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GrandMasterMelon | 08-11-2009 05:48 AM
Hey Archers! I figured that this would be the best place to post this in. I've got just a couple of Q's. I had a cheap bow when I was a kid and have been thinking about getting back into it. I'm just wondering a few thing. For someone that wants to get a bow where is a good place to start? What is a good price? Where to buy? Compound or other? Thought, comments, concerns, lectures and whatnot appreciated. Thanks!

Professur | 08-11-2009 07:35 AM
Re: Hey Archers! A few questions back. What do you want to do with it? How tall/strong are you? Will you be shooting alone. I've bought almost all my bows online, either on E-bay or another archery forum. Never had a lick of trouble from them. Hoyt superslam, Hoyt MT Sport and Oneida Aeroforce. I researched them all before buying and they all fit what I wanted out of a bow at the time. If you're just looking to get in some backyard exercise, a cheap recurve like this would suit your needs perfectly. If you plan on actually doing some damage with it, I'd suggest letting your fingers do the walking and find an archery club in your area. Ask them what stores in the area are good at measuring out a starter archer. Odds are, they'll be able to do it themselves for ya. Determine dominant eye and draw length. Don't assume that a right handed person will shoot right handed. Half the people in my club turned out left eye dominant. You don't want to fight that sort of thing. (and it changes too, so don't freak out). They may even have starter bows on hand to get you into shape. Our club provides lessons to newbies and supplies starter bows (similar to what I linked) for them. 15-25lbs. You don't want to jump in the deep end on this. Start low powered, and build yourself up to the bow you want. I've seen too many people try to start off at 50lbs pull and wreck themselves long before they came close to solidifying their form. And Form, not Power .. is what hits the Bull. Everyone wants to carry the big stick, but until you develop the musculature and reflex, more power is self defeating.

ruprick | 08-11-2009 09:07 AM
Re: Hey Archers! I got into bow hunting only 4 years ago at roughly 40 yo. I used a early 1980's compound the first year.....the bow had not much let-off....but it worked - I kiled a deer with it. The following summer, I sold it for nearly nothing = was not worth much... Bought a used bow on Ebay.....I was looking for a very compact bow and ended up getting a PSE Firestorm.....I took my time and looked for a good deal....think I have about $200 into it. I'm a pretty good sized, strong guy and had no issue with a 60-70lb bow....but heck, it has I think 80% let-off. I'd say pick a good brand - they pretty much all are these days.....figure the type or style you want - I do not thnk it is that important to have the latest, greatest model.....keep and eye out on Ebay and possible Craigslist.....probably can get what you want for 50% of new if you take your time. In my experience - you can't get a bow that is too compact...smaller is better for me up in that tree.

KantianPerspective | 08-11-2009 09:33 AM
Re: Hey Archers! Quote:
Originally Posted by Professur (Post 1862679) They may even have starter bows on hand to get you into shape. Our club provides lessons to newbies and supplies starter bows (similar to what I linked) for them. 15-25lbs. You don't want to jump in the deep end on this. Start low powered, and build yourself up to the bow you want. I've seen too many people try to start off at 50lbs pull and wreck themselves long before they came close to solidifying their form. And Form, not Power .. is what hits the Bull. Everyone wants to carry the big stick, but until you develop the musculature and reflex, more power is self defeating.
+15 (not a bow expert here, but I tried to draw a 45lb, I think and couldn't do it. I'm reasonably strong in general, but the specific muscles necessary didn't like it at all)

BellevueBully | 08-11-2009 01:36 PM
Re: Hey Archers! Quote:
Originally Posted by KantianPerspective (Post 1862789) +15 (not a bow expert here, but I tried to draw a 45lb, I think and couldn't do it. I'm reasonably strong in general, but the specific muscles necessary didn't like it at all)
My 7 year old daughter can draw and shoot a 20 lb. recurve with no let off. Once the body learns to pull, it makes a big difference. Bows like anything else come in a range of quality and price. I shoot a Matthews Switchback (~$1000), but I have shot many animals, including several moose, with an old Browning Accellerator I had since I was 15 and cost $150. My suggestion is look for a used higher end bow.

Flinch | 08-12-2009 11:53 PM
Re: Hey Archers! Quote:
Originally Posted by GrandMasterMelon (Post 1862619) For someone that wants to get a bow where is a good place to start?
Try Hunters Friend, they have a good amount of information on fitting a bow to the user, finding pproper draw lwngth, ect. Prices are ok and they have ready to hunt package deals I'm not connected to them, other than being a customer.

sneak | 08-13-2009 07:23 PM
Re: Hey Archers! I bought a used Excalibur Exocet 200 crossbow back in January and I have been very pleased with it. I like the Excalibur line because it has recurve limbs and is very simple. I can change the string by myself in just a few minutes. I have been practicing with it and learning more about crossbows and I plan on hunting with it this fall. I have hunted with recurve and compound bows in the past. It is really just a matter of preference and what you plan on using it for. Good luck!

teedub31 | 08-21-2009 05:15 PM
Re: Hey Archers! Not knocking the advice of those saying buy off the net, but I highly recommend getting a shop involved. Also shoot lots of bows and find a few that really feel good to you. Ebay does not let you do that. The shop pro will be invaluable in getting your bow tuned and set up for you. Shooting a bow is a lot more personal then shooting a gun. Plus the shop has the equipment need to work on your bow. Guess what happens when you don't buy the bow from the shop. YOu guessed it, the 50 other guys that bought from the dealer gets preference while you wait and wait and wait. Plus buying online usually void the warranty. Now specifics. Buy a compound. Currently the Hoyt Hawk Series provides you the best package at the best price, $500 bare, $700 nicely equiped. It is not a high end Matthews Monster but it is the highest mid level bow that really has no equal. Shooting the new bows are amazing compared to what you have experienced in the past. Hope this helps.

clyderose | 08-23-2009 06:38 AM
Re: Hey Archers! modern day bowhunting is expensive and having the latest and greatest bows and equipment consumes some people. if you started from scratch went all out it would take two oz. of AU minimum to hunt with the big dogs. myself I hunt with a fifteen year old bow with aluminium arrows and wallmart broadheads,still it costs $8 per shot. CR

ruprick | 08-23-2009 10:51 AM
Re: Hey Archers! 3 Attachment(s) This is the bow I have....PSE Firestorm....very compact, 80% let-off, powerful.....I think you can get them in 50 - 70 lb draw. I see them fully equiped on Ebay all the time for a little over $300 ish. I use the "Whisker Biscuit" arrow rest and love it....the arrow never falls off. I also use a low cost single pin LED sight - just makes for a nice little red dot......just hold over/under for longer/shorter shots. I like the dual cams and 80% let off. I have it up a full power...but I'm pretty strong and stout....seems very easy for me to draw and hold. I perfer Aluminum Arrows .....I prefer more weight for higher momentum and penetration.....aluminum is more stable. I researched the world over...and for me....this is the best choice if you want to buy used and spend $300 for what would cost $500 - $600 new. It is the most compact, powerful, bow in the $300 neighborhood. The Whisker Biscuit is a must in my experience - also the single pin LED......keep it simple. You don't need to spend a ton of $.....$300+ bow kit used......under $50 in wallmart camo clothes.....a $100 or less for a tree/ladder stand. I figure for about $500 you are in the game and have top quality equipment that will last many years. This kit kills just as well a $1000 top end naked bow....you don't need to spend $2000....$500 is just fine.....you can probably even buy a brand new starter kit for a few hundred. Puts 70 - 140 lbs of meat on the table every year. (Assume you get 33% of deer field weight in the freezer...kill 1 to 2 deer a year....could kill a lot more...but we need about 1 - 2 a year). 6 weeks and I'm in the tree again....going out today with the brush cutter and getting the deer used to my setup....can't wait!

EireGoBragh | 08-23-2009 11:28 AM
Re: Hey Archers! I almost bought a Barnett, years ago,..wish I had now... http://www.barnettcrossbows.com/

ruprick | 08-23-2009 11:38 AM
Re: Hey Archers! 2 Attachment(s) Last years 5 point delivered just under 60 lbs of raw meet. His bigger brother 8 pointer from 2007 had 80 lbs of meat - he was a big guy......and tasty! You end up with about a third of the live weight.....lots of stuff you just can't eat. 1 doe + 1 buck deliver quite a bit of meat - I've taken does over 200 lbs.....some of those gals have a lot of junk in the trunk. I also got 3 Ditch Deer last year.....I carry a kit in the car in a 3.5 gal pail.....roll of paper towels, 1 gal of water, plastic bags for meat, sharp hunting knife. I mostly just take the backstraps....don't even need to open guts up....just open up the back hide and remove....only takes a few minutes. I take the meat and then drag the deer back out of the ditch into the field for the scavengers. Sorry for the FBI style photo of Ruprick.

Tallships | 08-23-2009 11:41 AM
Re: Hey Archers! I got a 60 pound bear compound at a garage sale for 15 bux and it came with about 40 arrows. I can hit a bale of hay from 20 yards on a good day. Might be because most of the arrows shafts are warped a bit.

ruprick | 08-23-2009 11:50 AM
Re: Hey Archers! Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallships (Post 1881946) I got a 60 pound bear compound at a garage sale for 15 bux and it came with about 40 arrows. I can hit a bale of hay from 20 yards on a good day. Might be because most of the arrows shafts are warped a bit.
I've had good luck rolling aluminum arrows on a table and taking my time to straighten them...just a little at a time......you can then put a sharp broadhead on them.....use a hard piece of plactic under the sharp tip for a bearing surface.....hold nearly vertical and barely support arrow near fletching....blow on arrow blades with mouth or light compressed air...man does it really spin...you can see any small bends. If you can hit a large pie plate with high repeatability...you are ready for the tree - just be selective in shots you take.

teedub31 | 08-23-2009 09:58 PM
Re: Hey Archers! Quote:
Originally Posted by ruprick (Post 1881898) This is the bow I have....PSE Firestorm....very compact, 80% let-off, powerful.....I think you can get them in 50 - 70 lb draw. I see them fully equiped on Ebay all the time for a little over $300 ish. I use the "Whisker Biscuit" arrow rest and love it....the arrow never falls off. I also use a low cost single pin LED sight - just makes for a nice little red dot......just hold over/under for longer/shorter shots. I like the dual cams and 80% let off. I have it up a full power...but I'm pretty strong and stout....seems very easy for me to draw and hold. I perfer Aluminum Arrows .....I prefer more weight for higher momentum and penetration.....aluminum is more stable. I researched the world over...and for me....this is the best choice if you want to buy used and spend $300 for what would cost $500 - $600 new. It is the most compact, powerful, bow in the $300 neighborhood. The Whisker Biscuit is a must in my experience - also the single pin LED......keep it simple. You don't need to spend a ton of $.....$300+ bow kit used......under $50 in wallmart camo clothes.....a $100 or less for a tree/ladder stand. I figure for about $500 you are in the game and have top quality equipment that will last many years. This kit kills just as well a $1000 top end naked bow....you don't need to spend $2000....$500 is just fine.....you can probably even buy a brand new starter kit for a few hundred. Puts 70 - 140 lbs of meat on the table every year. (Assume you get 33% of deer field weight in the freezer...kill 1 to 2 deer a year....could kill a lot more...but we need about 1 - 2 a year). 6 weeks and I'm in the tree again....going out today with the brush cutter and getting the deer used to my setup....can't wait!
Nice looking rig. As far as the wally world clothes, I used to do that until I ponied up for quality hunting clothes through Cabela's. Those clothes actually made me a better hunter as they allow me to hunt longer and harder in weather that sent me home with my old walmart stock. Took me a couple of years to convince others in my family to see my outlook. Actually had to buy some for my old man to get him on board. Now thats all he buys. On the Whisker Biscuit. I had one on my PowerHawk. Never could get the tuning right. Always had accuracy issues. Not bad mind you, but not great. The whisker biscuit in my opinion really hurts the advanatages of have a forgiving brace height as the arrow stays in contact with the bow through the entire shot. Personally I like my fall away made be TrophyTaker. It is a full containment rest like the WB. After switching it out my groups are sub-baseball at 30 yards and in. Bad thing is the $100 price tag. A WB will only be about $40 if it doesn't come on the kit.

BellevueBully | 09-01-2009 06:02 PM
Re: Hey Archers! 1 Attachment(s) Nice bucky Rup, but jeez.......don't you think HE might want some annonymity. :tongue_ma:

Lucky225 | 09-03-2009 07:06 PM
Re: Hey Archers! Don't think he'll be mindin haha

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