Tools in This Collection
Arrow Build Calculator
Calculate total arrow weight and front-of-center percentage
Bow Draw Weight Calculator
Estimate draw weight at your actual draw length
Rifle Twist Rate Calculator
Find optimal twist rate for any caliber and bullet length
Hunting Season Finder
Look up season dates by state and species
Game Meat Yield Calculator
Estimate processed meat yield from harvested animals
Fishing Hook Size Guide
Match hook size to target species and bait type
Fishing Season Calendar
Check open fishing seasons by species and state
Fishing Weight and Depth Calculator
Calculate sinker weight for current speed and target depth
Hunting and Archery Calculation Workflow
Effective hunting setups require matching equipment to your target species, body mechanics, and shooting style. Arrow flight, draw weight selection, bullet stability, and harvest yield all involve specific calculations that affect both performance and safety. These tools cover the full workflow from equipment selection to post-harvest planning.
Arrow Building: Weight and FOC
Total arrow weight determines kinetic energy and penetration. A complete arrow consists of: point weight (typically 100-125 grains for hunting), shaft weight (varies by spine and length), fletching (3-4 grains per vane x 3 vanes = 9-12 grains), nock (7-10 grains), and insert (12-18 grains). A complete hunting arrow typically weighs 350-500 grains total.
Front-of-center (FOC) percentage indicates how far forward the arrow's balance point sits relative to center. The formula: FOC% = (balance point from nock - arrow length/2) / arrow length x 100. For hunting arrows, 10-15% FOC is ideal for stability and penetration. Below 7%, arrows fly erratically; above 20%, trajectory arcs steeply downward. The Arrow Build Calculator computes FOC automatically from component weights and arrow length.
Bow Draw Weight Selection
Minimum draw weight recommendations by game size: 40 lbs for turkey and small game; 45-55 lbs for whitetail deer; 60-65 lbs for elk, black bear, and similar; 65-70 lbs for moose and large bear. These minimums ensure enough kinetic energy for clean pass-through shots. The Bow Draw Weight Calculator estimates actual draw weight at your draw length, since bows are rated at 30-inch draw — every inch shorter reduces draw weight by roughly 2-3 lbs.
Rifle Twist Rate
Bullet stability depends on twist rate matching bullet length (not weight). The Greenhill formula estimates optimal twist: twist = (150 x bullet diameter²) / bullet length. A 55-grain .223 bullet (0.9-inch length) needs about 1:12 twist. A 77-grain .223 SMK (1.1-inch length) needs 1:8 or faster. The Rifle Twist Rate Calculator finds the correct twist for any caliber and bullet length combination.
Fishing Hook, Season, and Weight
The Fishing Hook Size Guide matches hook size to target species and bait type — a #2/0 for bass with plastic worms, a #6 for trout with small soft baits. The Fishing Season Calendar shows open seasons by species and state. The Fishing Weight and Depth Calculator determines how much weight to use for current speed and target depth when drift fishing.
Game Meat Yield Planning
The Game Meat Yield Calculator estimates processed meat from a harvested animal. A field-dressed whitetail deer at 180 lbs yields approximately 80-90 lbs of bone-in meat, or 60-65 lbs boneless. An elk at 500 lbs field-dressed yields 160-190 lbs boneless. Use this for pack weight planning and cooler sizing on backcountry hunts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is front-of-center (FOC) and why does it matter for hunting arrows?
FOC is the percentage that the arrow's balance point sits forward of center. A 10-15% FOC produces stable flight and reliable penetration for hunting. Under 7% and arrows lose stability; over 20% and they arc steeply. FOC is adjusted by changing point weight (heavier broadheads push FOC forward) or using a lighter shaft. The Arrow Build Calculator computes FOC from your component weights.
What draw weight do I need for deer hunting?
Most bowhunting regulations and ethical guidelines recommend a minimum of 40-45 lbs for whitetail deer. Most bowhunters use 55-70 lbs for a comfortable margin of kinetic energy and penetration. Actual draw weight at your draw length differs from the bow's rated weight (measured at 30-inch draw) — every inch shorter reduces weight by 2-3 lbs. The Bow Draw Weight Calculator adjusts for your actual draw length.
How do I choose the right rifle twist rate for my bullet?
Twist rate must be matched to bullet length (not weight) for stable flight. Longer bullets need faster twist rates to spin-stabilize. The Greenhill formula provides a starting estimate: twist = 150 x diameter² / bullet length. For example, a 77-grain 5.56mm bullet (1.10 inches long) needs roughly 1:8 twist or faster. An underspun long bullet will tumble; an overspun short bullet causes no harm but wastes energy.
How much meat should I expect from a whitetail deer?
A whitetail field-dressed at 150 lbs (field weight after gutting) yields approximately 60-75 lbs of boneless edible meat. Processing style matters: bone-in cuts yield more by weight but require more freezer space; boneless processing typically yields 40-50% of field-dressed weight as edible meat. The Game Meat Yield Calculator estimates yield by live weight, species, and processing method.