Quality first bow

[WV67]

Hi folks,

I've decided I'd like to try bow hunting next season in addition to gun. Since I haven't touched a bow since I was a kid, I'd like to purchase something and have plenty of time for familiarization and practice before putting it to use. I don't like buying inferior quality products, but don't have to have the latest and greatest either. Because money is an issue, and because I can't really say how I'll take to this, I don't want make a huge initial outlay.

If possible, I'd like to keep the bow itself to around $400 max. Lower would be better if I'm only giving up nice to have features, or ones which I'd need experience to really utilize. FWIW, a local outfitter that seems to have good customer service carries Hoyt, Bowtech, Diamond and Mathews.

Any advice greatly appreciated,

Best

[Tatersoup]

I think any good brand name bow of the proper weight and pull length should do. Spend money on a good arrow rest, sighting system, and release trigger. Kits sometimes don't give you what you need and you end up spending more than you need to.

It does not take a super high tech bow to go bow hunting. My first compound bow was a 3-4 season old hand me down from a buddy who updated his bow to the latest greatest. To say it served me well is an understatement.

Do some research on a good brand and model before you go into the store. Knowledge will help you a lot in choosing your gear.

[oldbrass]

001.JPGI picked up a PSE Brute , it was in the 3 bill range...No sence going all out til you know if you like bow hunting...this brute will serve my purposes just fine

[Maudite]

Buying used is a good option. You may not have a warranty with it- but you might find one with lifetime warranty.... but the money you save can get you a better bow for the money and can also go towards accessories and maybe a tune up from the bow shop. I hate to say it but ebay has a lot of bows on it all the time and lots of used one year and let go in favor of latest technology.

I have a Mcpherson Mark VIII. It has 87% let off- super quiet- I can draw and hold it forever. A used one would be well within your price range and well worth it.

M

[Gurn]

Welocome to the world of bowhuntin. I'm sure no expert when it comes ta compounds cause I pack ah longbow. I do have a Mathews Compound that most time just hangs on the wall. I'm thinkin these boys have gave you some good advice. Any compound will flat out smoke my longbow in speed and it gets the job done.
If you go used just make sure its adjustable enough ta fit ya perfect. If your just gettin into bowhuntin your fixin ta have ah bunch ah fun.

[skmarsh77]

try looking at the mission bows. they are made by mathews but are meant for people on a budget or just starting out. From what I have heard they are good bows.

[hemi1011]

When I first started bow hunting I did a pretty long and thought out search. I've always hunted with crossbows and wanted to move up in the archery world. I decided on the BowTech Soldier. It has the RAK (Ready Aim Kill) package already equipped. The sight, Octane Hostage rest and quiver were all included. The best thing about BowTech is that they use the binary cam technology. That means you don't have to worry about your cams coming out of time like solo cams sometimes do. Diamond is made by BowTech but to keep costs down some models come with the solo cam design and not the binary cam. I ran my Soldier up against a Mathews Z7 EZ or whatever that Z7 is called. My "cheap" BowTech was pushing arrows through the chrono at the same speed as that high dollar Mathews. Plus BowTechs are SUPER quiet. Can't you tell I love my BowTechs?

[444powerpunch]

I just traded my hoyt rampage I bought before hunting season must say for a mid level hoyt has newer hoyt tech items roller gard and fule cams you can ask your dealer if he can get a used one around 400.00 dose not compair to my 2012 hoyt vector turbo for speed but a nice bow all in all.

[WV67]

Thanks everyone for all the info and advice! I'll likely go the the outfitter tomorrow and handle a few to get an idea as to what fits.

[MDTrailrider]

WV,

I got a bow this season too. I love my bow. I got a Diamond Outlaw. I think it's the best bow package for the money. It's really nice and $100's less than bows that are just a little nicer. I think the PSE Brute is very nice for the money too.