Best Arrows for Hunting: A Quick Review Guide

What makes the perfect arrow for your next big hunt? Many hunters feel lost when looking at the sheer volume of arrow choices available. You need an arrow that flies straight, hits hard, and performs reliably when it matters most. Choosing the wrong arrow can mean a missed opportunity or, worse, an unethical harvest. It’s frustrating when your gear doesn’t perform as expected!

This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down the essential features of hunting arrows, from spine stiffness to point weight. You will learn exactly what specifications matter for different types of game and shooting styles. By the end of this post, you will confidently select arrows that match your bow and hunting goals perfectly. Get ready to upgrade your setup and improve your accuracy this season!

Top Arrows For Hunting Recommendations

Bestseller No. 1
TIGER ARCHERY 30Inch Carbon Arrow Practice Hunting Arrows with Removable Tips for Compound & Recurve Bow(Pack of 12) (Black White)
  • Length:30", Outer diameter: 0.309 inch. Fletching with 2 black 1 white vanes. For draw weight 35-60 pounds recurve, compound, or long bows.
  • They are solid & well made. Precision carbon hunting arrows made for extended durability and long lasting target practice.
  • Colored plastic fletching make flight always pointed the right way. The tips are nickel plated stainless steel which is perfect for target practice & outdoor shooting.
  • With replaceable nocks for free. Nocks are not fixed by glue. It can be adjustable for your bow.
  • The arrows came extremely well packaged and the quality is also impeccable.
Bestseller No. 2
BOWSOUL 30inch Hunting Carbon Archery Arrows with 2.75” High Hardness Vanes Spine 400 for Compound Bow and Recurve Bow (Black White&Broadheads)
  • Arrow Shaft Features: Carbon fiber arrow shaft. Length of arrow is 31.5inch. Internal diameter: 0.244” and Outer diameter:0.295”.
  • Arrows Specifics: Straightness: 0.006” and GPI9.5. The Spine is 400 for 35-60lbs recurve and compound bow.
  • Arrow Vanes: We have designed a new vane for this arrow. Length of the vanes is 2.75 " The hardness is 85HA. High hardness is not easy to deform, and it can also make the arrow fly faster and be more stable.
  • Replaceable Tips: The insert is fixed and 100grains field point can be replaced with various hunting broadheads.
  • Package include: 12pcs Carbon arrows. 6pcs of nocks. 6pcs Broadhead.
Bestseller No. 3
Pointdo 30inch Carbon Arrow Fluorescence Color Targeting and Hunting Practice Arrows for Compound Bow and Recurve Bow with Removable Tips (Fluorescein Yellow)
  • Material: Carbon fiber. Full of shaft length:30", Outer diameter: 7.8mm. Spine 500 For 25-60 pounds recurve, compound bow
  • The Shaft and fletching is fluorescent, 2 yellow and 1 white and easy to find
  • 6pcs Nocks for Free. The nock are not glued, it can be adjustable for your bow. 12pcs O-Ring for Locking the screw tip.
  • They are well made. The arrow good for target practice and hunting.
  • The arrows put in well packaged and the quality is very good
Bestseller No. 4
LEANPRO 31 inch 6 Pack Hunting Carbon Arrows with 100 Grain 2 Blade Mechanical Broadheads and Lighted Nocks for Archery Compound & Recurve Bow Shaft Spine 300/350/400 Practice Arrows (350)
  • [ ARROW PARAMETERS ]:Total Length 31", I.D. :0.244 inch (6.2 mm) and O.D.: 0.307 inch. Spine 350/400 For 25-60 pounds recurve, compound bow.
  • [ PACKAGE INCLUDED ]: 6 Packs Arrows + 6 packs light nocks + 6 packs 2 Blade Mechanical Broadheads
  • [ ARROW Material ]: 100% carton arrow. High precision carbon hunting arrows made for extended durability and long-lasting target practice.
  • [ Effortless Hunting ]: Our arrow bolt just assemble the arrowheads and start hunting. Includes triple-blade arrowheads for increased cutting diameter, and easy-to-trigger lighted nocks for use in dark conditions. Made with durable 100% carbon material for long-lasting use.
Bestseller No. 5
Hunter Ian Archery Carbon Arrow Hunting Arrows 28 Inch with 100 Grian Removable Tips for Compound Bow & Recurve Bow Practice Shooting (Pack of 6)
  • Shaft length: 28", whole arrow length: 29.5", outer diameter: 0.307 inch (7.8mm), inner diameter: 0.244 inch (6.2mm). Spine: 500. For draw weight 30-60 pounds recurve, compound, or long bows.
  • Fletching with 2 orange 1 yellow vanes. Colored plastic fletching make flight always pointed the right way. You can find the arrows easily on grass or forest. The 100 grain arrow tips are nickel plated stainless steel which is perfect for target practice & outdoor shooting, the screw tips are with insert can be changed.
  • The nock are not glued, it can be adjustable for your bow, you can use a coin to rotate the nock. The O-Ring for locking the screw tip.
  • More durable & economical, designed to optimize safety for beginners and whoever new to hunting or target practice. 6 extra nocks to you for replacement.
  • The arrows are packed with box. If the vanes are bent during shipping, please put the vanes into 80-100℃ hot water for 5-10 minutes, or straighten them by using an air dryer they can be recover to original shape.
Bestseller No. 6
PG1ARCHERY 30 Inch Carbon Arrow Fletched 3" Shield Cut Vanes Archery Practice Target Hunting Arrows with Removable Field Points for Compound & Recurve Bow, 12 Pack (Red Black)
  • ID: 6.2mm, OD: 7.6mm, about 35g per arrow
  • 30" mixed carbon shaft come with 3 inch shield cut vanes fletching, inserted nocks and aluminum (glued)
  • Matched with 100 grain field points tips, easy to replacement to broadheads
  • Spine 500. Good performance and high speed for draw weight 30-60 recurve, compound and long bow
  • They are solid & well made. Precision carbon hunting arrows made for extended durability and long lasting target practic
Bestseller No. 7
31inch Carbon Arrow Archery Targeting Practice Hunting Arrows for Compound & Recurve Bow with Removable Tips(Pack of 12) (Green White)
  • Archery arrows:Length:31", Outer diameter: 0.31 inch/7.8 mm. Fletched with 2 Green and1 white vanes. For draw weight 20-60 pounds recurve, compound, or long bows.
  • Hunting arrows are solid & well made. Precision carbon targeting arrows made for extended durability and long lasting target practice.
  • Colored plastic fletching make flight always pointed the right way. The tips are nickel plated stainless steel which is perfect for target practice & outdoor shooting.
  • Arrow tips are removable according to your requirements.You can easily replace arrows such as broadheads.
  • The arrows came extremely well packaged and the quality is also impeccable.
Bestseller No. 8
ZSHJGJR 30” Archery Carbon Arrows Hunting Arrows with 4” Turkey Feather Removable Tips Targeting Practice Arrows 500 Spine for Compound & Recurve & Traditional Bow 6/12pcs (12)
  • Total arrow length: 31.6"/80.5cm, Shaft Length: 30"/76.4cm; Spine: 500.
  • Carbon Camo Arrow Shaft; OD:7.8mm; ID: 6.2mm. Camo Pattern Shaft.
  • Feather: 3 pieces 4" Shield Turkey Feather Fletching.
  • Suitable for: Compound Bow & Recurve Bow & Traditional Bow.
  • Arrowheads: 100 Grain Screw-In Replaceable Field Points, equipped with black rubber O Ring.

Choosing the Right Arrows for Your Hunt: A Buyer’s Guide

Picking the right arrows makes a huge difference when you are hunting. Good arrows fly straight. They hit hard. This guide will help you choose the best arrows for your needs.

Key Features to Look For

Several important things make an arrow great for hunting. You should check these before you buy.

Spine Stiffness

Spine is how stiff the arrow is. Different bows shoot arrows with different spine ratings. A too-weak arrow can break. A too-stiff arrow might not fly well. Check your bow manufacturer’s guide. This tells you the correct spine number for your draw weight and draw length.

Arrow Length

Your arrows must fit your draw length. Measure from the deepest part of your bow’s grip to the tip of the arrow when you draw it back. Arrows should usually be a few inches longer than this measurement. Longer arrows are often more forgiving.

Weight and FOC (Front of Center)

Heavier arrows carry more momentum. This means they hit bigger game animals harder. Lighter arrows fly faster. FOC is how much weight sits in the front of the arrow. Higher FOC helps the arrow fly straighter and penetrate deeper. Look for arrows with heavier tips for better hunting performance.

Important Materials Matter

Arrows are usually made from two main materials: aluminum or carbon.

Carbon Arrows

Carbon arrows are very popular today. They are light and very stiff for their weight. They are strong too. Carbon arrows resist bending better than aluminum. This stiffness helps them fly consistently. They are usually more expensive.

Aluminum Arrows

Aluminum arrows are tough. They bend when they hit something hard, but you can often straighten them out. They are generally cheaper than carbon. However, they are heavier and less stiff than carbon arrows of the same size.

Composite Arrows

Some modern arrows mix carbon and aluminum. These offer good strength and penetration.

Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality

The quality of an arrow affects how well it performs shot after shot.

  • Straightness Tolerance: Better arrows are straighter. Manufacturers rate straightness in thousandths of an inch (e.g., +/- 0.003 inches). Lower numbers mean straighter arrows. Straighter arrows fly truer.
  • Weight Matching: High-quality arrow sets have arrows that weigh almost exactly the same. This consistency helps your accuracy.
  • Fletching Quality: Fletchings (the plastic vanes on the back) guide the arrow in flight. Poorly glued or weak vanes can peel off or cause the arrow to wobble. Good vanes stay attached and guide the arrow well.

User Experience and Use Cases

What you hunt determines the best arrow setup.

Small Game (e.g., Squirrels, Rabbits)

Lighter arrows work fine here. Speed is more important than massive momentum. You do not need the heaviest broadheads.

Medium Game (e.g., Deer, Turkey)

This requires a balance. Use a carbon arrow with a spine matched to your bow. Choose a broadhead that provides excellent penetration. A good FOC helps ensure a clean pass-through.

Large Game (e.g., Elk, Moose)

You need maximum momentum and penetration. Look for heavier arrows (around 450 grains or more total weight). Use high-quality, razor-sharp broadheads. These arrows must punch through thick hide and bone.

10 Frequently Asked Questions About Hunting Arrows

Q: How long should my arrows be?

A: Measure from your bow’s grip center to your drawn-out arrow point. Add about one to three inches for safety and tuning.

Q: What does ‘spine’ mean?

A: Spine measures how much the arrow bends when force is applied. Match the spine number to your bow’s power.

Q: Are carbon arrows better than aluminum?

A: Carbon arrows are usually lighter, stiffer, and more consistent. They are often considered better for modern hunting bows.

Q: What grain weight is best for deer hunting?

A: Most hunters aim for a total arrow weight between 400 and 500 grains for good balance between speed and hitting power.

Q: Do I need special tips for practice versus hunting?

A: Yes. Use field points (blunt tips) for target practice. Use sharp broadheads only for actual hunting or practicing with the broadheads you plan to use.

Q: What is FOC and why does it matter?

A: FOC means Front of Center. It shows where the arrow’s weight is focused. Higher FOC means better stability and deeper penetration.

Q: How often should I replace my hunting arrows?

A: Replace any arrow that shows cracks, severe bending, or deep scoring. Even small damage can cause major accuracy issues.

Q: Can I use the same arrows for my compound and my recurve bow?

A: Maybe, but probably not perfectly. Recurve bows often need slightly stiffer arrows than compound bows shot at the same weight.

Q: What is straightness tolerance?

A: It tells you how perfectly straight the arrow shaft is. Lower numbers, like +/- 0.001 inches, mean better quality and accuracy.

Q: Should I buy pre-fletched or bare shafts?

A: Beginners should buy pre-fletched arrows. They are ready to shoot. Experienced archers might buy bare shafts to customize fletching and spine exactly.