Bowhunting Season Prep: A Gear Checklist
Hunting season is here.
For some bowhunters, elk season is already in full swing. For others, whitetail openers are just around the corner. Either way, this is the time to make sure your setup is ready before the next opportunity comes together.
The hunters who feel most confident in the field are usually the ones who checked their equipment, confirmed their arrow flight, and handled the small details before the hunt.
Here are a few things worth checking now.
Inspect Your Broadheads
Start with the business end of your setup.
Check every broadhead you plan to hunt with for damage, alignment, and edge condition. Even if a head has only been used during practice or testing, it is worth inspecting before putting it back in the quiver.
For resharpenable fixed-blade broadheads, take the time to touch up the edge when needed. Many VPA broadheads are built to be maintained and put back into service rather than treated as disposable gear.
A few minutes at the bench now is better than questioning your setup when a shot opportunity arrives.
Confirm Your Hunting Arrow Flight
A bow that shoots field points well is a good start, but your final check should be done with the setup you actually plan to hunt.
Shoot your broadheads and confirm they are grouping consistently with your hunting arrows.
This is also a good time to spin-test finished arrows. An arrow spinner can help identify wobble or alignment issues that may be difficult to see otherwise.
If something is not flying correctly, address it before your next hunt.
Check Your Field Points and Practice Setup
Practice should closely reflect your hunting setup.
Using properly weighted field points helps you get meaningful repetitions without constantly shooting and resharpening your hunting heads.
Make sure your field points are in good condition, your arrows are consistently built, and your practice setup gives you confidence when you switch back to broadheads.
Protect Your Broadheads
Sharp broadheads do not belong loose in a pack, vehicle, or gear bin.
A broadhead case helps protect the blades while keeping your hunting heads organized and ready to go.
It is a small piece of gear, but it can make travel, storage, and last-minute preparation much easier.
Inspect the Front of Your Arrows
The front end of an arrow takes a lot of stress during shooting and impact.
Check your shafts for cracking, splitting, or other signs of damage, especially around the insert.
For compatible setups, arrow footers can add reinforcement to the front of the shaft and help protect an area that often takes significant abuse.
Always inspect your arrows before shooting them, especially after a hard impact.
Keep Small Game Heads in the Quiver
A long day in the field does not always end with a shot at your primary target.
Keeping a small game head or two in your quiver gives you another option and can make time in the woods even more productive.
VPA Small Game Thumpers are built to be tough and reusable, making them an easy addition to a hunting quiver.
Make Sure Your Sharpening Gear Is Ready
Do not wait until you need it to realize your sharpening stone is buried somewhere in the garage.
Keep your sharpening tools with the rest of your hunting gear and make broadhead maintenance part of your regular routine.
If a head is built to be sharpened and reused, keeping the right tools close by makes it much easier to stay ready throughout the season.
Take Advantage of the Season-Ready Sale
If your gear check turns up anything you still need, our Season-Ready Sale is happening now through Monday, September 14.
Save 15% on select VPA broadheads, accessories, and risers with code SEASONREADY at checkout.
That includes select products across our lineup, from broadheads and field points to arrow spinners, cases, sharpening gear, Small Game Thumpers, arrow footers, and more.
Exclusions apply.
Confidence Comes From Preparation
The goal is not to keep changing your setup once season starts.
It is to eliminate questions.
Is the broadhead sharp?
Is the arrow running true?
Is everything organized?
Have you shot enough with your actual hunting setup to trust it?
Handle those questions before the next hunt, and your focus can stay where it belongs when the opportunity finally comes.
Get your setup season-ready and save 15% on select VPA broadheads, accessories, and risers through Monday with code SEASONREADY.
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