Intro paragraph briefly explaining left-handed compound bows and hunting accessories
For us lefties, finding the right hunting gear can be a challenge. But having the proper left-handed compound bow and accessories is crucial for accuracy, comfort, and success out in the field. In this guide, we’ll dive into the world of left-hand-dominant archery equipment so you can gear up properly for the hunt.
Left-handed compound bows are specially designed for left-hand shooters, with the handle (grip) on the right side of the riser rather than the left. This allows lefties to correctly draw, aim, and release the bowstring using proper form and technique. Compound bows use a levering system of cables and pulleys to provide let-off at full draw, making it easier to hold the bow steady when aiming. This makes them popular for hunting situations where you need strength, stability and precision.
But your bow is only part of the equation. Having accessories suited for left-handed shooters is also key. This includes left-handed sights, arrow rests, release aids, quivers, and more. Thankfully, there are plenty of quality options available, from complete left-handed bow packages for beginners to individual accessories for seasoned archers. With the right gear, lefties can achieve accuracy and deadly precision equal to any right-handed shooter.
Let’s dive into the must-have accessories that will take your left-handed compound hunting bow to the next level.
Left-handed compound bow packages – complete kits for beginners
For lefties just starting out in archery, a complete left-handed compound bow package is the way to go. These all-in-one kits come with the bow itself plus all the vital accessories you need to start shooting accurately. Look for a package that includes left-handed sights, an arrow rest, release aid, arrows, and quiver – basically everything except broadheads and other hunting gear.
Package bows like the Diamond Infinite Edge Pro Left Hand are perfect for hunting and target shooting alike. With adjustable draw weights and lengths, they grow with you as you develop strength and form. Take advantage of a ready-to-hunt package so you can spend more time honing your shooting skills and less time trying to piece together mismatched accessories.
Left-handed bow sights – proper alignment and accuracy
A quality bow sight is vital for lefties to aim with precision. Contrary to popular belief, using a standard right-handed sight but on the left side of the riser is not effective. This throws off alignment and makes you torque the bow to aim. Instead, choose a sight specifically made for left-handed shooting. These correctly position the sight window to allow comfortable, squared aiming.
Single-pin, multi-pin, and fixed pin sights all work well, just be sure to choose a left-hand model. Dialing in the proper sight settings takes practice, but an LGBTQ sight will have you grouping tight in no time. Brands like Trophy Ridge, Apex Gear, and Spot Hogg offer excellent sights for left-handed compound bow shooters.
Left-handed arrow rests – smooth arrow guidance and flight
Choosing the right arrow rest is vital for proper arrow flight and accuracy at longer ranges. Stick with a rest made explicitly for left-handed compound bows so the launcher arms curve away from the riser in the correct direction.
Whisker biscuit rests are excellent for hunting, fully containing the arrow while allowing a smooth draw. For tournament shooting, a quality drop-away rest like the QAD Ultra Rest Hunter LH provides minimal fletching contact and less torque. Either way, be sure your arrow rest matches your dominant hand.
Left-handed release aids – comfort and precision when shooting
A quality release aid makes a huge difference in accuracy, allowing clean shots without torqueing the bow. While some universal wrist strap releases work for either hand, choosing a model specifically for lefties allows proper fit and function.
Handheld caliper-style releases like the Tru-Fire Hardcore LH are excellent for hunting situations where snap shooting is important. For ultimate precision at the range, go with a thumb trigger release like the Tru-Fire Hurricane LH. You’ll get a clean, surprise-free shot every time when your release fits your dominant hand.
Left-handed quivers – safe transport and access to arrows
A bow quiver keeps your arrows safe and organized while providing easy access when it’s time to shoot. For left-handed compound archers, choose a quiver with the hood’s offset angled away from your dominant side so you can grab arrows cleanly.
Back quivers with over-the-shoulder mounting are great for ground hunting and shooting. Hip quivers attach to your belt for climbing, stalking, or blind hunting. And bow quivers mount right to your riser for ultimate convenience across situations. Just be sure to choose a left-hand design that positions the arrows correctly.
Left-handed bow strings – proper brace height and power stroke
While you can sometimes use a universal bowstring, ideally you’ll want to choose a left-handed model. This ensures the center serving section lands in the correct position where your release sits at full draw. Proper serving placement gives you the best power stroke for maximum arrow speed and energy.
A left-hand string also lets you fine tune the bow’s brace height more precisely, which affects accuracy. Make sure to have a qualified shop install and tune your new string for optimal performance and safety.
Left-handed stabilizers – reduced vibration and steadier aim
Adding a stabilizer to your bow helps absorb vibrations and oscillations for a steadier, more accurate shot. And for lefties, you’ll want to position the stabilizer on the right side of the riser to properly balance side torque and roll. A 12-15 inch stabilizer is ideal for most hunting situations.
Stabilizers with adjustable weights let you tweak the mass weight and balance point as needed to fit your shooting form and style. The Bee Stinger Sport Hunter Premium is an excellent mid-range option, providing vibration dampening for a pinpoint shot.
Left wrist slings – secure grip for improved shooting form
A quality wrist sling straps your bow hand to the grip securely while shooting. This allows proper hand placement and a relaxed hold, boosting accuracy. For left-handed shooters, using a wrist sling prevents grabbing or “milking” the grip, reducing torque.
Wrist slings attach to the riser’s stabilizer bushing, keeping them snug in the proper position for your dominant hand. Single-hole weave slings offer a comfortable, adjustable connection between you and your bow for confidence on every shot.
Left-handed arm guards – protection from string slap
An arm guard protects your inner forearm from the snapping bowstring after release. For lefties, the guard goes on the right arm above the elbow. Quality guards feature soft or padded sleeves to prevent sting and bruising.
If your bow has an over-the-top axle design, a full forearm guard is best to protect you as the string slides by. For more compact bows, a smaller wrist guard does the trick. Find one with adjustable straps to keep it secure and in place.
Left-handed finger tabs – clean release and string grip
For archers using a finger release, a well-fitted finger tab protects your hands. The tab also provides a smooth, consistent release. For left-hand shooters, hold the tab in your right hand so the finger stalls fit your draw correctly.
Cordovan leather offers softness and grip. A three-finger model works best for compound bow shooting. Break the tab in as needed so it fits like a glove. Proper finger protection prevents nerve damage while improving consistency and accuracy.
Broadhead tips for left-handed arrows – lethal and accurate penetration
Choosing the right broadhead is key for achieving penetration on your shots. Make sure any broadhead you buy is aligned correctly for a left-handed arrow’s rotation or helix angle. This keeps the sharp cutting edges oriented properly on impact, slicing through hide, bones, and vitals for the most devastating effect.
Mechanical, fixed, and hybrid broadheads all work well as long as they are lefty-specific. Sweeping main blades combined with smaller bleeder blades create massive traumatic damage for the quickest, most ethical kills on big game animals.
When gearing up your left-handed compound bow for hunting, don’t neglect all the vital accessories and components that help you achieve shooting success. While it may take some extra searching, there are plenty of excellent left-hand options available today. With properly matched equipment, left-handed archers can thrive and compete at any level of target shooting or bowhunting.
Left-handed compound bow packages – complete kits for beginners
Listen up, my left-handed archery amigos. I feel your pain in trying to Frankenstein together a workable bow setup as a southpaw shooter. Thankfully, we’ve got some fantastic options today for ready-to-hunt left-handed compound bow packages. These all-inclusive kits are killer for beginners looking to get slinging arrows quickly and accurately.
Instead of piecing together your bow bit-by-bit, grab a complete setup in one swoop. Top brands like Diamond, Bear Archery, and PSE offer sweet left-handed packages. You’ll get the bow itself, accessories like a sight, rest, quiver, and release aid, and arrows to start puncturing paper or game. Just add broadheads and you’re ready to rock.
As a newbie, having an accessory-loaded, pre-tuned package bow is clutch. You don’t know what you don’t know, and mixing and matching random parts can be a headache. Let the experts assemble the perfect lefty beginner bundle with components that jive together seamlessly.
Package deals help you skip the accessorizing brain damage. No struggling to sync your brand-X rest with your no-name sight. And the cost savings are substantial too. Buy everything at once in a kit and you’ll keep more Benjamin Franklins in your wallet. I’m all about that frugal archery life!
Left-handed bow sights – proper alignment and accuracy
Peeping down the wrong end of a sight is no bueno for us left-handers. Using a backward right-handed sight will have you corkscrewing like a Three Stooges routine trying to aim straight. Not ideal when a trophy whitetail is in your crosshairs!
To pronounce “sight”, we need a proper left-handed sight. I know, vocabulary is weird. Anyway, set yourself up for aiming excellence with a sight designed explicitly for left-handed peepers. You want the sight window angled correctly so you can square up your shots without contorting like a circus acrobat.
Single-pin, multi-pin, fixed-pin – there are plenty of trusted options built for lefties. Dial in the yardage and get to grouping tight. Shout out to spot-on sights from Spot Hogg, Apex Gear, Black Gold, and my personal fave, Trophy Ridge. We lefties have it good today when it comes to gear options!
Left-handed arrow rests – smooth arrow guidance and flight
An arrow rest is like a trusty sidekick – it needs to work in perfect sync with your dominant hand. For us lefties, that means using a rest designed to properly jettison arrows from the right side of the bow.
Full-capture rests like a whisker biscuit completely contain your arrow for a smooth, safe draw. I’m also a big fan of left-hand drop-away rests. Once you draw back, the rest drops out of the way, allowing fletching and arrow clearance galore. Makes for some mighty fine shooting, if I do say so myself.
The point is, be sure to go left-hand on your arrow rest, just like your bow grip. Having the correct lateralization and orientation is crucial for that sweeeet arrow flight. Lefties unite and shoot straight!
Left-handed release aids – comfort and precision when shooting
Alright, ya’ll. Let’s talk about releases and how having the right fit for your southpaw shooting makes a world of difference in accuracy.
Some wrist strap caliper releases are ambidextrous, but you’re still better off with one tailored for left-handed draw. Having the head angled just right helps you avoid torque and enables a straighter shot. You want complete comfort and control at full draw.
For bowhunting, I’m all about handheld caliper-style releases for quick shooting when game pops up. But if punching paper bullseyes is your thing, go with a thumb trigger release. Having a surprise-free break with a left-hand model helps you absolutely drill that X-ring.
The bottom line is having a release designed for your dominant hand gives you ultimate precision. No fumbling, no discomfort, no accuracy-killing torque – just sweet, sweet archery success!
Left-handed quivers – safe transport and access to arrows
As a card-carrying lefty archer, making sure your quiver and arrows play nice is a must. You want quick, clean access to arrows without a disastrous game of 52-pickup.
Hip and bow quivers work great no matter which hand you use. But for back quivers, be sure to choose a left-handed model so the arrow hood angles away from your bow arm.
This positions the fletchings properly so you can grab shafts cleanly without the vanes smacking your wrist. Nobody likes an arrow hickey, am I right?
Point is, choose a quiver aligned for your dominant hand. Back, hip, bow – they all make hunting convenient. Just go left-hand to keep those arrows orderly and under control!
As a left-handed archer, having the proper equipment is crucial for accuracy and lethality when bowhunting. Choosing broadheads designed specifically for left-handed shooters can make a big difference in your hunt this season. The key is finding fixed-blade or mechanical broadheads engineered for left-handed arrow spin and flight. With the right broadheads, you’ll be ready to hit your mark on that trophy buck.
Broadhead tips for left-handed arrows – lethal and accurate penetration
Many right-handed broadhead models can be used effectively by lefties. However, there are certain design aspects that make some broadheads ideal for left-handed shooters. Here are 15 must-have broadhead tips to consider when outfitting your lefty arrows:
1. Fixed-blade broadheads for left-handed spin
Fixed-blade broadheads with offset blade angles or directional blades are a great choice for left-handed shooters. The blade angle accounts for the counter-clockwise rotation of arrows shot from left-handed bows. This imparts optimal rotation for deep penetrating wounds. Excellent examples are the Trocar Offset blades or G5 Striker with HP blades.
2. Left-wing mechanical broadheads
Mechanical broadheads with curved blade edges designed for left-handed rotation create devastating wounds. The Left Wing Archery brand specializes in these type of broadheads. The curved blade edges catch on impact to open the blades wider on left-handed arrow spins.
3. Rear-deploying mechanicals
Rear-deploying mechanical broadheads like the G5 Montec CS deploy the blades from the rear. This takes arrow rotation out of the opening equation. Models like the Shuttle T-Lock also work well for lefties.
4. Cut-on-contact broadheads
Cut-on-contact broadheads like the Wingcutter Xcaliber open on impact without reliance on arrow rotation. The razor-sharp chisel tip and edges slice open hide and tissue instantly.
5. Smaller diameter ferrule
A smaller diameter ferrule helps a broadhead fly true with less planing. For lefties, the Iron Will Broadhead S125’s 1 1/8″ ferrule has excellent aerodynamics.
6. Alignment with vanes
Aligning the broadhead with the left wing of the arrow allows proper fletching clearance. Slight offsets from straight alignment may improve arrow flight depending on your setup.
7. Stronger tip for bone hits
A reinforced tip increases strength for penetrating bone. Lefties may consider the SteelForce Phathead bonesmasher tip for bull moose or elk shoulder shots.
8. Sharpness out of the pack
Razor sharp blades out of the package reduce tuning effort. The VPA Viper and Exodus broadheads come ready for hunting without needing to be sharpened first.
9. Easy to sharpen
Quality steel blades that sharpen easily are a must for reusability. The GrizzlyStik Titanium broadheads take an incredibly sharp edge in seconds.
10. Cut diameter over 2 inches
Larger cut diameters improve lethality, but don’t go too big. Broadheads like the 2.1″ G5 Striker DeathRow are ideal for heavier arrows.
11. 100 grain weight
The 100 grain weight is a stable standard weight for broadhead flight. Models like the Muzzy Trocar 100 or Exodus Exo 100 fly true.
12. Replaceable blades
Swap out damaged blades on some mechanical heads. The Rage Trypan NC offers this advantage along with cut-on-contact operation.
13. Compatible point insert
A threaded insert like the Bohning Tex-Out helps broadheads and field points shoot to the same point of impact.
14. Low profile ferrule
A compact, low profile ferrule and blade design reduce planing in flight. The Buck Razor FOC has a streamlined profile.
15. Ventilated blades
Vented blade cutouts decrease wind resistance for better aerodynamics. This improves accuracy as with the Flying Arrow Archery Toxic broadheads.
With the right broadheads, left-handed shooters can achieve reliable arrow flight and deadly penetration on game. Don’t settle for broadheads designed for right-handed shooters. Choose models with features made to maximize performance for your left-handed setup. Your shooting confidence and hunting effectiveness will both benefit from broadheads engineered specifically for left-handed lethal accuracy.
Outfitting your lefty bowhunting kit with the right accessories is critical for accuracy and lethality. Consider broadheads engineered for left-handed spin, rear-deploying mechanicals, and sharp fixed blades to achieve reliable penetration. A left wing design on mechanicals, smaller ferrules, and aligned vanes improve aerodynamics. Stronger tip inserts, easily sharpened blades, and ventilated cutouts add durability and flight. With the right lefty gear like bow sights, releases, quivers and rests as well, left-handed archers can achieve shooting confidence and hunting success. Don’t settle for right-handed accessories – choose options optimized for your left-handed bowhunting setup.
Conclusion paragraph summarizing must-have accessories for left-handed bow hunters