weight, draw length and bow type, talk to a pro at the archery shop and order arrows."

How to find out their specs without spoiling the surprise

• Look at the bow. Many compounds and recurve limbs have a sticker showing draw weight, and compounds often show draw length or module settings.
• Look at an arrow. The shaft usually shows the brand, model and spine number; note the length and the colour of the vanes.
• Ask their archery shop. Shops often keep a record of regular customers' setups and can advise on gifts.
• Ask a shooting friend who knows their gear.
• Check their wish list or the brands they already use.
• When in doubt, choose a gift card or a "safe to buy" item.

Small gifts and stocking fillers

These suit almost any archer and are easy to choose:

• Bowstring wax. Strings need regular waxing; Mathews advises waxing "once a month or more depending on the condition of the strings." Our string wax guide explains why.
• Paper target faces for practice.
• An arrow puller, a rubber grip that makes pulling arrows from targets easier.
• A set of Allen keys for adjusting sights, rests and other accessories.
• Arrow lube or a small repair kit, both ideas Archery 360 lists.
• A gift card to their archery shop. Archery 360 says shop "gift certificates… also make great stocking stuffers for experienced archers."

Mid-range gifts

These are useful but worth a quick check on style or size:

• A bow stand or hanger to keep the bow off the ground.
• A hip quiver for target practice; our Easton Flipside review explains one example. Ask whether they prefer a hip, back or bow-mounted quiver.
• An arm guard or finger tab, especially for recurve archers; see our arm guard and finger tab guide.
• A target, but ask whether it's for field points or broadheads. Our broadhead target guide and target comparison explain the differences.
• A binocular harness for hunters who glass a lot.

Bigger gifts

• A bow case, soft or hard. Check the bow's size and type; our Plano PillarLock review explains one hard-case option.
• A bag or block target for the backyard, with a plan for a safe range; see our backyard range guide.
• A lesson package with a qualified coach.
• A release aid, only if you know which type they use and it can be fitted; our release aid guide explains the types.

Splurge gifts

• A rangefinder with bow-hunting features; our rangefinder buying guide explains what to look for.
• A range membership or a season of league nights.
• A pro-shop tune-up voucher covering new strings, a full inspection and tuning.
• Custom arrows, ordered through their own shop with their measurements.

What not to buy without their specs

Easton's warnings say "arrows should only be used with bows that have a correct pull weight and draw length… Selecting the correct arrow and arrow length for the bow is the responsibility of the shooter." Arrows that are too light can also cause damage: several bow makers exclude damage from arrows under 5 grains per pound of draw weight from their warranties. Our arrow weight guide explains why. Broadheads also have to meet hunting regulations, which vary by state.

Gifts for bowhunters

Beyond archery gear, many hunting accessories make good gifts if you know how they hunt:

• Treestand safety gear, such as a lifeline or haul rope, if you know their stand setup; see our tree stand safety guide.
• A hand muff and warmers for cold sits; our late-season guide explains why they matter.
• Game bags, a good knife or a headlamp for after the shot.
• Lithium batteries for lighted sights and rangefinders.

Gifts by type of archer

Target archers

Target archers shoot a lot, so consumables are always welcome: target faces, string wax, spare nocks (if you know the model) and a good arrow puller. A tripod scope stand, a scoring notebook or entry to a tournament or league are also popular ideas, but check what they already own.

3D archers

3D archers walk courses and judge distances. A comfortable hip quiver, a small pack, binoculars if their class allows them, and entry to a 3D shoot all suit. Our 3D archery guide explains how the sport works.

Traditional archers

Recurve and longbow shooters often appreciate a quality finger tab or glove, an arm guard, a bow stringer (if they don't have one) and a back or side quiver. Ask before buying arrows, which must suit their bow's draw weight and their draw length.

Crossbow hunters

Crossbow owners use rail lube and string wax, and may appreciate a crossbow case or a rope cocker if their crossbow doesn't have a built-in device. Check the brand, because many crossbows need specific bolts, nocks and accessories; our crossbow maintenance checklist explains what they use.

Gifts for kids and new archers

• Lessons are often the best gift for a beginner. Archery 360 calls lesson certificates "great for those new to archery."
• Themed range events, such as family nights or "cosmic" glow-in-the-dark archery, which Archery 360 mentions.
• A kids' set or youth bow, chosen carefully; our kids bow and arrow sets guide explains toys vs real youth bows, and our age guide covers when children can start.
• Basic safety gear: an arm guard and a proper target.

Gifts for the archer who has everything

• Experiences: a guided hunt, a coaching day, or entry to a 3D shoot or tournament.
• A shop gift card, so they can "pick out exactly what they need," as Archery 360 puts it.
• Custom arrows or strings ordered through their usual shop.
• A shooting journal for recording sight marks, tuning notes and hunts.

Experience gifts

Experiences often mean more than another accessory, and they always fit:

• Lessons with a qualified coach, for beginners or for an experienced archer wanting to fix a habit.
• A league season at a local indoor range, which gives regular shooting through the winter.
• Entry to a 3D shoot or tournament, perhaps with travel and a meal.
• A themed range night, such as the date nights or cosmic archery events Archery 360 mentions.
• A day with a guide or outfitter for a keen bowhunter, booked with their input on dates and location.

Safety-minded gifts

Gifts that keep an archer safe are always appreciated: a full-body harness or lifeline for treestand hunters (matched to their stand and size), a good first-aid kit for the pack, a bright headlamp for walking out after dark, and a proper backstop for a backyard range. Ask before buying anything that has to fit.

Building a gift bundle

Small items can add up to a thoughtful gift:

• Maintenance bundle: string wax, an Allen key set and a cleaning cloth.
• Practice bundle: a pack of target faces, an arrow puller and a range-time voucher.
• Hunting bundle: a hand muff, warmers, lithium batteries and a headlamp.
• Beginner bundle: an arm guard, a finger tab (for recurve archers) and a lesson voucher.

Shopping tips

• Buy early. Popular archery items and gift cards for lessons can sell out in the weeks before the holidays.
• Check the return or exchange policy, especially for anything that has to fit.
• Keep receipts so the recipient can swap sizes or models.
• Buy from established sellers and authorised dealers; some bow makers don't honour warranties on bows bought from unauthorised sellers.
• Consider local shops. Many offer fitting, advice and gift cards that support the archer's own shop.

You can browse bowstring wax, archery target faces or hip quivers on Amazon.

Frequently asked questions

What do you get a bowhunter who has everything?

Experiences, such as a guided hunt or coaching day, a gift card to their shop, or custom arrows or strings ordered through their shop.

Can I buy arrows as a gift?

Only if you know their draw weight, draw length and bow type, or take one of their arrows to a pro shop. Arrows must match the archer's setup.

Are gift cards a good archery gift?

Yes. Archery 360 says shop gift certificates make great stocking fillers for experienced archers, and lesson certificates are great for beginners.

What's a good small archery gift?

String wax, target faces, an arrow puller, an Allen key set or a small shop gift card.

What should I not buy an archer?

Arrows, broadheads, release aids, sights, rests or a bow without knowing their exact setup.

What's a good gift for a beginner archer?

Lessons, range time or a themed range event, plus basic safety gear like an arm guard.

Is a rangefinder a good gift for a bowhunter?

It can be, if they don't have one or want a newer model with bow-hunting features such as angle compensation. Our rangefinder guide explains what to look for.

Can I buy a bow as a surprise?

It's risky. A bow must fit the archer's draw length, draw weight and handedness. A gift card or a voucher for a shop fitting is usually better.

When should I buy archery gifts for the holidays?

Early is better. Lesson vouchers, league places and popular accessories can run short close to the holidays, and early buying leaves time to exchange anything that doesn't fit.