Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bow Hunting => Topic started by: wapiti hunter2 on April 11, 2010, 08:51:56 PM

Title: Help, My son wants to bow hunt!
Post by: wapiti hunter2 on April 11, 2010, 08:51:56 PM: My son wants to bow hunt. He drew a multiseason deer tag for this year and wants to add archery to his modern rifle. I would like to get him a compound bow and a set-up for his birthday in about a month and have no idea what to get. Is it possible to get something used? Buy a setup already to go? I know almost nothing. He is going to be 18 and is 5'11" and pretty strong. We live in Yelm. Budget $300-400?
Title: Re: Help, My son wants to bow hunt!
Post by: NWWABOWHNTR on April 11, 2010, 08:59:10 PM: Can't go wrong with the Diamond Razor Edge 30-60# setup for $329 or so. Adjustable DL also from 19-29". Shoots 308FPS 60#@29..... comes with octane quiver, and octane hostage rest. Diamond is made by Bowtech.
Title: Re: Help, My son wants to bow hunt!
Post by: vandeman17 on April 11, 2010, 09:03:24 PM: :yeah:
Title: Re: Help, My son wants to bow hunt!
Post by: PacificNWhunter on April 11, 2010, 09:40:33 PM: Martin has a great value bow, and there made here in WA.
Title: Re: Help, My son wants to bow hunt!
Post by: 300rum on April 11, 2010, 10:02:59 PM: With that budget it will be pretty hard to go from zero to hunting with an all new setup. You can get a new bow for that amount but then you are talking arrow rests, sights, quivers, a couple dozen arrows, target(s), broadheads, etc. etc. etc.

If he isn't going to be a per manant bow hunter and is just dippin his toe in because he can and has a tag, I would search around for a used one. Talk to everyone you know who hunts and see if you can come up with something that is already set up. From time to time I see a pretty good deal on Craigslist on bows that were all the rage a couple of years ago and someone upgraded and is selling at a deep discount. It may not be perfect for him but he can reasonably be ready for fall with the time he has. If you buy a new one for him now and he doesn't want to continue being an archer, good luck on getting anywhere close to what you have into it.
Title: Re: Help, My son wants to bow hunt!
Post by: let.it.fly on April 12, 2010, 07:42:16 AM: go to sportsmens wharehouse/ wholesale sports in federal way. they have a bunch of bows that are 2008 models for rediculas prices. my buddy bought a kodiak outdoors (not sure the model) on friday, bow retailed for 700 in 2008 , he walked out of the store with the bow, and a new quiver for under 300. he loves that bow too. call dennis of larry. they will take very goodcare of you. they are the only guys i wil go to or recomend a friend too.
Title: Re: Help, My son wants to bow hunt!
Post by: Button Nubbs on April 12, 2010, 07:52:28 AM: I have a 2OO7 hoyt vectrix for sale for $4OO obo. Its got all the fixins on it. Ready to shoot. Just need arrows. Its at the nock point in mountlake terrace hanging on the wall. What is his draw length?
Title: Re: Help, My son wants to bow hunt!
Post by: WSU on April 12, 2010, 09:15:39 AM: As a started, I would head to a good bow shop and let them educate you and him. They can measure him for draw length, see what weight will best suit him, and explain everything. You can then take this knowledge and buy a bow from them, or take the knowledge elsewhere and buy a bow. At least at that point you will know what to look for. I bought a bow 3 or 4 years back without knowing anything, and without knowing anyone who was a serious bow hunter. Getting the proper education was very helpful to me.
Title: Re: Help, My son wants to bow hunt!
Post by: CallMeBigPapa on April 12, 2010, 10:04:04 AM: Start out by doing an eye dominance test to make sure he's using the correct one to aim with. Being right handed and left eyed or visa versa can create challenges when it comes to being able draw using the off hand.

Like others have said, get him measured up by someone who knows.
Title: Re: Help, My son wants to bow hunt!
Post by: bowtech721 on April 12, 2010, 10:32:47 AM: Quote from: NWWABOWHNTR on April 11, 2010, 08:59:10 PM
Can't go wrong with the Diamond Razor Edge 30-60# setup for $329 or so. Adjustable DL also from 19-29". Shoots 308FPS 60#@29..... comes with octane quiver, and octane hostage rest. Diamond is made by Bowtech.
Head to the luckyshot in chehalis and check out that bow... They usually have it in stock and its a great value. My girlfriend shoots one but ive messed around with it and it really wouldnt be a bad bow for anyone :)
Title: Re: Help, My son wants to bow hunt!
Post by: wapiti hunter2 on April 12, 2010, 10:54:23 AM: I can go to the Archery shop in Rainier to get him measured. I will check out the bows recommended. If I could get a bow, dozen arrows with practice points and sights now for $400 I would probably do it. I can add the rest between his birthday and Sept. Please keep suggestions comming. and thanks for the help. I don't know if this will be a one off thing or not. I know I am going to switch to blackpowder.
Title: Re: Help, My son wants to bow hunt!
Post by: whacker1 on April 12, 2010, 11:30:49 AM: don't forget that you need to have $ for targets as well. The other suggestions sound reasonable.

Good luck. Even if he doesn't hunt with it every year, it is still fun to practice with the bow.
Title: Re: Help, My son wants to bow hunt!
Post by: NWWABOWHNTR on April 12, 2010, 11:43:21 AM: XXX archery in Rainier sells various types of bows and they will hook you up.
Title: Re: Help, My son wants to bow hunt!
Post by: carpsniperg2 on April 12, 2010, 11:45:06 AM: best thing to do is take him to the store for his birthday and let him get setup by someone that knows what they are doing. nothing worse than a bow that does not fit him well. :twocents:
Title: Re: Help, My son wants to bow hunt!
Post by: Tony on April 12, 2010, 12:01:35 PM: When i started bow hunting Rainer Archery in Graham set me up with a bow fully set up, a dozen arrows and a release for about $350.00 (this was 10 years ago so probably a little higher now). Obviously nothing top of the line but might be worth checking out.
Title: Re: Help, My son wants to bow hunt!
Post by: wabow on April 12, 2010, 02:42:51 PM: I'd consider any of the mission bows also. The accessories that come on the diamond razor are junk to put it bluntly. The basic Mission package comes with decent accessories not to mention better than average strings and cables. The quality difference is fairly obvious.

Don
Title: Re: Help, My son wants to bow hunt!
Post by: NWWABOWHNTR on April 12, 2010, 02:56:54 PM: Quote from: wabow on April 12, 2010, 02:42:51 PM
I'd consider any of the mission bows also. The accessories that come on the diamond razor are junk to put it bluntly. The basic Mission package comes with decent accessories not to mention better than average strings and cables. The quality difference is fairly obvious.

Don

The octane hostage rest is a good rest, the octane quiver is very good. WHat does the mission cost? I have 2 of the Razor Edges and the only part I would think of swapping out would be the sight in the future for my daughter and son. Now does the rest compare to a QAD Ultra? No.... but for a complete setup at $300+ dollars? Excellent and over 300 FPS? Outstanding.
Title: Re: Help, My son wants to bow hunt!
Post by: wabow on April 12, 2010, 04:20:51 PM: Quote from: NWWABOWHNTR on April 12, 2010, 02:56:54 PM
Quote from: wabow on April 12, 2010, 02:42:51 PM
I'd consider any of the mission bows also. The accessories that come on the diamond razor are junk to put it bluntly. The basic Mission package comes with decent accessories not to mention better than average strings and cables. The quality difference is fairly obvious.

Don

The octane hostage rest is a good rest, the octane quiver is very good. WHat does the mission cost? I have 2 of the Razor Edges and the only part I would think of swapping out would be the sight in the future for my daughter and son. Now does the rest compare to a QAD Ultra? No.... but for a complete setup at $300+ dollars? Excellent and over 300 FPS? Outstanding.

Not a fan boy but I do think they are a better value. I just bought a bottom of the barrel Mission for my son in law and my buddy just bought a Diamond Razor both less than three weeks old.

Side by side. The Mission obviously came from a Mathew dealer. The Diamond from Wholesale Sports Lacy.
The Diamond $329 the Mission $349. The Diamond sight is all plastic with semi clear "d" shaped flimsy sight ring and hard to adjust. The Mission is metal with bright pins easy to adjust with good sight ring. The quiver on the Diamond is just a foam block stuck in plastic bolted to top and bottom of bow. The Mission also a no name quiver but is quick realease bolted to the metal sight bracket, with real rubber broadhead insert. Both bows come with the same style rest. The Diamond is the all plastic version and the Mission is the all metal Nap Quick tune version. The string and cables are typical factory strings on the Diamond, the Mission uses Zebra hybrid. Not the best but definately a step or two up. The Diamond Razor chrono'ed 1fps faster than the Mission Menace with the same arrow and draw length. The Mission is much smoother feeling on the draw and the noise level is also lower. The Mission has a taller grip and is more suited to a guys hand where the Diamond is quite short. Although new to Archery and sort of clumsy my buddy has already nicked a finger with a broad head, due to the small grip area. His pinky actually rest on the stabilizer. The cams on the Mission are quite large @ 52 lbs it takes 53 to get them rolling vs 58 on the Diamond with the much smaller cams. Other than being smoother feeling Im not sure there is any other real benefit. Looks are a personal thing and make no difference but the Mission IMO has a nicer color with the Mathews type Camo. Overall I think you get a great bang for the buck with Mission.

Don
Title: Re: Help, My son wants to bow hunt!
Post by: JBar on April 12, 2010, 06:47:59 PM: The kid is 5'11", don't get him a Razors edge. He'll most likely already be at the upper end of that bow with no room to grow. Look into an adjustable cam bow for growth or potential resale but look at something a step up. Mission has a great adjustable cam bow that will get good performance and Bowtech has the Soldier and I think that both goes a little higher in draw length and weight than their entry level bows. Rainier Archery should have both also look at the mid level Diamonds. :twocents:
Title: Re: Help, My son wants to bow hunt!
Post by: robb92 on April 13, 2010, 05:35:02 AM: Quote from: 300rum on April 11, 2010, 10:02:59 PM
With that budget it will be pretty hard to go from zero to hunting with an all new setup. You can get a new bow for that amount but then you are talking arrow rests, sights, quivers, a couple dozen arrows, target(s), broadheads, etc. etc. etc.

PSE has the deer hunter package for anywhere from 199.00 to 249.00, comes with everything except for arrows. Its not a bad first time bow, cheep but dependable, and if he decides he doesn't like bow hunting then you are not out several hundred bucks.
Title: Re: Help, My son wants to bow hunt!
Post by: let.it.fly on April 13, 2010, 08:06:54 AM: missions are great bows for the money. i shoot a 2009 mission eliminator. very smooth draw, quite when shooting my heavy hunting arrows. i mean very quite. with lighter arrows its kinda loud but who cares when shooting foam. i found out what bow my buddy got from wholesale sports in fed way. its a 2008 kodiak outdoors nomad. great bow to begin with but at a 244$ price tag and it cant be beat. check out wholesale. you wont be dissapointed.
Title: Re: Help, My son wants to bow hunt!
Post by: wapiti hunter2 on April 13, 2010, 08:54:53 AM: I hope this will not be a one off thing. He has hunted elk twice with me (modern) and enjoyed it both times. We have a 50 yard archery range at our house with straw bales. My wife shoots an old Bear recurve. Is there a reason that they would not work for general practice? I'm thinking damage to those expensive arrows. There is so much to know here but I guess thats part of the fun.
Title: Re: Help, My son wants to bow hunt!
Post by: PacificNWhunter on April 15, 2010, 07:25:09 AM: Saw this on craigslist

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/spo/1684267801.html (http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/spo/1684267801.html)