First Compound Bow...?

[LongArmoftheLaw]

Bow hunting has recently piqued my interest. Looking at going after muley's, whitetail, and elk. Couldn't really find a recent thread on this topic and hoping to get some input from you upstanding people on what to look for, first hunting bow suggestions, and just general advice on choosing a bow.

Thanks [Beer]

[Trigger Time 23]

Go and talk with Boyd at Archery in the Wild. http://archeryinthewild.com/. They are good people and will set you up. You can shoot some stuff up there and start to get a feel for what you like and do not like. Bows are pricey, but lots of fun.

[20X11]

My advice is to buy a great bow to start with...you will have it for years and you do not want to skimp on quality. Practice, get comfortable with it, and it will pay off at harvest time.

[LongArmoftheLaw]

I am actually headed up that way this weekend...might have to make a pit stop in there!


Go and talk with Boyd at Archery in the Wild. http://archeryinthewild.com/. They are good people and will set you up. You can shoot some stuff up there and start to get a feel for what you like and do not like. Bows are pricey, but lots of fun.

[LongArmoftheLaw]

Taking the same approach as I would with a rifle. I would rather spend a little more for quality now than later when/if I have problems with it, then accumulating more costs


My advice is to buy a great bow to start with...you will have it for years and you do not want to skimp on quality. Practice, get comfortable with it, and it will pay off at harvest time.

[hunterhawk]

Shoot a lot of bows. Take the bowshops advice with a grain of salt on different things...choose a bow that feels good to you. When in doubt take a bow enthusiast friend with you and again take their advice with a grain of salt and pick the bow that feels best to you. You are the one shooting it. Everyone thinks their bow is the best because its what's best for them or they have confidence with it. I grew up in michigan and Dartons are what i have always shot. And for recurves i shoot a blackwidow. Archery is ten times better than gun hunting and i love guns...bows are just more fun to hunt with. I love shooting guns but i have never shot a big game animal with a gun...i have shot lots with my bow...good luck and i hope you get into it. Its a rush you have never felt before

[TriggerHappy]

Check out No Limits Archery. Awesome guys, and very knowledgable. Also shoot lots of bows. They are all different.

[lex137]

I bought mine based on weight and it felt the best after comparing models (shot each one about 20-25 time each, was super tired and sore). Shoot a bunch to compare every shop will sell you on what they like the best. Buy once cry once unless you have the kind of money to buy new each year... I bought one of the lightest bow out there cause I'm not a big person and can't pack/hike a lot of weight so all the accessories also follow that guideline. Good luck it's going to be a blast!

[Irving]

How realistic is it to try several bows, then buy a used one on Craigslist? If you find a brand you like, are the models close enough year to year that if you buy a used one older than the one you tried at the shop, but same model, that you're not gambling too much?

[Graves]

Prices on used bows aren't great on CL...at least if you were looking for a Hoyt last year.

[Irving]

I suppose I should say any used bow, not specifically from craigslist. Like pick top five brands/models and keep an eye out for them on forums like this.

[StagLefty]

How realistic is it to try several bows, then buy a used one on Craigslist? If you find a brand you like, are the models close enough year to year that if you buy a used one older than the one you tried at the shop, but same model, that you're not gambling too much?

When the American Bowmaster was still open up here. He was flooded all the time with people buying bows off CL. You need to know draw length and poundage otherwise you may end up with a bow that just doesn't fit you. And even though they're adjustable some people don't know enough about them and buy bows that just can't be adjusted for them. JMHO

[ACE2GOOD]

I am just getting into archery myself. Just got my first bow for Christmas. My in laws all got Mathews Creeds and I liked the feel of them so we are all running creeds now. We found prices on older model bows on Ebay were way cheaper than brand new ones on the market. You can find anywhere between brand new ones and lightly used ones. The best bet for us was to go with "last years" model type approach that not many people are looking for and got fully setup bows for half the price.

[LongArmoftheLaw]

I think Willie B from KBPI is supposed to be there on the 2nd of January giving away Guns n' Roses tickets if I heard their advertisement correctly...Might have to just make a pit stop in there too!


Check out No Limits Archery. Awesome guys, and very knowledgable. Also shoot lots of bows. They are all different.

[LongArmoftheLaw]

Thanks for all the input everyone! Shot a lot of different bows over the past few days. Ended up ordering a Bowtech Carbon Icon DLX!

[theGinsue]

Bowtech makes great bows. I bought a Cabela's bow in September that was made for Cabella's by Bowtech. I really like it.


Prices on used bows aren't great on CL...at least if you were looking for a Hoyt last year.

I've had a 1993 left-handed Martin Lynx bow, excellent condition and fully loaded with accessories and a hard case on CL for $150 since the end of November. Only had 1 bite so far. While it's not much bigger or heavier than the current bows on the market, no one wants a used bow. Thing is, this thing is a lot more adjustable (draw length & weight) than most bows available for new today & the extra weight/length are typically better for new bow shooters.

[Firehaus]

Thanks for all the input everyone! Shot a lot of different bows over the past few days. Ended up ordering a Bowtech Carbon Icon DLX!

I shoot a Bowtech RPM and have been happy with it.


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[th3w01f]

I'd say find someone here who knows how to set up a bow properly. I've found that even the big archery shops in town don't set them up properly. They basically just bolt on the accessories, maybe do a small bit of fine tuning and that's it. A properly tuned bow shoots MUCH better.

I bought one for a reputable shop in 2014 and it did not shoot well, when I tried to work with them to get it tuned I found out that they really don't do much tuning at all on new bows. I ended up shipping it to a shop in MO that specializes in tuning and when I got it back it was night and day. He sent me a list of things he changed and basically nothing was set properly. Cams weren't timed (needs to be done even on a new bow), rest wasn't timed, sight was in the wrong location, etc, etc, etc... I had a similar experience with another shop up north about 10 years ago.

Like most things, it's probably best to learn to do the basics yourself but I'm too lazy. :)

[LongArmoftheLaw]

I'd say find someone here who knows how to set up a bow properly. I've found that even the big archery shops in town don't set them up properly. They basically just bolt on the accessories, maybe do a small bit of fine tuning and that's it. A properly tuned bow shoots MUCH better.

I bought one for a reputable shop in 2014 and it did not shoot well, when I tried to work with them to get it tuned I found out that they really don't do much tuning at all on new bows. I ended up shipping it to a shop in MO that specializes in tuning and when I got it back it was night and day. He sent me a list of things he changed and basically nothing was set properly. Cams weren't timed (needs to be done even on a new bow), rest wasn't timed, sight was in the wrong location, etc, etc, etc... I had a similar experience with another shop up north about 10 years ago.

Like most things, it's probably best to learn to do the basics yourself but I'm too lazy. :)

What was the shop in MO that you sent it to?

[BigBear]

If you ever get down to the Springs, I'd check out Bill Perergino's Archery Hut. Great selection and knowledgeable guys. Always treated me right by answering stupid questions, being friendly, taking the time to explain things I didn't always "get", etc. They actually told me to stay with my old bow (with a few adjustments) than to purchase a new one! Major cost savings.... or I just suck enough to where it didn't matter! HAHAHA.

How many business's will do that?

[Firehaus]

Bo at No limits Archery is the best I've found in the metro area for tuning. Spun my shafts before cutting them and bare shaft tuned my bow. I've tried most of the south metro ones with bad results.


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[th3w01f]

Bo at No limits Archery is the best I've found in the metro area for tuning. Spun my shafts before cutting them and bare shaft tuned my bow. I've tried most of the south metro ones with bad results.

Great to know, thanks! Well worth a few $ to get it set up properly.

[th3w01f]

What was the shop in MO that you sent it to?

Actually it was IL, my mistake.

TAZ archery - http://tazarchery.com/

Found them after spending a bunch of time on archery talk. They're supposed to be one of the best for Elites.

[Firehaus]

Great to know, thanks! Well worth a few $ to get it set up properly.

Wasn't that expensive really. But the tune was good enough to shoot good broadhead groups out to 90yds. I shot a small 80lb whitetail doe at 50yds. Similar to shooting an elk at 100yds+ I think.


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