Brown's Archery Shop

Brown's Archery Shop has been outfitting hunters and archers since 1986. Their pro-shop carries everything from entry-level crossbows to high-end competition equipment, with emphasis on brands that actually work: Excalibur, Carbon Express, Parker, Martin, Bear Archery, and Obsession.

Can't find what you need in stock? They'll source it and have it in a few days—their inventory is always expanding to match the hunting season.

Where Brown's separates itself is the technical side. They handle the work most hunters skip but shouldn't:

• •Custom String Services are their specialty—they build from BCY Trophy/Mercury or Vapor Trail VTX with your color choices. Typical turnaround is 7-10 days, and all custom orders carry a one-year warranty.

Their crossbow selection spans entry to premium, with Excalibur and Carbon Express leading stock. They make crossbow strings ($134.99 for 3-piece sets, $46 for individual strings) and handle all the maintenance that keeps a crossbow accurate year after year.

503 Nott Street, Schenectady, NY 12308 (518) 393-2004

• •Tuesday–Wednesday: 11 AM–6 PM
• •Thursday–Friday: 11 AM–7 PM
• •Saturday: 12 PM–5 PM
• •Sunday–Monday: Closed

"Our lessons have helped many hunters over the years and helped other archers to consistently hit their mark."