Better Outdoors Archery & Bowhunting

Better Outdoors: Go Outside. Do It Better.

Better Outdoors helps archers and bowhunters make smarter decisions with honest compound bow reviews, step-by-step tuning guides and free interactive tools, so you spend less time guessing and more time shooting tight groups in the field.

10In-depth archery guides
5Free archery tools
100%Free, no paywalls
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Why we exist

It’s Better Outdoors When Your Gear Fits You

Better Outdoors is a free online resource built for archers, bowhunters and anyone who loves time outside but wants clear, trustworthy information before spending money or heading into the woods. Most bow problems are not shooting problems. They are fit and setup problems: the wrong draw length, a mismatched package, a grip that torques the riser.

That is why Better Outdoors focuses on practical setup, honest specs and recommendations that actually help in real conditions. No hype. No gatekeeping. Just straightforward guidance from people who shoot.

  • Specs checked against manufacturer and retailer data
  • Step-by-step tuning you can do at home
  • Calculators that turn numbers into decisions
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Better Outdoors archery and outdoor adventure guides
Built for real huntsNot just headlines
Fresh from the blog

Latest Better Outdoors Guides & Bow Reviews

Our most-read archery guides, updated for 2026.

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Find Your Draw Length in 10 Seconds

Draw length is the single biggest factor in how a compound bow feels. Slide to your wingspan (fingertip to fingertip, in inches) and Better Outdoors will estimate your starting draw length using the wingspan ÷ 2.5 method archery pro shops use.

Want a deeper check? The full calculator also works from height and walks you through the signs of a correct fit.

Open the Full Calculator

Estimated draw length

28.0inches

A starting point. Confirm at full draw with a pro shop or the signs in our draw length guide.

18,000+Words of bow guides
80+Archery questions answered
3Major bow brands covered
$0Cost to readers
Why choose us

Why Choose Better Outdoors

There is no shortage of archery content online. What makes Better Outdoors different is how we approach it.

Practical over flashy

Advice that works outside of perfect range conditions.

Honest gear recommendations

Pros and cons included, every time.

Beginner-friendly

No jargon or assumptions about what you know.

Free resources

No paywalls or forced sign-ups at Better Outdoors.

Evergreen content

Useful today and years from now, updated as models change.

We don’t tell you how to hunt “the right way.” Better Outdoors helps you find your better way.

Gear we trust

Better Outdoors Essential Archery Gear Picks

The accessories that make the biggest difference for most bowhunters, whatever bow you shoot.

Recommended on Amazon

Top pick

Bow Release Aid

A quality wrist-strap release is the cheapest accuracy upgrade in archery.

  • Cleaner, repeatable shots
  • Adjustable length and trigger
Check Price on Amazon

Archery Rangefinder

Angle-compensated yardage removes the biggest source of misses from a treestand.

  • Angle compensation
  • Fast scan mode
Check Price on Amazon

Portable Bow Press

For module swaps, peep installs and string changes at home.

  • Saves pro shop trips
  • Protects cams and limbs
Check Price on Amazon

Bag or Foam Block Target

Shoot more arrows at home, which is the real secret to tighter groups.

  • Stops field points and broadheads
  • Easy arrow removal
Check Price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, Better Outdoors earns from qualifying purchases.

Better Outdoors FAQ

What is Better Outdoors?

Better Outdoors is a free archery and outdoor resource. We publish in-depth compound bow reviews, step-by-step bow tuning guides such as the 2016 PSE draw length adjustment, and interactive calculators that help hunters set up their gear with confidence.

Is Better Outdoors an archery pro shop?

No. Better Outdoors is an independent publication, not a retail archery pro shop. We do not sell bows directly. We explain specs, setup and tuning so you walk into your local pro shop, or shop online, knowing exactly what you need.

Are the Better Outdoors tools really free?

Yes. Every Better Outdoors calculator, including the draw length calculator, arrow speed calculator, kinetic energy calculator, bow finder quiz and bowhunting checklist, is free with no sign-up required.

How does Better Outdoors make money?

Better Outdoors is reader-supported. Some links go to Amazon, and as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Affiliate relationships never change our verdicts.

Which bow brands does Better Outdoors cover?

Right now Better Outdoors covers Mathews, Bear Archery and PSE compound bows, including the Mathews Lift 29.5, Mathews Prima, Bear Alaskan XT, Bear Persist, Bear Whitetail Maxx and PSE Evolve 28, with more brands on the way.

Start Planning Your Next Outdoor Adventure

Browse our bow reviews, learn from real-world tuning advice, and head into the field with confidence.