For the past few years I haven't had the time/opportunity to do any archery hunting. Now I'm hunting deer on a place where we have to take quite a few does each year so I thought I might mix it up and do a little bow hunting for doe control. I looked at the price of new high-end bows and they've passed up the cost of a lot of rifles! I guess I may just have to get a new string on the old Alpine and tune it up. It looks like there has been a lot of technology updates in limbs/risers/dampening but the cams don't seem to have changed that much. I may even upgrade to some of those new-fangled non-aluminum arrows. My case is currently full of 2216 xx75's!

Just find what you like and then go to Archery talk and buy one barely used for 50% of new.

Those guys "Must have" the newest gear very 6 months. It's filled with amazing deals on what is effectively like new gear. Some already with the whole package of great sights, quiver and rests. There are a ton of High end archery hunters there dumping great gear to get the next new thing.

The thing is you don't have to buy the most expensive bow to get a smooth, accurate and fast bow. I got my Mission Ballistic with sight, release, rest, 1/2 dozen arrows and a case for $800 all set up from our local dealer.

You're not likely going to get a rifle, scope, box of ammo and a case for under a grand.

It was worth it for me to go to a shop and have a bow set up for me, arrows cut to length et al. Trying to get a bow setup for someone else to work for me wasn't worth the savings.

I wish I would have kept my old PSE Carroll Series Dominator, that was a sweet old bow. It would shoot as fast as the current bow I have which is a Mission Ballistic. At 72 Lbs it would shoot 310 with an Easton ACC 3/40. I'm sure technology has evolved alot, but I never remember having not the first problem with that bow.

Second archerytalk, smokin deals to be had if you wait....

I thought that as well when I started looking to get back in archery. However, if you look at the tech and the handwork in the flagship bows there's a lot more there than in most simple bolt action rifles. A lot fewer made, as well.

Now, archery is just like any other hobby...they're going to bend you over if you want the latest and greatest. 10% more performance equals about 200% more price!

Like guys said...go used. A lot of people 'need' that latest greatest...

Second that buy a used bow! If you want to sell them aluminum arrows let me know!

How light of arrows were you shooting? I could never get that speed out of mine at 5gr/lb with a 30" draw. The Carroll's were nice bows for the time except for they were notorious for not having enough clearence on the riser.

Reelman, if I remeber correctly they were about 360gr, It was shooting 290fps with 2213 PSE Equalizer, also the chronograph may not have been correct but that is what it displayed and was all I had to go by. At that time I was only 16, and that was one of the nicest bows of its time next to the Mach 6. Single cam bows were just evolving because I traded a Jennings Uniforce for that Dominator. The ACC made by Easton was the lightest that were available. I did not shoot them much. I always shot the PSE Equalizers 2213 that were black, with black vanes and black nocks. This way no one could see my arrow placement when I shot in the 3D tournaments. Those were fun times then.

FACT!

I have an ad posted up there now for a 1-yr-old rig that I have about $1000 in. It's listed with a whole bunch of other expensive [bleep] for less than $500. I'm selling because it's a 60lb max draw and I regretted not buying a heavier bow even though 60-lb will do almost anything. May just keep it as a backup.

Yep, that. Is what I did.

Ebay has some great deals on bows

A good used bow can be a good deal. But - you need to know what your getting and be able to work on it yourself. If you buy a Mathews for example and the draw length is not correct you could be into it $100+ for new cams. If you take a used bow to a shop, expect to pay for services that are often free if you purchase from them. An alternative is to buy one of the budget bows from Hoyt, Mathews etc. Hoyt has a Charger that sells new for $500, Mathews has the Mission line at similar prices. That way you get a new bow, full warranty and hopefully a shop that will assist you if necessary.

THE HOYT CHARGER is a heck of a bow for $500

I just bought a Hoyt Charger with the Fuze kit which includes the sight, quiver, rest and stabilizer for $600

check out the Bear Attitude. I went in wanting to love the more expensive offerings, but the Attitude just felt the best to me.

A Hoyt Charger is a heck of a bow at any price. I have shot indoor target, 3D, Elk and Antelope with mine. Only gripe I have is that I wish it were a bit longer axle to axle. The tight string angle makes me use a big peep to get my pin housing centered and I feel that I loose a bit of accuracy in that big peep. That is an issue with all 30-32" bows though, not exclusive to the Charger. I have a brother and several friends that have bought Chargers on my recommendation - all still very happy with their bows after several years now.