The Importance of Stabilizers

Have you ever struggled to keep your bow upright at full draw or hold your sight pins directly over the bullseye? Did you develop target panic because you couldn’t stay steady? If so, you likely needed to add a stabilizer to your bow — or adjust your current stabilizer setup.

Stabilizers play an important role in archery and bowhunting. They help reduce noise and vibration at the shot, but they also optimize balance so your bow doesn’t tip one way or the other. Modern compound bows get loaded up with rests, sights, quivers, and more that can all throw a bow off balance as you’re trying to make a precision shot.

Stabilizers can serve as counterweights to keep the bow balanced, help you settle on your target quickly, minimize torque, and promote repeatable accuracy. Simply, stabilizers can make you a better, more consistent shooter.

Depending on your individual bow and the weight of your accessories, you may want to opt for a standard stabilizer that mounts to the front of your bow, a back bar stabilizer that attaches to the opposite side, or a combination of the two. You’ll also be able to choose from a variety of lengths and weights to customize your stabilizer setup.

If you’ve ever watched a target archery tournament, you probably noticed competitors sport extra long stabilizers on their rigs. That’s because longer, heavier stabilizers help pull the bow straight down, allowing for added steadiness, further reduced torque, and ultimately greater accuracy. So while you might not go as extreme as target archers when selecting a stabilizer, keep in mind that added length can mean added accuracy.

One potential downside of stabilizers is they can make storing and transporting your bow in a case challenging, especially if you opt for a longer stabilizer or low-profile bow case. Dead Ringer’s Quick Detach System, which is designed to fit all stabilizers, allows for quick and easy detachment so you can easily stow your bow in compact spaces.