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Running out of gift ideas to surprise your resident archer? You’ve come to the right place! As an archery enthusiast myself, I’ll help by providing you with 21 gift ideas for the archer in your life!
Here is the quick list of 21 Must-Have Gifts for the Archer in your life:
- Targets
- Release Aid or Finger tab
- Binoculars and Rangefinders
- New Bow
- New Arrows
- Bowstring and Wax
- Bow Stand and Display Rack
- Protective Gear – Arm and Chest Guard
- Quiver
- Arrow Lube and Arrow Puller
- Sights and Arrow Rest
- Bow Case
- Repair Toolbox
- Bow Phone Mount
- Exercise Band
- Archery Book Guide
- Fletching Tools
- Archery- Themed Accessories
- Archery-Themed Clothing
- Archery-Themed Cake
- Gift Cards from Archery Shop
It is always better to know the reason why a specific gift is your best choice. Believe me, you would want to know the use of each gift idea and why they will definitely bring a big smile to your loved one.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to the value of your gift and by value, I mean how it can be used by an avid archer.
Let’s now see the use of each entry in our list:
#1 – Targets
This is one of the most-used objects in archery making a constant supply of targets necessary.
Without a target, there’s actually no reason to shoot, is there?
A very good option that is very effective is a bag target. They are easy to transport and very reliable.
One very good option for a higher quality target is the RhinoBlock by Rhinehart Targets on amazon.
The first thing that sticks out about the RhinoBlock is the 3D outline of Rhino vitals that represent a set of targets.
When you flip it over, there are several tiny targets that allow you to work on being accurate.
If you hunt for smaller game, the small targets give you appropriate shot practice without sacrificing the same spot on the target.
One of the best things about RhinoBlock is that you can remove and replace the rhino insert to match whatever animal you want.
When ordering, you should look for your type of animal and request it with the order. They will send a couple of different inserts, and choosing the appropriate target face gives you an accurate hunting simulation.
The RhinoBlock is an excellent choice for an archery target for the following reasons:
- Unique Design – Let’s face it; the target looking like a Rhino in the wild is fun and unique. While you may never hunt the animal, having a silhouette on your target is the next best thing. Shooting targets is practice but should also be fun. Unique targets can add some spice to practice.
- Removable Panels – RhinoBlock makes all their targets with a removable panel. The panel can be swapped out when it has taken too many shots, and a new one can be inserted in its place. The removable panel makes the target last for much longer than a standard box target.
RhinoBlock is a favorite among bowhunters and with good reason.
The targets are solidly made and provide ample density to stop arrows above 400 fps.
Their ability to be placed in any terrain and blend in is also a great asset. As your hunting skill progresses, this target will be right there by your side.
#2 – Release Aid or Finger Tab
Once you’ve tried pulling the bowstring, you will know that frequent practice makes the fingers hurt. You’ll also know that not all fingers of your hand are used in drawing the bow – only three fingers do the work.
One of the goals in archery is to have a clean release of the bowstring to maximize accuracy. This is where the release aid comes in.
For compound bows, mechanical release aids are available to use as a trigger once the shot is ready. For recurve or longbows, finger tabs are used.
Generally, these release aids diminish the drag that the three fingers bring once the string has been released. This improves the accuracy of every shoot.
#3 – Binoculars and Rangefinders
Binoculars are a fantastic gift for any archer who spends time outside and that is most of them. Most especially for bowhunters.
My favorites are my Vortex Diamondback Binoculars.
These are super comfortable to look through and the eyecups extend individually for a custom fit. These are a MUST for any bowhunter.
Bowhunters need to scan their surroundings to identify potential targets.
Rangefinders will usually have lower magnification than binoculars and this makes it even easier to quickly scan an area while still being able to see farther.
A good pair of binoculars and a rangefinder will help bowhunters bring home the meat.
I suggest the Vortex Impact 850 Rangefinder as the perfect rangefinder. It is cost-effective and, quite simply, IT WORKS!
This thing accurately ranges reflective targets from 5–850 yards, and non-reflective targets such as deer out to 400 yards HCD mode (Horizontal Component Distance) compensates for shooting from elevated stands or in steep terrain, providing the true horizontal distance to the target; and LOS mode displays actual line-of-sight range.
Scan mode gives continuous updates on distance as you pan across varying terrain.
The intuitive display is simple to use, and you can choose to get distance readouts in yards or meters.
6x magnification, an adjustable diopter, and anti-reflective lens coatings give sharp image quality.
The Vortex Impact 850 Rangefinder features a rubber armor exterior, and is O-ring sealed for waterproof and fog-proof protection.
For long-range target archery, a rangefinder is a great gift.
It can be used to see where the arrows land, and can also be used to see if the target has been hit.
It can also show how near or how far the arrows hit the target.
#4 – New Bow
When it comes to giving the best gifts to an archer, this might be the first one you have thought of. It sounds great, but you can’t just buy any bow and give it to them.
There are factors to consider: the so-called bow length, mass weight, and draw weight are all important factors for choosing a bow.
The bow length is important because it means that longer bow is more difficult to carry than a shorter one.
On the other hand, mass weight is important because it means that a heavier bow will make your arms get tired easier than a lighter bow.
Meanwhile, the higher the draw weight means the higher the tension you hold while you’re pulling the string.
An important note: you should know the type of your archer’s bow – recurve, compound, or longbow.
- Best Recurve Bow For Under 200 » & How To Choose The Right One
- Best Compound Bows Under $400 » Top Picks & Buyers Guide
To have a deeper understanding of the mentioned factors to consider, as well as the type of bow, take a look at this article where we talk about What Size Bow to get a 10-Year-Old. The principles for choosing a bow will be the same for all archers.
#5 – New Arrows
You already thought about giving a new bow, so why not give new arrows? Without arrows, archery just simply wouldn’t make sense.
Like a new bow, you can’t simply buy new arrows at a store and give it to your archer.
Aside from draw weight, the factors to be considered are draw length, arrow length, and arrow weight.
You might think that it’s all good as long as you get to shoot your target – you’re not actually wrong.
But as you get more and more involved in the sport, you get to see how arrows get more sophisticated to bring better shooting experience.
If you ask me, I would recommend new arrows that are of high quality and usability but comes at an affordable price.
That’s why I went and found out what the Top Professional Archers are using. You can check out my article here and find out everything you need to know!
#6 – Bowstring and Wax
Bowstrings get worn out as they are being used, and a new one makes a great gift idea.
The most important detail you need to know in a bowstring is its length. You can find out this length by looking at the bow itself.
There will usually be a marking on the lower part of the bow with the AMO length in inches and draw weight of the bow in pounds.
For Traditional Archery, a good rule to follow is that the string length should be about 4 inches shorter than the AMO length of the bow. For example, for a 60″ bow the bowstring should be 56″ long.
One type of bowstring that is very popular with Traditional Archers is called a Flemish Twist (check the current price on Amazon).
And for good bowstring maintenance, it’s always a good idea to have bowstring wax on hand. Wax helps keep the bowstring fibres in good condition increasing the life of the string and keeping it from breaking.
I recommend Bohning Tex-Tite Bow String Wax (check the current price on Amazon). This stuff works well for both Traditional bowstrings and bowstrings for compound bows.
#7 – Bow Stand and Display Rack
Have you ever wondered where archers place their bows once they get tired of carrying it while in the field?
That’s exactly the purpose of a bow stand. A bow stand is perfect for taking to the range.
Instead of placing it on the ground, a bow stand gives a place to put the bow when retrieving arrows and can prevent any damage that could happen to the bow.
Giving a bow stand will really be appreciated as it makes archery more convenient. Most bow stands will work for all types of bows but it’s a good idea to know what type of bow they have to choose the best fit.
A display rack is where both the bow and arrow will be rested upon when not in use.
Display racks are usually for general use and don’t require many specifications from the arrow and the bow, just be sure that the rack will hold both of them securely.
Archers have put a lot of thought into their equipment so they like to show their gear. This is more about style and looks than functionality.
#8 – Protective Gear – Arm and Chest Guard
If you want to show your concern, give these two (or even just one) products to your archer.
The arm guard protects the inside of the forearm (of the hand that’s holding the bow) from an injury that can be made by the string or the fletching (the feathers at the end of the arrow) of the arrow.
On the other hand, the chest guard is used to prevent injury in the chest that could be hit by the bowstring when fully drawn or to prevent loose clothing being caught.
#9 – Quiver
Quivers are used for carrying arrows and come in 3 types: side, back and bow quivers.
You might have seen a back quiver, as it is commonly found in movies where archers get arrow refills from their back.
Side quivers attach to a belt around the hips and rest on the side that the archer draws the arrow back. these are popular with competition archers.
Bow quivers attach directly to the bow and hold 5 or 6 arrows. these are popular with bowhunters for the easy access to arrows for follow up shots.
#10 – Arrow Lube and Arrow Puller
These two are very useful since arrows can penetrate deep inside the target and it’s not always easy to get them out.
The arrow lube is applied at the pointy end of the arrow to make it easier to recover.
You can use an arrow puller even when you’re already using an arrow lube. The arrow puller has a rubber part which attaches to the arrow shaft. It clutches the arrow shaft to make the retrieval process easier.
#11 – Sights and Arrow Rest
These accessories help in making the shot more accurate. The sight is like a ring where the archer spots the target.
The arrow rest is an accessory that is attached on the bow, providing a resting place for the end part of the arrow to prevent it from falling off while targeting.
#12 – Bow Case
Just as the quiver houses the arrows, a bow case is used for storing the bow. If your archer needs to do any travelling for practice or go to a competition, the bow should be placed in a secure case.
In choosing the proper bow case, consider the factors such as the type of bow, the storage place of the bow case, the material used for the bow case, and if your archer needs to place other accessories aside from the bow.
#13 – Repair Toolbox
This is a very essential gift for every archer. As the bow and arrow get used, both of them undergo wear and tear.
This is also true for other accessories. A repair toolbox will come in handy in serious moments such as unwanted damages during a competition.
Some helpful contents are allen keys, super glue, bowstring wax, spare parts, and backup accessories.
#14 – Bow Phone Mount
Want to record everything that’s happening while you are shooting? Then mount a phone on your bow!
The bow phone mount makes a very modern gift for your archer. With this gift, a video recording of the shooting can be reviewed and studied to make necessary adjustments for a better strategy.
Before you buy a bow phone mount, consider these factors: it should be easy to install, fits the bow type, works with your archer’s phone, and of course – it should be able to record a great video of your archer’s shooting experience.
#15 – Exercise Band
Without actual bow and arrows, archers can still practice their shooting skill using the exercise band. It is a very helpful tool which helps in simulating shooting while the archer is looking in a mirror to check for possible incorrect form.
In addition, archery is a physical activity and like other sports, warming up is necessary to avoid muscle injuries. The exercise band can also be used to prepare the muscles before doing the shooting using an actual bow and arrow.
#16 – Archery Book Guide
A book guide is great for someone who is really serious about improving his or her archery skills.
A book guide is a great gift if you know that your archer is fond of reading.
Techniques, strategy, and proper training information are all very valuable especially to people who compete in archery.
#17 – Fletching Tools
You might have seen the colourful feathers attached at the end of each arrow.
These attachments look like wings or fins.
As a matter of fact, they have a name and a very important purpose. They’re called fletchings and are used for making the arrow aerodynamically stable.
When an arrow is released, it cuts through the air. Without fletchings, the air will affect the arrow shaft and will cause it to tumble or deviate from the target.
By using fletchings, the arrow can spin without having to change direction. Through heavy use, the fletchings can get destroyed or detached from the arrow.
Fletching tools include the fletching jig, glue, and of course, fletchings.
#18 – Archery-Themed Accessories
If you’ve found out that none of the gift ideas mentioned above are applicable to your archer, why not give personalized accessories?
You can start by giving a keychain with an archery-related icon. A small bow and arrow one is good, and you can make one step further by giving a piece of personalized jewelry themed with archery.
Aside from jewelry, you can also give practical gifts like mugs printed with archery icons.
#19 – Archery-Themed Clothing
A proud archer will show his or her enthusiasm in public. Take advantage of this – buy a shirt or a cap that clearly promotes archery!
You can even buy clothing on events like archery competition.
Go an extra mile by giving home decoration with archery-designed items such as curtains, wallpapers, and souvenir items.
#20 – Archer-Themed Cake
If the occasion is the birthday of your archer, go a little extra by getting him or her a personalized cake!
No one hates a cake with their favorite sport showing on it! Plus, you get to eat it too so it’s a win-win scenario.
There are also cupcakes and a whole lot of baked goodies you can use as a surprise!
#21 – Gift Cards from Archery Shop
This gift idea is last, but it will never be a wrong gift! A gift card is great because it allows your archer to choose what he wants or what he really needs.
You don’t have to secretly acquire an arrow or the bow because your archer knows what’s best for his or her archery skill.
I live in Alberta, Canada where I enjoy indoor and 3D archery with traditional bows and compound bows. On this site, I share everything I’ve learned about archery along the way.