With such an abundance of arrows on the market geared toward deer hunting, it can be challenging to decide which one is best for your bow and for your prey.
The best deer hunting arrows will vary based on your compound bow setup, in addition to your shooting preferences and style, so it’s crucial to do your research before making a final decision.
Keep reading to learn about the best arrows for deer hunting, including which factors to consider while you’re shopping.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Rip TKO Elite Arrow Shafts
Budget Option
Gold Tip Hunter XT Arrow Shafts
Best Long Range
Easton Axis Long Range
Best Overall
RIP TKO Elite Arrow Shafts
If you’re looking for an excellent combination of speed, power, and durability, the RIP TKO Elite arrows for deer hunting are a fantastic choice. All the arrows in this line come 100% hand-fletched with Blazer vanes. They also include both a Shok TL aluminum insert (50gr), in addition to a 0.166 IP nock (8gr).
The .204 diameter shaft on these arrows is smaller than that of standard hunting arrows. This means you will see reduced wind drift and increased penetration, all within an extremely durable arrow shaft. They are also digitally spine-aligned, which improves the accuracy drastically.
Elite arrows are equipped with a nano-ceramic coating that improves penetration and allows for easy removal from the target. The advanced 3K carbon weave produces less torque, which also offers better spine consistency, as well as faster recovery from the target. These arrows are extremely durable and are made from 100% high-modulus carbon.
Equipped with MaxxxKe Technology, kinetic energy is increased during impact, which ensures your arrow hits the mark hard every single time. Available spine sizes for the TKO Elite line of arrows for deer hunting include 250, 300, 350, and 400.
Pros
- Uses Maxxx Technology, which increases kinetic energy.
- Equipped with advanced 3K carbon weave for consistency and faster recovery.
- Features a nano-ceramic coating.
Cons
- These arrows can be difficult to find.
Best Budget Option
Gold Tip Hunter XT Arrow Shafts
The Gold Tip Hunter XT arrows for deer hunting are based on the arrow that put the Gold Tip brand on the map in the bow-hunting world. Constructed of Gold Tips’ legendary 100% Carbon Technology for the best straightness retention and extreme durability.
This mid-weight arrow is one of the most popular shafts in the Gold Tip brand and features a nice balance of speed and penetration when deer hunting. Its budget-friendly, versatile design provides a balance of performance, accuracy, and value with an unbeatable straightness rating.
Every arrow in this line is manufactured using aerospace-grade materials and is built to specifications for weight and straightness. This set comes with GT nocks and AccuLite inserts.
Pros
- Equipped with Smart Carbon technology.
- Offers great value on a budget.
- Comes with a .246-inch robust inner diameter.
Cons
- The Accu-Lite inserts allow points and broadheads to loosen easily.
Best Long Range
Easton Axis Long Range
Easton’s Axis Long-Range arrows for deer hunting offer unbeatable performance and come in a pack of 12 micro-diameter, 100% carbon-constructed shafts that increase velocity.
This long-range set of arrows features reduced friction in flight and at impact, which offers optimized point-of-center, as well as enhancing target penetration and improving accuracy at long distances. The Easton Axis model comes with aluminum point outserts and 4MM nocks pre-installed, in addition to standard-thread broadheads and field points.
You won’t need any specialty broadheads or components for these arrows, which makes them a very convenient choice for bowhunters. They are excellent for long-range shooting because their build reduces wind resistance and cuts through the air with a velocity that guarantees heavy bone hits to your target.
Pros
- Offers accuracy for long-range hunting.
- Equipped with DynaTek Slick Shield coating.
Cons
- Pretty pricey.
Carbon Express Maxima Red Hunting Arrows
Carbon Express Maxima Red arrows for deer hunting are constructed using hi-tech carbon material that contains the arrows flex to the RED ZONE section of the arrow shafts that manages the dynamic spine.
The manufacturer’s patented construction process incorporates 100% low modular carbon weave into the outer layer of an arrow for excellent strength and spine consistency. The stiffer front end of these arrow shafts allows broadheads to shoot more consistently by reducing oscillation on the front end of the arrow.
Managing the dynamic spine, which is how the arrow flexes while in flight, leads to increased accuracy and tighter shots. With both expandable and fixed blade broadheads that exaggerate the effect of the flexing of the arrow, this arrow soars through the air, with the broadhead acting as ‘wings’ for extra speed.
You’ll find these arrows available in sizes 250 and 350, and they come fletched with Blazer vanes, creating the ultimate hunting experience for bowhunting enthusiasts.
Pros
- Features boosted durability with launched nocks and BullDog nock collars.
- They are equipped with Tri-Spine RED ZONE technology.
- Flies fast and flat.
Cons
- Some reviewers report the accuracy is impacted by the bow-to-poundage ratio.
Victory Archery VAP Elite Shafts
Victory Archery VAP Elite arrows for deer hunting are thick-walled and designed for accuracy and increased penetration, featuring an ultra-small diameter. Made from 100% high-modulus carbon fiber for strength and durability, these arrows produce maximum speed and optimized penetration.
Victory’s ICE Coating, in addition to nano-ceramic coating, creates a smooth, polished finish so these hand-fletched deer hunting arrows provide hunters with the ultimate accuracy and maximum penetration. These features allow for easy removal from your target as well, making the fetching process a great deal easier for hunters.
These arrows for deer hunting are equipped with precision 7075 aluminum, as well as stainless steel components that increase the Extreme Forward of Center (EFOC) for maximized kinetic energy, accuracy, and penetration.
The manufacturer’s spine alignment process and extremely tight weight and straightness tolerances guarantee tighter shots for increased accuracy. These arrows are available in sizes 300, 350, 400, and 500.
Pros
- These arrows feature increased speed, penetration, and kinetic energy.
- Constructed with stainless steel layers infused into a 90-degree carbon fiber weave.
- Equipped with a micro-diameter with SHOK TL Broadhead Adapters.
Cons
- Can be pretty expensive.
Deer Hunting Arrow Buyer’s Guide
Although shopping for arrows may seem simple, there are many important factors you should consider before you make any purchases. Let’s talk about what you should look for when shopping for arrows for deer hunting.
Accuracy
Accuracy is one of the most important factors when you’re on the market for new arrows for deer hunting. Since bow hunting is typically a game of inches, it’s crucial to find arrows that will consistently produce tight groups at the critical range for the biggest chances of success in the field.
To make sure your arrows are flying the same from shot to shot, make sure your spine straightness and weight tolerances are all tight.
Spine
The spine is the stiffness of the arrow. There will be a number right on the shaft of the arrow that is the spine size. You can expect numbers like 500, 400, 340, and 250. When you’re looking at the spine values, the smaller the number is the stiffer the arrow will be.
When you’re shopping for arrows for deer hunting, the first thing you need to do is match the spine to the poundage of your bow. Fortunately, most manufacturers will have charts on their websites to guide you in figuring out which spine size is suitable for your bow.
Choosing the correct size spine can really make or break the performance of the arrow, as well as its flight characteristics. There are a few different variables you should consider when looking for the best arrow for deer hunting.
Let Off
The let-off relates directly to the power stroke and work applied from your bow to your arrow. Typically the higher the let-off is, the more deflection you’ll be able to see in your arrow. The let-off affects the flight characteristics of the arrow.
IBO Speeds
IBO speed ratings will alter the amount of deflection in your hunting arrow as well. Typically you can add ten pounds of draw weight for IBO speeds of over 350 feet per second and subtract ten pounds of draw weight for IBO speeds of under 300 feet per second.
Total Arrow Length
The total arrow length refers to the draw length plus about two additional inches, so the length of the arrows is based on your individual draw length.
On the other hand, if you want to shoot large fixed-blade broadheads, you should consider extending your carbon to carbon length to place the broadhead in front of your hand.
Weight
It’s essential to understand that the size of the arrow spine is not the same as the overall arrow weight. The total arrow weight is measured in grains per inch (GPI). In general, the stiffer the spine is, the more grains per inch the arrow will weigh. Grains per inch and the spine are different measurements.
The main influence weight has on your arrows is the speed at which the arrow travels. If you’re shooting an arrow that is too heavy for your bow poundage, your arrow will seem like it’s moving too slowly as it travels toward the target.
On the other hand, if you’re shooting an arrow that’s near the minimum grains per inch for the poundage, then you can expect remarkable speed, but the arrow will not be stable.
Diameter
Thinner diameter arrows will penetrate better if the spine and weight are matched correctly with your bow. The slimmer build of the shafts tracks perfectly behind the broadhead’s wound channel, and it also dives deeper into the flesh of the deer.
You’ll find that arrows with a smaller diameter will fly better in the wind, even at distances beyond 50 yards, because the reduced surface area gives the wind less area to press against.
Durability
Regardless of the range you’re shooting your arrows, durability is an essential factor to consider when shopping for the best arrows for deer hunting. You’ll need the arrows to take a beating without splintering, bending, or breaking.
Look for high-quality carbon shafts that are constructed with thick walls as well as features like strength-boosting jacket systems and stainless steel components for long-lasting arrows.
Wrapping Up The Five Best Arrows for Deer Hunting
Whether you’re hunting for deer from a long-range standpoint or from a shorter range, the perfect arrow for deer hunting is out there. We hope we have helped you distinguish the best deer hunting arrow for your needs.
If you’re looking for more information about hunting, including must-have gear, as well as tips and tricks to make the best out of your hunting trip, check out the Hunting in Minnesota section of our page.
- About the Author
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Born in Madelia, MN, to a now 5-generation Minnesota family, Ryan’s MN roots go deep.
A painter by day, Ryan founded Life in Minnesota in 2013 with his wife Kelly to chronicle their musings on everything Minnesota. Ryan and Kelly are raising their 7 kiddos in Maple Grove, MN.
When he’s not shuttling his kids around to hockey practice, you might find him in the shop working on his leatherwork. Undoubtedly, there will be a family trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area every summer, and of course weekends at Grandpa’s cabin up north in the summer.