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Jul 23, 2023

New Bows for 2023

(Photo courtesy of Bowtech) Bowtech strategically designed the riser on its

(Photo courtesy of Bowtech)

Bowtech strategically designed the riser on its all-new Carbon One as the foundation for what it claims is the most vibration-free carbon bow ever built. Combined with the proven Bowtech DeadLock Cam System that makes it easy to tune for perfect nock travel, the Carbon One boasts an IBO speed rating of 335 fps. The bow measures 30 inches between the axles, has a 6.63-inch brace height and 4.5-pound mass weight. Other highlights include a Clutch Performance Grip, cam-mounted FlipDiscs that allow shooters to choose between Comfort and Performance draw cycles, Integrate rest-mounting compatibility and a full complement of noise- and vibration-dampening accessories. The Carbon One accommodates draw lengths from 25.5-30.5 inches, via rotating cam modules, and is available in peak draw weights of 50, 60 and 70 pounds. Finish options include Black, OD Green, Smoke Grey and Flat Dark Earth (pictured). $1,799 | bowtecharchery.com

The new Phase 4 from Mathews attacks vibration right at the source by incorporating the company's groundbreaking Resistance Phase Damping Technology into the bow's limbs. The result is a top-tier hunting bow that Mathews says is its smoothest shooting and stealthiest yet. Available in two axle-to-axle configurations — 29 or 33 inches — the Phase 4 also was designed to seamlessly integrate with a new line of Bridge-Lock Stabilizers. As with last year's innovative Bridge-Lock sights, Bridge-Lock Stabilizers fit perfectly into the bow's riser via a mounting system that proves incredibly effective at dampening vibration and noise while also improving bow balance. The Phase 4 is powered by Mathews’ Crosscentric Cam with SwitchWeight Technology. The Phase 4 29 has an IBO speed rating of 340 fps, 6-inch brace height, 4.48-pound mass weight and accommodates draw lengths from 25.5-30 inches. The Phase 4 33 has an IBO speed rating of 336 fps, 6.5-inch brace height, 4.68-pound mass weight and accommodates draw lengths from 27-31.5 inches. Both models are available with either 80 or 85 percent letoff in your choice of eight solid color and camo finishes. $1,299 (Phase 4 29) and $1,399 (Phase 4 33) | mathewsinc.com

Bear Archery celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2023, and the new Execute 32 represents the culmination of nine decades of archery excellence for this iconic brand. Measuring 32 inches between the axles with a 6.375-inch brace height and 340 fps IBO speed rating, the Execute 32 is maneuverable, comfortable to shoot and deadly in the field. Powered by Bear's EKO cam system, the Execute accommodates draw lengths from 26.5-30.5 inches and allows shooters to customize letoff to their choice of four settings — 75, 80, 85 or 90 percent. The feel of the bow's back wall is also adjustable thanks to the included limb stop, as is the feel of the grip, as archers can choose between the riser-integrated slim grip or a new soft-touch grip with a thicker palm swell for added comfort. Other highlights of the Execute 32 include a new, machined aluminum riser design; new, wider-stance Gordon Composites split limbs; new aluminum limb pockets for perfect riser-to-limb alignment; a swing-arm cable guard; and new Shock Management System integrated vibration-dampening system for a dead-in-hand feel and quiet shot. The Execute 32 is available in peak draw weights of 60 and 70 pounds, each with 15 pounds of downward adjustability. Finishes include Stone, Olive and six camouflage options. $1,199.99 | beararchery.com

The all-new Era, Elite's first-ever carbon bow, was designed and built to redefine what a carbon bow should be. Like Elite's aluminum bows, the Era features the company's signature, Dual-Cage Riser that adds strength and stiffness where needed most while also keeping weight to a minimum. The result is a bow that measures 31.25 inches between the axles and weighs just 3.95 pounds, thanks to the high-modulus carbon-fiber riser. The inherent vibration-dampening qualities of carbon — combined with short, wide-stance limbs and the smooth-drawing, high-performance SP Cam system — results in a highly stable, accurate bow that offers all the "shootability" archers have come to expect from Elite. With an IBO speed rating of 336 fps and a 7.25-inch brace height, the Era is both fast and forgiving. It is also highly customizable, thanks to your choice of cable or limb stops for the back wall, the ability to make quarter-inch adjustments throughout the 25.5-31-inch draw-length range and new V2 Micro Mods on the cams that allow letoff to be adjusted from 70-90 percent, in 1 percent increments. Other highlights of the Era include Elite's S.E.T. cam-tuning system for perfect nock travel and a lifetime warranty. Available in peak draw weights of 40, 50, 60, 65 and 70 pounds. $1,699 | elitearchery.com

Hoyt says its new VTM is the company's quietest aluminum bow yet, boasting 59 percent less vibration and 11 percent less shot noise than 2022's Ventum Pro. Available in two models — the VTM 31 and VTM 34 (pictured) — these bows are built with a new, stiffer Tec riser that boosts accuracy and features a cutout specifically to thread cable-driven rest cords through; no more rubbing or wearing from feeding the activation cord around the Tec bar! There is also a new Riser Tunnel designed to accommodate trigger cables for the Garmin Xero and other electronic sights. Meanwhile, the VTM is powered by Hoyt's HBX Pro Cam System featuring easy tunability, an improved sight picture and optimized efficiency, thanks to a pair of modules that cover the draw-length range for both models. Hoyt attacks noise and vibration on the VTM via a host of integrated dampening accessories, including Hoyt Shock Pod Technology, Limb Shox limb dampeners, Stealth Shot string stop and new Hole Shot V2 string dampeners engineered to eliminate high-frequency vibrations that are inaudible to humans but an important way for deer and other game to detect danger. Other highlights of the VTM series include a VitalPoint Grip for consistent, comfortable hand placement; an included Short Stop 2.25-inch stabilizer for a lower center of gravity and improved bow balance; riser-integrated Picatinny sight-mounting rail; and Integrate dovetail rest mount. The VTM 31 measures 30.625 inches between the axles and has an IBO speed rating of 342 fps, 6-inch brace height, 4.6-pound mass weight and draw-length range of 25-30 inches. The VTM 34 measures 33.75 inches between the axles and has an IBO speed rating of 334 fps, 6.25-inch brace height, 4.8-pound mass weight and draw-length range of 26-31 inches. $1,399 (VTM 31) and $1,449 (VTM 34) | hoyt.com

Shooters searching for extreme stability and accuracy need look no further than the new REVEX from Prime Archery by G5 Outdoors. Available in your choice of three axle-to-axle lengths — 32, 34 or 36 inches — the REVEX is powered by Prime's new CORE Cam System, featuring draw-length specific modules designed to maximize efficiency at every setting. In addition, the CORE Cam System features Prime's cam-balancing technology that brings the strings and cables in line, creating a perfectly balanced load throughout the draw cycle for reduced bow torque and increased accuracy. The REVEX 32 has a 338 IBO speed rating, 6.25-inch brace height, 4.5-pound mass weight and accommodates draw lengths from 26-30 inches. The REVEX 34 has an IBO speed rating of 340 fps, 6.25-inch brace height, 4.6-pound mass weight and accommodates draw lengths from 26.5-30.5 inches, while the REVEX 36 has an IBO speed rating of 330 fps, 6.75-inch brace height, 4.7-pound mass weight and accommodates draw lengths from 27.5-31.5 inches. Regardless of the length you choose, you’ll experience tremendous stability while aiming thanks to Prime's exclusive, center-gripped riser design that places your hand in the center of the rig for awesome balance and a sight pin that appears glued to the bull's-eye. The REVEX also integrates bow accessories like never before. Prime partnered with TightSpot to create a special, Prime-specific mounting bracket that produces the tightest-fitting quiver on the market with easy adjustment too. Prime also partnered with Hamskea in the design of a limb-driven arrow rest integrated into the riser. Other highlights of the REVEX include a new, carbon string stop that eliminates sound and vibration and Prime's Nano grip that offers a warm feel on cold days in the field. Prime is also unveiling two new finish options on the REVEX — Rock Ridge Scar and First Lite Specter — to go with a handful of existing options. $1,199 (REVEX 32 and 34) or $1,299 (REVEX 36) | g5prime.com

APA Archery's new Black Mamba 29 is an ultra-compact rig built for the backcountry. Measuring just 29.125 inches between the axles and weighing just 3.55 pounds, the Black Mamba 29 is easy to carry deep in the wilderness but will also be right at home in the tight confines of a stand or blind. Despite its small size and light weight, the Black Mamba 29 sacrifices nothing in performance with its 355 fps IBO speed rating. The bow has a 6.25-inch brace height, 80 percent letoff, accommodates draw lengths from 24-30 inches and is available in peak draw weights of 40, 50, 60 and 70 pounds. The Black Mamba 29 also features APA's exclusive signature features, such as a Fang riser that allows the bow to be hung easily from any limb, built-in carrying handle and riser-integrated tool center that includes things such as a broadhead wrench, nock wrench, carbide sharpener and cam-lock pin that allows for string and cable replacement in the field without a bow press. $1,199 | apaarchery.com

Shorter axle-to-axle bows are great when hunting in the tight confines of a treestand or ground blind, but many bows sacrifice stability and accuracy to achieve a compact form factor. Not so with Bowtech's new CP30, a 30-inch axle-to-axle rig designed to feel like a longer bow at full draw and powered by Bowtech's DeadLock Cam System that produces an IBO speed rating of 331 fps and makes tuning for perfect nock travel easy using nothing more than a set of Allen wrenches. Add in an extremely smooth draw cycle and the CP30 is a compelling option for serious bowhunters. Other highlights of the CP30 include a 6.75-inch brace height, 4.5-pound mass weight, 25-30.5-inch draw-length range and peak draw weights of 50, 60 or 70 pounds. Available in your choice of four solid colors and five camouflage finish options. $1,199 | bowtecharchery.com

PSE's new Mach 34 carbon bow is a lightweight rig that offers tremendous stability at full draw and IBO speeds up to 340 fps. The Mach 34 is surprisingly lightweight at just 3.6 pounds considering its 34-inch axle-to-axle length. Moreover, the Mach 34 features PSE's new Full Draw Stability system that actively resists shooter-induced riser torque at full draw by maximizing "effective brace height" — resulting in steadier aim and better accuracy. Available with your choice of three cam systems (E2, S2 and EC), the Mach 34 covers an impressive draw-length range of 26.5-33 inches, while brace height varies from 6.75-7.25 inches depending on cam choice. IBO speed ratings are 330 fps for the EC cam, 335 fps for the E2 cam and 340 fps for the S2 cam. Other highlights of the Mach 34 include PSE's Dead Frequency Carbon technology for a quiet, vibration-free shot; all-new EZ.220 Snap Spacer System that allows cams to be quickly tuned with a series of snap-in spacers that move the cams along the axles in precise, .02-inch increments; Limb Vise Pocket System that maintains perfect limb-to-riser alignment at all limb-bolt settings; and multiple rest-mounting options that accommodate traditional arrow rests as well as the QAD Integrate or Hamskea Epsilon. $1,799 | psearchery.com

Youngsters working their way into the bowhunting ranks, older hunters who may not pull as much weight as they used to or anyone else in need of a lower draw weight will want to check out the new Image from Mathews. Powered by the Mathews Crosscentric Cam system with SwitchWeight Technology, the Image is capable of producing IBO arrow speeds up to 335 fps but comes in peak draw weights of 40, 43, 47 or 50 pounds. With a compact axle-to-axle length of 29 inches, brace height of 6 inches and draw-length range of 25.5-30 inches, the Image offers all the features of other top-end Mathews bows, including exclusive Bridge-Lock technology. Finish options include Black, Granite and Green Ambush. Just because you don't draw 60 or 70 pounds, you don't have to sacrifice! $1,299 | mathewsinc.com

Hoyt says its new Z1S is the industry's smoothest-shooting speed bow — a feat accomplished only through years of testing, trial and error. Powered by Hoyt's new Twin Turbo S-Type Binary Cam System, the Z1S has an IBO speed rating of 350 fps and adjustable letoff of 80 or 85 percent. Other highlights include a riser-integrated Picatinny sight mount; Integrate rest mount; VitalPoint Grip; included 2.25-inch Short Stop Stabilizer; SL Sidebar adapter mounting location; and a host of integrated noise- and vibration-dampening accessories. The Z1S measures 33 inches between the axles and has a 5.875-inch brace height, 4.7-pound mass weight and draw-length range of 26-30 inches. $1,499 | hoyt.com

Muzzy has long been a leader in the bowfishing arena, and for 2023 the company is upping its game with the new-and-improved V2 Bowfishing Bow. Built with a redesigned, aluminum riser for improved geometry and easier aiming, the V2 comes as close as possible to being a one-size-fits-all bowfishing rig. Like most bowfishing bows, the V2 accommodates a wide variety of draw lengths, and extra-long limb bolts make it quick and easy to adjust draw weight up or down, right in the boat, with nothing more than an Allen wrench. Other highlights include an enhanced grip for greater comfort and less torque and an improved cable guard and slide system for smoother draw and extreme tunability. Finished in a new, reptile-inspired camouflage pattern, the V2 is available in both left- and right-handed versions, either as a bow only or as a kit that includes all the accessories you need to hit the water. $249.99 (Bow Only) or $399.99 (Kit) | feradyne.com/muzzy-bowfishing