Year-Round Archery Practice: The Gear You Need to Stay Sharp All Summer Long
I’ve come to realize over the years that the guys who consistently punch tags in the fall aren’t just lucky or naturally talented—they’re putting in the work in July when most people are at the lake or mowing the lawn. Summer isn’t the off-season. It’s the proving ground. It’s time to build confidence, tighten your process, and iron out the flaws in your shooting before the pressure hits.
Shooting my bow all summer has become a non-negotiable part of how I prep for the season. I did not just sling arrows to say I did it, but shot purposefully. And to do that right, you need the right gear.
Here’s what I use to keep my shooting sharp and practice effectively. I actually run many of these products, not just stuff that sounds good in a gear round-up.
1. A Target That Trains Like You Hunt
Morrell High Roller Foam Target
This is the target I use personally, and it’s held up better than anything else I’ve shot at in the last few years. The Morrell High Roller handles both field points and broadheads without falling apart, and the self-healing foam makes it a solid investment if you shoot often like I do.
Image credit Morrell Targets
One of the things I really like about this target is that it keeps practice fun. Each side has a dice-style layout of white aiming dots. We’ll roll a die and shoot the matching number—if you hit the white dot, you get those points. It’s a simple backyard game, but it keeps everyone sharp and makes practice way more competitive. Honestly, it’s one of my favorite ways to train with friends or the kids on summer evenings.
Rinehart Woodland Buck 3D Target
Shooting dots is fine, but at some point, you’ve got to shift your mindset from hitting targets to making lethal shots. That’s where the Rinehart 3D buck really shines. The vitals are in the right spot—which matters more than people think—and it’s the best way I’ve found to simulate real hunting scenarios.
I use this to practice elevated shots, quartering angles, and anything else that gets me mentally prepared for the moment of truth in the field. It's not cheap, but if you’re serious about bowhunting, it’s worth every penny.
On a Budget?
If you're just looking to get reps in without breaking the bank, the Morrell Yellow Jacket Bag Target is still a solid option for field points. It’s not built for broadheads, but for volume shooting, it’ll get the job done.
2. Pocket Quiver for Efficient Reps
Bohning Pocket Quiver
This is the one I run personally. The Bohning Pocket Quiver slips right into your back pocket and holds your arrows securely without getting in the way. It's low-profile, easy to use, and perfect for backyard sessions, stump shooting, or days when I’m moving around a lot and don’t want to be bogged down with extra gear.
If you prefer a full-size option, the Easton Flipside 3-Tube Hip Quiver is a solid pick.
Buy on Amazon
Personally, I run a bino harness chest pack paired with a pocket quiver—I’ve found that bino harness plus hip quiver is just too much stacked on the body, especially when I’m training dynamically or covering ground.
3. Binoculars & Harness: Train Like You Hunt
KUIU Pro Bino Harness (G3)
The G3 Pro in action.
I glass all summer. Whether it’s watching a soybean field at last light or just getting a lay of the land on new ground, I like having optics on me. KUIU’s G3 Pro bino harness is the one I run. It’s light, fits tight to the chest, and doesn’t bounce around when you’re on the move. Also, it’s dead quiet—which is a must if you’re a bowhunter.
You can also easily adapt the KUIU bino harness for different hunts and seasons—it's built to integrate with a range of accessories like rangefinder pouches, holsters, and bear spray holders, so you can tailor your setup without switching systems.
Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42 Binoculars
These are the binos I recommend when guys ask. They’re affordable, tough as nails, and clear enough that you forget you didn’t drop $1,500 on glass. These are great to have on the range so you can get clear pictures of shot placement without having to wait to walk up to the target. This is especially true when practicing longer range shooting. They are great for summer scouting or building your glassing skills if you're prepping for a western hunt.
4. A Rangefinder That Delivers Accurate Reps
Rangefinder – Vortex Crossfire HD 1400
I use a rangefinder on nearly every shot during practice. It’s not just about confirming yardage—it’s about learning what those distances feel like in my body. I don’t want to be second-guessing whether a target is 28 or 32 yards come October. The Vortex Crossfire HD 1400 has become my go-to. It's compact, angle-compensated, and delivers consistent readings—crucial when you're dialing in from a tree stand or a backyard deck.
You’ll see guys out there with rangefinders that reach out to 1,500 or 2,000 yards—but for archery? That’s overkill. You’re not shooting a bow past 60 or 70 yards in real-world scenarios anyway, and if you are, you’ve got a different set of problems. The Crossfire 1400 gives you more than enough range for anything you’ll realistically do with a bow.
This matters a lot for both single-pin sights and multi-pin setups. For single pins, it helps you range and adjust accurately. For multi-pins, it helps you make those in-between calls—like when a buck steps out at 35 yards and your pins are set at 30 and 40. Knowing exactly where that arrow’s going means you can make a confident shot when it counts.5. Storage that Keeps Gear Clean and Controlled
5. Plano Sportsman’s Trunk with Wheels
Not flashy, but super practical. I’ve got one of these in the garage loaded with all my off-season gear—releases, spare fletchings, tools, wax, you name it. I also use another one for scent-free storage once we get closer to season. Airtight lid, stackable, easy to roll around or throw in the truck. It’s the kind of system that keeps you organized and ready.
Here is another alternative I use as well (no wheels though)
6. Bonus Gear That Helps You Train with Purpose
Lighted Nocks
I run these year-round. They help me track arrow flight in real-time and catch form issues before they become bad habits, almost like a tracer. You can see if you have a clean flight better, and they are best for shooting at dusk or dawn (which is a likely shot time in season).Linpeg 6 Pec (these turn on and off so you can turn them on only when you need them, not just when your string activates them)
Elevated Shooting Platform or Ladder Stand
I like to practice from elevation whenever I can. If you’ve got a back deck or a ladder stand, start using it. Practicing from the ground is fine, but it doesn’t teach you how to shoot at steep angles—and that matters when the shot window opens.
Final Thoughts
If I could offer one piece of advice to any bowhunter trying to level up this year, it’s this: summer is where the work happens. Not just casually shooting in flip-flops, but actually practicing like the outcome matters. Because come fall, it does.
Keep grinding. Keep shooting. And make it count when it matters.
