Hunting Simulator 3 bows bring licensed Bear Archery equipment into the field, offering traditional recurves, modern compound bows, and high-performance crossbows. Built in Unreal Engine 5 by Nacon Studio Ghent, the archery system requires hunters to match specific arrow grain weights to animal species to ensure clean harvests and protect trophy scores.
Whether you prefer the silent stalk of a compound bow or the mechanical precision of a crossbow, gear selection takes place directly at the lodge loadout bench before heading into Colorado or Texas.
Confirmed Hunting Simulator 3 Bows and Archery Types
Developer Nacon officially partnered with Bear Archery to introduce authentic real-world hunting bows on launch day. The game separates archery gear into three distinct categories across loadout menus and Field Journal progression tracks.
| Bow Model | Archery Category | Manufacturer | Confirmed Role and Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Divergent Iron | Compound Bow | Bear Archery | Compact modern compound engineered for versatile mid-range stalking |
| Bear Grizzly Shedua | Recurve Bow | Bear Archery | Traditional wood-crafted recurve designed for classic close-range bowhunting |
| Bear Saga 405 | Crossbow | Bear Archery | High-powered modern crossbow built for precision, high kinetic energy, and flat trajectories |
Each bow type possesses its own category track inside the Field Journal under the Weapons tab, tracking harvest milestones alongside firearms.
Arrow Grain Weights and Game Compatibility
Choosing the correct arrow is critical in Hunting Simulator 3. Early access loadout data confirms that arrow choices are split by grain weight, each calibrated for distinct animal body sizes. Using the wrong arrow weight can lead to insufficient penetration or penalized harvest ratings.
| Arrow Weight | Intended Game Class | Compatible Animal Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 350 Grain | Small Game | Cottontail rabbits, jackrabbits, pheasants, and waterfowl |
| 450 Grain | Medium to Big Game | White-tailed deer, mule deer, bighorn sheep, cougars, and gray wolves |
| 550 Grain | Heavy Big Game | American black bears and Great Plains bison |
Mismatched calibers and projectiles directly invalidate license requirements in reserve inspection screens, meaning harvesting a black bear or bison with light 350-grain arrows risks failing the harvest assessment.
Bow Attachments and Sights at the Loadout Bench
Archery equipment is configured at the lodge loadout bench inside your weapon room. While firearms feature muzzle brakes, suppressors, and underbarrel bipods, bow customization focuses primarily on sighting systems and ammunition.
- Bow Sights: Dedicated bow sights are listed in the Field Journal optics catalog alongside standard iron sights, red dots, and variable zoom scopes.
- Arrow Grains: Selected directly from the ammunition sub-menu depending on your target species tag.
- Mechanical Releases: Early access builds do not include separate wrist or finger release customization slots in the loadout bench.
Before heading into the wild, verify your regional hunting tags at the in-game laptop terminal. Carrying a compound bow or crossbow does not exempt you from tag limits, and each reserve strictly enforces animal-specific permits.
Practicing at the Lodge Archery Range
North of the main hunting lodge, players have access to dedicated outdoor practice facilities alongside the long-range rifle lanes and clay pigeon skeet layout.
- Visit the Loadout Bench: Equip your chosen Bear compound, recurve, or crossbow, and select your planned arrow grain.
- Test Flight and Drop: Shoot at fixed targets at varied yardages to calculate arrow drop and flight time before taking field shots in Colorado's timber.
- Adjust Sensitivity and Zeroing: Use mouse or controller bindings to configure zeroing elevation steps for consistent target placement.
Field Journal challenges reward 10 points per harvest milestone with each bow class. These earned points can subsequently be spent at the lodge terminal to unlock interior wood finishes, such as birch or oak sets, throughout your personal cabin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What archery brands are officially licensed in Hunting Simulator 3?
Bear Archery is the officially confirmed archery manufacturer, providing licensed models including the Divergent Iron compound bow, Grizzly Shedua recurve bow, and Saga 405 crossbow.
Can you hunt in third-person view with a bow?
Yes. Hunting Simulator 3 supports toggling freely between first-person and two different third-person camera distances, allowing players to survey the brush over ridges while stalking with archery gear.
How do you unlock customization points using bows?
Completing animal harvest challenges listed under the compound bow, recurve bow, and crossbow sections of the Field Journal awards reserve points used to remodel your lodge interior.
