Mathews Compound Bow Packages: What You Get and Who They Fit

Mathews bow packages take one of the most respected compound bows on the market and turn it into a complete, ready-to-shoot setup. Instead of buying a bare bow and hunting down a sight, rest, quiver and stabilizer on your own, a Mathews compound bow package bundles the essentials and, at a good shop, includes the setup work that makes them shoot well together.

This guide explains what a Mathews package usually includes, how a Mathews RTH package compares with buying a bare bow, how Mathews cams and limbs affect the way a bow shoots, and which archers get the most out of a package. Whether you are shopping for your first Mathews bow or replacing an older one, you will know what to ask the dealer before you hand over a card.

Try the free Bow Finder QuizSix questions to match you with the right bow.

What Typically Comes in a Mathews Bow Package

Mathews sells its bows through authorized dealers, and most packages are put together at the shop level. That means two Mathews ready to hunt bow packages built on the same bow can include different accessories. Treat the list below as what you should expect, then confirm the details with your dealer.

Bow and Cam System

The bow is the core of every package, and the cam is what gives a Mathews its character. Mathews built much of its reputation on the single-cam design, often called the Solocam, which uses one power cam on the bottom limb and an idler wheel on top. A single-cam bow avoids the timing issues two cams can develop, which is a big reason Mathews earned a name for quiet, easy-to-tune bows.

Modern Mathews bows have moved on to newer cam systems, and recent flagship models are designed around a smooth draw cycle, a firm back wall and consistent nock travel. If you searched for “Mathews cam in archery compound bows,” the practical takeaway is this: the cam controls draw length, let-off, how the bow feels at full draw and how efficiently it stores energy. Draw length on most current Mathews bows is set with a module or mod, using the chart Mathews publishes for that cam.

Bow Sight

The sight is the accessory most shooters upgrade first. Package sights are usually fixed multi-pin designs, which are simple and reliable for hunting out to moderate distances. Asking for the best bow sight for a Mathews? Start by checking how your bow mounts accessories: many recent Mathews risers use the Bridge-Lock sight mount, while others use a standard two-bolt pattern. A Bridge-Lock compatible sight mounts tighter to the riser, but a quality standard sight works fine. A good 5-pin hunting sight is the right starting point for most hunters.

Arrow Rest

Package rests are typically containment or drop-away styles. Containment rests hold the arrow securely when you are climbing into a stand or stalking, while drop-away rests fall out of the way at the shot for maximum fletching clearance. Both work for hunting. If your package rest feels basic, a drop-away arrow rest is a common mid-season upgrade.

Quiver

A bow-mounted quiver keeps arrows and broadheads protected and within reach. Most package quivers detach so you can hang the quiver in the tree and shoot a lighter, better-balanced bow. Check that the quiver hood fits your broadheads and that it mounts solidly without rattling.

Stabilizer

Hunting packages usually include a short stabilizer, which helps the bow sit still at full draw and soaks up some shot vibration. It will not transform your accuracy, but it does help balance out a sight and quiver on the same side of the bow.

Wrist Sling and Setup Components

Smaller items round out a complete package: a wrist sling, a peep sight, a D-loop and sometimes a nock point or string silencers. These seem minor, but a peep installed at the wrong height or a D-loop tied too long can ruin your form. A shop that installs them while you are at full draw is giving you real value.

Who Benefits Most From Mathews Compound Bow Packages

Packages are not only for beginners. They suit anyone who values a matched, tuned setup over building one piece by piece.

New Archers Entering the Sport

If this is your first Mathews bow, a package removes guesswork. You do not need to know which rest pairs with which arrow or how to time a drop-away. A good shop sets draw length, mounts everything, sights you in and teaches you the basics, so your first sessions are about shooting, not troubleshooting.

Hunters Preparing for the Season

Hunters who need a reliable rig quickly benefit most from Mathews ready to hunt bow packages. You leave with a bow that is sighted in and ready for broadheads after some practice, rather than waiting on parts orders. Add arrows, broadheads and a release and you are close to field ready. Our bowhunting checklist covers the rest.

Archers Seeking Consistent Performance

Accessories chosen to work together, set up by someone with a bow press and paper-tuning station, tend to produce cleaner arrow flight than parts assembled at home. That consistency matters more than any single high-end component.

Backup or Secondary Bow Users

If you already own a main hunting bow, a package is an efficient way to build a backup, a bow for a spouse or partner, or a dedicated 3D rig without stripping accessories off your primary setup.

What Features Should You Look For in a Beginner Compound Bow Package?

Whether you buy a Mathews or another brand, the best ready to hunt bow package for a beginner shares a few traits:

• Correct draw length. Nothing matters more. Measure it first and make sure the bow covers your number.
• Manageable draw weight. You should be able to draw smoothly while seated or kneeling without lifting the bow skyward.
• A forgiving brace height and axle-to-axle length. Moderate numbers are easier to shoot accurately than extreme ones.
• A simple, sturdy sight and a containment-style rest. Fewer moving parts means fewer things to go wrong.
• Included setup and sight-in. The labor is worth as much as the parts.
• Room to upgrade. Standard mounting patterns let you swap accessories later.

Try the free Draw Length CalculatorEstimate your draw length from wingspan or height.

Package vs Bare Bow: Making the Right Choice

A bare bow gives you full control over every accessory. A package gives you convenience, a matched setup and usually some savings compared with buying everything separately. Here is how they stack up:

At Better Outdoors we recommend a package for most first-time Mathews buyers. Experienced archers who already own a sight and rest they love are usually better off buying the bare bow and moving their accessories over. Pricing changes with model, season and shop, so check current price with a local dealer rather than relying on old listings.

Engineering Quality and Reliability

Mathews is known for precisely machined risers, solid limb pockets and attention to noise and vibration. In a package, that build quality is the foundation, and the accessories hang off it. A well-built bow holds its tune and keeps your sight and rest aligned season after season.

Mathews Limbs in Compound Bows

Mathews uses split limbs on its modern bows, mounted in limb pockets that let the limb flex in a controlled way. Limbs store most of the energy that drives the arrow, and draw weight is adjusted by turning the limb bolts. A package should leave the shop at a draw weight you can handle comfortably. Never back limb bolts out past the manufacturer limit, and have a pro shop inspect any limb that shows cracks or splinters.

Hunting Applications and Field Performance

Most Mathews packages are built for hunting, and for good reason. A compact, quiet, well-balanced bow is easier to maneuver in a blind or treestand and easier to hold steady after a long sit.

Choosing the Best Mathews Bow for Hunting

The best Mathews bow for hunting is the one that fits your draw length, draw weight and hunting style. Shorter axle-to-axle bows maneuver well in tight spaces, while slightly longer bows can feel steadier at longer ranges. Smaller-framed and short-draw shooters should look at models designed for them. Our Mathews Prima Level 1 package guide covers a short-draw option, and our Mathews Lift 29.5 review looks at a compact flagship hunting bow.

Adjustability and Long-Term Use

A package bow should grow with you. Draw length on Mathews bows is typically changed through mods, so if your form improves or your measurement changes, a dealer can adjust it. Draw weight can be raised or lowered within the limb range. Over time you can swap the package sight for a slider, upgrade the rest, or add a longer stabilizer for target work.

Identifying Mathews Bows by Year

Many archers search for Mathews bows in order or Mathews bows by year, especially when buying used. Rather than relying on memory or online lists, identify a bow this way:

1. Read the riser and limbs. The model name is usually printed or engraved on the riser and limb decals.
2. Check the cam. The cam name and module markings point you to the right chart and help narrow the era.
3. Find the serial number. It is typically on the riser. An authorized Mathews dealer or Mathews customer service can use it to confirm the model and year.

Knowing the exact model matters when you order strings, cables, mods or a replacement cam.

Cost, Value, and Ownership Experience

Mathews bows sit at the premium end of the market, and packages add accessories and labor on top. The value comes from three places: a bow that holds resale value well, accessories that are already tuned to it, and a dealer relationship for future service. Ask what is included after the sale, such as free tune-ups, string checks or draw length changes.

If a package is a stretch, compare it with other ready to hunt compound bow packages using the Better Outdoors bow finder, which narrows choices by draw length, weight and budget.

Final Thoughts

Mathews bow packages make sense for most shooters who want a premium bow without the hassle of building a setup from scratch. Get measured, decide how you will hunt, then ask the dealer exactly what the package includes and what setup work comes with it. A well-assembled Mathews RTH package can carry you from your first practice session to your first hunt with very little else to buy.

Frequently Asked Questions