[colt.45]

what else can i say, i want a compound bow. i think they'd make a good quiet shtf weapon and theyre fun to shoot. i want something i can hunt up to elk and with id perferr something black and simple but i guess i can get one with realtree and paint it. wheres a good place to buy em and what should i buy?

[tellner]

When you say "Compound bow" exactly what do you mean?

One sort is the kind with pulleys and levers and criss-crossing strings. The original is a bow made of more than one material - think Mongols, Magyars, Turks or Korean. They tend to be short, heavy draw bows shot with a different technique than the Mediterranean draw most Europeans and Americans are familiar with.

Both are eminently suitable for hunting.

[colt.45]

yes i mean the one with the pulleys and cams and criss-crossing strings.

[1911JMB]

There are a lot of good brands, the ones I own being Hoyt, Browning, and Mathews. I'd say your best bet for a good deal is looking for a used bow at a bait shop, which is how I got my Mathews. Ebay would also be a good bet.

[MNgoldenbear]

When you say "Compound bow" exactly what do you mean?

One sort is the kind with pulleys and levers and criss-crossing strings. The original is a bow made of more than one material - think Mongols, Magyars, Turks or Korean. They tend to be short, heavy draw bows shot with a different technique than the Mediterranean draw most Europeans and Americans are familiar with.

Both are eminently suitable for hunting.
Actually the second type mentioned are composite bows. I remember Scientific American had an article years ago -- it was even the cover photo. (Googled it, and it seems to have been the June 1991 issue.)

Lots of good buys, but best to get correctly fitted by someone who really knows their stuff. Seen lots of guys trying to shoot bows that don't fit -- usually too long of a draw length. I shot competitively for a few years (NFAA) and did a little hunting. Had a great time. They do take a lot of practice to remain really proficient in their use, though.

I'd second that most makers now manufacture good bows, though we always had our favorite manufacturers -- Hoyt was mine, but Mathews, PSE, Martin, et al all have some very nice setups. If you haven't shot these, get fitted and get a few simple lessons. It'll help a lot -- easier if you don't start with bad habits and ill-fitting equipment (picture the equivalent of a super-magnum flinch and a 25" length of pull)