Post by: returnofsid on February 10, 2014, 09:57:42 AM
Post by: DoubleJ on February 11, 2014, 06:54:35 AM
Post by: returnofsid on February 11, 2014, 07:03:36 AM
Post by: lostbackpacker on February 11, 2014, 08:02:42 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on February 11, 2014, 08:08:32 AM
Post by: jackelope on February 11, 2014, 08:29:50 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on February 11, 2014, 09:17:29 AM
National Archery in School Program uses Mathews Genesis bows. I think those progressive bows are great but a little heavy for an 8 year old girl. I think Genesis would be the way to go. I'm looking for one for my 6 year old. I guesstimated by her wing span that she's got a 19" draw. My wife shoots a Mission Menace which is adjustable from 17-30" and 16-50 pounds so, in theory she could probably draw it and shoot it but she's not strong enough to hold it up. My kid is big for her size...taller than all the kids in her 1st grade class. She's the same size as the 3rd graders in her school but she'll only be able to lift a much smaller bow. I'm either going with the Genesis or the mini-Genesis. Hopefully Todd_ID will chime in here as he is a NASP instructor and shoots with tons of kids on a weekly basis.
Without seeing the child, it's hard to say what would be too much bow. Braxton's very small for his age and when he started, he was 9. I would say take the child to a bowshop and see if the different bows are appropriate. I know the Martin Tiger was almost a total waste of money. He grew out of it in two months.
Post by: returnofsid on February 11, 2014, 09:20:32 AM
Post by: washingtonmuley on February 11, 2014, 09:23:00 AM
Post by: returnofsid on February 11, 2014, 09:25:24 AM
I would go with the Bear Apprentice II.
Any particular reason why?
Post by: jackelope on February 11, 2014, 09:26:47 AM
National Archery in School Program uses Mathews Genesis bows. I think those progressive bows are great but a little heavy for an 8 year old girl. I think Genesis would be the way to go. I'm looking for one for my 6 year old. I guesstimated by her wing span that she's got a 19" draw. My wife shoots a Mission Menace which is adjustable from 17-30" and 16-50 pounds so, in theory she could probably draw it and shoot it but she's not strong enough to hold it up. My kid is big for her size...taller than all the kids in her 1st grade class. She's the same size as the 3rd graders in her school but she'll only be able to lift a much smaller bow. I'm either going with the Genesis or the mini-Genesis. Hopefully Todd_ID will chime in here as he is a NASP instructor and shoots with tons of kids on a weekly basis.
Without seeing the child, it's hard to say what would be too much bow. Braxton's very small for his age and when he started, he was 9. I would say take the child to a bowshop and see if the different bows are appropriate. I know the Martin Tiger was almost a total waste of money. He grew out of it in two months.
I agree fully.
That bow has a great reputation and if I remember correctly, is very lightweight relative to other similar progressive bows. 27" axle to axle or something along those lines.I would go with the Bear Apprentice II.
Any particular reason why?
Post by: pianoman9701 on February 11, 2014, 09:47:35 AM
I would go with the Bear Apprentice II.
Any particular reason why?
The Apprentice II will adjust in draw length from 15" to 27", and the adjustable draw weight is 20-50 lbs, so enough bow to hunt big game if and when the kid is ready for that. It's lightweight and also comes in pink camo!
Post by: elkoholic on February 11, 2014, 11:18:17 AM
Post by: KFhunter on February 11, 2014, 11:34:48 AM
Might want to work on her posture a little though, we all could use posture work though. Just something to stay on top of.
Post by: hunt4 on February 11, 2014, 11:35:53 AM
Post by: KFhunter on February 11, 2014, 11:35:55 AM
Braxton shoots the Bear Apprentice II. He's advancing and the bow, right along with him. I would not get one of the cheap bow made for little kids. It's a $100 they grow out of very fast, within months.
My girl has one too, seems to be a good bow.
Post by: pianoman9701 on February 11, 2014, 11:41:01 AM
better work on that posture Dad.....
Funny, that was my first thought, too. But it's not her posture. The draw length is too long, I bet. She sure is cute, though and a helluva shot, too. :tup:
Post by: KFhunter on February 11, 2014, 11:43:34 AM
better work on that posture Dad.....
Funny, that was my first thought, too. But it's not her posture. The draw length is too long, I bet. She sure is cute, though and a helluva shot, too. :tup:
She's a bow hunter in the making for sure :tup:
Post by: elkoholic on February 11, 2014, 12:08:49 PM
Post by: KFhunter on February 11, 2014, 12:16:15 PM
I've found the same thing with my girl, 10 shots or so and she'll slouch into a bad form, so I'll make her put the bow down and rest for a while and I'll shoot.
But they'll get stronger and if you're patient a good form will "set" and she'll be pretty good to go then.
Just don't send them out to the back yard by themselves and pound arrows all day or they'll slip into bad form and it'll be hell to break.
same for boys, I got a boy who's growing so danged fast I'm constantly having to adjust his bow. He's shooting a martin blade x4 though.
The Martin blade x4 is one dammed fine entry level bow BTW, more suitable to teenagers.
Post by: rainshadow1 on February 11, 2014, 12:18:03 PM
Post by: returnofsid on February 11, 2014, 05:40:17 PM
Here we go again...
Comparison between the Diamond Infinite Edge and the Bear Apprentice 2, all info from Cabelas website
Diamond DL 13"-30" Bear DL 15"-27" Both would work fine.
Diamond DW 5lbs-70lbs Bear DW 20lbs-60lbs (same ad also states 15lbs-60lbs...hmmm) Diamond clearly wins out here, in case my daughter's not yet able to draw 20 lbs.
Diamond Brace Height 7" Bear Brace Height 6" No idea if this would make any difference at all.
Diamond weight 3.1 lbs Bear weight 2.9 lbs. I don't believe the weight different is in any way significant.
Diamond ATA 31" Bear ATA 27.5" With the insignificant .2 lbs weight difference, I can only see a possible stability difference, with a slight advantage going to Diamond.
The most critical criteria...Color options...
Diamond IS available in Pink Camo
Bear Apprentice 2 is NOT available in Pink Camo
Bear Apprentice 3 IS available in Pink Camo but is on back order and has been for a very long time.
Diamond Package $349.00 includes a 3 pin TrueGlo Apex sight, Hostage XL Arrow Rest and a DeadLock Lite quiver
Bear Apprentice 2 Package is on sale for $229.88/regular price of $279.99 and includes a 3 pin Trophy Ridge sight, a Trophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit and an unknown brand 4 arrow quiver.
Bear Apprentice 3 package $299.99 includes the same accessories as the Bear Apprentice 2 but is available in Pink Camo
At this point, I'm still leaning towards the Diamond Infinite Edge for the following reasons:
Available in Pink Camo! and in stock
Lower Minimum Draw Weight This could change if my daughter tries to draw back 20 lbs and is comfortable.
Post by: returnofsid on February 11, 2014, 05:50:01 PM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm6.staticflickr.com%2F5542%2F9238178785_ba99f14a6e_z.jpg&hash=d380711df022efa6b25803e810b04df290632fd8)
Post by: jackelope on February 11, 2014, 07:10:41 PM
Just curious.
Post by: returnofsid on February 11, 2014, 07:40:48 PM
Why is the Bear a POS? Just curious. Not sure how much it would matter with kids at this age. I know it's a cheap bow but...,
Just curious.
Bear bows aren't. This one is. We got it at a yard sale for $15.00. There isn't a cable and string, it's all a continuous cable, so a peep can be installed. Also, the cable has been completely stretched, so at low poundage, the cable is actually loose with slack, until drawn back. This worries me because it basically simulated a dry fire...
Post by: rainshadow1 on February 11, 2014, 08:12:55 PM
Post by: returnofsid on February 11, 2014, 08:15:38 PM
The bear brave series of kids bows are toys... no question.
Most definitely! It worked for her to learn how to use a release, how to safely handle a bow and arrows, how to load arrows from a quiver, etc. and the basics of shooting form. For $15.00, I'm not complaining. It also was a tool to gauge how much interest she'd have. Now it's time to get serious! LOL
Post by: returnofsid on February 12, 2014, 11:36:04 AM
After talking to a few archery pro shops, I'm learning a couple of things.
One pro shop, who carries Diamond, Mathews, Mission and Hoyt, explained that the Diamond Infinite Edge, once you drop below about a 26" DL, the amount of let off decreases, exponentially, per inch of dropped DL. My daughter will be at about a 21"-22" DL. This would mean that she's holding more of the complete draw weight, at full draw. Fortunately, it won't be A LOT of weight.
This pro shop also explained that this above situation is NOT the case with Mission or Hoyt, and suggested the Mission Craze and/or Hoyt Ruckus as alternatives.
So, I guess the Mission Craze and Hoyt Ruckus have been added to my list of potentials...Unfortunately, this pro shop only has left handed Hoyt Ruckuses in stock and also only has left handed Diamond Infinite Edges in stock. They do have the right handed Mission Craze in stock. Cabelas is on the way to this pro shop so my daughter could try out the Diamond Infinite Edge there.
Any input?
Post by: returnofsid on February 14, 2014, 02:36:45 PM
Well, we had them set up a Mission Craze and Mission Menace, both at 20"and 16 pounds. The Craze actually ended up being set a pound heavier. Despite the Menace being set at a pound lighter pull weight and being a lighter bow, she shot the Craze much better. The draw cycle, on the Craze was definitely much smoother for her. Even with her not shooting at all since about September, she fell right back into it, with a great draw and form! While we're at lunch, they're tuning the Mission Craze, installing a peep, pink whiskey biscuit and Trophy Ridge 3 pin sight. After lunch, they'll adjust the peep for her, tie it in and she's set!
Thank you all so much for your invaluable help!
Post by: returnofsid on February 16, 2014, 12:09:59 PM