Getting into Bow Hunting

WittSmall · 09-24-2009, 02:33 PM

So I've been deer hunting a couple times during gun season, but I would like a longer season to hunt so I'm thinking about buying a bow. Any suggestions for a newbe when it comes to bows? Brand, specs, what to look for, what to avoid? I did a search but only came up with a thread from '05. Thanks!

Chadrick454 · 09-24-2009, 02:57 PM

I have been shooting a bow for a little over a year now and am about to start my second bow hunting season. The best advice i can think to give you is go to all your local pro shops or dealers and shoot every bow you can and try and pick one out you are comfortable with. Make sure you get a bow that has a draw weight you can draw repeatidly without getin tired. What brand will all depend on who you talk to. Matthews is big, so is PSE and BowTech. I really like my Hoyt. As for specs, longer axel-axel and longer brace height means more forgiveness and less speed. On the flip side if you lower them less forgiveness and more speed. If you haven't shot a bow much I would personaly stay away from short axel-axel length and brace height.

www.bowsite.com is a nice site with classifieds

Chadrick454 · 09-24-2009, 03:00 PM

How to Determine Your Draw Length: Archery Help

This is a good place, they have fairly up to date specs. I did a lot of reading here and another site (can't recall which one now) before I decided on my Hoyt.

N5RMQ · 09-24-2009, 03:02 PM

Get real, Go Traditional. Get a recurve or longbow, wooden arrows good camo, and go for it. No wheels, cables, sights just do it. I left compounds 15 years ago went Traditional and never looked back. Give it a try.

Chadrick454 · 09-24-2009, 03:25 PM

Heck, I am so piss poor even with a sight and let-off to help me, I couldn't hit my house at 20yds with a recurve.

mrcleanstj · 09-24-2009, 06:35 PM

It's like a jeep ............ Just leave your wallet at the sports shop!
Just like a jeep , you'll love it.

I would talk with someone you know in your area that hunts with a bow. Ask them which is the best sports shop. Get there and like has been said try allot of them out. You don't need all the best of the best out of the gate. start small and add or change as you need.

McWood · 09-24-2009, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N5RMQ

Get real, Go Traditional. Get a recurve or longbow, wooden arrows good camo, and go for it. No wheels, cables, sights just do it. I left compounds 15 years ago went Traditional and never looked back. Give it a try.

I would not recommend somebody looking to get into archery in order to go hunting to immediately get into traditional shooting. Its alot easier to be accurate with a compound than a recurve and for a new shooter to got out with a recurve seems a little unethical to me.

I do agree than traditional is funner and more rewarding. I've shot both compounds and recurves ever since i was a small boy and i still don't have enough confidence to take my recurve into the woods.

OP find yourself a good archery shop and go in there and talk to the pros. They will know exactly what you need and will be able to properly setup your bow up to your draw length and weight.

Turner · 09-24-2009, 07:59 PM

Crossbows FTW. My pops and I have hunted forever, we have always used Matthews or Alpine archery. He came home with this monster today. Holy crap. This thing is incredible. Its pricey, but he claims he will never go back to a compound bow. His the bottom one with the scope. It is incredible

Chadrick454 · 09-29-2009, 12:17 PM

If I'm gonna spend the $$ for a crossbow and put a scope on it, I might as well just buy a gun.

JFranko · 09-29-2009, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chadrick454

If I'm gonna spend the $$ for a crossbow and put a scope on it, I might as well just buy a gun.

Try telling that to the game warden when he catches you using a gun during archery season.

I hunt with one of these:

Parker Bows - Crossbows

foggybottombob · 09-29-2009, 01:08 PM

I never lived anywhere that crossbows were not illegal during bow season. So how many states allow crossbows during bow season?

JFranko · 09-29-2009, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foggybottombob

I never lived anywhere that crossbows were not illegal during bow season. So how many states allow crossbows during bow season?

Ohio allows it, and Pennsylvania allows it for handicapped and senior citizens, but I've heard they might be letting everyone use them.

FlyinCedar · 09-29-2009, 01:18 PM

Follow the good advice given earlier and go to a pro shop. If they cant help you determine your draw length and get you set up with something that fits you perfectly, I would go to a different one. No reason they shouldnt do that.

As far as easiness between compound and traditional, it all depends on you. Saying that you shouldnt shoot trad as your first foray into archery, is just totally wrong. WHat do you think people did before there were compounds? It was normal then..why should it not be now. I shoot traditional, but am by no means a traditional elitist. Shoot what you like.

If you haven't found something in a few weeks, I will be home from Iraq then. Stop by Fairfield Outdoors in Lancaster, OH. We can set you up, and have you sighted in on the range before you ever leave. Doesnt matter if you want a compound, traditional, or crossbow. We will be glad to help you out.

SEALLogan · 09-29-2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omarambo101

Ohio allows it, and Pennsylvania allows it for handicapped and senior citizens, but I've heard they might be letting everyone use them.

Michigan does now too, but you have to be 50 or older on october 1st. Prior to that you had to have a physical handicap.

McWood · 09-29-2009, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyinCedar

As far as easiness between compound and traditional, it all depends on you. Saying that you shouldnt shoot trad as your first foray into archery, is just totally wrong. WHat do you think people did before there were compounds? It was normal then..why should it not be now. I shoot traditional, but am by no means a traditional elitist. Shoot what you like.

Im just saying that for a first time bow hunter hunting big game that a compound will make cleaner, easier kills. I learned on recurves and never shot a compound untill i decided to take up bow hunting. In fact i prefer shoot trad whenever i can, its much more fun and rewarding. In my book you shouldn't be taking shots on animals that you aren't 100% sure you can make. It takes alot more skill and practice to get good with a recurve. I shoot 3-4 times a week and still don't feel confident drawing on an elk with a recurve.

If the OP said he wanted to get into archery for the hell of it i would suggest he shots whatever he wants to. I'd probably would urge trad shooting because it teaches you to become a better archer rather than geek out on the latest and greatest compound gadgets. But since he said he wants to get into it to extend his hunting season I have to suggest compounds because he will learn to shoot more accurately quicker.