Sights

Multi-pin bow sights

A fixed multi-pin sight gives you a pin for each set distance, usually 20, 30 and 40 yards on a 3-pin and out to 60 on a 5-pin. No dial to turn at full draw, which is why most whitetail hunters use one. The TruGlo Storm comes in both 3-pin and 5-pin, and the CBE Tactic 3-pin is another clean option.

More pins mean more coverage and a busier sight window. If most of your shots come inside 30 yards, three pins is plenty.

Single-pin, hybrid and adjustable sights

Adjustable sights move a single pin, or a pin group, to the exact yardage. They are precise and uncluttered, but you need the distance first, which is why they pair with a rangefinder. Hybrids split the difference with fixed pins on a sliding housing, and the CBE Tactic Hybrid is labeled as one. Check the HHA 3000 Optimizer, Axcel Accu Hunter and TruGlo Range Rover product pages for pin and adjustment details.

Thermal bow sights

The NOC Thermal Bow Sight from BA Global Defense puts thermal imaging on the bow. It is a different class of tool from a pin sight, and it sits at the top of our price range. Electronic and thermal sight rules for bowhunting differ widely by state, so check your state wildlife agency before using one in the field. Rifle hunters will find more in our thermal scopes section.

Getting a new sight on target

Mount the sight, level it, and set your top pin at 20 yards. Work out to each distance, adjusting the pins and leaving the bracket alone. Any change to your arrow rest, bow release or hunting arrows means re-checking every pin. A bow stabilizer steadies the pin float that makes long shots harder than they need to be.

Low light and pin brightness

The best deer move at the edges of shooting light, so pin brightness matters. Many hunting sights use fiber optic pins that gather light, and some add a sight light for the last legal minutes. Practice at dusk to learn how your pins look. If your hunts start before dawn, a headlamp with a red mode helps you set up without lighting the woods. From a treestand, practice with the angle you will actually shoot, and in a ground blind make sure the pin housing clears the window. Re-check your pins any time you change broadheads or add a bow quiver.

Bow Sight FAQs

How many pins should a hunting bow sight have?

Three to five covers most hunting. Three pins keeps the sight window clean for shots inside 40 yards, and five reaches farther.

Single-pin or multi-pin for deer hunting?

Multi-pin is faster when a deer is moving. Single-pin is more precise but requires ranging and adjusting before the shot.

Are thermal bow sights legal for hunting?

It depends on your state and the species. Check your state wildlife agency's equipment rules before hunting with one.