What and where to buy for first bowhunt

[Stuart C.]

Hi,
I understand that it's already late Aug which leaves little time to prepare for fall never mind risk wounding an animal due to lack of preparation, being green and all that, but...I have an opportunity to hunt from a 'backyard' ground blind that shows deer traffic, very private.  Great spot.  Always thought about getting started in bow hunting.  I have a feeling that I'd enjoy it but it will never be as big a passion as shooting.  That said;

- what bow manufacturer or package would you recommend strictly for utility, low cost and long life ? (the 870 Express of bows)
- what should I be prepared to spend total to be well equip-ed this fall?
- are the bows and accessories at stores like Dicks decent?

One other thing; the simplicity of the Traditional bows is very appealing to me.  Should I go this route?

I've purchased and read two bow hunting books but wanted to throw these questions out there.  Any info is appreciated.
Thanks.

[Graybeard]

Recurve bows are light weight and I do love them but cannot shoot them as accurately as a compound and I suspect most can't at least not unless they put in huge amounts of time with them. A compound bow with peep sight and a decent front sight is fairly easy to get good enough with to hit your target to 20 yards or so regularly.

BUT there is a HUGE difference between hitting a spot on a back yard target and a deer as I found out lots of years ago when I first tried. I was able to stack them all the time to 30 yards practicing and couldn't seem to connect on a deer. I then switched to practicing on a deer target not a square with round dots and started killing deer.

My first compound bow was one of the old Bear Whitetails with the hanger on the limbs and I think I still have it. You pretty much can't sell one anyway so somewhere me or one of my boys has it I'm sure.

While all the latest and greatest technology is great it's not needed. If you really want to save money and are not sure you'll use it a lot anyway look for a used bow. You'll need to determine your draw length to know what bow to get. You really do need the proper draw length and you'll need to decide what poundage you can deal with.

Back when I was younger and full of piss and vinegar I had no trouble pulling and holding up to 100 pounds of pull weight but these days with a bum shoulder and arthritis I can't even do that with a 60 pound bow. About all I can manage now is 45-50 and that's a strain many days. But what the heck I started at age of about 12 with a 35 pound recurve made of solid fiberglass and still have that one and even know where it is. I began deer hunting with a 45 pound recurve and it too was adequate.

I've never owned a bow that pushed my arrows faster than 210 fps and most much slower and have killed a lot of deer with such bows.

The main things to remember are to go to a bow shop that can help you determine your proper draw length and allow you to try enough bows to see what poundage you are comfortable with. Then let the pro there set it up for you so it's done right. Until you really know what you're doing you will not be able to set it up properly yourself. I still let a pro do it with mine.

Buy good arrows and good cut on impact broadheads (I prefer NAP Thunderhead 125s) matched to your bow and practice until you can group well at 20-25 yards and then set up to be sure of a shot in that range. Most shops will have at least some used bows and this time of year there are always some for sale in the want ads in newspapers and on sites such as this.

[paul105]

Just a word of caution.  When testing bows to determine comfortable draw weight, start low and work up,  not the other way.  Your shoulder will be forever in your debt.  If you can draw the bow comfortably while sitting, you are there.

Paul

[dcewolf]

I'd agree with the above posts...start looking at bows with "comfortable" draw weights...don't blow your shoulder out shooting a too heavy draw...  If you are looking for economy you can definitely check out used bows.

I am a big BowTech fan, and bows can be like trucks as far as this brand or that.... That said I don't know about the other major manufacturers but BowTech has the Diamond line of bows -- their economy bows... Made by BowTech just don't have the logo.  Seem to be really good bows and a bit more economical  -- they do carry them at Dick's but I have my thoughts on that too 

I would highly recommend going to a reputable bow shop over Dick's or most of the other chain discount type stores.  What I've seen with folks going to chain stores at least in my neck of the woods is that they get a great deal on the bow, but the retailer doesn't know squat about setting it up.  This causes the draw length to be wrong, arrows wrong weight for the setup, poor accuracy, etc, etc...  Then folks have to take this deal of a bow to an actual bow shop and drop $60 per hour or more to have it set up properly.  If you go to a reputable bow shop to start off they will set it up right, and many times if you buy the bow there...used or new they may set it up for you at no charge.  The bow and accesories may cost a few bucks more but you'll have a quality set up with folks that have the knowledge and ability to get you started properly.

Anyway that's my two cents worth...

[charto]

I had a fire last year and lost my bow, i went to replace it and Wow sticker shock nearly caused my death!
there haven't been any real new technology breakthroughs on compounds since compounds or at least ones that cost
alot of money the bow is a simple machine and yet my lost bow now cost more then alot of really nice rifles do? and this all
because of consumers? Was at Scheels the other day only bows they had were at least $500 and up most were over $799
Gray mentioned he had a old whitetail...so did I and actually it shot well. The bow i lost was a few years old, was a martin,
and it killed alot of Deer...costs a fifth of what it does today..and on the downside it was maybe 20 fps slower lol, oh well .had to get that rant out.

[gt2003]

Ditto on going to a local bow shop with a good reputation.  I live in a small town in eastern Oklahoma and drive almost 2 hours to the archery shop.  This guy is an absolute perfectionist and i appreciate the great job he does.  Also, look at some bows that are last years models.  Many bow shops will have some bows that the company has made for a year or two.  They aren't the newest bows but can be bought for a whole lot less and will have more than acceptable performance.  Good luck and let us know what you get.  Greg

[snapcrackpop]

I picked up an older Matthews solocam for my father from a local bow shop for $150 a few weeks ago.  A few minor changes and start hitting bullseyes!

Welcome to the addiction!

[mg66]

All the above are very valid points. Go to a bow shop and ask questions and find a bow that feels comfortable (you'll know it when you find it). Get the pro there to setup for your draw length, weight, etc.

Seeing this is your first bow I would think twice about buying online. Go to your local bow shops.  Bow shops have good used bows. Most are good and was just traded by someone wanting the latest and greatest.

My first bow was a used 20 year old Golden Eagle something and I got addicted , then I bought a new Browning and I liked it ... then I looked at so many bows and found my Mathews Ultra2 and loved the feel. I found my bow! Had it for 4-5 years now and just keeps putting deer in the freezer and shooting great 3D scores. I will have this for many more years I know. It just feels right for me.

Good luck on your final choice and remember to get back and tell us what you got.

As Graybeard said, any bow will put deer on the table.

[billy_56081]

Go out and try as many as you can. Go to the pro shops and also to Cabela's and other large retail sporting goods stores. Don't let them push you into a bow you don't feel comfortable with. I've been shooting  a very low cost PSE fire flight package bow from Cabela's for quite a few years and am very happy with it. I have killed several deer a bear and several hogs with it. But even more important, practice, practice, practice. I've used several different styles and types of broadheads and have settled on the $6.97 eastons from wal mart and am as impressed with them as any.

[Cottonwood]

types of broadheads and have settled on the $6.97 eastons from wal mart and am as impressed with them as any.

I have tried G5's, Rocky Mountian Broadheads which are not cheap... and when I lost several arrows... guess what they are expensive as heck to replace.  I started doing some reading in Bowhunt America Fall Equipement Review that I found at my local pro shop.  Super small broadheads are great, but you must watch price when getting started.  I noticed Easton Outdoors Titainium broadheads were listed.  So I see these at K-Mart and picked up 2 packages of the Eastman Outdoors Terminator 125-gr broadheads.  At this price I can paper tune my arrows without worry of expensive practice blades as well.  I will tell you that these broadheads flew just like field points in my testing.  I have seen some bashing about Easton Outdoors prodocts.. I don't feel these are a bad deal and will provide you with what you need.

Just remember, its shot placement that brings the meat home.