The Archery Project

Outdoor Life 2026 Bow of the Year — Full Breakdown & My Take

A bow hardly anyone is talking about just took the top spot, and it didn’t win on hype, sponsorship, or a spec-sheet race. We walk through Outdoor Life’s 2026 Bow Of The Year results and explain what actually matters when seven flagship hunting bows get pushed through a three-day test with three different shooters and 50-yard accuracy on the scoreboard. We break down the full methodology, from the close-range feel scoring (draw cycle, back wall, grip, post-shot feel, and features) to the long-range grouping that decides the final winner. Then we unpack the real-world takeaways for bowhunters: why raw speed like the PSE Sicario’s numbers can come with a forgiveness cost, why ultra-light bows can feel jumpy until you add weight, and why details like valley feel and grip repeatability can make or break your confidence under pressure. The biggest theme is shootability. We talk Hoyt’s standout grip and back wall, Mathews ARC 34’s smooth draw cycle and grip swap conversation, Darton’s push toward tuning without a bow press, and the Elite Varos features that helped it separate when groups got tight at 50 yards. If you’re searching “best hunting bow 2026,” “Outdoor Life bow test,” or “bow of the year,” this is the grounded breakdown that helps you walk into a pro shop with a smarter plan. Subscribe for more practical archery gear talk, share this with a buddy shopping for a new rig, and leave a review with your pick: which 2026 bow would you rank #1 and why? 🏹 Shop Extreme Outfitters for all of your archery & bowhunting needs: https://extremeoutfitters.com Use code ARCHERYPROJECT to save 10% Quick reads, pro tips, and the latest episodes—delivered straight to your inbox every week. 👉 Sign up here: https://thearcheryproject.com/ [https://thearcheryproject.com/] ✅ Watch the video podcast here!        https://www.youtube.com/@thearcheryproject JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: ► Facebook: http://bit.ly/44UD7Vo ► Instagram: http://bit.ly/40Q2jLf

Long ATA Bows: I Was Wrong and Here's Why

I've been a short bow guy my whole life — 30, 31, maybe 32 inches max. But after hunting and shooting TAC events with my Mach 33 this past year, something shifted. This episode breaks down exactly why I've changed my mind on longer ATA bows, what finally pushed me over the edge, and whether the trade-offs are actually as big a deal as I always thought they were.  We get into string angle, draw cycle, speed vs. forgiveness, arrow tuning sweet spots, what bow I'm building out for TAC this year (hint: it's a Mach 35), and which long ATA bows are worth looking at right now — including the new PSE Sicario 35. I also break down who the longer bow makes the most sense for and when sticking with a shorter ATA still has its place. If you've been on the fence about trying a longer bow, this one's for you.  Head over to extremeoutfitters.com [http://extremeoutfitters.com/] for all your archery gear — use code ARCHERYPROJECT to save 10% off your order. Listen to the full episode now. Key Topics Covered  - Why Zakk changed his mind on long ATA bows after years of shooting 32" and under  - The Mach 33 hunting season breakdown — 6-7 animals, all great shot placement  - Ground hunting with a 33" bow and why the maneuverability concerns are mostly in your head  - String angle: the single biggest reason to go longer - Speed vs. forgiveness — why chasing IBO numbers is a trap for most hunters  - The 280-295 fps sweet spot for tuning and broadhead flight - Why 80 lbs on a long ATA bow draws completely different than a short bow  - The Mach 35 TAC build: HHA Nitrix XV3, Epsilon rest, plans for Shrewd TRAK bars  - Shooting the Mach 35 at TAC Tennessee with zero bars — and still shooting lights out  - Bow-by-bow breakdown: PSE Mach 33/35, Hoyt RX10 Ultra, Mathews ARC 34, AX 333, Darton Tri-Tech 33/35 - New PSE Sicario 35 — longer brace height, more draw length options, same speed platform  - Who should shoot long ATA and how draw length factors into the decision  - Budget option: PSE Alaskan Pro at ~$700 as an entry-level long ATA bow  - TAC Pennsylvania preview — Extreme Outfitters booth, custom arrow building on-site  Gear & Products Mentioned -  PSE Mach 33 - PSE Mach 35 (FDS cam, 80 lbs) - PSE Sicario 33 - PSE Sicario 35 (new) - PSE Alaskan Pro - Hoyt RX10 Ultra - Mathews ARC 34 - Mathews AX 333 - Darton Tri-Tech 33 - Darton Tri-Tech 35 - HHA Nitrix XV3 (vertical 3-pin, .019) - HHA Tetra - Hamskea Epsilon rest - Easton 5.0 arrows (~435 grains) - Easton FMJ Maxes (465 grains, hunting setup) - Shrewd TRAK bars (front and rear) - PSE 2-piece quiver  🏹 Shop Extreme Outfitters for all of your archery & bowhunting needs: https://extremeoutfitters.com Use code ARCHERYPROJECT to save 10% Quick reads, pro tips, and the latest episodes—delivered straight to your inbox every week. 👉 Sign up here: https://thearcheryproject.com/ [https://thearcheryproject.com/] ✅ Watch the video podcast here!        https://www.youtube.com/@thearcheryproject JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: ► Facebook: http://bit.ly/44UD7Vo ► Instagram: http://bit.ly/40Q2jLf

Bow Tuning Q&A: Fixing Tear Issues, Arrow Builds & FAST Bow Setup | FRIDAY KILL NOTES

Your bow didn’t “just stop shooting” overnight, and the fix usually isn’t a mystery product or a random twist of the rest. We take a stack of listener questions and turn them into a clear troubleshooting path for the most common accuracy killers: drop-away rest timing that’s ripping fletchings, cam timing that’s out of sync, and setups that drift so far off-spec you end up chasing one paper tear after another. We also get into what modern speed is doing to real hunting and 3D setups. If your new rig is so fast that your 20 and 30 yard pins are basically touching, you’re not stuck. We talk through smarter pin-gap configurations, how to “change the zero” without overthinking it, and how to validate your holds with practice so you’re not guessing when it matters. Along the way, we break down when paper tuning is non-negotiable, why it gives immediate feedback, and how it can even help spot equipment issues beyond your form. On the gear side, we cover sidebars and bow lean at full draw, why grip repeatability matters more than bolting on stabilizers, and how to think about arrow builds for Total Archery Challenge and hunting. We share practical ranges for total arrow weight, point weight, and typical FOC, plus thoughts on durability with low GPI shafts, inserts vs half-outs, and when carbon vs aluminum risers really comes down to feel, sound, and balance. If this helped, subscribe to the show, share it with a buddy who’s fighting a paper tear, and leave a review with the tuning problem you want us to tackle next. 🏹 Shop Extreme Outfitters for all of your archery & bowhunting needs: https://extremeoutfitters.com Use code ARCHERYPROJECT to save 10% Quick reads, pro tips, and the latest episodes—delivered straight to your inbox every week. 👉 Sign up here: https://thearcheryproject.com/ [https://thearcheryproject.com/] ✅ Watch the video podcast here!        https://www.youtube.com/@thearcheryproject JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: ► Facebook: http://bit.ly/44UD7Vo ► Instagram: http://bit.ly/40Q2jLf

Top 10 Total Archery Challenge Tips | TAC Survival Guide (Beginner to Advanced)

Your legs are burning, the target is steep downhill, and a line of shooters is waiting while you try to range, dial, and execute a clean shot on uneven rock. Total Archery Challenge doesn’t just test how well you shoot a bow, it tests whether your process holds up when terrain, fatigue, and pressure all hit at once. We walk through the biggest TAC pain points we see every season and the fixes that actually move the needle. That starts with angle shooting fundamentals (draw and anchor first, then bend at the waist) and the often-missed detail that can wreck steep shots: third axis leveling on your bow sight. From there we get practical about rangefinding with angle compensation, bringing spare batteries, and using the same rangefinder you used to sight in so your sight tape matches reality. Next we go deep on gear and performance: why you must true your sight tape at longer distances, how to build a repeatable shot process when crowds and congestion make you rush, and how to find stable footing on off-camber ground. We also cover TAC arrow strategy (durable carbon, sensible arrow weight, small diameter options for mountain wind), stabilizer choices that balance holding steady with carrying your bow for hours, and the endurance side most people underestimate: hydration, electrolytes, snacks, and broken-in boots that won’t destroy your feet in heat, rain, and slick climbs. If you want TAC to feel like smart bowhunting practice instead of an expensive arrow hunt, hit play and take notes. Subscribe, share this with your shooting group, and leave a review, then tell us in the comments what tip helped you most. 🏹 Shop Extreme Outfitters for all of your archery & bowhunting needs: https://extremeoutfitters.com Use code ARCHERYPROJECT to save 10% Quick reads, pro tips, and the latest episodes—delivered straight to your inbox every week. 👉 Sign up here: https://thearcheryproject.com/ [https://thearcheryproject.com/] ✅ Watch the video podcast here!        https://www.youtube.com/@thearcheryproject JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: ► Facebook: http://bit.ly/44UD7Vo ► Instagram: http://bit.ly/40Q2jLf

Buying Your First Hunting Compound Bow Q&A | Friday Kill Notes

Buying your first hunting compound bow should feel exciting, not confusing and expensive. We see tons of new archers get stuck comparing brands, speed ratings, and “flagship vs budget” arguments, then end up with a bow that never feels right because it was not fitted or tuned correctly. So we go straight at the real problem: how to choose a compound bow you can grow with, and how to make sure it actually shoots the way it should. We dig into the sweet spot of the mid-price bow market, where bows like the Hoyt Enduro and other standout models now include features that used to be reserved for top-tier releases. We talk through what matters most when you’re shopping, including draw length, draw weight, grip feel, draw cycle, and the tuning systems that can make ownership easier. We also answer a classic dilemma: should you take a brand new mid-priced bow or an older flagship bow at the same price? The decision comes down to performance expectations, durability, warranty coverage, and whether the seller is truly reputable. We also get practical about archery shop service. You should be able to test shoot bows without paying a fee, and you should feel welcomed even if you bought your bow somewhere else and just need professional setup and tuning. If a shop makes you feel rushed or dismissed, that’s your sign to keep looking. Subscribe, share this with a new archer, and leave a review, then drop your questions and tell us what bow you would choose and why. 🏹 Shop Extreme Outfitters for all of your archery & bowhunting needs: https://extremeoutfitters.com Use code ARCHERYPROJECT to save 10% Quick reads, pro tips, and the latest episodes—delivered straight to your inbox every week. 👉 Sign up here: https://thearcheryproject.com/ [https://thearcheryproject.com/] ✅ Watch the video podcast here!        https://www.youtube.com/@thearcheryproject JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: ► Facebook: http://bit.ly/44UD7Vo ► Instagram: http://bit.ly/40Q2jLf