Please help

[smitty8202]

Hi my name is Trevor Smith. I currently hunt with a rifle but want to get into archery. to be quite honest with you i know very little about what type of bow to get. i do know i want a compound hoyt maxxis 31 or matthews z7. what are some of the things i should look for in a bow? what should all do i need beside just the bow and what are the better brands to get or staw away from? i am going to try and hunt archery elk next year so i have a few months to get a list together before christmas cause a bow is on the list. haha. any info will help. thank you.

[saylean]

Hey Trevor,

Im no expert, but I would suggest stopping by a local archery shop and seeing what they advise. But thats just me. Ps, thanks for your service. I am sure others will chime in shortly.

[smitty8202]

Hey Trevor,

Im no expert, but I would suggest stopping by a local archery shop and seeing what they advise. But thats just me. Ps, thanks for your service. I am sure others will chime in shortly.

ya i know just want to get some advice from the members on here since there is really no bias opinion to what they have to sell in a store. if that makes sense

[THE DUDE]

The majority of the advice you are going to get on these forums is bias. Go to your local pro shop and have the guys help you out. Try a few different bows and go w/what feels right. Go to a shop or a few different shops and compare. Pick a proven company. Technology in the archery industry is amazing and it makes the bows out now just a matter of preference.

[WonkyWapiti]

I'll tell ya what I did when I got into archery six years ago.  I didn't know if I would like it so I ended up buying a package deal, a Parker Hunter Mag.  This bow wasn't that expensive and allowed me to get into archery while I figured out what I was doing.  Last year I upgraded to a different bow after doing a bunch of research.

I'd go out and shoot a bunch of different bows and see what feels good to you.  A longer axle to axle bow is generally going to be a little more forgiving to a new archer than a short axle bow (such as a 32 inch bow).  For a release, my preference is to get a buckle style rather than the velcro type.  This allows you to fix the release in the same spot every time.

Even if you have been hunting for a bit I'd highly suggest taking the state Archery Education class.  I wish I had taken it when I started archery hunting.  There is a ton of great information and it will speed up the learning curve immensely.

[TheHunt]

Wonky has the idea.  My suggestion is to get a long axle to axle bow.  Hoyt has a 38 pro that would be a great first bow.    If you can learn to shoot with out a peep site, with out a release, you will be way more effeicient then any others out there.  It will take more practice but if you are shooting next to someone with all that crap you will get the arrow off before they even get the arrow pulled back.

[smitty8202]

I'll tell ya what I did when I got into archery six years ago.  I didn't know if I would like it so I ended up buying a package deal, a Parker Hunter Mag.  This bow wasn't that expensive and allowed me to get into archery while I figured out what I was doing.  Last year I upgraded to a different bow after doing a bunch of research.

I'd go out and shoot a bunch of different bows and see what feels good to you.  A longer axle to axle bow is generally going to be a little more forgiving to a new archer than a short axle bow (such as a 32 inch bow).  For a release, my preference is to get a buckle style rather than the velcro type.  This allows you to fix the release in the same spot every time.

Even if you have been hunting for a bit I'd highly suggest taking the state Archery Education class.  I wish I had taken it when I started archery hunting.  There is a ton of great information and it will speed up the learning curve immensely.

thats good info thank you. i was thinking of going with a 30in or 31in axle to axle. would that be good enough?

[mtbiker]

Check-out this link for an excellent read regarding compound bows and selection.  I found it to be very helpful before I started talking to shops and shooting different bows.  It's a great "101":

http://www.huntersfriend.com/bowselection.htm

[smitty8202]

thank you mtbiker great site good prices on the ready to hunt bows too.

[CanvasGear]

I'd add dont get stuck on a particular brand or the high end hype. Pretty much any modern bow now days makes a great hunting bow. Brands like Mission, Diamond, Limbsaver are a few that have less expensive bows that shoot just fine. I have Z7 and a Mission Maniac, honestly the Mission is my go to bow, it just feels better and is lighter. Both a 72lbs and both are very smooth drawing.
Most bows even the higher end models like the Z7 dont come with a good string, the Zebra is better but not great. I removed the factory strings right after it got broken in and replaced with a Winners choice. The factory string is a good spare. If you spend a little less on the bow it may leave some more money for good accessories. A good heavy duty sight, rest and release are a must for hunting. Your bow can get alot of abuse while in the field.

CG