Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Bowhunting Getting back into it

I am planning on buying a new bow and getting back into the swing of things after a 30 year hiatus. In the 90’s I shot a Jennings Carbon Extreme and it was a laser. Very forgiving and accurate bow.

I am a buy once, cry once type looking for input and recommendations on a new bow setup.

All input is appreciated.

Bois D'arc

I'm no help, been shooting the same Browning Tornado for probably 20 years now. These folks are great, though: https://badassoutdoorgear.com/collections/compound-bows

Shoot every bow in the Pro Shop - it’s going to be vastly different than what you were shooting. You’ll know what feels good when you shoot it, it’s a personal thing that only you can tell when it’s right.

Or - I can sell you a vintage Golden Eagle Hunter or Falcon…

Seriously, I went a similar route - out 10-15 years - then back in. Forget what you think you know about bow tech - go in with an open mind - things have changed…a lot.

Let off is much higher now, carbon arrows, and many choices on arrow rests. Simple works.

KISS principle still applies for sights - if it looks complicated - it probably is, and has too many moving parts.

AH64guys advice is very good.

A lot of really good advice is being given, throughout this thread! IMO!

My Similar Story;
Taught my two boys yrs ago to shoot everything, including Bows.
The youngest, Marine Sniper, never really got into the Bow, as the older Son, has taken it to a higher level, even I could imagine.
I used a Jennings Forked Lightning Ultra for yrs, and got really proficient with it! Shot a lot of game with it! I really enjoyed it!
Old school Fingers, large XX75 Easton Aluminum Arrows, we called logs.
Now with a finger release, and Carbon Arrows, My Son has gotten me shooting his 5 yr old Bow Tech Bow, all set up, and I'm
starting to get comfortable with it, as we'll see where it takes me.

I've always told my Boys to,
"Enjoy the Moment!"
Spending time with them, that's what I'm Doing!

HS58

Some good advice here. I am getting back into the trad thing, shooting a recurve again. Even bought a new one.

Get ya' one of them Ravin Crossbows.

Not trying to bash you on the Crossbow idea, but for me, that's a last resort idea,
as I try to stay in some kind of shape and condition, getting older.
Crossbows are a great tool if that's what you like, and we have a few members in our group,
that have trouble pulling back a Bow, and that's what they use.
One of our older members, a fit Gentleman in his low 70's still puss a re curve!
Once Again, Different Strokes!

HS58

I have two Hoyt rampages.

The Limb pockets needed lubed…..

Other than that…….

60 yards money…….

Outta a whisker biscuit.

For years

It got better when I switched releases. Got away from the claw type.

I have a Hoyt Torrex.
Am used to shooting top end bows and this is not one of theirs. Im cool w the non billet riser, as its more trim than previous cast ones. It has plastic limb pockets. Not happy about that but for as little as I shoot, its just a hunting bow....it should be fine

Got a QDA hunter rest, prefer Ripcord but this wasnt a top end build. HHA mover, Fuse quiver ( may yet change ) and a Hoyt stabilizer.

Not a cheap rig, around a K.
But not an expensive rig either IMHO.

Shoots good and is my backup bow. Primarily a recurve shooter. So.....may in fact be the last compound I buy.

Am still waiting on my new Blackwidow PSA2 limbs. Have an older Blackwidow HS that is 54# and w bad shoulder seems a bit much.

A G Rex cam lever bow for fingers would be neat. And a bud runs a Gillo target recurve Im gonna try when my arm heals up.

So maybe two more bows.....LOL

But with work being physical and risk of injury, I could be into a crossbow at any time.

Ordered my new PSA2 at 46# to try to avoid that.

Releases..... comfort and simplicity, for a wrist model.....Fletchunter shorty.

Not cheap, but solid rigs. They also made em w the barrel of the release body machined flat, forget what they call it.

Got a new one off Ebay for 60 bucks.

The regular model of Shorty, is being made by somebody else now and IIRC the MSRP is 125.

Yep, I’d go shoot several different bows and see what speaks to you.
I just picked up a Matthews V3X because I liked the longer riser length and smooth draw cycle.

Several in the group have the Mathews Bows, and Love em, and speak highly of them,
and are very successful with them.
I always thought that I'd get one, and you never know, I still mighty.
I,m just in a different position, than some.
We''ll see how it shakes out.
I do agree with many, on going and checking into all your options,
and shoot as many as possible!

HS58

Really decent used compounds in the 4-6 year old range can be had for cheap. Parallel limbs are real nice and give less vibration.
It is hard to recommend a bow for you as you really need to handle and shoot a few. Each grip and balance is different. Likewise for the draw cycles. Higher performance has a harsher draw cycle.
Take a look here to see what is available..
https://www.archerytalk.com/forums/hunting-bows.100/
Do you have an archery club near you where you can go and talk with guys shooting?

Just a lot of really good info and conversation here!
So we did some more shooting today, and getting adjusted more to the newer set up than I'm accustomed to.
Shooting some arrows through paper at a very close range, just to tune the bow as close to perfect as we can get.
Stripped the fletching off of an arrow, and made up the difference in weight, with a little electrical tape.
This has been our system for a long time, and it's not only proven but it works very well!
So it tells us the path of the arrow and helps us to tune the bow with the arrows,and visa versa.
Current set up; Bow Tech-Reign 7
Arrow Weight 377 Grains
Arrow Speed 277 FPS 64.2 Ft/Lbs. Arrow Drop
10 yds. 272.54 FPS. 62.1 Ft/Lbs. " " .5"
20 yds. 268.14 FPS. 60.1 Ft/Lbs. " " 0,9"
40 yds. 259.52 FPS. 56.3 Ft/Lbs. " " 1.8"
50 yds. 255.3 FPS. 54.5 Ft/Lbs. " " 2.3"
100 YDS. 235.06 FPS. 46.2 Ft/Lbs Arrow Drop 5.1"

So the plan is to keep working on Form, and Conditioning all Winter, and By spring to be able to Crank the Bow,
up Gradually, increasing the poundage, and everything else that will change with that along the way.
My Personal Goal at my older age is to eventually get up to 70 Lbs. Draw weight, and 300 FPS. Arrow Speed!
Naturally everything else will change with that and the Arrows will be quicker, and won't drop as much!
It's a Huge time commitment, and Dedication, like anything else, and I realize that it's not for everyone.
This is just the way My Son and I do it, along with a Few other guys, and it's a challenge.
It's not for everyone, and again, there's a huge Dedication to practice, and Time commitment,
almost to the point, it's a life style change, as far as dedicating the time to shoot, and practice, and keeping in shooting shape, and Condition!

I set my Hoyt up and took it to a shop w a paper tune rack.
Popped 2 shots, bullet holes.
Went home and screwed on broadheads. Beautiful.

No big deal, done bunches over the years.
I run 125 gr tips and moderate weight arrows.
Helical feather fletch.

Boringly repeatable good.

My DL is 28". My old Hoyt Protec was rated 305 IBO.
With my hunting arrows I got 272. And I shot 72#.

I never gave a darn about hitting 300 FPS. Figured w my DL and arrow choices itd never happen.
Didnt chrono my Mathews and won't chrono my current Hoyt,

Im down to 60# and just stretching while typing this stuff, my shoulder rotates partially out in socket.
It sucks.
PT is not making any more improvement.
Back to the doc I go for an MRI I reckon.

My bow is set at 58#. I figure it'll kill deer out to 30 pretty well.

Just hope I can get this shoulder fixed and be shooting before hunting season.
Shot 72-82# bows for decades.
Maybe if I ever went elk hunting Id get another. My 3D days are over.
58# hurt like hell after 3 days of shooting and doc said no more til things got better.

Have not shot since he cleared me to shoot mid Nov.

Sounds like your plan works pretty good for you.
Yeah, those dog gone cranky shoulders are a Bit*h!
It's great to still be able to get out and about and enjoy it as much as we can!