Bow hunters in here

[YALE]

Another thing to consider is that bows need more frequent service than guns. Things have to be replaced, and arrows wear out quick.

[motoman]

You will regret it later. trust me.

You can find good gear used on another forum called archerytalk.com

Buying a used bow can be risky, but ive never been burned on that site.

Any places that sell older models of the better brands?

[dee]

Another thing to consider is that bows need more frequent service than guns. Things have to be replaced, and arrows wear out quick.

And resale typically sucks worse than a firearm.

[dee]

Any places that sell older models of the better brands?

Don't get to old or you will have a bow that has no let off on full draw. These are not overly bad but like mine I draw 70lbs and have to hold it the entire time. It gets very tiresome when shooting a lot.

[bybotie]

I prefer Bowtech bows. They "fit" me best. If you want to get started "cheap" I would suggest a Diamond Outlaw bow. You can get one ready to hunt for $550. As others have said, shoot a few different brands and see what you like. I get my archery gear from Allstar Archery in Lewisville. They are great people. They carry all the best brands and they do have used bows that you can get a great deal on. They will take the time to let you shoot everything and they will set up your bow when you buy.

[GeorgeG.]

I guess I'll play devil's advocate here, or cheap bastard on a budget...lol.

You can go to Bass Pro and get a ready-to-use PSE or other brand for your budget range Greg. I don't know what time of year they run the sales but they'll have combo packages with a bow, peep sight, arrow sight and quiver. All you'll need are some arrows which they'll measure and cut for you, quick release, wrist guard and you're set. I would however spend the extras for a whisker biscuit arrow rest and maybe some limb savers and/or string silencers but those aren't necessary.

For your first time bow hunting, I personally wouldn't spend 600+ on a setup. Once you really get into it, then you can upgrade to a Mathews if you want. My PSE Nova Pro, which I bought several years ago was probably right at the $500 range once it was all said and done.

Another tip, and this was the case for me, when testing out what #lbs of pull you're comfortable with, keep in that pulling that same weight at 7am is a little harder. Also, if you find yourself with a bunch of deer around you within shooting range, keeping that bow pulled back for 5+ minutes so they don't spot you can get tiring. I know it's a manly thing to get 70+ lbs of pull but again, that's just me.

I'm not disputing Sleeper's opinion, he's definitely a more regular than I. I'm just looking at it from someone that bow hunts on the weekends in October, and a few times during gun season, plus some target practice beforehand.

[Sleeper]

I use archery talk for all my used gear. Bows go down in value instantly, but if you buy new most have lifetime warranties.

Buying used you can save a ton. I got a hoyt alphamax 32 in 2011 that was a 2010 model that sold for 850.00 bare bow new for 375.00.

There is nothing wrong with entry level bows from major brands like hoyt, mathews,elite, bowtech, diamond. But do not get a pre packaged bow. You will regret it.

Even if you can pull back 70#'s I suggest 50-60. The easier it is to pull back the more you will shoot. The longer you can hold, and the more accurate you will be.

What area are you in motoman? Might check this place out.

http://dallasarchery.com/about/elm-fork-archery-range/

[motoman]

What area are you in motoman? Might check this place out.
http://dallasarchery.com/about/elm-fork-archery-range/

Elm Fork is literally in my backyard. I'm 10 minutes from them at most. I need to see if they rent bows.

[Sleeper]

Unlike guns, most people are afraid of letting others shoot their bows due to the amount of dry fires. If you dry fire a bow you might as well go buy a new one. It usually wrecks them. If you get lucky itll just bend the cams all out of wack.

There are a few rules with todays compounds. Never ever ever pull a bow back without a arrow nocked. You will dry fire it, It will happen, but when

Never pull todays compounds back with fingers, you can derail the string off the cams easily.

Always have your finger behind the trigger of your release while drawing back, or you will send a arrow flying when you dont want it too.

[dee]

Unlike guns, most people are afraid of letting others shoot their bows due to the amount of dry fires. If you dry fire a bow you might as well go buy a new one. It usually wrecks them. If you get lucky itll just bend the cams all out of wack.

There are a few rules with todays compounds. Never ever ever pull a bow back without a arrow nocked. You will dry fire it, It will happen, but when

Never pull todays compounds back with fingers, you can derail the string off the cams easily.

Always have your finger behind the trigger of your release while drawing back, or you will send a arrow flying when you dont want it too.

Very solid advice there. A lot of gun people do not understand these aspects.

[GeorgeG.]

Hey Sleeper, what kind of regrets would someone get from an entry level bow? Mine is a PSE Nova Pro and I don't seem to have any issues with it. I haven't shot some of the high dollar bows to really compare with but that hasn't stopped me from taking deer. Just curious what I'm missing out on.

[Sleeper]

A 10/22 can shoot deer too george, but a 308 does it better.

Every person who i know with a pre packaged bow has upgraded all the components. They would have been better off buying the bow bare and buying the sight they wanted, the quiver they wanted, and the rest they wanted.

The prepacked bows do work, But they are not built to the quality serious hunters need. If i had a plastic sight i would break it, Arrows ever fall out of your quiver when you are crawling in on that 180inch mulie.

Its a quality issue, just like the strings. If your bow has a tube style peep it has it because the string is cheap and has streched. aka changing the drawlength and poundage of the bow. The bows themselves in the 300.00 range are fine, its the accessories they stick you with that suck.

[GeorgeG.]

I see. thanks for the tips

[Treybiz]

I have a bowtech admiral and love it...

I've shot a buddies super high dollar mathews and it was smoother, faster, quieter, and felt lighter... But, I like shooting my bow and it's four "in the field shots" are as follows:

1st- Missed a doe. I was nervous
2nd- Nice sized Pig from 20ish yards in a tripod. DRT
3rd- Doe from 10-15 yards in a ground blind. She only made it about 30 yards.
4th- Doe from 25-30 yards in a tripod... Shot high and hit her but she ran quite a ways.. Took me a few hours and the neighbor's dog to find her.


I obviously don't bow hunt a whole ton and I practice fairly often because It gives me something fun to do in the backyard. But even though my bow is well-used and not all that fancy... It still works great

[bybotie]

Elm Fork is literally in my backyard. I'm 10 minutes from them at most. I need to see if they rent bows.

Elm Fork doesn't own the archery range or have anything to do with it. The range belongs to Texans Archery Club. The bows they have available are youth bows. Yearly membership is cheap and the range at EF is great.
http://dallasarchery.com/