Can you smell it? That crisp scent of fall is in the air, the temps are beginning to drop, and that can mean only one thing to us archers: archery season is upon us! When it comes to archery hunting, whether you are a newbie or a veteran to the hunt, there is a lot to consider, take into account, and various tips/tricks you can employ to ensure a more successful hunt. We share with you all of our hacks and things to consider so you can have the best hunt yet!

The Definitive Archery Hunting Guide for Fall 2026

• Archery Hunting Tactics
• 3 Exercises to Increase Draw Weight and Strengthen your Shoulders
• The Best Bow Cases for Archery Hunters
• Early Season Archery Hunting Prep

For starters, let’s walk through some of the archery hunting tactics you may want to consider and utilize this fall. Whether it is for whitetail deer, mule deer, or other big game species, these principles are nearly applicable no matter what your hunting tag is.

Archery Hunting Tactics

When it comes to archery hunting for whitetail deer in the lower 48 states there are unique challenges that archers must confront that other hunters in different disciplines do not. For one, in many states the archery season may run for multiple months that will eventually overlap firearm and muzzleloader seasons. For the die-hards among us, that can mean a hunting season that spans from summer to fall and into winter. You may also be hunting before the rut, during, and after. Your tactics and mindset should evolve just as the seasons and weather do. These are some tactics to bear in mind while you continue your pursuit of whitetail deer with your stick and string.

Shoot & Practice from Varying Positions

Many of us archers, whether it is indoors or outdoors, will only practice with our bows on level ground. This is very common and practical because of the shooting venues that may be available to you, but if possible, you should try to shoot from varying positions. Shoot your bow with your hunting pack on your back. You might kick up a deer walking to your stand and need to take a shot quickly before your window of opportunity fades. Try shooting while kneeling if you hunt from a ground blind. Give elevated positions like from your treestand a try. When you shoot uphill or downhill your body’s posture will change and your shooting mechanics should not fall apart. By attempting varying shooting positions before the hunt if you are then called upon to improvise during your hunt you will be ready.

Hunt Food Sources Hard

When it comes to locating deer many of us archers are more than proficient in finding scrapes, rubs, and deer trails. The dilemma comes in hunting over those areas and not seeing any deer. Then, what do you do? While a gnarly scrape or impressive rub can definitely get your optimistic juices flowing, those signs could be on the fringe of a buck’s working territory; a place they only intermittently visit. A smarter bet is to find some of that aforementioned sign closer to food sources. This could be giant white oaks dropping fuzzy acorns, a farmer’s corn or soybean field, or even a food plot you planted yourself. Deer, like us humans, have got to eat. So position yourself near their food sources and you will up your odds of seeing more deer throughout all seasons and weather changes.

Trail Cameras are your Friends

Some of us are freezer fillers and other archers are hunting wall hangers, but regardless of what your pursuit is a trail camera can be a tremendous ally. It allows you to inventory your potential deer herd in your area and know what is out there when you are not around. This is beneficial because if you are blessed with having lots of opportunities at deer you do not want to burn up your tag on a spike buck when a hefty doe might be more delicious venison in your eyes. Or you do not want to arrow a basket 8-point buck when you know there is a 10-point brute hiding somewhere. Trail cameras can provide you with very valuable information you might not otherwise have at your disposal.

Be Prepared to Invest your Time

While many hunters lust over the chase of big bucks during the rut, most of the year bucks will not be pumped full of testosterone and jacked up chasing does. For those months of pre- and post-rut, it may take a lot of stand time to see the deer you want to put in the freezer or hang on the wall. With that being said, be prepared to invest the time out in nature to eventually cross paths with the deer you are looking to tag.

Layer yourself like an Onion

Archery season for many states can be a very unpredictable and tumultuous time in regards to the weather we may need to endure. You could creep out to your stand in the dark when its 30F and by noon it might be 70F. That is why it can be advantageous to dress in layers so as the weather evolves you too can adapt by peeling or adding layers as necessary.

Keep that Brush Saw in your Pack for Awhile

As tempting as it may be to brush out wide, easy-to-see shooting lanes early in the season try to refrain from doing so. As the leaves change, a small amount of trees die, and leaves fall most areas will become more open later in the season. If you clear out a ton of brush too early in the season you may feel naked and exposed later because you cut down too much brush. Cover and concealment are valuable.

Be a Chameleon, Evolve your Tactics

Many of us can fall into the trap of repetitively doing things the same way without changing. If the wind changes, we do not change our stand location. If a farmer harvests a corn field we were hunting over, we continue to errantly hunt that spot with misguided optimism. When conditions change so should our tactics. Whether it is the weather, food sources, the wind, fallen down trees, or deer vanishing off our trail cameras, we need to adapt more. The definition of insanity is to allegedly do the same thing over and over expecting different results. So to be a sane, experienced archer we must try different tactics as the need arises.

3 Exercises to Increase Draw Weight and Strengthen your Shoulders

Shooting your bow consistently on a daily basis will indeed hone your skills and make you more accurate. But if you want to take it a step further, and add some extra poundage to your draw weight, these archery strength exercises will help build strength, stability, and stamina to give you better control over your shot. We will outline a handful of exercises you can do to target your upper body, increase draw weight, add stability to your core, and even allow you to shoot for longer periods of time – which ultimately means more practice reps!

Without wasting any more time, let’s get after it:

1. Dumbbell Side Raise

The dumbbell side raise is an exercise designed to really target the lateral portion of your shoulder, and improve shoulder strength. Even though you’re going to be pulling your bow back rather than pushing, this exercise is necessary to help keep your bow stable for longer periods of time.

To complete the dumbbell side raise, you just need to follow these steps:

• Stand upright (try performing seated to really isolate the movement)
• Hold a dumbbell in each hand (one at a time is just fine)
• Keep your shoulders back and your core tight
• Raise each dumbbell until they are parallel to the floor (about shoulder height)
• Repeat for 10 reps
• Rest 30 sec – 1 minute
• Repeat for as many sets as your workout calls for (most people would do 3 to 5 sets)

2. Single Arm Cable Row

The single arm cable row might be the best exercise to improve your draw weight. You can also get the same benefits by performing a regular lateral row with both hands.

To perform a single arm cable row, you will need to follow these steps:

• Sit on a lateral cable row machine with your back straight and core tight
• Grab the cable and keep your shoulders back
• Now pull the cable to your torso
• Switch up your tempo by pulling the cable to your torso and slowly letting it down.
• Complete 10 – 12 reps
• Rest
• Repeat for as many sets as you see fit (ideally 3 to 4)

3. Forearm Plank

The forearm plank is a good exercise if you want to improve your core strength and endurance. The real key to this exercise is to contract your glutes and keep your core as tight as possible.

To do a forearm plank, follow these steps:

• Place your arms on the ground directly underneath your shoulders
• Place your toes on the floor behind you so your forearms and toes are the only parts of your body in direct contact with the ground
• Keep your back and your shoulders properly aligned (squeezing your glutes helps with this)
• Hold this position for one minute
• Rest for 30 sec
• Repeat at least two more sets

Bonus: Six Minute Circuit

The last exercise we will talk about is brought to you by John Dudley. It’s a great little drill you can accomplish in just six minutes, and it really helps strengthen your shoulder joints so you can hold steadier on target. All you need to perform the exercise is a partially inflated soccer or volley ball, and a wall.

Start by placing the palm of your hand flat on the ball and pressing it HARD up against the wall. Perform each movement (up-down, side-to-side, clockwise, counter-clockwise) in 15 second intervals for a total of six minutes. After the time is up, switch arms and repeat.

Try to do this at least 3x per week, and you’ll be shooting tighter groups in short order! You can even perform these exercises at home by substituting the weights with resistance bands, or other items you have laying around the house. Get creative with it!

For an “advanced” challenge, try flinging some arrows AFTER performing the above workout. It’s good practice for holding steady while a buck works his way into your shooting lane and your muscles are screaming for a break.

The Best Bow Cases for Archery Hunters

The BEST Bow Cases… What to Look For?

When it comes to quality cases to protect your bow you need to ensure it has several attributes. For one, it needs internal cushioning that’s good. We have a lot of delicate parts on our bows, like our sights, and we don’t want those errantly bumped. Second, you will want a robust exterior. If your chosen case is bouncing down a gravel road in your vehicle, you need it to not get chipped or damaged; thus, your bow. Finally, you need structural support – pillars – to ensure your case also doesn’t get crushed. If you have all 3 in your bow case, then you have a good one.

The WORST Bow Cases… What to Avoid?

A bad bow case is going to have a lot of red flags. One red flag is poor hinges and buckles. If the case can’t crisply close and lock, then it is a danger to your bow. Inadequate cushioning is another one. We already discussed how important that is. Finally, take a good discerning look at the exterior. Whether the case is metal or plastic, it needs to be thick enough to fully protect and safeguard your bow.

BEST Premium – SKB iSeries 4719-8 Ultimate Single/Double Bow Case: $574.99

SKB has a lot going for them with their bow cases: they are authentically made in the USA, they produce the official bow cases for our Olympic and Paralympic teams, and this case in particular can protect multiple bows. If you want a “bulletproof,” premium option for toting your bow out into the field, look no further than the SKB iSeries 4719-8 Ultimate Single/Double Bow Case.

• Accommodates two bows, one up to 46″ long and the other up to 44″ long
• Rigid foam bunk-bed system
• Adjustable accessory tray on the lower level
• In-line skate style wheels for easy transport
• Trigger Latch® System can be retrofitted with TSA accepted key locking latches
• Padlock holes include stainless steel padlock protector clips
• Cushion grip handles on three sides for comfortable lifting and carrying
• Waterproof and dust tight design (MIL-STD 810H)
• Molded-in hinge for added protection
• Trigger Latch® System
• Snap-down rubber over-molded cushion grip handle
• Ambient pressure equalization valve (MIL-STD 810H)
• Resistant to UV

BEST Affordable – Plano Protector Series: $44.99 – $69.99

The Protector Series from Plano has an assortment of different protective cases, which include those for firearms and bows, but we’re just interested in the ones for archery at the moment. These cases are simplistic, extremely affordable, and hold up their end of the bargain by protecting our bows. The two models that they offer are the Protector Series® Single Bow Case and Protector Series® Compact Bow Case, which have MSRPs of $69.99 and $44.99, respectively.

• Lockable, padded protection for single and split or parallel-limb bows with or without quivers, to make sure your gear arrives safely.
• Patented pillarlock provides added anti-crush strength and rigidity. Poly tie-downs hold your bow in place to protect your investment during travel to your next hunting or shooting adventure.
• This hard bow case features thick-wall construction and high-density poly foam to keep the bow aligned and cared-for.
• Interior storage for five arrows consolidates equipment and helps keep aluminum and carbon arrows flying true. A comfortable ribbed carry handle and two strong latches protect against dropping as well as prying eyes or hands.
• Fits most modern style compound bows.

The Plano Protector Compact Lockable Bow Case features thick wall construction and high-density foam, with a patented Pillar Lock System and a comfortable molded handle. Arrow storage under the lid and will securely hold 5 arrows. Made from textured-finish polypro, this case is lockable and airline approved.

BEST Value – MTM Case-Gard BC44 Traveler Compound Bow Case: MSRP $84.99

The MTM Case-Gard BC44 Traveler Compound Bow Case is a nice blend of durability that you could take through the airport – and it will still survive TSA’s destructive hands – yet it is fairly light on your wallet. Big enough to safely transport most all compound bows within reason while still not being so large that it takes up too much room in your pickup truck.

• Interior (L x W x D): 44″ x 16.4″ x 7.3″
• Exterior (L x W x D): 47.1″ x 19.3″ x 8.5″
• Weight: 13.3 Lb
• Designed for modern compound bows up to 44 inches long. Your precision instrument is protected and cushioned by a quality foam pad. Held in place with easy-to-use Velcro strapping. Quiver can stay attached with most bows.
• The case is made of a High-impact copolymer polypropylene construction to hold up to hazards of traveling in the bed of a pick-up or on the back of an ATV at deer camp. Four no-break snap latches with two padlock tabs are provided to lock it up.
• Integrated Traveler Arrow Case inside serve three purposes. Holds up to 9 arrows 34.0” total length. In the middle between foams you can hold points, nocks etc.. Structural to add strength to case when closed.
• Includes in-line recessed wheels for easy transport wherever you go. TSA-approved travel bow case when using TSA approved locks (not included). ATV tie down points. Proudly Made in USA.

Good luck this season, and shoot em’ straight!

Early Season Archery Hunting Prep

We have made it to the 3rd week of August. So, archery seasons are extremely close! If you are like me, you are thinking of all the things you should be doing to prep for archery season so you can put some venison in the freezer this fall. While its difficult to pull your mind away from boating and other fun summer activities, if you put in a little extra pre-season archery prep now, it will pay huge dividends once the season starts. Let’s walk through some of the simple things that I do this time of year to get ready for archery season.

Scouting

One of the most important things you can do this summer to prepare for the upcoming archery season – or any hunting season for that matter – is to scout. There are tons of clichés like if you fail to plan you plan to fail or luck is when opportunity and preparation meet, you get the idea. By scouting earlier in the year, you can start to recognize patterns for whitetail deer. You can identify where they are bedding at night or during the middle of the day, their most common “highways” or trail between sleep and food, and you can take an inventory of all the animals that might be in your area. If you know a bruiser 10-point buck is in the forest, don’t shoot a small 6-pointer on opening day. Be patient; your time will come.

A lot of this archery prep can be accomplished with a simple trail camera. Whether it is cellular (beams photos/videos straight to your phone) or an older style that you manually check in the field, that can be a great way to document the habits of deer around you plus create an inventory of what whitetails you might like to harvest.

Gear Check

An additional element worth considering is the gear that you will be deploying. Everything from your bow to arrows to boots and a backpack. You want to shake the dust off of everything, fine-tune your equipment, and make sure it is in a good functioning condition for when you finally trek out into the woods to fill a tag. This also includes practicing with your bow for a few months before the season if you are not a year-round archer. This will lead us into our next point because it is not only important to have a sharp field-dressing knife, a safe treestand, and everything else accounted for, but you also need to be a proficient shooter when you take aim.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Some people relish and enjoy their practice while others dread it, but it is a vitally important component to hunting. Here at AllOutdoor we always preach that you should be good stewards of the animals and the land that we walk on. This means respecting animals whether it is livestock, your hunting dog, or a game animal you are going to shoot. Being an accurate archer is showing respect to the game animal so they may experience a swift and humane death if you choose to harvest them. We never want to injure animals or have them suffer.

So, that brings us back to practice. Make it fun for yourself. Shoot in the early morning or late evening to experience different lighting conditions. Shoot with some friends. Go for a short jog and then shoot so you have an elevated heart rate. Do a fun, local 3-D target shoot for variety. Archery practice shouldn’t be boring a regrettable activity. The better your archery prep is this summer the more inherently successful your season will soon be.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to archery hunting, there is definitely a lot to consider. We have covered a lot heading into fall, but there is even more to consider. If you want to get nerdy and dive into a lot of gear items, we have you extensively covered with all of these editorials that can be your guide.

• Best Binoculars
• Best Bow Sights
• Best Rangefinders
• Best Ground Blinds
• Best Fixed Broadheads
• Best Crossbow Broadheads
• Best Compound Bow Brands
• Best Mechanical Broadheads
• Best Beginner Compound Bows
• Best Compound Bow Stabilizers
• Best Crossbows for Hunters and Beginners
• Archery Hunting Cellular Trail Camera Guide

For all of our stick and string enthusiasts in the reading audience, what do you think? Are there any valuable tips or tricks you have learned over the years that you would like to share with others? If so, what are they? As always, let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate the feedback and engagement.

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