Choosing the best bow sight for hunting can be daunting with all the options available to hunters. This guide will walk you through variables to consider and help you pick the best sight for your bow. All that’s left is to sight it in and start hunting.
No matter the sight configuration you choose, be sure to purchase a well-made sight from a reputable company (Black Gold Sights, Spot Hogg, HHA, Axcel & CBE are a few examples) so that it will withstand the regular abuse of trips to the range or in the field.
Bow sights come in 3 main configurations: Multi-pin Fixed, Single-pin Slider & Multi-pin Slider.
Multi-Pin Fixed
Many would say the multi pin fixed sight is the best bow sight for hunting. It is the simplest and most popular bowhunting sight configuration. Multi-pin fixed sights have a fixed sight housing. The sight housing has between 2-7 pins that allow you to set each pin at a preferred yardage. For instance, a 3-pin sight is typically set at 20-30-40 yards).
Multi-pin fixed sights are a “set it and forget it” option. There is no need to worry about whether you remembered to reset your slider to 0. Your pins are always at the same yardage.
Single-Pin Slider
Single-pin sights with adjustable sight housings (“sliders”) offer a clean sight picture (since there is only 1 pin) with the option to “dial” in exact yardage for your shots.
Using a slider takes some practice. But it gives you the advantage of always being able to settle your pin where you want the arrow to impact. Unlike a fixed sight where you may have to aim using the “gaps” in your pins if you are presented with a 25 yard shot and your pins are set at 20 & 30 yards.
Multi-Pin Slider
A Multi-pin Slider sight offers the best of both worlds. When the slider is locked at your zero position, the sight operates just like a multi-pin fixed sight. Your pins can be set at 20-30-40 yards. Then there is no need to adjust your sight housing to make shots within that range.
Alternatively, with one pin set as your “slider” pin, you can adjust the sight housing up and down to dial in that “slider” pin to the exact yardage required.
Be sure to check out the rest of the Bowhunting 101 series to help you navigate outfitting your archery set up.