New Bowhunter

[Yooper]

Hey...
I had a friend who has never bow hunted before ask me my opinions on which bow to buy and what all he'd need to get started. I gave him my opinions, but what do some of you suggest?

I'm sure, he'd appreciate it!

Let's bring a new guy into the sport!

[westjl23]

The first thing I would tell the person is to figure out what their price range is on a bow. Then I would shoot as many different bows as possible to see which one would fit me best regardless of manufacturer. I have shot 200 dollar bows that shoot as good as 6 and 700 dollar bows. I think if they are just getting into it i would look at some of the preassembled packages like the outfitter series from parker or the PSE Firestorm package.

[elk killer wannabe]

I would suggest just getting an inexpensive starter package deal as well. I have been bow hunting for several years now and still shoot my bottom of the line cheap PSE Spirit bow and I still like it. I have killed several deer with it now and my dead deer are just as dead as someone's who spent $700 on their bow. I'm sure I will get a new bow at some point but I'm not in a big hurry. I think it is more important to get people into the sport and addicted to it than anything else. Once he gets hooked on it then he can start thinking about what he would like to get as his ideal bow down the road.

Make sure you warn him though. Once he kills a deer with a bow it just won't seem the same with a gun anymore. He'll be an archery-addict for life!

[The Shizzle]

I agree, a starter package is the way to go. If you know a bit about bows and bowhunting, go with your buddy to a shop and help him out. I bought a starter package for myself once as an upgrade from what i had. If I'd known more, I would have gotten a different kit as I ened up replacing most of the components within the first year. Help your buddy out and he'll end up enjoying it more.

[gooseblaster]

like the others said try to have him shoot as many bows as possible and then see which one fits him the best. The PSE dnd parkers are cheap bows for a starter but if you want to bet a real bow get a Mathews

[Flatcoat1]

I agree with the others, go to a reputable shop and get some good advice. Not only will he need a bow but also the things that go with it. A great bow is not so much cost always as it is in the set up of the bow. Proper arrows, fingers or mechanical release, balance, arrow rest, etc. Also a little - ok, a lot, practice is good too. If your friend wants to start bowhunting then do it right. It will make a huge difference.

[EaternDeerHunter]

I agree a starter package is definetly the way to go. I recomend the PSE deerhunter. You can a kit with everything you need to start for only 200 dollars and its accurate as anything right out of the box. -Eric

[the_tone_zone]

I'd suggest going with a Parker package that's assembled or perhaps a Reflex package. The Reflex bows are the same limb construction and risers as a Hoyt with a price tag that's half of a Hoyt. He'll be happier because he's getting tighter groups at the practice range and have more confidence when he draws on his first deer. Having shot PSE, Jennings and Hoyt bows, getting tighter groups with the Hoyt makes it more fun to practice.

[BULLSEYE]

I would get the Mathews switchback even though it is a little more expencive it will last u alot longer than thoes other brands but thats just my idea but anything will work.

Good Luck ,

Kill a big one.

[Dclewis]

Im with Bullseye. Ive shot everything mentioned above but my new Switchback is by far the most accurate. A cheap bow is just that.
The only way to go is to buy the best you can get (even if it means saving a little longer for the purchase)
Then you go to your local shop and have a pro check your draw length, draw weight and then set up the bow and your arrows accordingly. I would never send a friend out to by a bubble wrap bow setup, Ever.
Also, a new archer has a lot to learn and can only get this info from an experienced person. If you cant test out a varity of bows your in the wrong place! A good shop will take as much time as needed to make shure youve got the right stuff and your using it correctly.
Do your buddy a favor and steer him away from combos. Chances are pretty good he will end up stripping the bow anyway to put the good stuff on. Costing as much in the end as it would to do it right the first time.
No matter what, you end up getting what you pay for. Dave

[airborne]

DCLEWIS, I know you wont like this again but I do agree with you to a point. I am not a fan of package bows either. They can be bought anywhere and that can leave the new archer with nobody to teach them.

New Bowhunter, we do not know how old you are or your body build. Your first bow should be the best quality for the cheapest price. If you are young, you will need to buy a new bow in a short period when you outgrow the draw length or draw weight of your first bow. At this point, you don't know if you are going to enjoy the sport (but I'm sure you will get hooked). As I suggested to another beginner, go to a shop, get measured for draw length and draw weight. HEAD STRAIGHT TO THE USED BOW RACK!!!

Try all the used bows and get one that fits. Most will already have the rest, sight, and quiver on it. You should be able to find a good used bow for $100 to $200 easy. Next year when you deside to get a drop away rest or fancy sight, you can. By the time you are ready for that perfect bow, you will know what to look for and what you want. You will be bigger and stronger and smarter. The bells and whisles you put on your first bow, will most likely fit on that $500 bow when you are ready to get the bow you will live with for years. I tried several bows over the years (32 years as an archer) and now use a Darton bow that I have hade for 7 years. It still shoots 269 feet per second and is the best bow for me. Take your time and find the best one for you. You will try several in the future.

[solestrutter]

also looking to get into bowhunting and have fell in love with the reflex buckskin. but havent heard a lot about reflex and was wondering if this was a company that got traded a lot and was concerned about availability of parts in a couple of years. what do you think?