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There are three common types of bow sights used for bow hunting. I’ll describe them for you and explain the pros and cons of each. Let’s jump right in.
Single-pin sights are popular because of their simplicity. This is the type of sight I've been using for most of my decade of bow hunting. Single-pin sights have just one pin, so there's a singular focus point and an unobstructed view down range. This is one of the main reasons I like to use a single-pin sight. When I'm at full draw on a game animal, there's no questioning which pin I aim with because there's only one. To adjust your yardage, all you must do is spin the yard adjustment wheel to your desired range. If you have a fast bow, you could shoot out to 80-plus yards with insane precision.
Let's say your target is 63 yards away. You simply dial your sight to 63 and are right on target. For someone with a slow bow due to low poundage, like me, you may only be able to shoot out to 50 or 55 yards before your broadhead begins to hit the bottom of the sight housing. As you dial your sight to a higher yardage, the scope housing lowers. When I hit around 55 yards, my scope housing nearly touches my broadhead. This may not be as big of an issue with a multi-pin sight (and certainly not an electronic one) because the bottom pin sits lower in the sight housing. Thus, the entire sight doesn't need to drop as low to shoot farther distances.
Another thing to consider as a bow hunter using a single-pin sight is the reality of what it's like to use it in the field. Hunting is unpredictable in terms of how an animal will move into range and move about that range. Often, they don't do exactly what you think they're going to do, so if your pin is set at 20 yards and the deer walks out at 40 yards, you're in a bit of a pickle if you don't have the time to adjust the pin. Some people will guesstimate by holding the sight high or low on the target. It can work, but I don't recommend this, especially if you have a low-speed bow due to low poundage. This is by far the biggest critique of single-pin sights and something to consider when making a choice for your setup.
Multi-pin sights are another really popular option for bow hunters. I'd venture to say they are the most popular bow sight for hunters. They have multiple fixed pins, each set for a specific distance. Typically, these sights have three pins or five pins, but there are sights with as many as seven pins. You set the pins up for distances of 20 yards, 30, 40, and so on. It’s customizable for what yardage you want each pin set. This is very beneficial because it allows for quick adjustments by simply switching which pin you're aiming with rather than manually rotating the wheel to adjust the pin like you would have to do on a single-pin sight. So, when you're in that pickle scenario I talked about above with a deer at 40 yards instead of 20 yards, there's no hesitation. You just aim with your 40-yard pin instead of your 20-yard pin, and many hunters prefer this type of setup for that reason.
However, multiple pins in your sight picture can make it challenging to focus on what's down range. That's the case for me, and because of the intensity of a hunting scenario right before you take your shot, there is a chance that you could accidentally choose the wrong pin to aim with.
Electronic bow sights are another option that has increased in popularity over the last few years. Most of them feature some sort of digital display with a built-in range finder. The idea is you'll never have to guess which pin to use once at full draw or spend time fumbling or adjusting your single pin. Once you're at full draw, you press a button on the grip of the bow, which ranges your target and sets a digital pin perfectly placed for you to make an accurate shot.
Now, there are additional things to consider. These sights are very expensive compared to single-pin or multi-pin sights. It's also more important to keep in mind that these sights are electronic, which does increase the chances of a malfunction, dead batteries or something of that sort. Most importantly, they are not legal in all 50 states. It's crucial that you check the rules and regulations in the state you plan on hunting before you purchase and install an electronic sight. These regulations change on a yearly basis, so you must read through them before each and every hunting season.
My personal experience only goes as far as playing around at the range with an electronic sight. I've never actually used one in the field while hunting, but I have to say they are really cool, and I love the innovative technology. As someone with a low poundage bow, if I were only hunting in states where they were legal, I would definitely consider upgrading to one. Ultimately, the decision of what sight you're going to choose depends on your hunting preferences, your arrow build, and your budget. I strongly encourage everyone to try them out at your local archery shop because you just don't know what you don't know. And when you're ready to make a decision, do it well before the hunting season to give yourself plenty of time for preparation.
--Outdoors Allie
