[bernie]

I am a bowhunter but not necessarily an avid archer. I bowhunt because it makes my deer season so much longer. However, I am not a competitive archer and have used the same bow for almost 9 years. However, I think it may be time to get something a little newer and better. My problem is, I do not know much about what is in the marketplace now and what works. I know the answer is going to be, go to a local archery shop, but there is only one good one in the area and the last time they worked on my bow, it came back boogered up and all they did was say "Oops, sorry." This obviously left a bad taste in my mouth.

My first question is, is there a website similar to this where a guy can go and get positive feedback.

Second, what would any of you guys recommend for a bow. I would like something that is comfortable to shoot, reasonably accurate, and not something that I will have to spend a whole wad of cash to buy.

Thanks,
bernie

[Lennyjoe]

The market has come a long way in the past 9 years.

First off, what kind of bow do you currently have?

What is your letoff on your bow?

Several things to concider. Since you have been bowhunting for the last years you at least have some experience in shooting.

So on that note, I would suggest a 1 cam bow with around a 75% letoff.

Just remember though, if your trophy hunting B&C wont recognize it if your using a bow with anything over 65% letoff. (I think thats still current, might wanna check)

Alot of companies make bows now with axle lengths anywhere from 35" and up. If your a finger shooter, then I wouldnt go below 38" in axle length due to string pinch on the fingers. Release shooters can go all the way down.

The more speed you want the more your gonna pay. You can find alot of one cam bows throwing the arrow around 220 fps for around $250 or so.

Plenty of sites to go to like Easton and PSE to see whats available.

use this site to download the PSE bow users guide to give you a hand picking out your new bow. Have fun.

http://www.pse-archery.com/Services/2K3_PSE_User-Guide.pdf

[litman252]

A company that is often over looked is Jennings, see if there are any in your area. The above posts has lots of truth in it, my last bow was $800 ish, very smooth and sweet. You can hunt with a nice $200 bow and be happy. I used to shoot 300 arrows a week, don't any longer but spent good money on a bow when I did.
best of luck.
Tony

[HSMITH]

The Jennings Buckmaster bows are amazing for the money. Accurate, quiet, fast and easy to shoot. If there is a better value in bows I am not aware of it. That said I spend nearly triple on my rig for one single feature, the angled grip on my Golden Eagle.

Advise? Keep the speed down, it makes the bow many times more forgiving of small errors. Heave HEAVY arrows, 500 grains PLUS, and you will blow through deer like paper even if they are only going 210 FPS. A 540 grainer at 210 is flatter than a 350 grainer at 280 beyond 35 yards, so don't buy into all the "flat shooting" hype.

The new bows are so much easier to shoot well that it is not even funny. Go buy a new one and have fun.

[Jack T.]

archerytalk.com is a fairly active board. i don't read it, but because my wife works for an archery shop here in town, i have to know a little about that stuff.

my recomendation? Mathews. you get what you pay for. I went from shooting a PSE Mach bow to a Mathews LX (several years ago) and have never looked back. shooting a Legacy now. . .

[bernie]

I shoot a Martin Lynx XRG and I do not remember the letoff percentage. I shoot a caliper release, simple pin sights, and a whisker biscuit arrow rest. I shoot carbon arrows with heavy broadheads (I have some semi-custom 150 grainers) and they do blow right through a deer and the setup I have is fairly forgiving. I am a firm believer in the kiss principle and do not have anything more than is absolutely necessary hanging onto my bow.
"Less is more."

[Kingcreek]

I'll second the archerytalk.com forum and also the Mathews Solocam Bows.
I also shoot a legacy. 34" axle to axle, 65% letoff. fast quiet, accurate and forgiving. ventilates those deer quite nicely.

[litman252]

I shoot carbon arrows with heavy broadheads (I have some semi-custom 150 grainers) and they do blow right through a deer and the setup I have is fairly forgiving.

It's been a while but I was thinking carbons=light tips, aluminum= heavy tips.
If you have some stiff splines you might be OK. Draw lenth also comes into play.
Tony

[bernie]

I shoot a pretty stiff carbon shaft. I do know a little bit about archery, but not much about the latest and greatest bows.