Specialty Archery has been among the industry’s most well-known and reliable companies for more than three decades, providing shooters with helpful aids and accessories. Based in a small northwest Iowa town, its hardworking staff that regularly hunts and fishes knows what bowhunters and competitive shooters need to be successful.
Andrew Pauley bought Specialty Archery in 2023, eager to take the company into the future. He’s 26 years old, perhaps one of the youngest owners in the industry of a significant legacy company. Don’t let his age fool you, though. Pauley is familiar with Specialty Archery, along with the mix of younger and older shooters’ needs. His enthusiasm and excitement is contagious.
Pauley visited with Archery Business this month to discuss the company, several products including the new Stack It peep sight, and more.
AB: Tell us a little bit about Specialty Archery, which is nearly 40 years old. That’s a solid legacy in the industry.
AP: Specialty Archery has carried a reputation of world-class products since its inception in 1989. We are a growing Iowa company that crafts precision products for world-class target archers and for the most rugged bowhunters alive.
AB: You’re a 26-year-old owner of a solid, well-known archery company. How did you end up as the owner?
AP: I purchased Specialty when I was 23 and now have almost six years under my belt with the company. The previous owner wanted an exit strategy that allowed Specialty to remain in Iowa. He also wanted to maintain the reputation, commitment and dedication that has been built for another 40 years. When our paths crossed, the transition was simply just a great fit and a great opportunity for Specialty to continue growth.
AB: You’re located in Iowa, a well-known whitetail state, which obviously has its upside for field testing. How many employees do you have? Do a lot of them hunt and give you feedback?
AP: We have on average 10 people between full- and part-time that contribute to the Specialty Archery brand and products. All of us are hunters and avid outdoorsmen and women, which makes our team relatable to all of our customers. Each person gives feedback where we see fit for new product development, prototyping and field testing. When hunting seasons come, we all look forward to testing our products firsthand and enjoying time in the outdoors.
AB: The Stack It Deluxe Kit peep system earned Best of Show accolades at this year’s ATA Show in Indianapolis. Congratulations on that big honor. Can you tell us about the system, how it was developed and what it can do for shooters? It sounds like a product that retailers should be stocking.
AP: The new Stack It peep is like the eye doctor for target archers. It allows you to fine tune your target clarity and your scope pin clarity. Before the Stack it peep, you had to choose one or the other but not both. Now, even archers with astigmatism can see their target and scope pin more clearly than ever before. Winning Best of Show and Best New Accessory is a big accomplishment for Specialty, and we will keep striving for the next best product.
The design started more than three years ago. We have had many prototypes, design meetings and months and months of field testing to get it right. We also had the help of professional archer Chris Perkins for ideation and field testing at the highest level.
Archery dealers and end users have been adding this item to their shopping cart every day since it launched in January 2026.
AB: Older shooters often get the blurry wiggles trying to look through a peep or when focusing on a sight pin. Do you offer advice to bow shop owners who sell the Aperture Peep System, Clarifiers and Verifiers? Can you describe a little bit about each one? All three sound like something older shooters should be using.
AP: Blurry sight pins? This is one of our most common issues if you wear reading glasses. The good news is we designed the original Verifier lens for target archers and hunters. It’s like having reading glasses for your pins. Our Verifier peep sight has been used for more than 20 years for older hunters and shooters, or those of any age who need vision assistance, to help them see clearly again.
AB: Specialty Archery isn’t just for bowhunters or competition shooters. You also have a solid line of products for archery shops. Can you tell us about the Pro Press and Pro Draw?
AP: We do not make very many archery shop equipment products, but when we do, it’s the premium version. The Pro Press and Pro Draw work together for bow maintenance for shops all around the world. Our Super Server that makes bow strings is a powerful tool for shops across the world, too, providing a way for local shops to make their own bowstrings.
AB: The Super Server seems like a good opportunity for bow shop owners to add a specialized service for customers.
AP: Our goal was to provide a product to make it easier to build bowstrings. Our Super Server has made it ideal for bowstring manufacturers and local bow shops. Local bow shops need one to be able to make string on the spot for a specialized service, or when you are short on time.
AB: How do you keep a good balance or focus with hunting and competition products? Some companies stick with one line, and others — like you — can do both. Is this challenging or something everyone is accustomed to by now?
AP: It really boils down to solving problems that archers have or encounter. Each segment in archery may have a different need or have a pain point. It is our job to solve it and present a product that makes their life easier or simply perform better than anyone else. We have solved many target archers’ and bowhunters’ problems since the very beginning in 1989, and strive to do so every day.
AB: Does Specialty Archery work with dealers for discounts, volume or other deals? Perhaps pre-hunting season or before competition season heats up in spring? What’s the best way for dealers to find out about these?
AP: The best way to find our deals is to call us directly. We do not have any rep groups and want to give the best service possible to all shops. Please call and be part of Team Specialty!
AB: What’s next for Specialty Archery?
AP: Our commitment for the next 40 years is simply this: Design, test and prepare every Specialty Archery product with uncompromising precision and integrity, ensuring that archers receive equipment that performs flawlessly shot after shot. As we continue to build upon almost 40 years of experience, knowledge and leadership, we are carrying forward the same values that made us the most trusted name in target archery.
