Post by: MikeC on April 19, 2013, 12:56:14 PM
Post by: Buckmark on April 19, 2013, 01:03:21 PM
Good luck and have fun, you may never go back to muzzy again..
Post by: hughjorgan on April 19, 2013, 01:07:44 PM
Allright gents, and ladies alike. My brother and I drew the multi-season elk tag this year. We switched from modern to muzzle loader a few years back and have been having a blast hunting the ML season. We have both been very intrigued with archery and with this tag would love to get our feet wet, or atleast our toes. I have been measured at 31-31.5" draw length. What are your suggestions for finding a reasonable bow set up with out breaking the bank. My wife prefers I do not spend a dime and I don't want to spend a fortune. Used? Starter level? I live close to an archery shop in Puyallup, anybody know of them or have recomondations? Any and all suggestions welcome, just as long as you don't tell me to stay away... Just want to spend as much time in the elk woods as possible.
Go see Doug at gnw archery.
Post by: buckfvr on April 19, 2013, 01:08:29 PM
Post by: Tony on April 19, 2013, 01:09:18 PM
Post by: SniperDanWA on April 19, 2013, 06:59:12 PM
Post by: LBES on April 19, 2013, 08:35:04 PM
Post by: coachcw on April 19, 2013, 09:10:21 PM
Post by: Sliverslinger on April 20, 2013, 06:02:48 PM
Post by: dmr400 on April 22, 2013, 12:45:21 PM
Just please make sure you understand that it is not something that you can pick up every once in a while and then practice hard for the last two weeks before season and then be good to go. You may be able to get to where you can group well on a target on flat ground, at a paced 20 or 30 yards, in nice whether. But it's very different when you're need to slip an arrow through a small opening between trees, shooting downhill, in the wind, with a big bull staring right at you from 23 yards away. It takes practice, and then more practice. Also, go to 3Dshoots! They are a blast and will really help you out. Good Luck.
What he said. Archery hunting is a totally different ballgame as far as the practice and commitment necessary to be an ethical hunter, and ambassador to the sport. That being said, We all had to start somewhere and there are no hunting memories out there I cherish more than my archery elk ones! Equipment today is light years ahead of where it was even a decade ago, so focus less on equipment and more on shooting correctly. Bad habits learned now will be a real bear to break when you get down the road and hit a plateau with your shooting because of it. You need to make some decisions before you start so we can make recommendations. Do you want to shoot a release or fingers? That makes a huge difference in the bow recommendations. I keep hearing good things about GNW. Everytime I've gone there or stopped by he hasn't had what I wanted (which has been 5-6 times now), as he seems to keep a pretty small inventory (and if it isn't on the wall its going to be hard to sell to you. I also worry about a new guy getting sold something that isn't right for him just because it is what is on hand in a small inventory shop-Not saying that GNW would do that as I don't know them well, but the goal of any business is to make money). Also all I've seen on the wall consistently has been hoyts...which don't fit with the budget you've outlined. Having said that, be careful about buying in the bigger box stores as well. I've had great dealings with the department head at sportsmans in Puyallup (Rod I think), the other guys working for him, I've had some concerns with their opinions outweighing their experience and some incorrectly cut arrows (terribly out of square, caused by poor technique on the arrow saw I'm assuming).
Don't feel you have to buy an expensive bow to do well. I've owned Hoyt's, Mathews, Martins, and currently have a Diamond (Long story). I've shot PSE's, Bears, Dartons, and others. You'll hear this a lot...it isn't the arrow, it's the archer.
PM me on here if you need some help, I was lucky enough to be trained by a couple of guys who are very close to the top of the competitive game when I was younger, and was trained to coach in the Military so I'm halfway decent at starting people out in archery. I live in Bonney Lake, so not far from you.
Post by: christopheri on April 22, 2013, 01:18:51 PM
Post by: MikeC on April 22, 2013, 09:37:00 PM
Post by: reagansquad on April 24, 2013, 08:47:38 PM
Thanks for all your input guys. I think the hardest part of this is convincing my wife to let me invest a little. I am extremely excited to jump into this area of hunting, whether or not it happens this year is still to be determined. I appreciate the ethics comments especially as I really try to pride myself on that aspect of hunting. I will keep you all informed of my progress, I plan to visit gnw in the next few days.
Tell your wife what you are going to do. Leaders lead. :tup:
Post by: timberhunter on April 26, 2013, 12:34:31 AM
Post by: Stick em on April 26, 2013, 12:07:08 PM
Post by: irishevox on April 26, 2013, 12:26:43 PM
Post by: MikeC on April 30, 2013, 11:13:36 AM
Post by: dmr400 on April 30, 2013, 12:06:14 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on April 30, 2013, 12:11:43 PM
Mike, my advice...hunt it! If you are able to have a close encounter with a bugling bull and if you are wired like i am you'll never go back to rifle hunting. For a certain kind of person, its a life altering experience.
:yeah: x2
Post by: irishevox on April 30, 2013, 12:32:19 PM
Post by: Bean Counter on April 30, 2013, 12:37:05 PM
Post by: Bean Counter on April 30, 2013, 12:38:04 PM
Spending more money doesn't make you a better hunter. Practicing smartly does.
Post by: pianoman9701 on April 30, 2013, 12:46:23 PM
I myself also shoot cheap arrows. Cheap means $5 each. Some ppl spend $12-15 per arrow :yike:
Spending more money doesn't make you a better hunter. Practicing smartly does.
This is only true to an extent. I agree that practicing is extremely important. However, the tolerance of cheaper arrows is a bigger range, possibly as much as +/- .006, instead of +/- .003. If you're shooting arrows at 10-20 yards, this would make a nominal difference, if any. However over 20 yards, the differences can start to become quite pronounced. You also at least want to make sure that you're shooting the correct spine.
Once you start getting good with your bow, the lower tolerance on the more expensive arrows might make that difference at 40+ yards between getting a kill shot in the general lung area, or nailing the heart. I definitely noticed a difference when switching from Cabelas Game somethingorother to a lower tolerance Beaman ICS Hunter.
Post by: Bean Counter on April 30, 2013, 12:53:20 PM
I myself also shoot cheap arrows. Cheap means $5 each. Some ppl spend $12-15 per arrow :yike:
Spending more money doesn't make you a better hunter. Practicing smartly does.
This is only true to an extent. I agree that practicing is extremely important. However, the tolerance of cheaper arrows is a bigger range, possibly as much as +/- .006, instead of +/- .003. If you're shooting arrows at 10-20 yards, this would make a nominal difference, if any. However over 20 yards, the differences can start to become quite pronounced. You also at least want to make sure that you're shooting the correct spine.
...
From 0.003 to 0.006 is 2x improvement, but as far as overall numbers go its still pretty small..
Well I've never shot expensive arrows so I might not be the most qualified person to make an opinion. I just know that I can tell when I shoot if its a technique problem or a gear problem. most gear manufactured to machined to specific tolerances is usually more consistent than the person shooting it. Any objective tests out there?
Post by: Broken Arrow on April 30, 2013, 01:30:16 PM
Post by: Bean Counter on April 30, 2013, 01:52:27 PM
Post by: coachcw on April 30, 2013, 08:07:48 PM