Buyer's guide

Choosing the Right Bow

Choosing the Right Bow: A Cimarron Guide for Hunters & Range Shooters

Choosing the right bow is a big deal — it’s the foundation of your entire setup. Whether you’re buying your first bow, stepping into bowhunting, or upgrading to something newer, the bow you shoot will affect everything from comfort and accuracy to confidence when it counts. With so many options out there, it helps to focus on what actually matters instead of getting lost in specs.

Start with fit (not hype)

The #1 thing that matters is getting a bow that fits you. That means the right draw length, a draw weight you can shoot with solid form, and a feel that’s comfortable in your hands. A bow that doesn’t fit will fight you the whole way — and it’s almost impossible to shoot consistently when your anchor and posture are constantly off.

At Cimarron, we help archers get properly measured and set up so your bow feels natural and repeatable, not forced.

Pick a draw weight you can shoot well — not just pull once

A lot of hunters want to jump straight into heavy draw weight, but accuracy and consistency matter more than “maxing out.” If you can’t hold steady, draw smoothly, and shoot a clean group after a handful of arrows, the bow is too heavy. The best draw weight is one you can shoot confidently with good form — especially if you’re practicing often or planning long sits and cold-weather hunts.

Choose a bow that matches how you’ll use it

Most of the bows we carry are built for real-world performance, and each brand brings something different to the table. Whether you’re looking at Mathews, Hoyt, PSE, Bowtech, or Bear, the right choice depends on how you plan to shoot:

  • Hunters usually want a bow that’s reliable, quiet, and easy to handle in the field
  • Range and league shooters may want a setup that feels steady, forgiving, and consistent shot after shot
  • New archers typically benefit from a bow that’s smooth, adjustable, and easy to grow into

Pay attention to how it feels

Specs matter, but feel matters more. Two bows can look identical on paper and feel totally different when you draw and shoot them. Grip comfort, draw cycle, balance, and how the bow settles on target all play a role. The best way to know is to shoot a few and see what fits your style.

Build the full setup, not just the bow

The bow is only part of it — a proper setup includes things like your sight, rest, release, arrows, and broadhead choices (for hunters). When everything works together, your bow shoots cleaner, tunes easier, and performs better on the range and in the field.

And when you’re ready, Cimarron can help get everything dialed with pro-level service so you’re not guessing or chasing problems later.

Let’s get you set up right

Choosing a bow shouldn’t feel overwhelming — it should feel exciting. Whether you’re gearing up for hunting season, getting into leagues, or just wanting a better shooting setup, our team can help you find the right bow and build it into something you trust.

Stop by Cimarron Archery & Outfitters and we’ll help you get fitted, set up, and ready to shoot.

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