The Ultimate Archery Gift Guide

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Archery is one of the world’s most popular—and oldest—hobbies. If you’re looking for an archery gift, you probably know how passionate archers are about the sport and how important it is in their lives. Getting something archery themed is a great way to show you know them and support what they love. 

Since we know you want to get the perfect gift, we’ve created a list of gifts that, as avid archers ourselves, we’d be ecstatic to find under the Christmas tree or in our stockings. Be sure to read our specific recommendations to hit the gift-giving bullseye these holidays.

How to Choose Archery Gifts

Archery is a deep and nuanced art. There are a lot of aspects to it that can make it difficult to come up with the perfect gift. Not to fear. Here we’ve laid out everything you need to know before deciding on this year’s archery Christmas gifts. 

What’s the Occasion?

We wrote this guide specifically for the winter holidays, but that’s not the only time that something archery themed makes a great gift. There are also birthdays, Father’s or Mother’s Day, anniversaries, retirement celebrations, etc. 

While an avid archer will likely enjoy an archery-themed gift on any of those occasions, certain items may make more sense at certain times of the year. For example, if your archer is a bowhunter in particular, Christmas is smack in the middle of most states’ archery hunting seasons, so they may not be as thrilled to get a carrying case. However, bowyers tools that they can use throughout the summer to make a bow for the fall season would be a great choice on Father’s Day.  

What Kind of Archer Are They?

Archers come in many different forms. There are bowhunters, target shooters, medieval role players, collectors, etc. All of these people are going to enjoy different gifts, so plan accordingly. For instance, a bowhunter will need hunting gear and is more likely to use camo compound bows, while a role player will likely use traditional bows like recurve or longbows. 

What’s Their Skill Level?

Skill level is one of the more important things to keep in mind, mostly because it will determine what kind of gear or equipment an archer needs. For instance, if they’re an expert, they almost certainly have a quiver, but they might not have more advanced equipment like a rangefinder. Veteran archers are also more likely to want upgrades to higher-quality versions of equipment or gear they already have.

What Have They Mentioned?

At the end of the day, gifts are about communicating our love for someone. One way to do that is to show that you’ve been listening to them over the past year. Is there something archery related that they’ve mentioned? Maybe they told you their target has been torn to shreds or that they’d like to take videos of their archery adventures. Try to think back on what they’ve talked about this year and make sure to take notes next year.

What Have They Not Mentioned?

Another way to communicate your love via gift giving is to use the gift to show how well you know the recipient. If archery is a true passion of theirs, you can show them you know and support that passion even if they haven’t said they needed any archery gear. 

In this vein, you can simply give them archery-themed novelty items like shirts or mugs. Books work great too. If you want to go even farther, try to get them an important piece of gear or equipment they didn’t even know they needed. This shows you actually took the time to learn about their interests and figure out what would help them achieve their goals and enjoy their hobby.

The 17 Best Gifts for Archers

Without further ado, these are the Archery gift ideas we’d love to receive on Christmas or another occasion. Read on to see the gift ideas and our specific recommendations.

A New Target

A target is one of the best go-to gifts for archers because the archer in your life could pretty much always use a new one. If they practice a lot, they tear their target up. On the other hand, if they usually go to the range, a new target lets them bring their hobby and passion home.

Our Recommendation: Rinehart Targets 18-1 Portable Archery Target

Rinehart 18 – 1 Broadhead Target
  • NEW Rinehart Targets Eighteen to One (18-1) Hunting Archery Target

This Rinehart target in particular makes a good gift because it’s unique, flashy, and versatile, meaning your archer can use it however makes them the happiest. It has a whopping 18 target zones and is made with innovative self-healing foam so it can withstand target shooting with various different arrowheads and broadheads. 

Its best feature, though, is its portability. It’s lightweight, compact, and has a simple carrying handle that can also be used to hang the target from a stand. In other words, it’s a present that the recipient can use almost anywhere, anytime.

A Cool Quiver

Aside from the bow itself, the quiver is the defining piece of archery gear. When it comes to style, the quiver is how archers express themselves, especially if they are traditional archery enthusiasts or role players. It’s a great gift that shows you understand and support their passion and want to help them show it off.

Our Recommendation: Top Archery Traditional Shoulder Back Quiver

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TOPARCHERY Traditional Shoulder Back Quiver Bow Leather Arrow Holder with Large Pouch Handmade Straps Belt Bag Brown
  • TOP ARCHERY is an archery brand that has been around for more than ten years. Although the appearance of the product has not changed, this is the third time we have made changes in the details, so you can choose our brand with confidence. In more than ten years of exploration, compared with other leather quiver products, this quiver makes more people satisfied, we welcome you to propose improvements at any time, we will continue to adjust the details
  • Large Accessories Pocket Handmade Cow Leather. High: 52 cm Style: Three-points Types: Back quiver Color: Brown
  • Suitable for both Left & Right Hand.Suitable for riding and shooting, outdoor hunting and so on.

We’ve seen few traditional bow quivers that look as cool as this one from Top Archery. With a leather backstrap design, it harkens back to Medieval longbowmen. 

At the same time, it’s practical. It has room for plenty of arrows and makes them easily accessible over the shoulder. It even has an additional closable pocket for storing other gear like gloves.  

A Storage Case

A storage case is the piece of equipment every archer needs but that few actually have, which is why it’s such a great gift. A good case will help the archer in your life keep their prized possession—their bow—and make it a lot easier to carry it around, facilitating their hobby.

Our Recommendation: Plano Protector Compact Bow Case

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Plano Protector Compact Bow Case, Black, Hard Bow Case, Holds up to Five Arrows, Anti-Crush Archery Storage and Protection
  • PLANO PROTECTOR COMPOUND BOW CASE: Lockable, padded protection for single and split or parallel-limb bows with or without quivers, to make sure your gear arrives safely.
  • PATENTED PILLARLOCK provides added anti-crush strength and rigidity. Poly tie-downs hold your bow in place to protect your investment during travel to your next hunting or shooting adventure.
  • KEEP SHOTS ON TARGET: This hard bow case features thick-wall construction and high-density poly foam to keep the bow aligned and cared-for.

We like the Plano Protector bow case in particular because of how easy it makes archery. Not only does it securely hold your bow, but it actually has storage for up to five arrows. Because it’s a hard-shell option, you can use it to carry your bow to the range, competitions, or tree stand, but you can also use it to store your bow in the offseason or transport it safely in your car.

The Latest Compound Model

Is it time for your archer to upgrade? Have they been pining for a new, faster, more powerful compound bow? We’d bet you’ll see a smile on their face when they unwrap a new compound model that blows their old one away. It represents a significant investment and shows how much you want them to be successful doing what they love.

Our Recommendation: Bear Archery Escalate

Bear Archery Escalate Adult Compound Bow Package, 70 lb. Draw Weight, Right Hand, True Timber Strata
  • CUSTOM LET OFF: EKO Technology allows let off customization to four different positions (75%, 80%, 85%, or 90%)
  • CUSTOM GRIPS: Ships with the new GRIZgrip for a more relaxed and natural grip on the bow and the popular VERSAGRIP
  • VIBRATION REDUCTION: The Vibration Reduction System (VRS) helps stabilize and reduce lingering riser vibration by up to 25% from the motion of shooting an arrow allowing for a smooth and quiet shot

This compound bow from Bear Archery is seriously impressive. Weighing just 4.1 pounds, it fires at up to 339 fps, better than a lot of crossbows. That’s serious power, which often translates to pinpoint accuracy. 

Okay, so you might not know exactly what all those numbers mean, but trust us. The archer in your life will. They’ll also like the adjustable draw weight ranging from 55-70 lbs and the adjustable let-off ranging from 75-90 percent.

It’s also a good choice if you’re shopping for someone who likes to bowhunt. Aside from the power, it has a string stop and limb dampeners as well as a camo finish.

The Sleekest Recurve Model

Most traditional archers we know love collecting recurve bows, so they’ll always be happy to get a new one. At the same time, a recurve bow can represent a new challenge for an archer or bowhunter that’s only used compound bows before. Either way, a beautiful recurve bow makes an elegant gift.

Our Recommendation: PSE Archery Nighthawk Recurve Bow

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PSE Archery Night Hawk Traditional Takedown Recreational Shooting Recurve Bow, Right, 62″- 50
  • CRAFTED FROM HARDWOOD – Constructed from hand-selected woods for an eye-catching look and great performance
  • RELIABLE STABILIZER – The built-in stabilizer of the recurve bow helps minimize vibrations, minimize shock and produce less noise
  • STABILIZER BUSHING – The stabilizer bushing offers dependability in the field and provide enhanced performance

To be honest, a big reason why we recommend the Nighthawk is because of its gorgeous design with a polished wooden riser connected to limbs of hand-selected woods finished black.

However, it’s not all looks. With 20 pounds of draw weight, it packs a punch for a recurve bow. Plus, it has bushing and threads for mounting accessories for serious archery activities.

A Bowhunting Package

Maybe you’re shopping for someone who’s completely new to archery or maybe they’ve done target shooting for a while but have been considering taking up bowhunting. Either way, the easiest way to start off on the right foot is to get a full ready-to-hunt package that includes everything someone needs to bowhunt successfully. It’s a gift that keeps on giving.

Our Recommendation: Diamond Infinite 305 Compound Bow Package

DIAMOND ARCHERY Infinite 305 Adjustable Fully Accessorized Hunting Compound Bow – 7-70 LBS Draw Weight, 19″-31″ Draw Length, 305 FPS, Left Hand, Mossy Oak
  • VERSATILITY TO TAKE ON ANY CHALLENGE – The Diamond Archery Infinite 305 Compound Bow is designed for every age and experience level; It is a perfect choice for any hunting situation, in any environment, or backyard recreational use
  • EXTREME ADJUSTABILITY – No new cam or module required – with the Infinite 305 you simply remove the module screws, adjust anywhere from 19 to 31, re-tighten and you are set; Also, our Infinite 305 grows every step of the way with 5 to 70lbs of draw weight
  • PREMIUM CONSTRUCTION – The Infinite 305 features an aluminum riser, aluminum cams, and the best strings and cables to provide you with confidence in accuracy and durability; This bow construction provides lightweight comfort and ultimate performance

We really like the Diamond Infinite 305 as a package gift for those just getting started with bowhunting. With a maximum of 70 pounds of draw weight and 305 fps of arrow speed, it’s plenty for hunting big game, not to mention target and hobby shooting. Yet it’s reasonably priced, so it’s no big deal if your archer decides to grade later on.

Additionally, it’s easy for beginners to use because the draw weight is highly adjustable. You can go as low as seven pounds and as high as 70, so a new archer can start easy and work their way up. It’s also lightweight at just 3.3 pounds, making it a lot easier for a newbie to hold it.

Finally, it’s a ready-to-hunt package. Not only does it come with a sight and quiver, but you even get advanced features like a stabilizer and string loop. Your archer can hit the tree stand the next day!

Arrows

Arrows are another go-to gift for archers because, although they likely already have quite a few, they always need more. More specifically, you can really show the archer in your life that you care about them and are interested in their passion by helping them upgrade their arrows and get ones that will improve their performance.

Our Recommendation: Gold Tip Velocity XT Arrows

Gold Tip Velocity XT Arrows with Raptor Vane (Pack of 6), Black, 400
  • Proven performance of the XT Hunter in a high speed shaft
  • Straightness tolerance: +-.003″
  • Weight tolerance: +-2 gr

Okay, the name sounds cool, but that’s not the only reason we’d love getting the Gold Tip Velocity XT arrows as a gift. More importantly, we love that they’re 100-percent carbon, meaning they’re lightweight, tough, and just the right amount of flexible for pinpoint accuracy. This is a quality item that shows the archer in your life that you understand their hobby and want them to be as successful as possible.

A Better Glove or Tab

This gift idea is a bit more niche and requires a bit of archery knowledge as well as knowledge about the intended recipient. That’s exactly what makes it such a great gift, though.

Archery gloves are designed to protect the wearer’s hand when drawing the bowstring and releasing it. Some are merely “tabs” that cover the fingertips to prevent the bowstring from grading against the skin. 

Archery gloves are primarily used by traditional archers, those using recurve or longbows, since most archers use a release on compound bows. Therefore, make sure this gift is something the archer in your life actually needs. Similarly, they may already have one, but if it’s worn or of low quality, it can still make for a nice surprise.

Our Recommendation: Neet Products Deluxe Leather Shooting Gloves

This glove has a stylish suede design that matches the traditional look of most recurve bows. At the same time, it’s an inexpensive gift that shows the archer you love that you want them to enjoy their hobby and be safe at the same time. It’s made of comfortable elastic that fits most people and has tactile but protective tabs over the fingertips.

An Archery Book

You don’t have to get an archer archery equipment. Instead, get them something else that helps them integrate their passion into other aspects of their life. For example, an archery-themed book shows that you know the recipient and their interests while simultaneously being something interesting that helps them explore their hobby.

Our Recommendation: Zen in the Art of Archery

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Zen in the Art of Archery
  • Eugen Herrigel (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 81 Pages – 01/26/1999 (Publication Date) – Vintage Books (Publisher)

We love this book and think anyone else who’s into archery would too. That’s because it isn’t simply a textbook on archery or its history. Rather, it’s a firsthand account of a philosophy professor who traveled to Japan to understand Zen Buddhism and ended up finding and falling in love with archery. Filled with adventure and the wisdom of kyudo masters, it’s an interesting story that speaks to the archer’s soul.

A Woodworking Kit

This is a gift more for bowyers than archers, but they tend to be one in the same. In fact, even if the archer in your life doesn’t currently make their own bows and arrows, a woodworking kit as a gift might be the nudge they needed if they’ve expressed interest in the past.

Now, a woodworking kit isn’t absolutely necessary for making bows since you can get pre-cut staves, but frankly, the woodworking is the best part of making a bow. With woodworking chisels, the archer—or bowyer, rather—in your life can make their own staves and put more of their own personality into their bows.

Our Recommendation: Narex 6-Piece Woodworking Chisels 

Narex 6 pc Set 6 mm (1/4), 10 (3/8), 12 (1/2), 16 (5/8), 20 (13/16), 26 (1-1/16) Woodworking Chisels in Wooden Presentation Box 853053
  • 6 piece set comes on a wooden presentation box
  • Blades are made from fine-grained, nicely tempered chrome-manganese steel and hardened to Rc 59
  • Contains the following sizes: 6, 10, 12, 16, 20 and 26 mm

If a woodworking kit sounds like a good gift for your archer or bowyer, you can’t go wrong with this one. First of all, it just looks great and shows you’re willing to invest in the recipient. The six chisels come in a wooden presentation box and themselves are made from gorgeous steel with stained wooden handles. 

An Arrow Inspector

An arrow inspector is an interesting gift and one that falls into the “something they didn’t even know they needed” category. It’s a surprisingly simple device that lets you spin an arrow to make sure it’s straight or true. 

It’s an especially good gift for bowyers or fletchers who like to make their own arrows, but it’s actually an important piece of equipment for any archer. We think this gift works best when you actually have to describe its use to the recipient, showing you’ve taken an interest in their hobby and its finer details.

Our Recommendation: Pine Ridge Archery Arrow Inspector

Pine Ridge Archery The Arrow Inspector, Black
  • This is a precision instrument designed to help insure a smooth and accurate arrow flight; Ideal for hunters, target, and 3D shooters and archers who fletch their own arrows
  • You’ll be able to use it with all your arrows, everything from micro diameter to the biggest things you would want to shoot indoors to punch paper, the arrow inspector can tackle them all and also works as a fletching removal tool
  • It is a matter of seconds to disassemble and break down into something the size of a wallet; it can go into your pocket or bag and be taken anywhere that you need to inspect your arrows

This is a straightforward arrow inspector that’s easy to use but helps bowhunters balance their broadheads, target shooters check trueness, and fletchers review their work. Like we mentioned, do a little reading into the product and how it works. We bet the archer in your life will be impressed. 

Bow Stringing Device

A stringing device is the perfect stocking stuffer for a new archer. It’s not good for a recurve bow to sit for extended periods of time under the tension of the bowstring, so you need to unstring it if you plan not to use it for more than a couple of weeks and then restring it when you take it out again.

Doing this by hand is not a good idea. Because it takes a lot of strength, you’re likely to apply pressure in the wrong places and bend the limbs or hurt yourself. A bow stringer lets you use your foot for leverage so you can apply consistent force to release the tension on the bowstring.

The main thing to keep in mind is whether the archer you’re shopping for already has one. Stringing devices are pretty straightforward, so they won’t need a second. This is a better gift for a beginner who’s in the process of stocking up on gear.

Our Recommendation: Selway Recurve Bow Stringer

Frankly, there isn’t a whole lot to a bow stringer, so we recommend this simple model from Selway. It’s made of quality material to keep the bow limbs safe and is small and compact, great for filling a stocking along with other archery gear.

A Rangefinder

A rangefinder is a more advanced gift for either bowhunters or target archer hobbyists. For bowhunters, it’s necessary to know the distances in the area around your tree stand so you can gauge your quarry’s distance and therefore aim correctly. For target archers, especially those who set up their own targets at home, a rangefinder is a much easier way to measure distance than getting out the tape measure.

Our Recommendation: Vortex Diamondback HD 2000 Laser Rangefinder

Vortex Optics Diamondback HD 2000 Laser Rangefinder
  • The Diamondback HD 2000 laser rangefinder with 7x magnification and a 24mm objective lens, gives hunters a 2,000 yards max range (1,400 yards on game); perfect for hunting in the Midwest and the Great Plains.
  • The HD optical system uses select glass elements to deliver exceptional resolution that cuts chromatic aberration and provides outstanding color fidelity. XR lens coatings provide maximum light transmission for peak clarity and low light performance.
  • The red OLED display stays clear in low light, and to match any hunting environment, the Diamondback HD 2000 has two target modes (Normal and Last), two ranging modes (HCD and LOS), and is tripod adaptable.

The archer or bowhunter in your life will definitely appreciate that you went out of your way to get them quality equipment that lets them advance and improve in their hobby. That’s why you should consider the Vortex Diamondback HD 2000. For one thing, it’s waterproof and shockproof, so it should last a while and stand up to rough situations, meaning it’s a gift the archer can potentially remember you by for years. 

Additionally, it’s just an effective piece of equipment. It has a range of 2,000 yards as well as 7x magnification.   

A Scope

A scope is another advanced piece of archery equipment that the archer in your life may not have, but that they’d certainly benefit from. A scope makes aiming more precise because it helps the archer keep the bow perfectly vertical relative to the target, which promotes a straighter shot.

Our Recommendation: HHA 3D Pro 5000 Scope 

We suggest getting a scope like this one from HHA. It’s easy to sight in and includes a level that helps the shooter keep the bow vertical. Additionally, the green coloring draws the eye to make aiming easier and more natural. 

A Phone Mount

Are you shopping for someone who wants to be an archery influencer? Okay, it doesn’t have to be that extreme, but who doesn’t love filming or live streaming from their phone while doing what they love? 

That’s what makes a phone mount such a great gift. It tells the archer your life that you want them to share their passion with you. You want to see videos of their adventures from their perspective.

Our Recommendation: Homelex Smartphone Camera Bow Mount

Smartphone Camera Bow Phone Mount for Use with Iphone,samsung,gopro, and More, ⅡUpgrade
  • Film From Your Bow – Social media live in the woods. Video your hunt right from your bow.
  • Fits Most Smartphones – Bow smartphone mount(Including Iphones/Plus/Samsung etc.) And mounts to your bow. Swing arm hinges, adjusts, or detaches is seconds.
  • Convenient – Put on bow phone mount, Mounts on any AMS sight mount (Right or Left Hand), Folds flush against the riser.

Whether it’s hunting, target shooting, or trick shooting, this camera mount from Homelix will let that special archer capture their memories and share them with you. It’s easy to install and unobtrusive so it doesn’t get in the way of shooting. Plus, we love how easily it lets you adjust the angle of the smartphone for expertly crafted videos and photos. Not only does it show the recipient you want to share in their experience, but it renews their excitement for their passion and hobby.

An Archery T-Shirt

A t-shirt always makes one of the most simple and well-received Archery gifts. If the person you’re shopping for is truly passionate about archery, they’ll want to express that part of their personality and share it with those around them. What better way than a clever t-shirt that draws a chuckle and shows off a unique interest and hobby?

Our Recommendation: Not All Are Lost Some Are Looking For Arrows

Not All Are Lost Some Looking For Arrows – Bow Funny Archery T-Shirt
  • Not All Who Wander Are Lost Some Looking For Arrows – Funny archery bow hunting design. American Flag Camouflage Style. Kids, Mens and Womens Sizes.
  • Funny birthday, Christmas, 4th of July or fathers day gift for Dad, Mom, husband, wife, kids or archer Grandpa who loves bow hunting big whitetail bucks with a traditional or compound bow from a tree stand.
  • Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem

There are a lot of archery t-shirts to choose from, and you should check them all out to find the right one for your archer. That said, this one is definitely our favorite. Maybe it’s just because we’re Tolkien fans and love the archery crossover, but the “Not all are lost some are looking for arrows” slogan shows a more unique and profound love for archery than a standard t-shirt.

Beyond that, it’s a comfortable, well-fitting shirt, the solid colors made of 100-percent cotton. Speaking of colors, there are eight options to make it even more personalized.

Their Passion on a Mug

Like a t-shirt, a mug is a good way for the archer in your life to express their passion and remember it even when they’re no in the tree stand or on the range. It’s a good stocking stuffer, or you can wrap it up along with other gear stuffed in it like a glove or stringing device. Getting an archery-themed mug over a standard graphic mug shows that you know the recipient and what they like.

Our Recommendation: 3dRose Target Mug

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3dRose Target with red yellow black white and blue rings Mug, 11 oz
  • Image printe o bot sides
  • Whit Ceramic mu wit blac interio an handle
  • Thi i manufacture i Unite States

Nothing says archery more than the classic bullseye target. Though it’s a super simple design and correspondingly inexpensive, it’s immediately recognizable and distinguishes the user as an avid archer.

It’s the Thought That Counts

While the old adage is certainly true, it’s important to put as much thought into the gift as possible. Make sure you’ve considered all the above options and calibrated your gift to the wants, needs, and preferences of the archer in your life. That’s what counts the most.  

This article is written by:

Gregory Johnson

Gregory Johnson

With almost 20 years of archery experience under his belt, Gregory founded the Complete Guide to Archery website in 2017. His purpose has been to spread knowledge about the hobby and sport to anyone willing to learn.
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