Free: Contests & Raffles.
Shoot a couple different models. Do some research on the net will help decide what to go try. It also depends on how much you want to spend. I'm a Mathews guy. If I wouldn't have bought the Reezen 6.5 last year I would've bought the Z7, awesome shooting bow. But personal preference. Have shot Diamond, Bowtech, Elite, Alpine, and Hoyt. A hoyt would probably be my second choice.
EZ a used one. If your trying to be brand specific, your prolly not gonna get the a particular brand to stand out as inferior from the rest of the crowd. Just buy a hoyt and be done with it!!! LOL. It really is a preference thing and what you want. About the only bows I do shy away from are used. I have friends who have bought used and it all turned out fine, but way more stories the other way. Especially if you can't shoot it first, craigslist, ebay etc... . Even if mechanically sound you still have to know that the bow was advertised correctly for draw weight and length. If not fairly new have the strings and cables been replaced, not to mention your always trusting that the bow hasn't been dry fired. Sure a dealer is the same with regards to the dry fire thing, but at least they have a reputation on the line. That said, I have sold some nice bows to friends and wouldn't hesitate if the price and circumstances were right. But in general I would be very leery of used.