ATA 2017: Best Compound Bows for Women

ATA announced in 2016 that there are nearly 5 million female archers. While this looks like an astonishing number, women archers only make up less than a fourth of all participants. With that stat, it may seem like it'd be easy for big companies to forget about the female bowhunter, but that's not the case. This year at ATA has shown just that.

Right along with the hyped flagship releases and massive flagship displays are the compounds designed just for ladies. Here are the seven of the best compound bows for women from ATA 2017.

Bear Prowess 

For sure, one of the most economical bow of 2017 is the Bear Prowess ($399). This women's tailored bow is based around the ultra-smooth single cam system and power delivering EnduraFiber Limbs. It's also one of the lightest bows on the market, coming in at just 3 pounds. It's not the fastest shooting bow though, with an IBO of 290fps. However, it makes up for it with a 6 ¾-inch forgiving brace height.

Hoyt Klash 

Fresh for 2017 is the Hoyt Klash ($299), which features all-new hard wall cam technologies that gives bowhunters rock-solid aim. It's available in a 15 to 70-pound package, as well as a 50-pound max option that maximizes bow performance at lower poundages. The Klash is easy to adjust with a wide range of draw lengths from 18-29 inches. It has a long brace height at 7 inches, but still delivers speed with an IBO of 300fps.

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PSE Drive R

The PSE Drive R ($499) is a great value bow, with stats that boast of a 3.8-pound weight and IBO of 336fps. It's smooth, too, featuring PSE's Drive Hybrid Cam and X-Tech split limb technology. The Drive R is 30 inches axle-to-axle and has a brace height of nearly 7 inches. The draw length adjustability of this bow is 25-30 ½ inches, and it has packages with peak draw weights of 50, 60 and 70 lbs.

Mathews Avail

The Mathews Avail ($999) is a beautifully compact bow, coming in at under 4 pounds and just 30 inches axle-to-axle. It provides women archers with superior performance and flexibility, with draw lengths that range from 22 to 28 inches and draw weights up to 60 pounds. It hits hard, with an IBO of 320fps, but is still forgiving, with a 6-inch brace height. The smoothness of this bow is credited to Mathews' Crosscentric cam and AVS technology.

Prime Centergy Air 

For 2017, Prime ($1,099) is offering a women's bow that most closely resembles its new flagship. The Centergy Air has all the great features of the Centergy, like the Balanced Targeting System and PRK Parallel Cam system, but has key adjustments for the woman shooter, like a lighter riser and more steamlined grip. The Centergy Air is just over 4 pounds and has an IBO of 333fps with a brace height of 6 ½ inches.

Elite Impression 

For the Elite Impression ($999), a two-track cam system maximizes dynamic energy while minimizing vibration and shock. It's one of the bigger women's bows on the market, with a near 32-inch axle-to-axle measurement and weight of 4.1 pounds. It's an incredibly customizable line of bows, though, with nine different cam systems, five different peak weights and 20 different color schemes. The Impression has a 7-inch brace height and 305 fps IBO.

Bowtech Eva Shockey SS

There aren't many names bigger than Shockey ($849) in the outdoor industry, which is why it makes sense that Eva helped develop one of the top bows on the market for female archers. Her Signature Series features Bowtech's PowerShift Technology, OverDrive Binary Cams and lightweight carbon riser. This bow is a feather, at just 3.3 pounds, but that doesn't mean it won't hit hard with an IBO of 332fps.