Bow Suggestions

[Jingles]

Ok I know I'm going to get all kinds of responses however what will be will be.
I currently have a Martin Cougar II and am thinking of "Updating" to something a little more current  and am wondering what some recommendations would be. Considering another Martin or maybe a Mathews.  Problem I have in not much in the way of archery shops in this area so visiting a local shop is more or less out of the question.
As stated current bow is a Martin Cougar II 55- 70lb with a 31 inch draw length I'm a lefty so that has to be considered

[RadSav]

Something from Bear, Mathews/Mission, Bowtech, Hoyt, Elite, G5, Obsession, Xpedition or PSE should give you a sizeable bump in performance over your old bow!

What are you looking to spend?  31 inch draw and Lefty could limit you a bit so knowing a budget might help narrow things down a bit.

[Jonathan_S]

Something from Bear, Mathews/Mission, Bowtech, Hoyt, Elite, G5, Obsession, Xpedition or PSE should give you a sizeable bump in performance over your old bow!

What are you looking to spend?  31 inch draw and Lefty could limit you a bit so knowing a budget might help narrow things down a bit.

31 inch draw is huge eh?

Rad, what do you think/know about the Prime bows?

[RadSav]

Rad, what do you think/know about the Prime bows?

A gimmick that actually works!

Good limb, good grip, good speed, high quality and attention to detail.  A lot of things to like about the Prime offerings!  I know at least a dozen shooters that switched from Hoyt to Prime in the past year.  Every single one of them is thrilled with the improved speed, fit and finish.  Although this year I don't think there is much of a difference/gain in speed over Hoyt.  Don't know if one is better than the other, but at least those growing tired of Hoyt now have some fine options.  Prime being one of the better IMO.  Supporting the Grace family is never a bad decision either

[Jonathan_S]

It seemed really gimmicky to me when I first heard about them but they are getting a lot of good press and their stats are fairly impressive.

[RadSav]

It is a gimmick, but unlike most gimmicks it functions without flaw.  The surrounding design and quality materials are really the reason it's so well made.  And why performance and shootability is sound.  I like the Prime bows very much.

Although, these days, just about every bow manufacturer is making a good bow.  It is really difficult to purchase a bad bow anymore.  You can get bows that don't fit your hand, draw length or shooting style easily enough.  But, finding a bow that is poorly made and lacks performance levels miles ahead of bows just a few years ago is a challenge.  I'd happily shoot most bows in the $400 range and not think twice about it.  There are just an abundance of great shooters in every price range and in every brand.  It is some of the high dollar flagship bows I have issues with more than the general offerings.

I think the OP's 31" gorilla arms do pose a problem that not every bow out there will fit.  Then add LH and that does limit things a little more.  But there are still plenty of good options and very few bad ones.

[MtnMuley]

You have a local Martin dealer in downtown Omak and have a local Mathews dealer on Omache Drive in Omak. I highly doubt you'll beat either of their prices on new bows.

[Jingles]

Thanks everyone for your responses and suggestions.  I have always shot fingers with corner of mouth as anchor point, so don't know if going with a release will shorten the draw length. but will find out soon enough I guess.  Again thanks for the suggestions

[RadSav]

Thanks everyone for your responses and suggestions.  I have always shot fingers with corner of mouth as anchor point, so don't know if going with a release will shorten the draw length. but will find out soon enough I guess.  Again thanks for the suggestions

If you set up the release correctly there will be very little change in draw length.  1/2" max and usually not even that.  With the shorter bows and lower anchor point associated with release style shooting everything usually balances out. 

Biggest thing with that long draw length is axle-to-axle length.  If you go too short the string angle will not allow good multipoint anchoring without the need for an even longer draw length (which causes all kinds of mental and physical issues).  A kisser button can be used instead of the tip of your nose to keep your anchor from floating, but that is one more thing to change and go out of adjustment when you can least afford it.  I'm not against the use of kissers even though I do not use them myself.  But I'm a firm believer they make a better third point of reference than they do a second.  Will it work?...Certainly!

Stability in the longer A2A bows really improves the shootability in my opinion.  Especially if you are trying to maximize speed by daring to go less than 6.5" in brace height.  If I had that long of draw length I would be looking for a bow in the 32-36" A2A length and would be leaning heavily toward the 34-36" length.  Especially if looking at a single cam bow!! That is why price range becomes an issue as most of the longer bows are hard to find in the value offerings.

The 31 inches is going to result in great speed numbers regardless of brace height.  So me personally I'd also be looking for a 7" or higher brace height.  That higher brace will add to the stability and greatly reduce physical interference of the string when wearing cold or wet weather clothing.  Only problem is that further limits your choices.

Of course I'm not trying to tell you what to do, just trying to give suggestions based on what I would do if my draw length was a true 31 inches.

[SeaRun1]

I think what Radsav says about almost all of the manufacturers making a good bow is accurate.  Try them until you find one you like.

I tried a lot of bows and ended up with a Prime Defy for a hunting bow.  I love that bow.  Everything just seems perfect about that bow to me.  Go down to see Ryan at Sportco and try one.

You might like one or not.

SR1

[Greg Mullins]

Call fletch setter.He had a 2014 black carbon spyder left handed he was selling on the cheap.Its the last one he has and was getting rid of it for like 750 bucks .

[Seahawk12]

I know that someone here on this site is selling two pretty nice looking bows. They are left handed, but they are both max 30" draws.
Here's a link to his post in the classified section:
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,162738.0.html

(PS I still have my Martin Cougar that I got my very first elk with the first time I bow hunted. She's a keeper!)

[Greg Mullins]

Hoyt Nitrum 34

[Charlie]

I think what Radsav says about almost all of the manufacturers making a good bow is accurate.  Try them until you find one you like.

I tried a lot of bows and ended up with a Prime Defy for a hunting bow.  I love that bow.  Everything just seems perfect about that bow to me.  Go down to see Ryan at Sportco and try one.

You might like one or not.

SR1

  I agree with the advice on trying out several bows to find out which ones fit and shoot well for you. There are many quality bows available today but not every bow will suit you and feel right to you. Ryan is very knowledgeable about what is available and which bows might fit your needs and budget. You don't have to spend a $1000+ to get into a good setup.