Part 1 to my quest for a new bow

[WonkyWapiti]

Well tonight I went to Sportsmen's Warehouse to try out some of the new 2009 Bowtech's.  For those that don't know, I started bowhunting four years ago when I picked up a Parker Hunter Mag package.  I've really started to get serious about archery lately and have decided to buy a new bow.  I have no brand loyalty and just want to get as informed as I can and go out and shoot as many different bows as possible. 

The bows I tried tonight were the Bowtech Admiral, Captain, and the SWAT.  First off I can't say enough good stuff about the staff at the Federal Way Sportsmen's Warehouse as they took a bunch of time with me tonight and were very helpful. 

I currently shoot my Parker at 63 lbs and I have never shot more than that.  Long story short, of the three I shot tonight I absolutely loved the Admiral.  It was all I could do not to pull out the VISA then and there.  I was shooting a 29" draw with 74 lbs.  That's right 74 lbs and I was amazed at how smooth and quiet it was.  The other thing that amazed me was I felt I could hold it at full draw all day long.

The camo on the Bowtech's is pretty cool and the feel of the bow was nice.  Aesthetically the Captain looked kinda wierd with it's big riser.  I also loved the weight of the Admiral which was right around 4 lbs.  The Captain just felt a little more awkward to me with the longer height and it weighed in at about 5 lbs.  I even shot them with and without a doinker stablizer attached.  As I recall, using a hunting arrow, the Admiral chrono'd at 283, the Captain at 285, and the SWAT at 290.  This was with a whisker biscuit.

Stay tuned to my continued quest.  However, I think I've found my bow.

[bullcanyon]

You are on the right track. I personnally am a bowtech fan, but I'd still shoot everything you can get your hands on.  There are some really nice bows being made today.  We are spoiled with the options we have. 

Good luck and keep us updated

[addicted]

dont stop at 3  bows lol. theres still hoyt mathews martin PSE. hell i wish i was in your position.

[WonkyWapiti]

Oh I'm not stopping at 3 bows.  I'll be muley hunting next week so the following week  I hope the new Hoyt's may be out.  I am gonna shoot as many as I can.  However that Admiral really felt good.  The bow just felt right.

[yajsab]

Cool!  I shot the Admiral when they first came in.  I'm waiting for the 60#. 

[Hoytstaffshooter83]

first off dont EVER go to sportsmans for a bow, the pro shop I shoot for down here wont carry bowtech because of service issues so any bowtech that comes in has to be sent to sportsmans to be "worked on" my brother has one and they of course messed it up and the pro shop had to fix it, you cant go wrong with the new katera from hoyt.... name another bow company that has their risers dry fired 1500 times!! before they go into production.... answer...............0 and bowtech recalled the general recently as well....... they make a decent bow but are trying to push the envelope to much IMO.... only go to a pro shop for a bow....