Considering Bowhunting

schoolhousegrizz

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I have hunted all of my life but never with a bow. My dad always used the muzzleloader or rifle so I did the same. I am seriously thinking about getting into bow hunting but I am worried about the cost. It seems like there are so many pieces of equipment other than the bow. Any ideas on some good quality bows, arrows, brodheads, arrow rests. etc, etc, etc? Without breaking the bank? I have people telling me you can shoot out to 100 yards with decent accuracy, is this true?
 
Although you can shoot out to 100 yards with decent accuracy it will take you lots and lots of practice.Some say shooting at 100 yards is like shooting 1000 yards with a rifle.i would never recommend shooting that far at a animal even if you can keep it in a paper plate size group just because so much can happen in the time it takes a arrow to get to the animal but to each his own. Now as far as the cost... you can find used bows for a reasonable price. I would say 500 bucks and you could get a bow and some arrows and be ready to go. Thats of course if you dont need to have the best and by no means bottom shelf equipment. I love archery hunting and spend countless hours shooting. I recommend going to a pro shop and shoot some bows and see how ya like it. My guess youll be hooked for life!
 
LAST EDITED ON Jul-17-13 AT 07:22AM (MST)[p]An ARCHER sees how far away they can get from the target and still hit the bulls-eye.......a BOWHUNTER sees how close they can get to the target before hitting the bulls-eye.

BOHNTR )))---------->
 
LAST EDITED ON Jul-17-13 AT 08:45AM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Jul-17-13 AT 08:44?AM (MST)

BOHNTR sums it up well!

I would start by visiting your local archery shop. They can give you a variety of bows to shoot, and you will be able to tell what feels the most "natural" to you.

This will give you a better idea of what you are looking for.

Start with a decent used bow, you will save a lot of money and still have a quality bow. If the local pro shop doesn't have what you want in a used bow, check the classified ads on AT

Best of Luck,
Jeff (MM Sponsor)
http://www.elkmtngear.com
 
There isn't any "cheap setup". IMO you get what you pay for.... to a certain point.


You can go to your local archery shop (If you live close enough to Centerville I recommend Wilde Arrow) and check out some bows from the wall. Used bows are like used cars. People use them harder than then disclose and ask for more money than they are worth.


You need quality equipment. From a bow to arrows, broadheads, release, quiver, etc.

Don't go cheap. You don't need to buy a carbon bow with $400 arrows, but you also don't want a K Mart blue light special.


I have been archery hunting for 10 years now and am still a novice so take my advice for what it's worth! LOL


Good luck in your search!
 
I just got into it this summer, been shooting for the last month is all... I found huntersfriend.com and got a sweet setup for a great price. Since I've gotten it I've changed a few things at the local shop and paid them so I can keep going back.

I have a 2 1/2 year old boy so I got the infinite edge brand new with the hopes I will find out what I do and don't like and get me something more high quality later on and pass that to him in a few years. I have been happy with it! Good luck and keep us posted!

Travis
 
Thanks for the info. I know you have to get your arrows fitted for your draw length. I am 6 foot 3, so you guys think it will be hard to find a used bow and arrows that fit my draw length? I am not sure how precise that needs to be. If I get into archery it would be for next season since I already have my deer rifle tag and a fishlake late season rifle elk tag to focus on this year. Thanks again.
 
SHG,

Warning: It's addicting.....

Here?s how I got into it, maybe my example will help you make choices?. Like you I followed in my Dad?s footsteps and rifle hunted. I wanted a new challenge and archery fit the bill. I knew NOTHING and was discouraged to see the price tags at the local shop. It's hard to start anything from scratch. The shop was very helpful and I was able to use them to measure my draw length. I started with a PSE brand bow from Cabela?s and bought inexpensive arrows, site, release and rest. It was a decent bow and I enjoyed learning the mechanics involved with bow tuning and shooting. I took to it quickly and joined a local club. That led to shooting 3-d events on the weekends? I was hooked. The time arrived when my skill level outgrew what my inexpensive bow set-up could do. Archery is similar to golf; the repetition of a mechanical movement and the desire to reproduce accuracy eventually requires an update in equipment. A lot of the people I met shooting events shot Mathews bows and I wanted to get one, but could never swing the 1000$ price tag for a new bow. I found that lots of people sell their older models on various websites (many people want the latest greatest and upgrade every year or two). I bought a bow on Ebay (so have other people I know, all with good success, just do some homework). Local shops aren't thrilled about losing business to the internet but for big ticket stuff but it made fiscal sense for me. Not wanting to snub my local shop (good shops are a new archers best resource), I bought arrows and accessories from the local shop to keep some business local and to build a relationship with the folks that knew more than I did. As time goes on you'll learn more and rely on the shop less and less? I still pop in there and spend a few bucks because I think it's good to keep it local. I'm still shooting that 10 year old Mathews. They?ve long since discontinued the model but it's still a shooter. I'm sure I'll update at some point but for now it still meets my needs.
There?s two schools of thought? start inexpensive and grow into it (like I did) or swing for the fences right out of the gate. For me the dollars involved made the decision. I thought about saving up for the best but I'm glad I didn't. Going ?entry level? got me going sooner than I could of holding out for top shelf stuff. I eventually sold the entry level gear to another guy getting his start so in the long run there was a return on that initial investment?.

The most important thing I learned was you have to get involved with people who shoot (club, shop, friends etc). Like anything hunting related, there are lots of folks willing to help and share what they know. The education is priceless and allowed the learning curve to be reduced?.

As for your second question, there's a bow for all sizes?. You need to get your draw length measured. Once you have that you can look for a bow that fits your required length. Some are adjustable, some are specific to a length. Once you have your bow you could work on an arrow length. For the first half or full dozen I'd work with the shop? just my opinion?.
Good luck and have fun??


five_point_buck
C.B.C.S.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jul-19-13 AT 02:28PM (MST)[p]if you get set up with a bow before hunting I suggest sitting in a ground blind or stand. wait for a deer to come and practice your draw. Those whitetails cant jump a string and drop their body a easy foot. This will help you calm your nerves before hunting

For a range once you start shooting you will see where you are good. For a first time keep it under 30 yards.
I been shooting for a long time and for big game I keep it under 45. That's my comfort zone. I do shoot to 80 yards in archery shoots but in that distance a lot can happen. Its not fun searching for an animal for days so respect the animal to.


Also to find a bow check out your local classifieds. I was looking through mine on a facebook page and see a hoyt that was 3 years old and it was loaded for $450. it was a screaming deal.
 
Schoolhousegrizz-

Even with the 'ammo shortage' I am shooting every other day! But hey some of these arrows have 600 shots out of them. lol

Draw length fit is critical if you are to develop good form. Now I can shoot 1in short but not 1in long. And I can tell if I'm 1/2 in off from my correct draw length. The bad news to you is, your tall like me and fit could be a challenge. But as you said you have time; so be patient and start with a bow that fits correctly.

Yes my 'new' bow ibo's at 335fps but my old bow that I had to retire due to parts wearing out was around 225fps. I bring it up because it fit me properly and all the animals I shot with it were dead!
 
wow everbody thanks for going out of your way to help. looks like i am going to start looking online for some deals as well as checking out the local shop.
 
I bought a PSE Brute X from HuntersFriend.com last year. They have a bunch of different bow packages. It was really easy. Sent in my draw lenght and the weight I wanted it set. They sighted it in for 20 yards and the rest was up to me. Took out my first black bear the same year. They also,matched the rught size arrows and tips for my setup.
 

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