Bear Archery Species XT RTH Compound Bow Review

The Bear Species XT RTH is the bow many hunters end up with when they want a complete, forgiving setup without paying flagship prices. It pairs a compact 30-inch frame with a 6.75-inch brace height and a 320 fps speed rating, then ships with the sight, rest and quiver already in the box. If you have been searching for the Bear Species XT RTH compound bow and wondering whether it is enough bow for deer season, this review lays out the facts.

Below you will find verified Bear Species XT specs, a plain-English look at the single-cam draw cycle, what the RTH package actually includes, and a side-by-side comparison with the Bear Alaskan XT RTH. We also cover who should buy it, who should skip it, and what to add before your first hunt.

Bear Species XT RTH Specs

These numbers are drawn from Lancaster Archery and other retailer listings that agree with each other. Where sources disagree, we say so rather than pick a number.

One more thing to watch: at least one big-box retailer lists a 25.5"–30.5" draw range for certain package variants, while most listings show 23.5"–30.5". If you have a short draw, confirm the range for the exact SKU you are buying before you check out.

Who the Bear Species XT RTH Is Built For

The Species XT is Bear’s value-focused hunting bow. It is not trying to top the speed charts. Instead it targets three types of buyers:

• New bowhunters who want a complete package and a forgiving frame while they learn good form.
• Shorter-draw adults and older teens who need a draw length below 25", which rules out many adult hunting bows.
• Experienced hunters on a budget who want a dependable treestand or blind bow, or a backup rig for camp.

The 30-inch axle-to-axle length is compact enough for ground blinds and tight treestand setups, and the 6.75-inch brace height is longer than most speed-focused bows. That combination rewards hunters who shoot inside about 40 yards, which covers most whitetail hunting.

Species XT Performance: Speed, Draw Cycle and Let-Off

At 320 fps IBO, the Species XT is a moderate-speed bow. Remember that IBO figures use a 30-inch draw, 70-pound draw weight and a light 350-grain arrow. If you shoot a 27-inch draw at 55 pounds with a 425-grain hunting arrow, your real speed will be well below 320 fps. That is true of every compound bow, and it is not a reason to worry about deer-hunting performance.

The Single-Cam System

Retailers describe the Species XT’s single cam as smooth drawing, and single-cam designs are generally simple to live with: there is no cam-to-cam timing to keep in sync, which makes the bow easier to maintain for owners who do not live at the pro shop. The trade-off is that single cams usually give up a little top-end speed compared with aggressive dual or hybrid cams.

80% Let-Off and Holding Weight

With 80% let-off, a bow set at 60 lb drops to about 12 lb of holding weight at full draw. That is light enough to wait out a deer stepping into your lane, but firm enough that you will not feel the string creeping forward. Many coaches like this level for newer shooters because it encourages a solid back-wall feel.

Before you pick a draw weight, think about energy, not just speed. Run your planned setup through our calculator to see what you will actually deliver downrange.

Try the free Kinetic Energy & Momentum CalculatorSee if your setup has the energy for your game.

The Bear Species XT RTH Package: What’s in the Box

RTH means Ready To Hunt. According to Lancaster Archery and other retailers, the Bear Species XT compound bow RTH package typically includes:

What is not included: arrows, broadheads, field points and a release aid. Budget for those, plus a pro-shop tune. At Better Outdoors we recommend having the peep height, D-loop position and rest centershot checked by a technician even though the accessories come pre-mounted.

Two popular early upgrades are a wrist-strap caliper release (the package does not include one) and a set of carbon hunting arrows matched to your draw length and weight.

Bear Species XT RTH vs Bear Alaskan XT RTH

The question we hear most often is whether to buy the Species XT or step up to the Bear Alaskan XT RTH. Both are Bear ready-to-hunt packages with 80% let-off and the same two draw weight ranges, but they are built around different priorities.

Here is how those numbers play out in the field:

• Speed: the Alaskan XT is rated 15 fps faster. That flattens trajectory a bit at longer range, which matters more for western spot-and-stalk hunting than for a 20-yard treestand shot.
• Forgiveness: the Species XT’s 6.75" brace height is half an inch longer, so it is a touch more tolerant of grip torque and form errors.
• Maneuverability vs steadiness: the Species XT’s 30" frame is easier to swing in a blind; the Alaskan XT’s 33" frame tends to hold steadier at distance.
• Fit: the Species XT goes down to 23.5" and up to 30.5", so it fits a wider range of archers.

The Better Outdoors take: if you hunt whitetails from stands and blinds, or you have a short draw, the Species XT is the more sensible buy. If you hunt elk or open country and want extra speed and a steadier hold, the Alaskan XT earns its higher price. If you want something compact but faster, the Bear Whitetail Maxx RTH sits between the two.

Setting Up Your Species XT: Draw Weight and Draw Length

Pick your draw weight range based on what you can pull smoothly while sitting, cold and stiff. A quick test: if you have to point the bow at the sky or lift your front shoulder to get it back, the weight is too high.

Draw length matters even more than draw weight for accuracy. A bow that is too long makes you overextend and slap your forearm; too short and you will crowd the string. Retailers ask you to specify draw length when ordering, and a pro shop can fine-tune it. If you plan to change it yourself later, read our guide on how to adjust draw length first, then retune the peep and rest.

Bear Species XT RTH Review: Pros and Cons

Care and Maintenance

The Species XT is easy to maintain, but a few habits keep it shooting where you aim:

1. Wax the string and cables every few weeks of regular shooting.
2. Check accessory screws on the sight, rest, quiver and stabilizer before every hunt.
3. Replace the rest insert when the bristles loosen and stop holding the arrow firmly.
4. Never dry-fire the bow. Releasing without an arrow can damage the cam, limbs and string.
5. Store and transport it in a case. A padded soft bow case protects the sight pins.

Our Verdict on the Bear Species XT RTH

Final Thoughts on the Bear Archery Species XT RTH

The Bear Archery Species XT RTH compound bow package does what most hunters need: it shows up nearly ready, forgives the small mistakes that happen in the stand, and fits a wide range of shooters. It will not win a speed contest, and you should expect to upgrade a piece or two over time. But for a first serious hunting bow, or a dependable whitetail rig, it is one of the easiest bows in Bear’s lineup to recommend. Get it tuned, buy good arrows, and put your effort into practice.

Frequently Asked Questions