Recommended Bow - Noobie

[gropaga]

I am looking for a bow to take Deer/Elk hunting for the next calendar year. I have only shot recurve bows as a kid. What I have read states that beginners should look for lower draw weights to get used to the bow, but you will need a high draw weight to kill game.

Is it possible to get an adjustable bow?

[theleo]

I'm guessing you're talking about compounds. All compounds I've seen will be adjustable in a 10 pound range i.e a 70 pound bow can have the limbs let down to 60, a 60 pound bow down to 50. As far as what bow to recommend you, the group would need to know your age (are you a young hunter still growing?), wing span, and how much you are looking to spend.

[gropaga]

Age: 30
Wing span: 5' 10"
Looking to spend: No more than 500$, flexible here.

[h20hunter]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,185401.msg2456864/topicseen.html#new

[Elkrunner]

Age: 30
Wing span: 5' 10"
Looking to spend: No more than 500$, flexible here.

Go to a good bow shop and have them measure your true draw length.     It will not do you any good to shop for a compound bow until you know that. 

[gropaga]

Ok thanks. I'll go get my draw length measured.

[Elkrunner]

That way you can start looking at things.  with that budget you should be able to find a decent used bow.

[pianoman9701]

Age: 30
Wing span: 5' 10"
Looking to spend: No more than 500$, flexible here.

Go to a good bow shop and have them measure your true draw length.     It will not do you any good to shop for a compound bow until you know that. 

  Develop a relationship with that bow shop. This helps immensely with problems that pop up just before or during the season. The shop I use always puts me at the front of the line in an emergency. But, I also buy all my stuff there and bring new shooters in. It goes both ways.

[Elkrunner]

Age: 30
Wing span: 5' 10"
Looking to spend: No more than 500$, flexible here.

Go to a good bow shop and have them measure your true draw length.     It will not do you any good to shop for a compound bow until you know that. 

Good point...I do the same. 
  Develop a relationship with that bow shop. This helps immensely with problems that pop up just before or during the season. The shop I use always puts me at the front of the line in an emergency. But, I also buy all my stuff there and bring new shooters in. It goes both ways.

[WAnoob]

Following this thread as well.  I am a fairly strong person and work out quite regularly.  Would you recommended buying a 60lb peak draw weight and practice at 50lbs for a newbie?  Or should I stick with 50lbs max and practice at 40lbs. 

[Elkrunner]

there shouldn't be any reason that you can't do a 60-70lb bow.  They typically have a 80percent let off.  I have my bow set at 63 which is where I feel comfortable.  Also you want to practice at what you hunt with.  Anytime you change it you will need to redo your sights

[kjbecker82]

Also, try out a bunch of bows at the shop after you are measured. When I bought my first compound bow I probably tested out 10 different bow's until I found one that fit me right. It's a weird thing...when you find a bow that's just "the one". I have a Monster Chill R and love it...but my brother-in-law has an Elite. He loves his and hates shooting the Monster, but I hate shooting his and love mine. It's just personal preference. Once you get your measurements, as others have said, find a good bow shop and start test driving some things. Good luck!!

[WAnoob]

Also, try out a bunch of bows at the shop after you are measured. When I bought my first compound bow I probably tested out 10 different bow's until I found one that fit me right. It's a weird thing...when you find a bow that's just "the one". I have a Monster Chill R and love it...but my brother-in-law has an Elite. He loves his and hates shooting the Monster, but I hate shooting his and love mine. It's just personal preference. Once you get your measurements, as others have said, find a good bow shop and start test driving some things. Good luck!!

I plan on doing this in a couple weeks when I am not working anymore and I get break from school.  Just don't have the free time to hang out in a pro shop for awhile.

[Miles]

Before you get too set on a draw weight go pull some bows back.  You need to know what you can pull comfortably then you can always work up.    I've seen a guy that lifts 5 days a week struggle to pull back my bowtech with an 80lb draw weight.  I almost couldn't believe it...

[RadSav]

Age: 30
Wing span: 5' 10"
Looking to spend: No more than 500$, flexible here.

Is that budget for the complete set-up or just for the bow?

You will be looking for a 28" draw length, more than likely.  Most bows these days have adjustable draw length as well as adjustable draw weight.  I wouldn't worry too much about getting into a wiener measuring poundage right away.  50-60# should serve you just fine.  And then if you really take to liking the sport you can use that as a reason to upgrade later, if you so chose.  With today's performance bows, even in the economy offerings 60# will do everything you want.  And usually you shoot that poundage better too!

Bear Archery has two new bows in the economy range for 2016.  Both fantastic for the money invested!!  Either the Marshal or the Wild would be great purchases if that budget is limited to a complete package.  The Wild is priced crazy at $299 MSRP!  I've even thought of shooting it myself just to make a statement on how good these economy priced bows are these days.  They might not be as pretty or as fast as the headliner bows.  But they certainly are not $700-1000 slower!  And often, as is the case with the Wild, they are super easy to tune and shoot!  Much easier to shoot than most of the speed racers.

[WAnoob]

I'm not really  brand picky with bows (not yet ) But a good friend of my dad's recommended anything by Mathews, Bowtech or Hoyt and I should be fine.  I was looking at the charger due to the price and I've heard good things.  He shot a lot of custom, heavy long bows and is old school so he doesn't dabble much in compounds.

I figured anything popular, with a good reputation should do the trick as a first bow.  I want it to last a few years and be able to take it elk hunting next year.

[RadSav]

I'm not really  brand picky with bows (not yet ) But a good friend of my dad's recommended anything by Mathews, Bowtech or Hoyt and I should be fine.  I was looking at the charger due to the price and I've heard good things.  He shot a lot of custom, heavy long bows and is old school so he doesn't dabble much in compounds.

If you have decided you want a Charger you need to rush out and get one now!  That bow has been discontinued.  Really sad as it was much better than the replacements in that price range.  Mathews/Mission line has another strong couple bows in that price range.  Bowtech/Diamond has been up and down in that price range...sometimes you get a good limb sometimes not.  If you get a good one they are really great shooters!

PSE's Brute Force is another in that $499 price range whose performance is much greater than the price tag would suggest.  Super easy bow to shoot too!

[WAnoob]

I'm not really  brand picky with bows (not yet ) But a good friend of my dad's recommended anything by Mathews, Bowtech or Hoyt and I should be fine.  I was looking at the charger due to the price and I've heard good things.  He shot a lot of custom, heavy long bows and is old school so he doesn't dabble much in compounds.

If you have decided you want a Charger you need to rush out and get one now!  That bow has been discontinued.  Really sad as it was much better than the replacements in that price range.  Mathews/Mission line has another strong couple bows in that price range.  Bowtech/Diamond has been up and down in that price range...sometimes you get a good limb sometimes not.  If you get a good one they are really great shooters!

PSE's Brute Force is another in that $499 price range whose performance is much greater than the price tag would suggest.  Super easy bow to shoot too!

That would explain why I can't find them online!  I'm actually headed to Riverside Archery in a couple weeks as I saw they carried them, hopefully they have some left in stock.  I wasn't dead set on the Charger but I heard good things about the bow for the price tag. I have reservations about buying a used bow as I do not know what to look for yet.

[RadSav]

That would explain why I can't find them online!  I'm actually headed to Riverside Archery in a couple weeks as I saw they carried them, hopefully they have some left in stock.  I wasn't dead set on the Charger but I heard good things about the bow for the price tag. I have reservations about buying a used bow as I do not know what to look for yet.

You can't buy any new Hoyt bows online.  Part of the license agreement with retailers.  Best bet would be a slightly used one on ArcheryTalk.  Have to be careful though.  There was an early problem with the Charger.  Ate strings like a dog in a cheese factory!  They fixed it rather rapidly, but a lot were sold before the problem materialized. 

[High Climber]

There is a PSE Xforce in the classifieds section on here for $300. I've been shooting the exact bow since 2008 and have taken an elk with it every year.  If I had a buddy in your shoes right now I would point them that direction. All the manufacturers make solid bows these days so you really can't go wrong just what is most comfortable for you.  I recommend getting a bow with 70# limbs you will be comfortable pulling that in no time once you get the mechanics of it.

[bowtechian]

The guys up @ riverside are great ppl they will take good care of you also read this thread too

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=171960.0

[Elkrunner]

I'll be selling my Hoyt turbohawk with minimal use after this weekend hunt.  It's currently set with 26 mods in it but will go to 27.5 inch with the current cams. 

I was a newbie and bought it too big.  I apparently have a 25 inch draw.  Let me know if you may be interested.  Restrung it last year.  Has the Hoyt 4 arrow quiver.  Might be interested In selling with the wad drop away rest and try glow 5 pin sights.

[browney5er]

I've got a PSE Dream Season DNA that's like brand new, I'll sell it for $390.00. It has an adjustable draw length from 26" to 30" and it's a 70lb bow but you could crank it down to 60lbs. It was outdoor life 2013 bow of the year. Honestly this bow is like new.

[sakoshooter]

If you buy anything but a Hoyt, D Rock will chastise ya for years to come, LOL.

[huntingbaldguy]

I love my Hoyt Charger.  Sad that they're discontinuing the bow.  It was the best one i shot near the price range and i instantly had to have it.  It was probably the 7th or 8th and final bow i shot in my quest to find the right one.

[WAnoob]

Headed to Riverside in hopes of some good service in the next week or so.  If not I'll head to Cabelas in Tulalip to look at the PSE as I heard they are good beginner bows.

[Special T]

Riverside is one of the few pro shops that carry the 3 big 3 mathews bowtech and hoyt. They also carry PSE and a couple of other brands. When you stop in make sure you pick up a Silver Arrow Bowmen shoot card and slide by the club. Its just off the freeway in mount vernon. Our 3d listings is on the card for the up coming year.

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[WAnoob]

Will do, I heard they only carry high end bows since the charger was discontinued.  I was only looking to spend around $500-$700 any possibility?

[Special T]

I know they have package deals on some PSE bows. Walk in and tell them what you just told us and ask to shoot several. They have an indoor range and will take care of you. Ive bought several bows from them Because they take care of thier customers.

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[WAnoob]

Appreciate it, I'll let everyone know how it goes.  I'll be sure to check out the 3D range as well, it will give me something fun to do when I don't have my head buried in text books.

[Piscatory_5]

I'm not really  brand picky with bows (not yet ) But a good friend of my dad's recommended anything by Mathews, Bowtech or Hoyt and I should be fine.  I was looking at the charger due to the price and I've heard good things.  He shot a lot of custom, heavy long bows and is old school so he doesn't dabble much in compounds.

I figured anything popular, with a good reputation should do the trick as a first bow.  I want it to last a few years and be able to take it elk hunting next year.

I have a 2010 PSE Vendetta XL I'm not using. 35" ATA, adjustable draw lengths from 26-31 no cam change or module change necessary 60-70 lb that I'm not using. Pretty smooth drawing bow with decent speed. I'd sell that setup for less than $500.