Never Bow Hunted, Need some guidance.

[MikeC]

Allright gents, and ladies alike. My brother and I drew the multi-season elk tag this year. We switched from modern to muzzle loader a few years back and have been having a blast hunting the ML season. We have both been very intrigued with archery and with this tag would love to get our feet wet, or atleast our toes. I have been measured at 31-31.5" draw length. What are your suggestions for finding a reasonable bow set up with out breaking the bank. My wife prefers I do not spend a dime and I don't want to spend a fortune. Used? Starter level?   I live close to an archery shop in Puyallup, anybody know of them or have recomondations? Any and all suggestions welcome, just as long as you don't tell me to stay away... Just want to spend as much time in the elk woods as possible.

[Buckmark]

Get to the proshop and get set up, you only have 136days and counting down to get proficient with your bow..
Good luck and have fun, you may never go back to muzzy again..

[hughjorgan]

Allright gents, and ladies alike. My brother and I drew the multi-season elk tag this year. We switched from modern to muzzle loader a few years back and have been having a blast hunting the ML season. We have both been very intrigued with archery and with this tag would love to get our feet wet, or atleast our toes. I have been measured at 31-31.5" draw length. What are your suggestions for finding a reasonable bow set up with out breaking the bank. My wife prefers I do not spend a dime and I don't want to spend a fortune. Used? Starter level?   I live close to an archery shop in Puyallup, anybody know of them or have recomondations? Any and all suggestions welcome, just as long as you don't tell me to stay away... Just want to spend as much time in the elk woods as possible.

Go see Doug at gnw archery.

[buckfvr]

Go to the shop, get a bow, join the club, and attend every event they and Tacoma Sportsmans Club have this summer........you will be ready if you invest the time......GO TO THE SHOOTS !!!!!

[Tony]

Stop by Skookum on Shaw road (11209 Shaw Rd. E. Puyallup, WA 98374 Phone 253-841-0991)and talk to Doug. He is a great guy and should be able to help you out.

[SniperDanWA]

Go into the classifieds on here.  There are bows, but I can also attest to Doug's assistance at Skookum.  I've bought three bows from Doug now.  My son just bought one earlier this year too.

[LBES]

There's a lot of used bows out there... Anything post 2006 is plenty for a beginner. Sometimes they're all setup with arrows, etc.

[coachcw]

I may have some thing that will work for you , send me a pm .

[Sliverslinger]

Just please make sure you understand that it is not something that you can pick up every once in a while and then practice hard for the last two weeks before season and then be good to go. You may be able to get to where you can group well on a target on flat ground, at a paced 20 or 30 yards, in nice whether. But it's very different when you're need to slip an arrow through a small opening between trees, shooting downhill, in the wind, with a big bull staring right at you from 23 yards away. It takes practice, and then more practice. Also, go to 3Dshoots! They are a blast and will really help you out. Good Luck. 

[dmr400]

Just please make sure you understand that it is not something that you can pick up every once in a while and then practice hard for the last two weeks before season and then be good to go. You may be able to get to where you can group well on a target on flat ground, at a paced 20 or 30 yards, in nice whether. But it's very different when you're need to slip an arrow through a small opening between trees, shooting downhill, in the wind, with a big bull staring right at you from 23 yards away. It takes practice, and then more practice. Also, go to 3Dshoots! They are a blast and will really help you out. Good Luck.

What he said.  Archery hunting is a totally different ballgame as far as the practice and commitment necessary to be an ethical hunter, and ambassador to the sport.  That being said, We all had to start somewhere and there are no hunting memories out there I cherish more than my archery elk ones!  Equipment today is light years ahead of where it was even a decade ago, so focus less on equipment and more on shooting correctly.  Bad habits learned now will be a real bear to break when you get down the road and hit a plateau with your shooting because of it.  You need to make some decisions before you start so we can make recommendations.  Do you want to shoot a release or fingers? That makes a huge difference in the bow recommendations.    I keep hearing good things about GNW.  Everytime I've gone there or stopped by he hasn't had what I wanted (which has been 5-6 times now), as he seems to keep a pretty small inventory (and if it isn't on the wall its going to be hard to sell to you. I also worry about a new guy getting sold something that isn't right for him just because it is what is on hand in a small inventory shop-Not saying that GNW would do that as I don't know them well, but the goal of any business is to make money). Also all I've seen on the wall consistently has been hoyts...which don't fit with the budget you've outlined.  Having said that, be careful about buying in the bigger box stores as well.  I've had great dealings with the department head at sportsmans in Puyallup (Rod I think), the other guys working for him, I've had some concerns with their opinions outweighing their experience and some incorrectly cut arrows (terribly out of square, caused by poor technique on the arrow saw I'm assuming).

Don't feel you have to buy an expensive bow to do well.  I've owned Hoyt's, Mathews, Martins, and currently have a Diamond (Long story).  I've shot PSE's, Bears, Dartons, and others.  You'll hear this a lot...it isn't the arrow, it's the archer.

PM me on here if you need some help, I was lucky enough to be trained by a couple of guys who are very close to the top of the competitive game when I was younger, and was trained to coach in the Military so I'm halfway decent at starting people out in archery.  I live in Bonney Lake, so not far from you.

[christopheri]

All I can tell you is get a setup and shoot as much as possible. Shoot out of position as much as possible.Take (garbage) shots from behind trees, brush. Shoot up hill and down hill. Shoot shoot shoot till your arm feels like it wants to fall off and then shoot some more.

[MikeC]

Thanks for all your input guys. I think the hardest part of this is convincing my wife to let me invest a little. I am extremely excited to jump into this area of hunting, whether or not it happens this year is still to be determined. I appreciate the ethics comments especially as I really try to pride myself on that aspect of hunting.  I will keep you all informed of my progress, I plan to visit gnw in the next few days.

[reagansquad]

Thanks for all your input guys. I think the hardest part of this is convincing my wife to let me invest a little. I am extremely excited to jump into this area of hunting, whether or not it happens this year is still to be determined. I appreciate the ethics comments especially as I really try to pride myself on that aspect of hunting.  I will keep you all informed of my progress, I plan to visit gnw in the next few days.

Tell your wife what you are going to do. Leaders lead. 

[timberhunter]

i would say to go with a used setup. it will save you a ton of money! and if you decide its not for you, you wont be out a lot of money.

[Stick em]

Lots of good advice here already. Bow hunting is addicting. You can easily pick up a used bow for around $200 on ebay. I have bought a few really nice bows that way. Just get your budget together and wait for the one you want. You may have to get your own accessories but that will help keep your costs down. Just something to use when your talking with the wife, bows keep their value pretty well. I have always resold my used bows for as much, if not more than the original cost.