Brodie Swisher
A new year always delivers a fresh new batch of bow options for hunters. And just when you think they couldn’t get any better, leading bow manufacturers continue to take things to the next level in bow design to make their option quieter, smoother, and more hunter-friendly than ever before.
The days of chasing speed seem to be over when it comes to bow engineering. These days it’s all about feel and function. The push to build bows that draw smooth and easy, balance well in the hand, eliminate vibration, and conveniently accommodate accessories is where you’ll find many of these new bows focused. In no particular order, here’s a look at the best new hunting bows for 2023.
Bear Execute 30
This new bow immediately grabs your attention with its Mossy Oak Bottomland camo finish option. It’s the most popular camo pattern going these days, but this is one of the few bows that you’ll find wearing it. You’ll also quickly notice how good the bow feels in your hand. It’s well balanced and features a slim and trim design from top to bottom. The bow features some of Bear’s most popular features as they continue to expand on their lineup. You’ll see it in the bow’s revised EKO (Equalized Kinetic Orientation) cam system.
The cam system delivers the popular performance Bear shooters have come to know, while bringing a smoother and more forgiving draw cycle for 2023.
The bow draws nice and smooth with a light bump on the back end of the draw cycle as the cams roll over to the back wall. It’s a pleasantly smooth drawing and shooting experience with very minimal hand-shock at the release.
Specs on the Bear Execute 30
- Speed: 340 fps
- Axle-to-Axle: 30″
- Mass Weight: 4.6 lbs
- Brace Height: 6.5″
- Draw Length: 26″ – 30″
- Draw Weight: 45 – 60 & 55 – 70lbs
- Let-off: 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%
- Price: $1,199
PSE Mach 34
The 2023 lineup of bows from PSE are a great example of their renewed focus on greater stability in their compound bows. It’s evident in their all-new Mach 34, built on PSE’s Full Draw Stability Technology. The bow truly delivers the most stable shooting system PSE has produced yet. This new design was built to reduce torque and deliver greater accuracy, shot after shot. Better yet, the bow also features PSE’s new EZ 220 Snap Spacer System, allowing for quick bow tuning and cam lean adjustment. The concept expedites the tuning process to get you back on the range or in the woods faster than ever. The Mach 34 is another bow that features the popular Mossy Oak Bottomland finish option.
Specs on the PSE Mach 34
- Speed: 330 – 340 fps
- Axle-to-Axle: 34″
- Mass Weight: 3.65 lbs
- Brace Height: 6.75 – 7.25″
- Draw Length: 26.5″ – 33″
- Draw Weight: 50, 60, 70, 80 lbs
- Let-off: 65 – 75% or 80 – 90%
- Price: $1,799
Mathews Phase 4
The new Mathews Phase 4 takes things to a new level in bow design with what many have labeled the most efficient hunting bow ever. The bow features an all-new Resistance Phase Damping (RPD) design, making it the quietest and vibration free bow they’ve ever built. Add in their new Bridge-Lock Stabilizer system and you’ll find this bow to be one of the most hunter-friendly options on the market today. The Phase 4 is available in 2 different axle-to-axle lengths (29 and 33) and 8 different finish options.
Specs on the Phase 4 29
- Speed: 340 fps
- Axle-to-Axle: 29″
- Mass Weight: 4.48 lbs
- Brace Height: 6″
- Draw Length: 25.5″ – 30”
- Draw Weight: 60, 65, 70, 75lbs
- Let-off: 80 or 85%
- Price: $1,299
Mathews IMAGE
If you’re looking for all the best of the Mathews bow line, in a bow that’s better suited for growing youth, women, or anyone else that needs a lower poundage option, be sure to check out the all-new Mathews IMAGE. You’ll find the bow offers many of the same features as the Phase 4, but in a bow built specifically for lower poundage archers. It’s also equipped with the Bridge-Lock Technology, so you can use the new Bridge-Lock stabilizers and sight system. The bow has 4 different mod options to deliver peak draw weights of 40, 43, 47, and 50 pounds, and accommodates draw lengths of 25.5″ – 30″.
Specs on the Mathews IMAGE
- Speed: 335 fps
- Axle-to-Axle: 29″
- Mass Weight: 4.27 lbs
- Brace Height: 6″
- Draw Length: 25.5″ – 30″
- Draw Weight: 40, 43, 47, & 50lbs
- Let-off: 80 or 85%
- Price: $1,299
Prime REVEX
Prime bows have built a reputation for being some of the most balanced bows ever created. In the past, that balance came from their parallel cam system. However, in recent years the company ditched the twin cam design and built a completely new system in their Inline series. And for 2023, Prime introduces their all-new REVEX Series with a lineup that continues their trend of stability and accuracy.
The bow’s all-new CORE cam system was built to maximize efficiency with a design that offers draw length specific mods to get the fastest speeds out of whatever draw length the shooter needs. Like the Inline cam system before it, the CORE cams feature the cam balancing technology that brings the string and cables inline with each other, making them balanced throughout the draw cycle.
Specs on the Prime REVEX
- Speed: 338 fps
- Axle-to-Axle: 32″
- Mass Weight: 4.5lbs
- Brace Height: 6.25″
- Draw Length: 26″ – 31.5″
- Draw Weight: 40 – 80lbs
- Let-off: 85%
- Price: $1,299
Hoyt VTM 31
Hoyt Archery is another brand that came to the table with a more efficient and hunter-friendly bow option for 2023. Their all-new Hoyt VTM, in 31 and 34 options, builds off of last year’s popular Ventum Pro with the same cam system and In-Line compatible accessories.
The bow was built to minimize sound at the shot with the addition of the company’s In-Line accessory options, designed to streamline performance, function and feel. In fact, the bow is actually quieter when utilizing the In-Line accessories than without them.
Specs on Hoyt VTM 31
- Speed: 342 fps
- Axle-to-Axle: 30 5/8″
- Mass Weight: 4.6 lbs
- Brace Height: 6″
- Draw Length: 25″ – 30”
- Draw Weight: 30 – 80lbs
- Let-off: 80 or 85%
- Price: $1,349
Elite Omnia
Elite’s all-new Omnia compound bow allows archers to customize the fit and feel of their bow like never before with the all-new SP cam system. The SP cam features V2 Micro Let-Off Adjustment, giving shooters the ability to dial in and fine tune their holding weight down to a single percentile within the 70%-90% range.
Taking things a step further in the customizable options, the Omnia allows for a custom fit in the draw length as well with 1/4″ draw length adjustment abilities. This design truly delivers when it comes to options and variety built into one cam and mod.
Specs on the Elite Omnia
- Speed: 347 fps
- Axle-to-Axle: 32″
- Mass Weight: 4.5 lbs
- Brace Height: 6″
- Draw Length: 24.5″ – 30″
- Draw Weight: 40, 50, 60, 65, 70lbs
- Let-off: 70 – 90%
- Price: $1,199
Elite Era
Another exciting bow option from Elite Archery for 2023 is their all-new Elite Era bow. The bow showcases Elite’s bold step into the expanding carbon bow market. The Era has dual-bridges on the top and bottom of the riser to help with stability, as well as their popular S.E.T. Technology that allows archers to micro-adjust the position of the cams and center shot for a more simplified tuning system.
The Era features Elite’s all-new SP Cam system, along with the V2 Micro Mods. With these improvements, archers can create the exact draw length, holding weight, and back wall they desire, while also maintaining optimum efficiency of the cam system.
Specs on the Elite Era
- Speed: 336 fps
- Axle-to-Axle: 31.25″
- Mass Weight: 3.95 lbs
- Brace Height: 7.25″
- Draw Length: 25.5″ – 31″
- Draw Weight: 40, 50, 60, 65, 70lbs
- Let-off: 70 – 90%
- Price: $1,699
Bowtech Carbon One
Another new player in the carbon game for 2023 is Bowtech’s Carbon One, a first for the brand when it comes to a flagship carbon bow design. The Carbon One offers Bowtech’s popular DeadLock Cam System, allowing archers a super easy micro-adjustment of the cams for better tuning. Another feature on the Carbon One is Bowtech’s Flip Disc Technology, allowing you to choose between the Performance and Comfort settings of the mods. It’s a really slick preference option that essentially gives you two bow options in one.
Bowtech’s goal was to deliver a smoother drawing bow, with the least amount of vibration on a carbon bow. It’s made possible with the bow’s strategically designed riser, paired with the Orbit Dampeners and Dual Lock Pockets to eliminate vibration at the shot.
Specs on Bowtech Carbon One
- Speed: 335 fps
- Axle-to-Axle: 30″
- Mass Weight: 4.5 lbs
- Brace Height: 6.63″
- Draw Length: 25.5″ – 30.5″
- Draw Weight: 50, 60, 70lbs
- Let-off: 85 or 87%
- Price: $1,799
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to buy a new bow this year, be sure to give these bow options a look. They offer the best of the best in bow technology, hunter-friendly features and options designed to help you hunt more efficiently this season.
