Our Expert Testers

Hank Dawson has spent 18 years bowhunting and is a NASP certified instructor. He leads all crossbow testing here, running every unit through chronograph and accuracy trials across multiple bolt weights and shooting distances before writing a word.

Priya Anand brings a mechanical engineering background to crossbow testing, focused on cam timing, limb durability, and trigger mechanism safety. Priya designed our standardized testing protocol — chronograph runs, string wear inspection, and long-term durability assessment across every review.

Cole Bennett analyzes reader data, price trends, and value tiers to build our best-of lists. With nearly a decade of recreational archery experience, Cole focuses on which crossbows deliver genuine performance at their price point versus which ones underdeliver.

Grant Sullivan is a USA Archery Level 3 certified coach with 14 years of competitive archery experience, including regional 3D and target competition. He leads our flagship and premium-tier crossbow testing, specializing in chronograph accuracy verification and long-range grouping analysis at distances up to 100 yards.

Owen Marsh is an IBEP certified bowhunter education instructor with 12 years of saddle and elevated-stand hunting experience. He leads testing on compact and maneuverability-focused crossbows, evaluating how each model performs in tight ground blinds, saddles, and confined tree-stand setups.

Marisol Vega is an NRA certified Range Safety Officer with 10 years of experience testing optics, illuminated reticles, and rangefinding systems across archery and firearms platforms. She leads all crossbow scope and optics testing, evaluating reticle accuracy, low-light illumination clarity, and mounting durability across repeated cocking cycles.

Derek Whitfield is a Pope & Young official measurer with 13 years of treestand and elevated-blind bowhunting experience. He leads testing on ultra-compact and noise-reduction focused crossbows, evaluating draw-cycle sound, cocking mechanism design, and how each model performs in close-quarters hunting setups.

Bryce Calloway is an NBEF certified bowhunter education instructor with 9 years of experience testing budget and entry-level hunting gear. He leads testing on value-tier crossbow packages, focused on whether included accessories like scopes, quivers, and cocking aids hold up to real field use.

Nadia Fontaine is a USA Archery Level 2 certified coach with 7 years of backcountry and hike-in bowhunting experience. She leads testing on lightweight and portability-focused crossbows, evaluating carry weight, balance, and how each model performs across long approach hikes.

Cassius Reed is a former military marksmanship instructor with 11 years of experience testing high-velocity weapons systems and precision optics. He leads testing on tactical-profile and flagship-speed crossbows, specializing in chronograph verification and kinetic energy analysis.

Sawyer Holt is a Traditional Bowyer's Guild member with 10 years of recurve and traditional archery experience. He leads testing on recurve crossbows and budget hunting packages, focused on limb durability, cocking mechanics, and how included accessories hold up for first-time buyers.

Imogen Kessler is an NRA certified training counselor with 12 years of firearm and archery safety instruction experience. She leads testing on crossbow safety mechanisms and lightweight recurve platforms, specializing in anti-dry-fire systems and trigger safety verification.

Weston Cole is an NRA certified pistol instructor with 8 years of small game and pest control hunting experience. He leads testing on pistol crossbows and compact break-action platforms, focused on one-handed handling, sight accuracy, and safe operation for casual shooters.

Talia Renwick is a USPSA certified range officer with 9 years of experience testing rapid-fire and multi-shot weapon systems. She leads testing on repeating and magazine-fed crossbows, evaluating cycle reliability, follow-up shot speed, and modular limb systems.