Suggestions on a Compound Bow for our 8 year old daughter

[returnofsid]

Our 8 year old daughter is getting very interested in archery shooting and hunting.  Currently, she's shooting a POS Bear Brave II and shooting it pretty well.  Now it's time to get her a "real" bow.  At this point, I'm leaning heavily towards the Diamond Infinite Edge, in pink of course, but I'm open to suggestions.  We plan to make the purchase in the next week or two.  With your average 8 year old girl, what poundage would everyone suggest that we start with? 

[DoubleJ]

Diamond Razors Edge

[returnofsid]

Diamond Razor Edge has a minimum 30lb draw weight doesn't it? There's no way she'll be able to pull that back, yet.

[lostbackpacker]

diamond infinite bow.  i believe it goes down to like 5lb draw.  my ever growing son(15) got one last year.  I think I have it turned up to 40lbs for him right now. 

[pianoman9701]

Braxton shoots the Bear Apprentice II. He's advancing and the bow, right along with him. I would not get one of the cheap bow made for little kids. It's a $100 they grow out of very fast, within months.

[jackelope]

National Archery in School Program uses Mathews Genesis bows. I think those progressive bows are great but a little heavy for an 8 year old girl. I think Genesis would be the way to go. I'm looking for one for my 6 year old. I guesstimated by her wing span that she's got a 19" draw. My wife shoots a Mission Menace which is adjustable from 17-30" and 16-50 pounds so, in theory she could probably draw it and shoot it but she's not strong enough to hold it  up. My kid is big for her size...taller than all the kids in her 1st grade class. She's the same size as the 3rd graders in her school but she'll only be able to lift a much smaller bow. I'm either going with the Genesis or the mini-Genesis. Hopefully Todd_ID will chime in here as he is a NASP instructor and shoots with tons of kids on a weekly basis.

[pianoman9701]

National Archery in School Program uses Mathews Genesis bows. I think those progressive bows are great but a little heavy for an 8 year old girl. I think Genesis would be the way to go. I'm looking for one for my 6 year old. I guesstimated by her wing span that she's got a 19" draw. My wife shoots a Mission Menace which is adjustable from 17-30" and 16-50 pounds so, in theory she could probably draw it and shoot it but she's not strong enough to hold it  up. My kid is big for her size...taller than all the kids in her 1st grade class. She's the same size as the 3rd graders in her school but she'll only be able to lift a much smaller bow. I'm either going with the Genesis or the mini-Genesis. Hopefully Todd_ID will chime in here as he is a NASP instructor and shoots with tons of kids on a weekly basis.

Without seeing the child, it's hard to say what would be too much bow. Braxton's very small for his age and when he started, he was 9. I would say take the child to a bowshop and see if the different bows are appropriate. I know the Martin Tiger was almost a total waste of money. He grew out of it in two months.

[returnofsid]

We will be getting her into Cabelas as well as a local pro shop, Friday. Thanks, everyone, for the input! Keep it coming.

[washingtonmuley]

I would go with the  Bear Apprentice II.

[returnofsid]

I would go with the  Bear Apprentice II.

Any particular reason why?

[jackelope]

National Archery in School Program uses Mathews Genesis bows. I think those progressive bows are great but a little heavy for an 8 year old girl. I think Genesis would be the way to go. I'm looking for one for my 6 year old. I guesstimated by her wing span that she's got a 19" draw. My wife shoots a Mission Menace which is adjustable from 17-30" and 16-50 pounds so, in theory she could probably draw it and shoot it but she's not strong enough to hold it  up. My kid is big for her size...taller than all the kids in her 1st grade class. She's the same size as the 3rd graders in her school but she'll only be able to lift a much smaller bow. I'm either going with the Genesis or the mini-Genesis. Hopefully Todd_ID will chime in here as he is a NASP instructor and shoots with tons of kids on a weekly basis.

Without seeing the child, it's hard to say what would be too much bow. Braxton's very small for his age and when he started, he was 9. I would say take the child to a bowshop and see if the different bows are appropriate. I know the Martin Tiger was almost a total waste of money. He grew out of it in two months.

I agree fully.

I would go with the  Bear Apprentice II.

Any particular reason why?

That bow has a great reputation and if I remember correctly, is very lightweight relative to other similar progressive bows. 27" axle to axle or something along those lines.

[pianoman9701]

I would go with the  Bear Apprentice II.

Any particular reason why?

The Apprentice II will adjust in draw length from 15" to 27", and the adjustable draw weight is 20-50 lbs, so enough bow to hunt big game if and when the kid is ready for that. It's lightweight and also comes in pink camo!

[elkoholic]

Just bought my soon to be 7 year old daughter  a  Diamond Infinite Edge, adjusts from 5-70lbs, 13"-30 draw. Hers is set at 17"DL and 18 DW. She is super exited for the klickitat 3d shoot this coming april.

[KFhunter]

That's awesome 


Might want to work on her posture a little though, we all could use posture work though.  Just something to stay on top of.

[hunt4]

Find the one that has a solid back wall or the one that has the best back wall. A lot of these bows are.squishy the Hoyt ruckes has a draw stop.