Bow Package Suggestions

[docsven]

I haven't shot a bow in years and have never hunted with one.  I was back home in Idaho last week and dad asked me if I was ever going to take my old Bear Compound home. I mostly shot recurve and bought the compound from my brother for some reason. I think it is more of a collectible now than a usable bow.  Any way, I have been wanting to get back in to shooting and have been looking at some of the packages at Cabellas and some other retailers.  What advice do any of you have for someone who is unfamiliar with modern bows but is wanting to get a new one to begin target shooting and eventually hunting deer and elk with. What are some important features and which ones are just hype.
I have a 16 year old daughter who also wants to learn to shoot, so any bow I get would be for me, but would like something she could try to see if she gets into it.  She is 5'7" and will have to get measured for her own arrows, I am just wanting some advice on bow packages. 
Any advice would be appreciated.

[flashover52]

My best advice if you are going to buy a new bow is to go to a good archery shop and shoot as many bow brands as you can. Go to several shops and see what type of service you will get as well; especially if it needs servicing. I bought a Diamond Black Ice in 2008 after upgrading from my Bear WhiteTail II that I owned for a couple of decades. The Black Ice wasn't the most expensive, nor the cheapest that I tried but I felt it fit me good and I enjoyed shooting it. I actually didn't like the Marquis ($$$) and I was told that I was the first person the shop had ever heard say that.

Get the bow that you like. I ended up working a deal with a shop used whisker biscuit for an additional $10 and a cheaper sight. I've since upgraded the rest to a drop away but I couldn't have afforded that drop away with the bow as a combo.

There will probably be some other good suggestions but as I said, try as many as you can within your price range. Once you narrow it down, wait a week or two and then go back and try the ones in your short list again and shoot a good length session.

I compare this to when I used to sell ski boots. I always laughed at people who would come in and wear them for 4 minutes and say, "yeah, these fit great." Then the following week they would come back to the shop complaining that the boot was terrible, gave them blisters, their feet were cold, etc. They obviously didn't listen to me when I suggested they bring a book, put the boots on in the shop and wear them for an hour or so before deciding. Or at the least, wear them in the house while watching a movie and see if pinch points develop over an hour or more.....

You need to find what will work for you....

[Lowedog]

Great advice from flashover52.  A good archery shop is a great place for the beginner. 

Only thing I would say about the package deals is a lot of times they use low quality accessories on the bows.  Also as for your daughter shooting the bow you decide on, unless you are similar in size she would have a tough time shooting a bow fit to you. 

[flashover52]

I have a 16 year old daughter who also wants to learn to shoot, so any bow I get would be for me, but would like something she could try to see if she gets into it.  She is 5'7" and will have to get measured for her own arrows, ....

Most bow shops will be happy to get a bow or two setup for her to shoot while you try yours. Call ahead to a bow shop and see if they care if you stay a couple of hours. That way you don't ruin your shoulder trying a few setups and she can shoot her own. Granted the arrows you may be given to shoot at a range will not be fully fitted for your draw length (or hers), it may give her a taste to see if it's something she wants to pursue.

In fact, if you stop by enough shops, you might find someone there shooting who has a used set up that might fit her???

I don't know how big you are or what your draw weight was on your Bear, but would your daughter be able to pull back a 55-70 lb bow? More importantly, can she do so if she isn't pulling the same draw length and get it past the let off point?

[docsven]

Yhanks for the advice, the first question was mainly about the package features like sights and rests.  It always seems like package deals come with things you need but not exactly the ones you would prefer.  I think the second question is about my daughter being able to shoot the same bow after adjusting it down in weight and let off.  I am 6'1"" , she is only 5'7". So it doesn't seem likely that she would be shooting mine, but I thought I would ask how versatile these new bows are.
I think I will have to just pick out basic features and see how I do with them before learning what sights or stabilizers I like.  Thanks for the advice.

[flashover52]

That's pretty much what I did with mine given the technology had changed so much. It wasn't a true 'package' deal but I sort of turned it into one by bartering with them a bit. I lived with the whisker biscuit for the first year and mid range arrows. I finally upgraded a year later to some better shafts and drop away G5 rest which tightened up my groups a bit more. That gave me a year of using what I got initially and time to go to some shops, talk with other guys who are shooting and possibly even trying their bows.

The best part about going to a good, reputable archery shop, is that they'll take the time to work with you and possibly pull some different items out of the 'back' area to swap out on the bows. I think before I got mine, I shot two rests on three different bows and a couple different releases.

While the a particular bow could probably be adjusted to fit both of you, it may require changing components on the cams to modify the draw length. With that much height difference, I'm not sure how much or different they'll be able to tune a single bow; will likely depend on the manufacturer and model. That doesn't include the draw weight either.

You both will likely need your own bow.....   

If you haven't seen the Hunters Friend site yet, they have some decent information that would be worth reading through. http://www.huntersfriend.com/bowselection.htm

Good luck

[docsven]

Thanks Flashover, that's what I was looking for.

[Old Dog]

Stop by  Wholesale Sports in Federal Way.  I would be more than happy to start you and your daughter's education on the modern bows.  Our inventory is real low right now because of the hunting seasons, but it dosen't sound like you are ready to buy anything now, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem.  We can get your draw lenghts figured out, and the weight you and your daughter can handle.  We can also go over the changes that have occured in bows over the past decade or so, and take a look at some of the accessories that are available.  I also have a couple of catalogs to show you the product I'm out of.   Archery is at the very back of the store.  Just ask for Larry AKA Old Dog.

[docsven]

Thanks Old Dog for all of the help.  Larry suggested a bow and found it for me in another store.  Had me bring it in and tuned it for me.  Gave me lots of good advice on equipment and what to do next.  Thanks!

[WonkyWapiti]

Hey Doc you can't go wrong with the guys up at the Federal Way Wholesale Sports.  Since you live so close you might want to come check out Cedar River Bowmen.  Check out our website at www.cedarriverbowmen.net .  After hunting season if you'd like I'd be willing to give ya a tour to see if you'd be interested. 

[docsven]

Hey Doc you can't go wrong with the guys up at the Federal Way Wholesale Sports.  Since you live so close you might want to come check out Cedar River Bowmen.  Check out our website at www.cedarriverbowmen.net .  After hunting season if you'd like I'd be willing to give ya a tour to see if you'd be interested. 

I may do that-Thanks.  That's what Old Dog recommended.

[bigbull94]

Definately take a look at the bowtech soldier,or the diamond razor edge.They both offer a lot of variability in draw length,and draw weight.Bow bows are what  your looking for,IMO.

[BushMonster]

Larry at the FedWay sport was a great help.  I ended up getting the Quest Hammer package at one of the other stores as there weren't any avail there and really like it.  Great bow for the money.