Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Bowhunting How long do you keep your bow?

Just curious as to how long you keep your bow.I know some guys upgrade every year or two,some have the same bow for 20 years.Since I started shooting mathews I tend to keep them for a while.Had my 1st Mathews an MQ32 for 6 years or so,replaced it with an Outback about 3 years ago.

With regards to compounds...

1st bow...old Bear thingamajig. Had steel axle brackets riveted to the limbs and a total of four wheels IIRC.

2nd bow...PSE Thunderflight, bought new, replaced 2 sets of limbs.

3rd bow...High Country Excaliber, bought new, replaced 3 sets of limbs. (still got that one as a fishing bow).

4th bow...Mathews Ultramax, replaced limbs once already, new first year they were out.

You can now know how long I keep (using) my bows, how often I shoot and probably how old I am to boot...grin.

Still have my Browning Nomad that I got in 1981... My PSE from 1990, and my Matthews LX from 2001. Still take 3-4 hogs every year with the LX, and have no intentions of changing it!

1st bow was a Bear whitetail purchased at Kmart,long long ago had it for a while,then came the Oneida Eagle,then a Proline PointBlank,then Proline Speedstick(crap bow)then a Golden eagle 3D formula,Then a Golden eagle evolution and then the Mathews mentioned above.Have a cousin who still shooting his PointBlank.

When I first started archery in the 1980's I would trade every year or two. I have since learned "It's not the bow". I now only trade every 4 or 5 years. I currently have an '03 Hoyt Ultratec and have yet to see a 'new' bow that is $800 better. Maybe next year.

started out with a bear many moons ago. then switched to a browning about 11 years ago & still actively hunt with it now. fast enough for me, hell, my last 5 shots got me 5 deer in the freezer.

-ken

I've still got the first bow I ever bought - 55# Ben Pearson BP Hunter recurve (1969) - as well as every bow I have ever bought or received for personal use. I have a total of 5 recurves, 2 longbows and 2 wheel bows. Last wheel bow was a Martin Warthog about 20+/- years ago. Latest addition is a custom oak longbow with rawhide backing made as a gift for me by my son.

Still have my Bear Kodiak Magnum, I bought in 1969. Does that mean it's toime to trade up??????

"Still have my Bear Kodiak Magnum, I bought in 1969."

Ditto. Got mine in '72. I also have a Browning compound I bought used in '77.

Just like golf; its not the club.

Seems those with compounds replace every year or two, maybe three at the outside, on the average.

Traditional shooters normally don't replace... they just keeping using what works, and every now and then add another bow to the inventory.

Myself, I replaced compounds 5 times. I have yet to replace a recurve. There are two recurves in house now, and another likely coming in later this spring. And no compounds.

The technology of recurves was perfected in days of old,no need to change I geuss.Now compounds,they just keep making "better" so ya want to buy new.Since I started shooting the Mathews line the urge to upgrade isn't there for me as much now.Had the 1st bow for a good while it was time for a new cam and new limbs so I upgraded. There was a significant difference between the old bow and the new.Since I purchased that bow there has been the introduction of 2 Switchbacks and now the Drenaline in the Mathews line,very happy with the Outback and will have it for a while longer before I consider a switch

Well, I still shoot a glass lam static Bear Kodiak made in 1952 that was one of my first bows.Bought it used for 10.00 in 1959.Only 55%@28, but still shoots stright and fast.

Have about two dozen bows, many of which I made.Osage, yew self bows reminiscent of Nels Grumley, bamboo lamianate 'wood' bows recalling the early years of Howard Hill.Glass laminate wood longbows and recurves made on presses I designed and built.
They are all still shooting arrows well.A SeeFab aluminum target bow made during WWll years in Sweden, the list is long..

I don't sell bows, but occasionally make or give bows to aspiring hunters and archers to hopefully perpetuate this fine sport of shooting and hunting.
My 'upgrading' is usually more to enjoy the crafting of a new bow..To take a fine piece of high elevation Cascade yew ( which I have cut and seasoned myself) or well selected osage from one of the Missouri or Texas boys who know bow wood and craft a killer self-bow..:)
There's a whole 'nuther dimension to archery and archery hunting for those who are willing to learn to make their own equipment and persevere..:)jim

1st was a bear Whitetail, three years, no deer
2nd was a Bear Pro Specialiat, four or five years, 7 deer
3rd was a High Country Sniper, eight years, 14 or 15 deer
4th was a High Country Excalibur, one year, 1 deer
5th is a High Country Four Runner, 6 years, 11 deer

Don't see any reason to upgrade just yet.

CK

Have PSE bows from late 70s as backups for compounds.
Current compound is a 91 PSE.

My buddy and I both have circa 90s bows. He recently got a used Matthews and commented how much faster/flatter and accurate it is vs our old bows. May move me to buy a used Matthews one day since so many buy the newest bestest stuff. My 91 PSE round wheel still kills just fine and I've got something over 100 bowkills of hogs/deer, most with it.

First recurve I ever built I have. Bingham kit.... Had a Hoyt that I sold to my buddy, and bought a Brackenbury with 2 sets of limbs thats great, so good my brother in law who is squeaky tight bought one also. I don't see the need for any upgrade there ever.

As always its the archer, not the arrow.

Jeff

I kept my first Darton about 15 years; I plan to have my Mathews MQ32 forever. New bows aren't even on the menu.

Started with recurves, bought my first compound in '77 a Darton SL 50. Got back into traditional bows from '87 until purchasing another Darton (Mavrick) in '99 Got the itch now for a new bow but these other "must haves" keep coming up.

I have a 20 + year old Browning compound, that shot another deer last year. I can't get used to sights, releases, etc. What really gets me is the price of new bows, as opposed to my $100 Browning of the mid 80's. I'm certainly not gonna shell out $699 to $1299, for something that isn't markedly better than what I got! Maybe if I hit lotto, I'll be "switchin' back"!

Ive got 7 bows, I keep buying one of the new improved models about every 4 years, they keep getting lighter and shorter but not any more effective, Im still hunting 90% of the time with my 31" draw 87 lb jenning unistar I bought used over 15 years ago, from a friend that bought it only to find he was just not up to the draw weight as he seldom practices.
BTW browning has a store on the fla turn pike around exit 374 where you can get super deals on close outs(last years models)at about 1/3 retail at times

I started when I was 12 years old.....with a PSE Spirit

Traded up when I was 16-17 for another PSE.....cant remember the name right now but it was a decent bow

Sold that to a friend when I was 21 and bought a Jennings TrophyMaster.

Sold that last year for a Mathews Q2XL, shot for one season.

Decided I had some extra cash this year and traded up to an 06 Switchback XT....I can see no reason to be switching from this for a few years at least.....

I'm now 25 years old....so I've traded an average amount of times in 13 years of shooting....

I too, plan to have my Mathews MQ32 forever...got it in 96 and never put it down. An upgrade might take place one day, but I'll always hunt with my MQ32.

I have been shooting since the 80's and my archery collection has consisted of a wood handled Ben Pearson(can't remember the model), sold it and bought a Pearson Spoiler, which was stolen. Then I bought an Oneida Strike Eagle off of HeavyMetal. Shot that bow for years. Then I did some horse trading and got an Aeroforce by Oneida, wore that bow out and bought a Mathews Feathermax, which I shoot to this day. I have one friend who traded bows 3 times within one archery season. It all depends on finding what you are looking for. The main thing keeping it mechanically sound. But I do miss my Oneida's.

I have a Hoyt that is about 7 years old and don't see replacing it anytime soon....It works well for me...

I've had my Browning Explorer II for 37 years. My older brother bought it in 1968. Despite several attempts to replace it over the years, it remains my primary hunting bow. I don't even bother looking at new bows anymore.

I don't see why folks upgrade compound bows every 4-5 years. Deer don't get harder to kill every 4-5 years, and the bow you killed a deer with 5 years ago will kill a deer just as dead today.

I DO, however, see why people trade bows. Not for upgrades, but for other reasons, mostly asthetic. I'm a longbow recurve selfbow guy, and have traded many, many bows. It's the same with guns, which I've traded many also.

Sometimes you just want a change.

Noise and vibration is what makes me change.....asthetics rank a bit lower, but mainly noise and vibration....big time.

Hell, we dont all drive around Model T's anymore either....somethings get better with refinement, and although deer arent harder to kill, its nice having something that is more enjoyable to shoot than the last one...

In my limited experience of just 50 years shooting arrows, perhaps some of the changes archers make in their tackle are just for something new, different, perceived ( or really) better etc.
I think alot of aspiring archers are pretty unschooled about what makes a good bow or arrow setup initially and so may upgrade as they learn and are exposed to other archers and tackle .
There is a place where the tackle is about as good as it's gonna get or NEEDS to be tho..and at that point, there's something to be said of the archer who settles in with good equipment, well matched and tuned ,and then practices and practices ( properly) until that bow and arrow become almost an extension of him as archer-hunter.

Used to say beware of the man with ONE rifle..prolly could say something similar about the man who focuses on ONE good bowhunting setup and from there, perfects his form and hunting with it.Jim.

as an edit note I'd add this observation:
Instead of spending big bucks for a setup, and then another and another trying to improve your archery success, consider getting the help of a PAA coach both for equipment choice and setup and more importanrtly, some archery lessons and coaching.

Bad habits are hard to un-learn..and poorly matched-tuned equipment are a constant frustration even IF you are doing it all right.
With those two handicaps, no amount of switching equipment will solve those problems.
The archery shops and sporting goods house will love ya tho..:)

I bought a used Martin Cougar Magnum in 1984 and a new Martin Jaguar in 1996. The reason I changed was that the speed difference between the old and new bows was dramatic. That has been the extent of my bow purchases.

I am here to tell you that it ain't the bow. When I'm practicing and in the groove my 1996 bow groups just fine. When I'm not up to it, the bow isn't either.

Darton trailmaster- 1978 Hunted every yr with it.
Hoyt Magnatech- 2002 and I suspect this one will last me as long as the darton did. Just don't see technology changing that must that I should run out and sell my Hoyt. 32" draw 300fps whisker bisket and a whole lot of deer.

I will always have two compound bows. At least!

I travel to hunt elk and if something happens to my primary bow - or a partners bow - I have a back up that I feel good about.

Right now my primary bow is my Hoyt Ultratec. It doesn't need to be replaced. In my view, it's just about perfection. My back up is a High Country, that I also like very much and shoot very well.

I will buy another bow soon. I do like the new parallel limb design. I've made my choice and will add it to the stable, then gift my HC to my son.
Whether the new bow will replace the UT as my primary, will have to be seen.

Don't let anyone tell you that you need a "reason" to upgrade bows...or motorcycles, socks....yadda yadda.... If you feel the want and can afford it, do your thing! BT

I still have my long bow from the 50s

My first compound was a Bear, Brown Bear that I bought in the early 80's and still use for bowfishing. I bought a left-over Browning Excellerator Plus in 1996 that I still use. Last fall, I was wondering what I would get if something happened to my Browning. So I bought another just like it on E-bay for $65 including shipping. I should be good for a long time.

I have had my Hoyt Magnatec for going on 6 years now. It's going in this summer when I get home for new string and cables. I plan on getting at least 2 more years out of it.

Hudge

I plan on keeping my Matthews LX for quite a while. For my purpose, I don't see the gain in changing it every year. But I don't knock it if you do.

WITHIN REASONABLE LIMITS...ITS NOT THE BOW, ITS THE ARCHER!
YES the bow you sellect must have the correct draw length, reasonable draw poundage, and brace height and feel good in your hands. CONSISTANCY on the archers part and QUALITY MATCHED ARROWS are far more important. I can still out shoot most of the guys I hunt with and use a JENNINGS UNISTAR I picked up USED almost 15 year ago, if you spend the money on decent arrows and your time in practice youll be AMAZED at what you can accomplish with most quality bows.
you don,t need to be a fantastic shot, but you do need to know your limits, be consistant and judge ranges fairly well, but PRACTICE and FAMILIARITY with your equipment is MANDATORY.
constantly swapping equipment can,t be good for form,practice or your ability to know your equipments little querks.
you can buy the newest and best equipment every 4 months if your wallets thick enough but still not shoot as well as some guy with a $300 bow that CONSISTANTLY practices a few times a week.

BTW don,t think IM immuned to buying new equipment and testing, it I have purchased three bows in the last 7 years...looking for something better than what I have, but ONLY when I get a bargin price and ONLY if I like the feel and looks of a bow and have test shot it a few times.....usually at a healthy discount price from guys looking to unload last years bow to buy this years bow, or from the close-outs at the bear/jennings dealer in florida.
youll be surprised at the discounts a new but year old bow goes for at the factory pro shop store

Shot recurves when I was younger.
In about 1995 I shelled out $250 for a Browning Mirage Straight Limb.
It took me months to get it tuned, tied, accessorized, etc.
The 3-D shoots, and target shoots I have done to learn how to shoot my bow were fun.
The first deer I shot at I missed by a mile because I grossly under estimated the distance. (Not my bows fault)
Then the next couple of deer I shot at, the arrow went through. and killed in moments.

Unlike my Firearm addiction, I have never gotten the "New Bow" Fever.

Ive been bowhunting since 1985 I could never say exactly how many bows Ive owned in those 20 plus years but its a bunch. They were mostly PSE but lately its MATHEWS with a few ARs thrown in for good measure. Ive calmed down a little the last few years I just buy one or two a year...........547.

My first bow was a York Mojave that I bought in Papillion, Nebraska while in the Air Force. I now shoot a Jennings CarbonExtreme from 1994. I shot a tab, Proline Crosshair site, TM Hunter rest, and 2512 aluminum arrows.
2007 same bow, single adjustable, vertical, fiberoptic pin, WhiskerBiscuit rest, carbon arrows, release and a string loop. I looked real hard at a Bowtech Allegience, but couldn't make myself open my wallet. I guess I will do the upkeep on my antique as the guys at work like to call it. My old setup was shooting at 293 FPS. This new setup is a good deal faster I just haven't chronographed it yet.

My first bow was a Hoyt Super Slam Supreme, bought it new in '91. I shot a black bear and a 5x5 bull elk with it. My newest bow is a Reflex Extreme that I have yet to kill anything with, excluding a couple of local tame rabbits that wouldn't stay outta my yard. I have since given the Hoyt away but still have the Reflex which I really like and I plan on using it this fall on moose.