Help selecting new bow.

[victoryredchevy]

I've decided that a new bow will be my next big purchase. Looking to purchase very soon. It will be my first bow. Will be mainly for hunting. I just realized that in Arkansas bow season runs from Oct. 1st - Feb. 28! If I only rifle hunt, I'm missing alot of time hunting. I'm not used to shooting a bow and arrow. I'll have to have something that's a good beginner, but will hold up for hunting. Also on a budget, of course. Really been eyeing the 2009 PSE Stinger. By commenting on this thread you will directly influence my choice because I know very little about what to go with. Thanks.

 

[matrem]

Regardless of which brand or type you decide on,make sure it fits you.I'd bet that three fourths of first time bow buyers get one that's too long for them,and most of those also try to pull too much weight.
Your local bow shop is where you need to go.

 

[tango2echo]

One of my hunting buddies just picked up a Martin Firecat really cheap at Dick's Sporting goods. Shoots VERY well for a $300 bow, and is plenty fast with carbon shafts. I chrono'd it at 303fps in hunting trim a few nights ago.

Matrem makes a few good points. Make sure your bow fits you.

t2e

 

[Sunray]

Go to a bow shop. A bow needs to fit you. As do the arrows. Don't buy a bow with a draw weight that is more than you can easily lift.
Three weeks is not enough time to be able to shoot a bow, any bow, accurately enough to hunt with if you're thinking of hunting on 1 October. They're not like a rifle. Uses muscles(shoulder and back, not your arms) that get used for nothing else. You need upper body tone.

 

[blackops]

Go to your nearest bow shop and draw a couple bows back. Find what draw length and weight are most comfortable for you. I use a Bowtech. Next will be a Mathews. Hoyt makes great bows as well. If you want to start off slow get a used bow. When you get it, shoot...shoot..and shoot. This will develop the particular muscles you will use as well as improve your accuracy, and most of all gain your confidence mentally.

 

[3pairs12]

If you are truly thinking about bow hunting select a draw wieght that you can hold at full draw for 1 minute. Some bows have a greater let off than others while some are adjustable. Most are 65%-85% meaning that you will only be retaing 15%-35% of actual draw wieght. Sounds easy right, its not that easy. Your local pro shop will help show you a good anchor point and get draw legnth from there. Don't be affraid to go out anf get first hand advice. As for todays bows they are all pretty good, you will likely want one a little more forgiving. A lot of bows also have adjustable draw legnth and draw wieght.

 

[janobles14]

i really enjoy my pse. also...remember that the faster you get the less margin for error you have!

 

[MCgunner]

I'm not a long time compound shooter, but strikes me that the brand thing with bows is kinda nit picky. I mean, one might be a little shorter, one might be a little heavier, one might shoot 20 fps faster. But, hell, you can kill a deer with a long bow or recurve. I guess I'm not sophisticated enough to care about brand on compound bows. Maybe in the future, I'll care. For now, I have a 15 year old Hoyt I ebayed for cheap and like it. I'll buy your current "latest and greatest and most up to datest" in 10 years off ebay, maybe.

 

[Sunray]

"...current "latest and greatest and most up to datest"..." Long dollars for them too. Wouldn't use E-Bay for anything though. They give money to the anit-firearm crowd.

 

[victoryredchevy]

Ok...After much research on new bows and evaluating my budget I have decided to go the used route. My dad got into archery for a while about 10 years ago or so and he bought a used Hoyt/Easton. I can't tell the model or exactly how old the bow actually is but it IS in working condition. Might need a new string at most, beside that and the usual TLC, I think I've struck gold. He's going to sell me the bow and all accessories including 12 arrows for 40 bucks. This will be a good ole bow to grind on to learn and get comfy with. The bow is in great condition for its age. I would guess roughly that it is maybe 15 years old or so. Anyway...when the time is right, I'll buy new. I just couldn't miss out on a 40 dollar bow in perfectly working condition with all the stuff. I'll post a pic, so maybe someone here can help me narrow down the model of it.

 

[blackops]

If you need a string go Winners Choice....best string and cable on the planet. Even a guy who knows nothing of bows can physically feal the difference. When you want to start getting into broadheads, arrows, sights, stabilzers, etc let me know, ill go alllll day.