looking to get into archery...pointers!?

[zackmioli]

Hey guys, I have always rifle hunted but after going to Montana this fall to call for my cousin who was bow hunting elk I am pretty sold on giving it a try. I am hoping to get a bow for christmas, if that doesnt happen I will be purchasing one shortly after the holidays are over. I am just looking for any kind of tips and advice, brand of bow, draw weight, arrows, different gear I might need, new strategies I might need to be aware of, etc.

So if you are willing to share anything I would love to hear it and I would really appreciate it. Oh and I will be able to set up a shooting area at my grandfathers house so Ill be able to get lots of practice.

Thanks!

[DBZona]

make sure you have lots and lots and lots of time to devote to practicing and being in the woods!  Shot my first buck with a bow after 15 years of bowhunting last night. Practice, Practice, Practice.

Other things I have learned this week:  Set your poundage to a weight you can comfortably and quietly pull back without making noise, Have a decent sight (when in a blind it gets darker quicker than outside need to be able to see.  I reccommend the tru glo 5 pin progressive sight.  Love that thing.), Don't use a whisker bisquit (I have drawn back on 5 bucks this week, and 3 of them heard me pull back as my arrow slid across my whisker bisquit.  A good quiet fall away should do just fine.), and lastly, be patient and don't give up.  (an hour before I shot my buck yesterday I had another nice buck at 20 yards, pulled back, placed my pin perfectly, and let fly.  I have never seen a buck drop so fast so quickly.  I dropped just enough for me to see my arrow fly right over his back.  Told myself I was done with this crap and thought about leaving.  Good thing I stayed.) So be Patient!  This is a very rewarding sport!

[D-Rock425]

We have lots of ranges in Washington find one close by and spend some time shooting.  3-D shoots are great practice for hunting.

[724wd]

you don't need a $1000 70 pound bow.  60 pounds is plenty for just about anything in north america, and there are some great less expensive bows out there.  try to go to shops and shoot bows before you make a decision.  one might seem great on paper (or the web) but if you hate the draw cycle, it's not a good fit!

oh, and as for fit, make SURE to get fitted to the bow!  too long or too short draw length will give you hell.

i'm hunting with a 60lb Martin MOAB.  walla walla made bow, great customer service, good shooting bow!  i like my tru-glo 5 pin and QAD drop away.  I'm a bit backwards from most guys, as i still shoot aluminums.  i like the idea of never worrying about an arrow splintering and gigging my hand!     they're heavy, but fly nice and slide right through a deer!

enjoy the sport!  it's a blast!

heath

[lilswab]

You are in the right place for astarting point for archery information. When I sell bows to people that are not familiar with a bow.  I always tell them to shoot every bow that they can and then come shoot my bow so they can have something to gauge it by.  There is not a one-size-fits-all mentality when it comes to archery.  Archery is geared toward the individual.  If you like it then buy it.  Don't let someone tell you this is the ONLY way to do anything.  Many deer do get killed with bows that have whisker biscuits on their bows and with aluminum arrows as well.  These products are looked at as older technology and it is but that doesn't mean it will never work.  Try to buy the best that you can afford.  Look for companies that stand by their products and that have a good track record in doing so.  Finding a good trusted bow shop is important too.  Even if you have to drive farther to get good service, do it.  Having a poorly set up bow is extremely frustrating.  Read everything that you can get your hands on about archery.  Many bows are adjustable, but don't think you can adjust it to fix bad shooting or equipment.

Good luck.  In my opinion every bow should have LimbSaver vibration equipment.  I shot a loud and slow Alpine for a few years and even managed to take an elk with it.  It shot great and I had LimbSavers on the limbs with a modular stabilizer, they were key in helping me shoot and taking my first archery kill.  Don't take my word for it...go try them at your nearest pro-shop.

my first elk, bow.  Only a $200 bow!

[zackmioli]

thanks for all the info so far. keep it coming!

what are some good archery stores in western washington? rainier archery?

[Angus]

  I'm a bit backwards from most guys, as i still shoot aluminums.  i like the idea of never worrying about an arrow splintering and gigging my hand!    

Though I've heard of this happening, between myself and 7 bow shooting friends who have thousands of shots with carbon arrows under our belts, none have had anything remotely close to this happen. If I'm going to worry about something like that, I might as well stay home so I don't get in a car wreck on the way, which is alot more likely to happen, IMO!

Rainier Archery is an OK store, I've been to 4 or 5 shops in western Wa. and like a couple others better. XXX Archery across the bridge in Rainier Or. is a good store and I also really liked the archery store I bought my 1st bow from between Burien and Des Moines, can't remember the name but they were very helpful to someone new to archery, didn't have the arrogant attitude some stores seem to have when dealing with new customers to the sport.

[danrabe]

I'm a bit backwards from most guys, as i still shoot aluminums.  i like the idea of never worrying about an arrow splintering and gigging my hand!

I shoot Easton Full Metal Jackets, I get the best of both worlds, the straightness and flexibility of carbon, but the slickness of carbon and not having to worry about splintering.  Sure, you pay for them, and they are heavy....but the weight helps to slow down the arrow out of my X-Force.

[ThunderChicken66]

Before you buy a bow, shoot many.  Considering your lack of experience with bow hunting and archery in general, I suggest trying not only compound bows, but recurves as well.  I've been shooting compounds for many years but started with a bear recurve and loved it.  Take your time making your choice.  Good to see another aspiring bow hunter.

Good hunting.

TC66

[sdwwaverider]

Muzzleloader season is a better choice. 

[724wd]

Though I've heard of this happening, between myself and 7 bow shooting friends who have thousands of shots with carbon arrows under our belts, none have had anything remotely close to this happen.

of course you're correct... i've never seen it happen in person, but carbons just kinda leave a bad taste in my mouth.  plus, XX75's are cheap!   

[bak2huntn]

DB they realy heard you draw thru the wisker biscuit?

[724wd]

i have a buddy that got busted on the draw through a noisy biscuit 3 times his first year.  he doesnt have a WB anymore!   

[carver52]

Zack,
You may want to try a longbow or recurve also.  They have a long pedigree in the sport.  Howard Hill, Fred Bear, Ben Pearson, Byrun Ferguson.
Just a thought.

[DBZona]

DB they realy heard you draw thru the wisker biscuit?

Ya.  Couldn't freakin believe it.  Been shooting it for 4 years now and this is the first time I actually had a deer bust from pulling back.  Not sure why, but it was kind of a scraping noise, real light, but enough to scare the hell out of a deer at 20 yards.  Getting a new bow this spring and will not be shooting a whisker biscuit on the new one.