Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bow Hunting => Topic started by: highrisk on February 08, 2017, 05:09:00 PM

Title: New to Bow hunting
Post by: highrisk on February 08, 2017, 05:09:00 PM: Looking for some advice. Have hunted modern for 40 years. Looking into bow hunting and have not a clue on what bow to get. Looking for any advise on bows for a newbie. Thanks
Title: Re: New to Bow hunting
Post by: jstone on February 08, 2017, 06:24:32 PM: Find a good shop and shoot different bows. I personally only shoot Mathews. Lots of success But everyone is different. They all will do the job, you will need to find what is comfy for you. And then practice your ass off. Its a tough sport. and very frustrating. To many people pick up a bow and hunt not really mentally and or physically ready for the bow hunting experience. It is a whole new world. I have been hunting with a bow for 20 years and have not looked back. It is still tough and exciting. I love it but be prepared for lots of tough and frustrating moments. If you can get past that you will love it. Just be responsible to others and the animals. I am sorry if I am preaching to you, to me its a big deal. Just prepare yourself. Shoot lots of 3D shoots. The harder the shoots the better. Steep angle shots, goofy angles. Don't worry about heavy poundage the bows now a days are crazy. 50 pounds will do the job. Get to know what you are shooting and have a great time. The archery shop in Enumclaw is a great place to start!!!

Good Luck
Title: Re: New to Bow hunting
Post by: Wolfdog2314 on February 08, 2017, 07:04:50 PM: Everything he said^

Go to a pro shop and shoot a few different bows in your price range. Any of the top brands that have been around a while are what most would recommend. Hoyt, Mathews, Elite etc. I shoot a Mathews Halon and love it. Everyone will have their own opinion on each specific make and model. Go with what feels best to you.

Although, I just took my buddy to try out his first bow. First time shooting. He shot a Prime, PSE, and an Elite (the new option 6) and couldn't tell a difference between the three. He's going to research a bit more, go back and shoot them all again and then decide. It may even come down to which one just looks the coolest!

Good luck! It's addicting.
Title: Re: New to Bow hunting
Post by: Elkcollector82 on February 09, 2017, 05:51:15 AM: ^ they pretty much summed it up.

Just shot many different kinds bows. Then once you get one you like. Go on archerytalk, classifieds on here and see if you can find one used maybe a year old. I found my 2016 halon x pro on Craigslist and paid half the price as new. So the deals are out there. Once you get it. Then shoot everyday. Even if it's only 10 yards out in your back yard. Consistency, consistency, consistency. Also shoot out to 80 or 100 yards. Get confident out that far. Then it just makes the closer shots that much more confidence shots. I only recommend 80-100 yard shots for practice and confidence boosters. I wouldn't take a shot on an animal that far. But each to their own. Mainly just have fun shooting and getting into different positions. But be prepared for emotional roller coaster come season. Just have fun.
Title: Re: New to Bow hunting
Post by: highrisk on February 09, 2017, 10:19:09 AM: Thank you for all the advice, I will keep you up to date on my progress. :tup:
Title: Re: New to Bow hunting
Post by: PNWJimbo on February 12, 2017, 08:42:14 AM: Well I just found this subforum and was going to post the same kind of thread, so I will just tack on here :)

I'm heading over to "The Nock Point" today up in mountlake terrace to get fitted for pull strength and all that good stuff, and then maybe I will head over to cabela's to get my hands on a few brands I've been looking at (mostly diamond, but also bear archery and hoyt).

Thanks for all the advice above :tup:
Title: Re: New to Bow hunting
Post by: romaknows on February 12, 2017, 09:16:41 AM: Quote from: PNWJimbo on February 12, 2017, 08:42:14 AM
Well I just found this subforum and was going to post the same kind of thread, so I will just tack on here :)

I'm heading over to "The Nock Point" today up in mountlake terrace to get fitted for pull strength and all that good stuff, and then maybe I will head over to cabela's to get my hands on a few brands I've been looking at (mostly diamond, but also bear archery and hoyt).

Thanks for all the advice above :tup:

Why not give nockpoint your business? ?
Title: Re: New to Bow hunting
Post by: h20hunter on February 12, 2017, 09:31:43 AM: Jimbo, dont underestimate having a home bow shop, not the big box store. Bought my bow at nock and know they will take care of me if needed. They are a bit strange there at times but arent we all.
Title: Re: New to Bow hunting
Post by: carlyoungs on February 12, 2017, 09:39:39 AM: :yeah:
I didn't even buy my bow from them and they still take care of me. I buy arrows and strings and such from them and they tune and adjust stuff for me. I shoot a Matthews and they are a Hoyt dealer and they still help.
Title: Re: New to Bow hunting
Post by: Tinmaniac on February 12, 2017, 10:22:52 AM: I have bought 2 bows off ebay.Both Bear.One used one new.Mine is a Truth and has taken 4 elk and 6 deer.250 bucks put a HHA sight and Ripcord rest on it and I hit where I aim every time.My son bought a Bear Anarchy this year after not being happy with an Infinite Edge.HHA sight and Ripcord on it.This was his second year hunting and he killed his first elk.Sight it in good,practice until all things become second nature and use a good range finder.If you stay away from the name brand hype you can have great equipment and not break the bank doing it.
Title: Re: New to Bow hunting
Post by: PNWJimbo on February 12, 2017, 03:02:53 PM: Well those guys over at Nock Point sure were helpful, but they were a bit low on stock. They only carry a couple of brands, hoyt being the one I was interested in, and they didn't have a 60lb right handed one in stock... :dunno:

As for the "going to the big store" vs buying local, that was just to get my hands on the other brands such as diamond, which I had a feeling Nock Point wouldn't have. To be honest, the Diamond "Deploy SB R.A.K." seemed like a great bow for the cost (brand new at store vs getting something nicer on the 2ndary market) with its all carbon fiber frame.

I wanted to actually get my hands on a few of these bows before I really dug into my online research. Maybe I'll find one of these nice craigslist or armslist scores, otherwise probably back to cabelas for the Diamond 8)
Title: Re: New to Bow hunting
Post by: Pete112288 on February 12, 2017, 04:32:12 PM: I agree with most of what has been said already. The one thing I would like to emphasize on that someone else said is that you dont need the big hype brands and everything. My setup cost me $250 on ebay like 10+ years ago. It fit me and held well once I had it set up to my size correctly by a competent shop. And PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE. I shot minimum of an hour everyother day till I felt comfortable. Till I could hit a paper plate at 50 yards every shot but I still never felt comfortable taking a shot on an animal past 35 or 40. And I passed on some at 40 or so as well. Just get to know yourself and your gear well. I have the same set up and dont really plan on upgrading much besides some better arrows. I finally ran out of good unbroken arrows last year from a dozen I bought on clearance from walmart years ago. Carbon but dont remember brand on clearance for $15 for 6. Then had a plain jane Truglo sight that. Stinger Magnus broadheads were my big spend for the whole thing. The bow is a Bear TRX 32. Then a $35 dollar drop away rest (cannot remember brand, its all metal, no plastic.) Has always shot great. Just really get it set up correctly to you and your size and practice a lot.
Title: Re: New to Bow hunting
Post by: highrisk on February 26, 2017, 06:17:49 PM: I ended up having a Razor edge giving to me for FREE. Can't beat that. Has 3 pin sight and a octane arrow rest. 10 arrows with field tips. Scored a Morrell double duty for 15 bucks. Been shooting a little everyday for a couple weeks. Its finally coming together. Think I'll upgrade the rest and sights later this year . Having alot of fun. Thanks
Title: Re: New to Bow hunting
Post by: Elkcollector82 on February 26, 2017, 08:31:32 PM: Quote from: highrisk on February 26, 2017, 06:17:49 PM
I ended up having a Razor edge giving to me for FREE. Can't beat that. Has 3 pin sight and a octane arrow rest. 10 arrows with field tips. Scored a Morrell double duty for 15 bucks. Been shooting a little everyday for a couple weeks. Its finally coming together. Think I'll upgrade the rest and sights later this year . Having alot of fun. Thanks

Congrats and enjoy it. :tup: