Bow recommendations

[PA-18]

I am getting into bow hunting with my kids.  I bought my 16 year old a used Hoyt compound on Ebay with all the bells and whistles and he and I enjoy shooting it.  There is the problem.  He thinks I ought to get my own.  I get different advice from every pro shop in the area.  One says Martin Phantom or Cougar or Reflex is the only way to go for $500 +.  The other says an inexpensive Alpine, PSE or Browning is fine for moose hunting.  They talk about riser types and other technical jargon which I am not familiar with and I really don't know who to believe.    I learned a long time ago that you get what you pay for so I don't mind paying for quality I just don't want to pay for a bunch of things that I will never need.

I will take any advice I can get.

[Lawdog]

PA-18,

Do yourself a favor and click on the link below and check out the Oneida Black Eagle.  This is the fastest, easiest to tune and keep tuned bow on the market.  Vibration free and easy on your shoulders and arms.  Before you buy any bow go to an Oneida dealer and check the Oneida out.  You can find a dealer near you at the web site below.  Lawdog

http://www.oneidaeaglebows.com/home.htm

[dakotashooter2]

It depends on how difficult you want your life to be. If you want to put in the time and practice a $200 bow will get the job done just as well as a $500 one. The current trend is heavy draw weight, short, supercam bows with 10# of accessories and are said to shoot flat as a pancake. One thing I noticed about the guys that have these is they are ALWAYS fiddling with them. While I personally don't shoot a recurve or longbow my compound has almost round wheels and is stripped. No sights, stabalizers,release or other gadges that can get knocked out of alignment or lost. I may not be in the class of the competative shooters but I do alright for myself and find shooting and hunting a lot more pleasurable when I'm not "fixing things" or trying to squeeze that last 1/16" of accuracy out of my equipment. Been there done that.

[cjbi]

Here goes, I started out using a bow 46" long, steel cables, and almost completely round cams.  Since then I've had a 2002 Martin cougar mag at 36"(a very good bow) and my newest bow and the one I plan on keeping for many many years is a new 2003 hoyt razortec with the cam and 1/2 at 33".  I've shot several other brands in ranges at shops and I will tell you that there are many good bows out there. But out of all of those, I will give you my biased opinion.  Buy a Hoyt.  I've only had mine for a few weeks now and I can't get enough of it. I won't buy another bow for a very long time.  But the best advice I can give you is get to a bow shop or two or three or more and shoot different bows.  There are a lot of good bows out there and it won't take long to find out which ones fit you best and the ones you like best. But remember, faster is not always better and shorter is not always better, shoot something you like or you'll never be happy shooting your bow.

[oscar]

For a "beginning" shooter I would not suggest a SHORT, FAST bow.they are more difficult and less foregiving to shoot.I started out with a PSE CARROLL MARAUDER,I found in a pawn shop for $65.00.This was a slow shooting bow(225 fps).I could center a dixie cup 8 out of 10 times @ 30 yrds.and have killed several deer with this bow.I now own a Martin Phanom which IS a SHORT FAST bow and for my first 6 months I wish I had my old PSE back,,,but with lots and lots of practice I now feel comfortable shooting this bow..In the long run---- shoot what you feel comfortable with,,if you don't feel comfortable with your bow you won't hit anything with it.....And be sure to take your kids to a HUNTERS EDUCATION COURSE  you'll be glad you did....KEN :lol:

[ARMallardSlayer]

I would recommend a Mathews. You don't have to spend $700 to get one either.

Ebay has them all the time. I bought a MQ1 that was practically brand new for $300 shipping and all.

If you think you'll stay with bowhuting, try the Mathews....it shoots really nice.