Top Bows for Hunting (Beginners Welcome)

Darton’s Consequence 2.0 offers several features you don’t typically see on an adult-sized compound bow at this price point. For example, it has a cable roller guard versus the usual cable slides. If you keep your string clean and waxed, the traditional cable slides will likely not cause significant wear even over hundreds and hundreds of shots. Still, it’s undeniable that the roller guards that have become popular over the past few years are superior, resulting in a smoother draw (which some say they can feel) and less wear and tear on your bowstring. It’s a premium feature that belies the Consequence’s entry-level (or maybe mid-level) price.   

The Consequence also features a lateral string transfer just below the pulleys to help prevent wheel/pulley lean. It has wider limb sets than other budget bows, resulting in a stable left-right feel to each shot and a bow that looks at home among the $1,000+ bow crowd. It’s also a very quiet bow. The Consequence is offered in several muted, solid colors and a camo pattern. 

We like the blacked-out stealth look, which is somewhat unusual these days, particularly in hunting-oriented bows, but the OD green and the new gray are also very attractive. You can specify different riser and limb colors when you purchase from Darton if you want to mix things up… A flat-dark-earth riser and OD green limbs, for example. Or a gray riser with black limbs. You get the idea, but this kind of personal customization at this price level is welcome.

Darton 2026 Consequence Bow Review

Drawing the Consequence through its cycle results in a pretty abrupt stop as you reach full draw, while others in this group have a more flexible wall. This is neither a pro nor a con but rather a personal preference. If you like your draw to feel firmly anchored at the same spot each time you reach full draw stroke, you’ll probably love this bow. Look elsewhere if you prefer a little softer stop as you reach full draw.   

Downsides? That forgiving, long 7.5” brace height might result in a lower arrow speed if you shoot different 70-lb bows back to back. However, in our testing, speeds aligned with most others in this group.   

Darton has also expanded the line with the Consequence 2.0, essentially the same bow but with a forged, machined aluminum riser rather than the original Consequence's extruded aluminum. It’s also drilled and tapped for a Hamskea COR-type mount for your arrow rest, and comes with a new speed module in the cams. 

The Consequence 2.0 is supposed to be lighter, but on our scale, it wasn’t appreciably so… maybe a 10th of a pound or just a little over an ounce and a half lighter than before. Certainly not something you’d base a purchase decision on. 

We’d probably opt for the standard Consequence at about $650 (and maybe cheaper on clearance) until they’re no longer available and save a hundred bucks or more versus the 2.0 or 31 version, which has an MSRP of $799 (about $749 at most archery shops). Either way, it’s a heck of a lot of bow for the money and probably our top overall choice for a true beginner who wants an easy-shooting bow with many desirable features for an excellent price.   

If you still want to opt for a 30–50 lb draw weight (perhaps for younger, female, or smaller-statured archers), Darton’s Consequence SD is an excellent choice, bringing short-draw efficiency and a forged aluminum riser to the line at an MSRP of $749.

Bear Whitetail Maxx

Look closely at the Bear Whitetail Maxx if you want a great hunting bow without breaking the bank. This bow performs like a premium hunting bow, costing twice as much (or more). Regarding speed for the money, the Whitetail Maxx is among the fastest bows we’ve tested, with high 280-290 feet-per-second speeds with 430-450 grain arrows and up to 330 fps with lighter ones. 

Using the higher-force 55-70 lb limbs most adult male hunters will prefer, the initial pull weight feels significantly heavier on this bow than others in this category, but it’s also the fastest, which makes sense. The more aggressive cam profile results in more incredible speed, but when adjusted to its max 70 lbs draw, it’s not a shoot-all-day-in-the-backyard bow unless you’re built like Dwayne Johnson. 

If you like the other features of the bow but want to dial back the draw weight, optional 45-60 lb limbs are available when you purchase the bow, and you can undoubtedly get them separately later if you already have the bow but want maximum versatility.

Bear Archery Whitetail Maxx Bow Review

Additionally, you can easily adjust the Whitetail Maxx’s let-off to 75, 80, 85, or 90 percent, which can assist in personalizing the feel of the draw cycle to maximize accuracy in different conditions. Another premium feature is the new roller-type cable guards, which are becoming more common even on entry-level and mid-tier bows.   

If we were starting from scratch, we’d go with the Whitetail Maxx (or current Whitetail NXT/Legion models) in Bear’s Ready-to-Hunt package for about $700–$829 all-in, which is an excellent deal. The RTH package includes a Trophy Ridge 4-pin sight, Whisker Biscuit-V arrow rest, 5-Spot quiver, snubnose stabilizer, peep sight, and D-loop.

Bowtech Carbon Zion (and Zion DLX)

If your hunting style has you covering a lot of ground rather than sitting in a tree or ground blind, the Bowtech Carbon Zion might be the ideal lightweight hunting bow on a budget. At a feathery 3.3 lbs, the Carbon Zion feels stupid light, and if you’re used to a heavier aluminum riser bow, the Carbon Zion may feel a bit like a toy the first time you pick it up. The carbon-composite matrix is marketing-speak for “we used a lot of lightweight carbon bits in this polymer riser,” but regardless, it’s pleasant to pack around on long days in the field. 

Actual full-carbon bows generally start in the $1,400+ range and go up from there, but a carbon/polymer/resin matrix bow isn’t just less expensive but can be extremely tough and very light. The Carbon Zion isn’t just a bare, lightweight hunting bow. It quickly switches from comfort to performance mode simply by flipping the disc modules in the cams. It also comes equipped with draw stops and a riser vibration dampener.