New Bow Hunter Advice

[SnowDog]

Hi All - I am planning to start bow hunting next year and need some advice to get started. I am looking for recommendations on what bow I should purchase if I plan to go after Deer and Elk. I prefer higher end gear (i.e. Mercedes, but not Ferrari).   I figure there will be some decent deals after this season ends and now is the time to start shopping.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Cheers!
ED

[seansfire]

where do you live would be a great start to helping you out. there are alot of folks on here that really know there stuff. good luck.

[bwhntr350]

Hi All - I am planning to start bow hunting next year and need some advice to get started. I am looking for recommendations on what bow I should purchase if I plan to go after Deer and Elk. I prefer higher end gear (i.e. Mercedes, but not Ferrari).   I figure there will be some decent deals after this season ends and now is the time to start shopping.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Cheers!
ED

Many will chime in here. The wiser ones will tell you to shoot an array of bows. They may say that the bow will choose you, or at least you will know it when you find the right bow. Go shoot some various models made by Bowtech, Hoyt, Matthews, PSE or anything else out there that you see. You have plenty of time as this season is nearly over.

 Picking a bow for me was easy because I already knew the manufacturer that I wanted, but I will say this, I will never, EVER go back to a major chain store for archery gear, bow, arrows, nothing! I had, by far, the best experience in the little Ma and Pa shops. I settled on Lucky Shot Archery, in Chehalis, even though it is over an hour drive for me. Great place.

 Also, a 60# bow will kill anything that Washington has to offer, but you are going to have to decide on the poundage. I, personally, like a 70# bow as that is all that I have been shooting for 31 years. People claim the 10 less pounds of pull will save your shoulders, but it is up to the individual.

 Good luck in your search and just enjoy it. You get to shoot all the upper end bows for free and I have no doubt that you will find what you are looking for.

[SnowDog]

Great advice on trying out all the bows possible. That is exactly what I tell new upland hunters looking for a shotgun. Shoulda thought of that.

I live in Bothell, but am willing to hunt anywhere in the state or even Idaho / Oregon. I really love the Methow valley and always thought that would be the place I would like to take my first deer.

What are the best "ma & pop" archery shops in Western WA?


Cheers!
SD

[WonkyWapiti]

I would also highly suggest taking the bowhunter education class.  Theres a ton of good info in that class.  I love archery hunting and you'll have people tellinig you to basically buy the bow they own.  I love my bow but it may not work for you.  My advice on bows is to go to several archery shops and get sized for your correct draw and then try out different bows and see which feels most comfortable to you. 

If you are near an archery club go and check them out and think about joining.  Having a place to practice often and people to practice with help increase your skills and knowledge.  Check out www.cedarriverbowmen.net for one example and I just happen to be a member  .  However, there are great clubs all over the state.  Once you get comfortable with your bow you can start hitting the 3d tournaments to improve your shooting.

The other nice thing about going to several archery shops is to get a feel for the kind of service you will get once you make your purchase.  If you don't have someone to help you with your equipment you will probably be going to the archery shop for follow-up help.  Additionally, most shops will also have archery lessons to get you started.

I'll have to post some more stuff later.

[Crunchy]

I would buy a good name brand.  For me that would either be a Hoyt or Mathews.  Buy the best or close to the best you can afford.  That goes for the sight and arrow rest as well.  I shoot pretty darn good with my bow but I cannot hit the broad side of a barn with my buddies cheaper bow.

[klikboom]

Hit up knock point in mount lake terrace, they have always been good to me. They are a Hoyt dealer.

[Kioti]

There is some good advice on this page...I finally settled for a Mathews.
Riverside Archery Shop in Mt. Vernon is a good pro shop  Or if your in the Lynden area, Daves Sporting Goods has a great pro shop.

[bwhntr350]

I would buy a good name brand.  For me that would either be a Hoyt or Mathews.  Buy the best or close to the best you can afford.  That goes for the sight and arrow rest as well.  I shoot pretty darn good with my bow but I cannot hit the broad side of a barn with my buddies cheaper bow.

 Nothing wrong with loyalty when it comes to brand names, but, imo there are more than two bow makers out there who make quality bows, but like Crunchy says, buy the best accessories that you can.

 I would compare it to buying that one top of the line rifle that you have always wanted and throwing an $80 Tasco scope on it. With that being said, I probably paid too much for my bow sites:(

 You will, also, be faced with the decision on what sort of rest you want. Many love the Whisker Biscuit and I used one for years with no complaints. I know people who have hunted the late hunt in E. Wa. and said that they had problems with it icing up. I, personally, have hunted in cold weather and had more problems with ice on my arrows and fletching than I did the WB.

 I changed to a drop away and my arrow groups got twice as tight at every distance. Even when I make a poor shot, like a flinch when I release, my arrow, rarely, misses by more than a couple of inches. For hunting situations, a drop away, being it is more mechanical than a WB and does not contain your arrow (well, mine does not, I think there are some out there, though, that do), would make you have to be somewhat more aware, but now that I have used one I will not go back. I have three WB's just sitting around.

 I missed a good 5 point Roosevelt in 2011 because I had mechanical problems with the drop away rest that I did not realize until later. So, something more for you to think about when you are making your decision.

 Brace height may be another thing to think about.

http://www.ehow.com/info_8413419_brace-height-mean.html

 Traditional thought is the shorter your brace height the less accurate the bow because your arrow can still be influenced with that one extra inch of travel. The flip side to all that is that a shorter brace height should increase your arrow speed. Starting out, you may want to look at more of the 7" brace height types as you will, most likely, shoot better groups and with today's bows, will still have plenty of speed. With that said, I would still shoot some 6" bows just to see and have a comparison.

 As far as myself goes, I sold out for speed and the reason I did so is because I have been shooting since 1981 (I like to think that I got it down), but for those times where you cannot range your target, a flatter shooting arrow has more room for error if I misjudge the distance by a few yards. I like to think that by going to the drop away has more than made up for that 1 inch of brace height influence, as far as accuracy goes, imo, the WB could still influence your arrow until the arrow completely clears the WB. That seems debatable, though, as Whisker Biscuit hardcores will argue until they are blue in the face that nothing beats a Whisker Biscuit. I do not argue such, anymore. I know what has happened for me when I change arrow rests and what I stated sure seems logical, at least for my little pee brain.

 They both have their pros and cons. Which is better, Ford or Chevy?

[bwhntr350]

 BTW, the answer to my last question is Ford

[sakoshooter]

BTW, the answer to my last question is Ford

Darn, I wrote down Chevy on my paper.

[SnowDog]

Tried a Bear Mauler and a PSE Stinger this weekend. I liked the feel for the Mauler better, but still need to try a few more.

Any good / bad feedback on the Mauler?

Cheers!
SD

[Arnbo]

Getting out and trying different setups is by far the best thing
 You could be doing.and the real answer is Mopar!,,,,,,,,, HemiPower,,,,,........

[howlow]

Mathews Heli-M!!!!!

[44_mag]

You get what you pay for... Just don't go too cheap, especially in broad heads and practice with them too! Everyone has their preference shoot what you like. Think of it as going out and buying a scope and a gun. When that big deer arrives you shouldn't regret it. Practice practice practice.