Advice on Bows.

[Muddy05]

I want to get into bowhunting this fall and need some advice on what kind of bows I should look for. I dont know much about them, I've just shot my friends bow and really enjoyed it. I've seen Mathews, Hoyt, Bowtech, etc... and I just want a good bow to start out with and last a while around the $300 - $600 range. All info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks ya'll!

[GRIMJIM]

I started with a pse for about $300. I was very happy with it for many years. A couple of years ago I moved up to a matthews and am now hooked.

I think the best advice I could give you instead of recommending a specific bow is to research a quality pro shop in your area and try out many different bows to find the one you like. You should have a pretty good selection in that price range.

[ronbow]

I would definitely go with a single (not "hybrid") cam bow for ease of tuning. Avoid overdraw rests. Try to find a used Mathews or other quality single cam. Buy from a pro shop if at all possible. They will set up and tune the bow for you. Practice, practice, practice. Enjoy.

[WylieKy]

I have a Bowtech Tomkat.  Great starter package, and I have 0 complaints.  It is a nice, forgiving bow short enough for most to shoot while sitting down (as in a tree stand), which is something a lot of people overlook.

WylieKy

[HoundDog55]

Heres what I did. Figured out how much I could spend, then went to several different shops and shot all the bows I could. I bought what I liked best. Just happened to be a bowtech.

[Muddy05]

Thanks guys! My father has a friend with a Mathews ZMAX W/ everything, for $350. Its in excellent condition.  And another friend has a High Country Trophy Hunter w/ everything for $175 and it's also in great condition. I like them both but dont know the big difference between them, besides the names. Anyone familiar with these?

[jgalar]

There are also longbows and recurves. Why is it when anyone thinks about starting archery they immediately think of compounds. Personally, I much prefer shooting recurves and longbows over my compounds.

If you are going to be shooting finger release you will need a long axle to axle length bow.

[MathewsXT]

http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/index/index-display.jsp?id=cat600266&navAction=jump&navCount=1&parentId=cat21424&parentType=category&cmCat=MainCatcat21424
Take a look at the

• Outfitter Series™ PL-1.5 Bow
  
• Fred Bear-Code&Instinct
• PSE Fire Flite 33 CF Package in Seclusion 3D
  

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_79872_400014001_400000000_400014000_400-14-1

All great bows for the money, shoot me a PM and i'll answer any questions you have
Good luck
[/list]

[Cottonwood]

I found a slightly used Mathews Solocam Black Max 2 all set up the way I wanted it for a fraction of what you would pay full retail.  Remember to really look at your Cabelas bows and see if they come set up or that cheap price can run you a bunch more if your not careful.  I priced mine out and if I had purchased NIB then adding all the extras without arrows and mech release would have been $1,022.59 

And then if you find a nice used one, be sure to check it over very carefully.... good luck.

[panman]

Go to any pro shop and shoot all the used bows that you are interested in.Brand names are JUST THAT.The bow has to fit you,not the brand.Going with a used bow,you can get a real good deal,for a lot cheaper,sometimes all set up!.pan.