Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Bowhunting Recommendations for entry-level bow

I am not new to hunting, but I have never bow hunted and would like to take it up this fall. I've got about $400 to spend. What do y'all recommend?

Thanks,
JV

I'm not sure how much Mission bows(made by Mathews)go for but if you could find a pro shop that handle Mathews I'd check them out.

I'd take a hard look at a used Mathews Switchback. In my opinion it's one of the smoothest & most user-friendly bows ever built. If you don't like it, you'll have no trouble re-selling it.

Ah, just go to Stickbow.com classified Ads. Lots of nice custom made recurves/longbows at very reasonable prices. Once you try it you will be hooked for life!! If you don't, you will probably get close to your money back on resale. I don't know what the resale is on a entry level compound. I started with recurves in 1965, tried compounds for a few years, but it just wasn't the same for me. I got sidelined for quite a few years, but am back at again. I love it. Start with a 45-50 lb'er.
Gary

a Bear Lights Out is a real nice bow for I think less than 350. Its a popular starter around my area. Smooth draw ,decent speed,fairly quite, and adjustable draw without changing cams or modules

I'd look into well set-up used bows as well.

As mentioned the Switchback XT is a very nice/smooth bow. If you decide it's not your thing, you'll be able to recoop your investment.

Also take a look at the Diamond Black Ice, I think they're as smooth as the XT but a little more affordable.

Hopefully you have a few shops around you with some decent help to get you started. If you do not know what your doing don't buy a bow on-line and expect to get it set-up correctly yourself.

For beginners I'd recommend a Whisker Bisquit rest, very easy to use and very forgivable. And also make sure you get a good release. The Scott line gets a lot of good reviews. I have a Scott Mongoose and have been very happy with it.


Good luck, it's a great sport

I just started back bow hunting last year. I got a smoking deal on a diamond rock package and I like it.

It's fast, quiet and accurate.
I think it was hunters friend that I got it from.

If you know what draw length you need and have some basic setup knowlege then used is a great way to get setup. Take a look at the classifieds on Archerytalk.com. If you are just starting up and don't know what your looking for, then a pro shop is the way to go. They may have some last year closeouts or used bows also. The setup service they can provide is very usefull. I have a 2008 Hoyt Vantage X7 that I may sell - pm me if interested.

Thanks for all your comments. CS: I don't know my draw length, so will probably have to shop locally.

JV

To measure your draw length, take a yard stick and place one end in your sternal notch and the other between your outstretched fingers. The sternal notch is the little groove just below your neck if you did not know. That will give you ball park.

Another way to get a close estimate on draw length is to stand against the wall, stretch your arms out and have someone mark the extreme spread. Then, measure it and divide by 2.5 and the result is a good starting point for your DL.

I would take a close look at the reflex line of bows. I think Hoyt is the parent company. I have the reflex highlander and it�s a great bow for the price.

Many good used bows can be had for a song. That is what I suggest you start with. A couple good old models to look for include the Jennings Carbon Extreme, Pearson Spoiler, and Pro-Line Corsair. Many good recurves and longbows can be found for under $100, and many times for under $50. Whatever used bow you get, it is probably best to get a new string, even if the old one looks OK.

Back when I got my Darton Lightning, Darton recommended the string be changed every 2000 shots. I shot that many arrows in a week back then. The Darton Lightning (or the Concord with the machined riser) was the fastest bow on the market 4 years in a row. When I shoot it, my bow hand feels like I am holding a 6-foot-long piece of angle iron while somebody hits it with a hammer. But it is fast, and I have killed a lot of deer with it. Back then, a machined riser was a high-dollar option. Today it seems like almost all the bows are made with machined risers (and they all are high-dollar).

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Another good forum for this question would be ArcheryTalk. I frequent both places. There may be a few good deals in their classifieds section too.

I highly recommend Mathews bows. Look at the Switchback, Switchback XT and even the Outback with 60# limbs. Any of those will be easy to learn with and a joy to shoot. Hoyt makes good bows too.

RH

Thanks for all your suggestions. I got a good deal on a 2008 Martin Moab, so I'm pretty happy.

JV

Martin!!!!!

Grab ya some good carbon arrows fletch them with some Blazer vanes slam on the very best hunting rest ever, a great broadhead(I perfer a Magnus Stinger)and go kill some critters!!

I also really dig this!

http://www.bowhunting.net/evaluation/2003/04-Timberline-NoPeep.html

If you go here
http://www.huntersfriend.com/

and click around, you'll find methods for measuring draw length, learn about different types of bows, etc...

Call them and ask questions.
I had a great experience with these guys.

Surprised nobody has mentioned the Bowtech Tomkat and the Diamond line- Black Ice, etc.... Very affordable quality bows and you can find them in your price range on craigslist, ebay, etc... quite often.

My brother has a Tomkat and I've had a chance to shoot it as I'm probably going to get back into bowhunting this year. Very nice bow, quiet, accurate, small/light, easy to handle and learn. Didn't take me any practice at all to get onto the target at 30 yards right away.

Bob