Youth Bow Advice - Please

[Turtle]

My 8 year old son has been shooting a 14# K&K recurve since he was 5 and has been showing an interest in a compound for the last year.  For Christmas we are planning on getting him a compound but I need advice on brands, routes to take, things to watch out for just anything to help me make a sound, educated purchase. 

My background and been all recurves so the compound world somewhat foriegn to me but I don't want that to stiffle my sons interest.

I realize finding a good place to "set up" the bow to him is key but any other advice you may have would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys.

-turtle-

[Charlie Tango]

I bought my daughter a Parker Buckshot and it has worked out great.  Parker has a program that allows you to send in the bow and for $50 they will change the limbs to upgrade the poundage of the bow.  You can start with something for you child to pull back and upgrade as they grow.  I would recommend buying the bow at a archery shop that will set the bow up for you.  If you buy from a catalog you will have to set it up yourself.
Hope this gives you a good starting point.

[LeadSled1]

I bought my son (just turned 8  ) the Bear Odyssey II compound bow. It is adjustable from around 17" to 27" on the 50 lbs model. Don't worry about the 50lbs rating, it is highly adjustable. The cams have two holes in them and 3 cable anchors (short, center and long). I was able to turn his down from 50lbs and 24" draw to 17lbs and 17 inch draw. It is very adjustable, the cam has a small module on it that can be rotated to change draw lenght (which also effects poundage) without using a bow press. If you order one or buy one, have them use axle hole #2. This is good from 17 to 22 inches. Hole #1 goes from 21 to 27 inches. I did find that the site it comes with was not adjustable enough for him to shoot at 17lbs and hit a 20 yard target. I bought a cheap one from Walmart for $9.99 that had more range on it and put the good one away for a later date. It also comes with a whisker biscuit which has been great.


http://www.beararcheryproducts.com/bows/compound/odyssey2/

With it being 50lbs peak and up to 27" draw he can use this bow for a long time.

[22lyons]

hoyt banshee for my 10 yr old.  drew on a 6pt tonight but didn't get a shot.

[MS10point]

2 years ago I bought my son a Browning Micro Midas 20-40# 19-29" draw length. This year will be his last with it because of the draw weight but he did kill a deer with it a couple weeks ago. Clean pass through at 20 yds. The Parker sounds like a neat idea, but if your kid really gets serious (like mine has) he will want the latest & greatest in a few years. Keep in mind that as your child shoots he will rapidly progress in his ability to draw more weight. At the time I bought my son's bow he couldn't draw much over 25 # so I passed on the 30-50# bow. The thing is that with very short draw lengths these bows will usually go below the stated poundage. After 2 years my son was drawing the full weight and now at 13 he has really outgrown the bow. If I had bought the heavier bow he could easily go 1 or 2 more years with it. My advice is to handle every bow you can put your hands on then weigh all  the info and decide whats best.
TP

[recondoc]

I've been looking for a bow for my 7 y/o daughter lately and came across the Legacy Mini-Genesis.  These are designed with the Mathews Single Cam in a smaller package.  They also make the full Genesis which can go a bit higher in draw weight as the youngster grows.  I'm still not sure which way I want to go.
Doc

[six_gunz]

Try the Mathews Genesis or Mini Genesis, it's a great little bow for the money and your son can grow into it as there is no specific draw length. It has a short axle to axle length and is only 2lbs in total weight. Draw weight is 6-12lbs adjustable and depends on how far you draw for the weight. I wouldn't waste my money with the 'Lil Braves or Golden Eagle youth bows. I have 2 boys and have been there....they make junk and it'll break in no time, believe me Mathews is way ahead of everyone in this dept.
 http://mathewsinc.com/mathews-bows-MiniGenesis-44-ViewProduct-1375-287.asp

I bought my Genesis Pro from here : http://www.genesis-outlet.com/order.html   You can buy the kit that comes with the bow, arrows, a quiver, and an arm guard
I love shooting this bow for just fun and Genesis Outlet has extra arrows and accessories. They also have great customer service.
I believe you can get it from Cabelas and Bass Pro as well.

Another great little bow for little guys is the Hoyt Banshee. I bought one for my 6yr old last (7yrs old now and still uses it) year. I tried to talk him into the Mini Genesis but he had to have one like his dad, I bought the Hoyt Trykon that I hunt with. I'm not sure if Hoyt makes the Banshee still as they change every year but I know Mathews still makes the Genesis (Mini Genesis, Genesis, and Genesis Pro) and in my honest opinion cannot be beat by anyone in the same business. As far as the money part, like I said he can grow into these bows and use the mini for many more years, the genesis throughout his adulthood. So i'd say its worth the extra money 
If he plans to hunt, most states require at least a 40lb pull, then check out the Hoyt Trykon Jr. Personally speaking, I myself would not buy anything other than a Hoyt or a Mathews. I have owned, target shot, and hunted with both brands for years and the others out there just don't compare.
 

[jgalar]

I would also recommend the Genesis. They are available at Cabelas.
cabelas