OK, I'd like to get started bowhunting but don't know the first thing. I see lots of packages in Cabelas but I want to ask around first before taking the plunge. My price range is $350. Is this reasonable? I don't want a huge investment in my very first bow as I want to make sure I will enjoy it as much as rifle hunting. So please recommend a bow, sight, silencer, release, arrows, broadheads, etc. Basically, set me up to practice until competent and then go hunting. I want a bow that I can also enjoy for several years if I do decide to stick with it. Thanks for the help. If it matters I am 5' 10" 175 lbs.
newbie needs to get set up, please help
- Thread starter BigPig
- Start date
BOHNTR
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 4,339
BigPig:
I imagine you'll get a lot of replies to this post regarding manufacurer choice, etc. It's been my experience, the "best" gear is going to be the one that the person giving the advice is currently using.
ALL of the major bow manufacturers make quality products these days. It's more of a personal preference and what YOU like. I would NOT recommend you order from a mail order catalog unless you've been fitted with a bow and know how to properly tune your gear. Instead, visit a real pro-shop and tell them what you're looking for. A good shop will allow you to try several models and manufacturers in your price range. Once you find one you like and it feels good in your hand, shoot it a few times at the shop. If it still feels good, go for it! This is one of the benefits of a pro-shop vs. mail order. Furthermore, most shops will tune your bow for you if you purchase it from them.
ALL major manufacturers make quality products these days. Reflex, Martin, Pearson, PSE, Jennings are a few that have some lower end bows (price) that are more than capable of what you want it to do. Hoyt, Mathews, BowTec are high end bows but Hoyt does have a few lower priced bows that are outstanding! Again, TRY THEM ALL. You may raise your price range when you shoot one.
Choosing accessories is more of a personal preference. Cobra, Toxonics, Montana Gold, Trophy Ridge, all make quality sights. Spothogg makes an outstanding sight, but they are expensive. Release manufacturers are all pretty reputable. True Fire, TRU Ball, Scott and Cobra make all different types of releases that should fit your needs. Again, try them all.
As for all the other gadgets you may want, a pro-shop represetative can help you out there, as this reply would be long winded if I got in to all that. They can also explain the difference in arrows (aluminum vs. carbon) and you can decide what you want. There are MANY different carbon arrow manufacturers and they are NOT all created equally. Gold Tip, PSE Competition Pros, Carbon Express, and a few others are quality arrows. Again ask the pro-shop to explain the difference. One thing to remember, the difference in price on carbon arrows is not really their strength, it's their straightness and equal weight between arrows. Things to think about when choosing an arrow. Hope it helps and good luck. It's always nice to see people just getting into archery.
BOHNTR )))--------------->
I imagine you'll get a lot of replies to this post regarding manufacurer choice, etc. It's been my experience, the "best" gear is going to be the one that the person giving the advice is currently using.
ALL of the major bow manufacturers make quality products these days. It's more of a personal preference and what YOU like. I would NOT recommend you order from a mail order catalog unless you've been fitted with a bow and know how to properly tune your gear. Instead, visit a real pro-shop and tell them what you're looking for. A good shop will allow you to try several models and manufacturers in your price range. Once you find one you like and it feels good in your hand, shoot it a few times at the shop. If it still feels good, go for it! This is one of the benefits of a pro-shop vs. mail order. Furthermore, most shops will tune your bow for you if you purchase it from them.
ALL major manufacturers make quality products these days. Reflex, Martin, Pearson, PSE, Jennings are a few that have some lower end bows (price) that are more than capable of what you want it to do. Hoyt, Mathews, BowTec are high end bows but Hoyt does have a few lower priced bows that are outstanding! Again, TRY THEM ALL. You may raise your price range when you shoot one.
Choosing accessories is more of a personal preference. Cobra, Toxonics, Montana Gold, Trophy Ridge, all make quality sights. Spothogg makes an outstanding sight, but they are expensive. Release manufacturers are all pretty reputable. True Fire, TRU Ball, Scott and Cobra make all different types of releases that should fit your needs. Again, try them all.
As for all the other gadgets you may want, a pro-shop represetative can help you out there, as this reply would be long winded if I got in to all that. They can also explain the difference in arrows (aluminum vs. carbon) and you can decide what you want. There are MANY different carbon arrow manufacturers and they are NOT all created equally. Gold Tip, PSE Competition Pros, Carbon Express, and a few others are quality arrows. Again ask the pro-shop to explain the difference. One thing to remember, the difference in price on carbon arrows is not really their strength, it's their straightness and equal weight between arrows. Things to think about when choosing an arrow. Hope it helps and good luck. It's always nice to see people just getting into archery.
BOHNTR )))--------------->
J
joesshopshack
Guest
I started bowhunting three years ago. I started with the hoyt magnatec. It is a great beginners bow. It is very forgiving, but, yet fast. I found that is a very comfortable bow to shoot. You can buy one used for 2-250 or new 350.00 As for the for the accessories. I am a dealer, so I am not pushing any item. I will suggest this"
as a new shooter you find that the way you hold a bow now, may not be the same as you progress. People will tell you to relax when you shoot. That is easier said than done. You just spent 400 dollars on a new bow, and someone tells you to relax? To you it will feel like it will jump out of you hands. By instinct you will want to hold on tight, as you do, the bow will torque. You may want a sight that has a third axis. The head will adjust in and out to your form. I would recommend trophy ridge or spot hogg. But, these can be expensive. You can get the bottom trophy ridge flatliner for 45.00. or the highest for 125.00
As for the rest, I would suggest a drop away. Easier to tune. Once a bow is tuned, it will help you FEEL like you shoot better. The reason a person shoots bad, is 99% the shooter. A normal prong rest, if not tuned properly will cause some inconstant shots. You may thinnk it is the bow, when really it is you. When you decide what you want, let me know. I can set you up for cheap. I will work you a package deal.
As a new shooter my best advice is, DO THE SAME THING, SAME WAY EVERY SHOT.
REMEMBER......SHOP AT JOES
as a new shooter you find that the way you hold a bow now, may not be the same as you progress. People will tell you to relax when you shoot. That is easier said than done. You just spent 400 dollars on a new bow, and someone tells you to relax? To you it will feel like it will jump out of you hands. By instinct you will want to hold on tight, as you do, the bow will torque. You may want a sight that has a third axis. The head will adjust in and out to your form. I would recommend trophy ridge or spot hogg. But, these can be expensive. You can get the bottom trophy ridge flatliner for 45.00. or the highest for 125.00
As for the rest, I would suggest a drop away. Easier to tune. Once a bow is tuned, it will help you FEEL like you shoot better. The reason a person shoots bad, is 99% the shooter. A normal prong rest, if not tuned properly will cause some inconstant shots. You may thinnk it is the bow, when really it is you. When you decide what you want, let me know. I can set you up for cheap. I will work you a package deal.
As a new shooter my best advice is, DO THE SAME THING, SAME WAY EVERY SHOT.
REMEMBER......SHOP AT JOES
A
AZbowhntr
Guest
I would say if your really interested in getting into archery to spend as much as you can on the bow and upgrade to the better accessories later. I started out buying a middle of the line set-up and after 2 years decided I wanted a nicer bow. Well I have now spent about twice the money and I would have a hard time giving my old bow away. But I guess I have a decent back-up bow.
H
Hawkk33
Guest
LAST EDITED ON Sep-24-03 AT 10:59PM (MST)[p]DO like I did, get yourself a Pearson Quad 440 kit. It came with a bow 27-30 in draw or whatever you need up to 70 lbs draw weight, also had a 4 arrow quiver, toxonics 3 pin sight (with a glow ring built into/around the sight)arrow rest, stabilizer, 4 carbon arrows,nocks and inserts and a release for 380.00.
R
RandyWeaver
Guest
Heed BOHNTR's advice: use a pro shop and forget mail order until you need accessories...
Cass
Very Active Member
- Messages
- 2,328
For a first timer, I wouldn't recommend no Hoyt cam 1/2 or a Solo cam from Mathews.
Down at the archery shop i frequent nearly every day we have bows ranging from the 100's up to the highest priced.
All the bows are quality and we really recommend the cheaper bows so you can get a feel of what archery is and how it feels to you. Chances are you'r not going to be an olympian the first year so no need to even spend that entire 350. Get some xx75's, runnin about 80 bucks a dozen and a bow from about 100-150. They should give you tips with the arrows and you should be set.
-Cass
Down at the archery shop i frequent nearly every day we have bows ranging from the 100's up to the highest priced.
All the bows are quality and we really recommend the cheaper bows so you can get a feel of what archery is and how it feels to you. Chances are you'r not going to be an olympian the first year so no need to even spend that entire 350. Get some xx75's, runnin about 80 bucks a dozen and a bow from about 100-150. They should give you tips with the arrows and you should be set.
-Cass
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