BARNETT Whitetail Hunter II Crossbow Review (2026)

Overview

The Barnett Whitetail Hunter II earns its "Best Budget" badge by hitting the fundamentals that actually matter for a first or second-season crossbow: 350 FPS is plenty of speed for deer and turkey at typical stand and blind ranges, and at 6.4 lbs it's light enough to carry into a tight setup without wearing you out. It cocks to a 17.5-inch width — wider than the premium Ravin lineup, but manageable in most ground blinds and open stands.

What separates this bow from other budget options is the package: it ships ready to hunt with the accessories many first-time buyers would otherwise have to purchase separately, and it carries a genuinely strong track record — a 4.6-star rating across more than 1,200 reviews, a meaningful sample size for a crossbow at this price. The 150 lb draw weight and built-in safety features round out a setup built for hunters who want to spend their money on bolts and broadheads, not the bow itself. It isn't built for elk-sized game, and its FPS ceiling is lower than higher-tier options, but for deer and turkey seasons it's hard to beat at $339.

Key Features

• 350 FPS
• Ready-to-hunt package
• Built-in safety features