Ready to hunt packages

[Solohunter84]

I am looking at budgeting for a bow and I have read reviews and all that.  I need to go see which bow fits me best because from what I have read that is the only way to know if the bow is good for you personally.  I was just curious if buying a brand new bow at cables and getting one of their ready to hunt packages is a decent way to go or is it better to just buy a stripped bow and build it?  I don't know much at all but wasn't sure if the packaged accessories are quality or just thrown on them.  Any info would be much appreciated.  I have been looking at the PSE stinger 3g. Bear archery encounter. diamond infinity edge. and pse brute x.  partially based off of price but also on the reviews they have gotten.  any others i may want to check out and test? $500ish price range.  Thanks guys

[viva_che1363]

i have nothing to input about bows in particular, but whenever i have bought any ready built packages for most anything, i usually end up having to go out and buy individual items and put together my own kit over time.  that's just been my experience. good luck with whatever route you choose to take.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

If 500 is your max than a ready to hunt package should do.  But a bare bow is going to be a lot better.  Get a Martin or bow tech or any other brand beside the few you named.  All of the brands you named are well bad brands.  They are not up to par for hunting by any means.  Cabelas will probably do more bad than good as far as setting any bow up for you.  Martin sells single cams for around 250.  Bare.  Then 100 for sight.  50-100 for drop away.  And another 75 on quiver.  And your set.  I would say expanding your budget a little will help a lot when it comes to success in the field.  Take your bow to Larry at sportsmans in federal way he Knows how to set up a bow correctly.  Cabelas is the last spot I'd buy a bow or have touch mine. 

[Solohunter84]

I wouldn't say $500 is my max. but I would like to keep it under $1000 for sure haha.  I am just looking for a bow thats gonna last and get the job done.  I was kind of curious if the whole cabelas thing was a bad idea.  But like I said I am pretty new to this.  prolly wouldn't be bad for me to go test some out. get a feel for them.  All I have ever done is get my draw length checked when my buddy was picking up his bow from the shop. Also would you guys suggest new or used for a bow?

[Stalker]

I 2nd staying away from Cabelas for what you want.

I would recommend taking a drive one weekend to all the bow shops in your area and looking at their inventory to see what fits you and what you shot well. Once you narrow that down some then talk to the shop guys about any leads they may have on a package deal on something you have determined interests you. I would also say to not be afraid of checking ebay once you have narrowed down a package set up as you can get some good deals on last years bow that someone else is getting rid of so they can get ready for the 2014 models coming out. Biggest thing is to not rush, take your time so you get something that you will be happy with for years. And you can always decide to change out sites, rests etc... down the road. All the best and let us know how it turns out.

[X-Force]

If you know what your looking for go used. you will save a bunch of  Good luck

[KFhunter]

I did it (bought a cabelas RTH package), so I'm telling you from experience - don't do it.



go to a reputable archery shop or buy used from a reputable person

[Solohunter84]

Thanks for the info guys. looks like i have a lot more looking around to do haha.  I only know of one bow shop fairly close to me and they only sell mathews. so i will get some names and numbers of other shops and go browsing.  Cabelas will not be on that list haha

[Stalker]

Below should get you started on finding some in your area.

http://www.bowtecharchery.com/#/displayDealersByState?i=Wa

http://mathewsinc.com/find-a-retailer/?cboApplicationID=82&btnSubmit=SearchByCity&pageID=dealers&chkDistance=ON&txtDistance=50&txtContactCity=Shelton&cboStateID=Washington

http://www.hoyt.com/dealer_locator/

http://pse-archery.com/k/dealers

[Solohunter84]

That was more beneficial then googling pro shops near my zip haha

thanks

[DoubleJ]

Lucky Shot in Chehalis.  We took the drive down there to get my son his bow last year.  They were absolutely wonderful to work with and were very patient in setting him up.  Please go there.  They are probably the closest quality shop around.  I wouldn't go to the one in Belfair.  Not had good experiences there

[DoubleJ]

And, being a Bear shooter, I take exception to the poo pooing of Bear bows.  Mine shoots lights out and, set at 45lbs, still gets pass throughs.

[Rainier10]

Give Penisula Premier Pro Shop (Big Bear Outfitters on the Mathews site) a try.  They have a bunch of stuff in stock to try out and if you are on a tight budget they also have Mission bows that are a little less expensive.

[mossback91]

And, being a Bear shooter, I take exception to the poo pooing of Bear bows.  Mine shoots lights out and, set at 45lbs, still gets pass throughs.

    I love my bear motive 7!!

[huntandjeep]

I bought a Diamond Outlaw RAK ( ready aim kill) bow from Cabelas. And am extremely happy with it and the Cabelas help. Granted the first girl helping me didn't know anything about bows but foundout Demontang works in the bow shop. He told me the right people to look for and they and him know there stuff. Just because there's a few in the bow section that don't know a bow from an arrow doesn't mean they all do.

[Solohunter84]

Only pro shop i've been to was the one in belfair.  Guy seemed alright and online it lists him as a bowtech dealer but he was for sure a mathews shop haha.  I have heard good things about the one in chehalis though.  I will have to check it out.  Sounds like more variety.  The bows I have held at cabelas and what not the Bear was the most balanced to me and felt like a good fit but that was also without shooting it.  I'm not in a rush so I will do my homework and check both shops and get prices and what seems to fit best and go from there.  Thanks again guys.  Looking forward to the new toy!

[demontang]

Thanks huntandjeep.

The new bears coming out seem to be decent bows. The hand shock and feel is nice, the diamond core and outlaw are good bows, the quest torrent and rogue are decent bows. All can shoot better the most peoplw that hold them. The pse brute x is a good selling bow and shoots too but the hand shock seems to be a little more then the other three brands. My choice of bows is the bowtech experiance or insanity, the darton 3800 is a great bow too but you up in the 1k bare bow. I havent got my hands on any new hoytes yet but have shot the new mattews and dont care for them. Its really going to come down to what your hand likes and what you like. So shoot everything you can but remember unless its tuned its now going to shoot like it could.

[Solohunter84]

what is a fair price for the bowtechs that you mentioned demon?

[demontang]

Youll be around 1000 out the door bare bow.

[DoubleJ]

Bear Attitude

http://www.beararcheryproducts.com/bows/compound/attitude

Just sayin



I have the Bear Legion.  Not sure what replaced it but the Attitude specs seem close.  But it may be the Authority also.  Authority has the dual string stop and the speed is closer to the Legion but it looks like the brace height is less.  Need an expert to tell the truth on this one

[irishevox]

My shoots a Diamond and so do i great bows but i am looking to upgrade to the Carbon Knight

[lostbackpacker]

I have a friend of mine looking to sell a complete Hoyt setup, ready to go.

bow
sight
rest
release
cast

Not sure of the model, but can find out easy. 

looking for 1000.00

if anyone is interested

[h20hunter]

Mike.........brother in law might be......send me specifics.

[Stalker]

SoloHunter, I found this site today when I was checking out info on the Carbon Knight (CK) and thought you might like to check it out.

http://www.huntersfriend.com/2013_Bowtech_Carbon_Knight_Package/lightweight-compound-bow-carbon-technology.htm

I have had the opportunity to put about 100 arrows down range with my new CK and can say that this bow continues to impressed. I robin hooded 1 arrow at 40 yds today and had zero issues getting this to shot nice groups @ 60 yds using a Spot Hogg Seven Deadly Pin sight. Have not had the opportunity to attempt to sight beyond 60 yds yet. Hope you are enjoying your search.

[Jonathan_S]

If 500 is your max than a ready to hunt package should do.  But a bare bow is going to be a lot better.  Get a Martin or bow tech or any other brand beside the few you named.  All of the brands you named are well bad brands.  They are not up to par for hunting by any means.  Cabelas will probably do more bad than good as far as setting any bow up for you.  Martin sells single cams for around 250.  Bare.  Then 100 for sight.  50-100 for drop away.  And another 75 on quiver.  And your set.  I would say expanding your budget a little will help a lot when it comes to success in the field.  Take your bow to Larry at sportsmans in federal way he Knows how to set up a bow correctly.  Cabelas is the last spot I'd buy a bow or have touch mine.

I would agree except for your statement that Bear is a bad brand.  I was overwhelmed when looking into bows for the first time and ended up with a Bear Encounter RTH package.  If I had it to do again I would purchase a bare bow but the same one. 

For an entry level bowhunter, what could be wrong with it?  It shoots better than I do and I have six arrows touching at 60+ yards with the RTH package?

[aorams]

I was in your exact situation and used huntersfriend.com

paid 399 + free shipping for a Parker Pioneer XP Ready to Hunt Package that was a few years old.  Everything has worked incredibly well.  It's not the fanciest equipment but it shoots tacks at 30 yards at 270 fps.  Although I haven't shot farther than that with any frequency.  Saved a ton of time and a TON of money and ended up being a good way to get started right away.

Good luck

[Solohunter84]

Thanks!  I have been shopping around.  I have the money.  Now to find the best deal possible.  May be asking about what good accessories are.  Gonna buy a bare bow and add on myself.  Thankful for all the info and options and advice that's out here.  Leaning towards a hoyt charger.  Now looking into the add ons to see if i can get everything and bow inside my budget

[earlmarne]

archerytalks classifieds have saved me 100s of dollars.

[Stalker]

Thanks!  I have been shopping around.  I have the money.  Now to find the best deal possible.  May be asking about what good accessories are.  Gonna buy a bare bow and add on myself.  Thankful for all the info and options and advice that's out here.  Leaning towards a hoyt charger.  Now looking into the add ons to see if i can get everything and bow inside my budget

Good deal when a plan starts to come together. Take a look at the Trophy Ridge Revolution rest and some of their newer sites like the Judge. You sight it for 20yds using hard windage and elevation adjustments. Then it has a dial to tune 30yd pin and your 40 - 60 set automatically. Takes some frustration out of sighting in. I use a Spot Hogg SDP. SH makes some very good products. Also don't shy away from ebay as it can save you some cash as well.

[Solohunter84]

Cool.  Thanks for giving me somethin to really look at that is decent. I have no idea what is good and what isn't.  I would like to get the bow fully set up with like middle of the road stuff. not junk i am gonna replace asap but i dont need top of the line either.  Anyone have any suggestions for each part? price? cabelas ok for some stuff? or go to a bow shop?  Thanks!