Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Bowhunting Getting started with a bow...recommendations

I grew up playing with a long bow, but never really got into them as I got older. We used to see how far we could shoot them, but that was about it.

If a guy were to get started, where would he start? I don't want to spend a fortune in case I get bored with it, but what should I look to pick up?

Thanks,

Dan

Are you wanting to get back into a long bow, or move on to modern equiomwnt?

If a longbow is in your future PSE makes some very budget friendly, quality bows

If a cokpound, well I'm a Hoyt fan and the new ignite package sells for less than 400 bucks and has an enormous range of draw adjustment and draw wright range


Mission archery, a division of Matthews has a similar entry

Definitely leaning compound bow.

Then the best advice I can give you is go to your local pro shop and handle a bunch of bows from various makers in your budget range and buy the one that feels best to uou

+1 everything gitem said

A good local pro shop is a blessing for anyone getting started in the compound world.

Someone mentioned the Mission line of Matthews. I have the Mission Craze which is technically a youth bow. However, it adjusts from like 25 to 70 lbs draw weight. It is pretty inexpensive at about $270 I think. I bought it not knowing if I would like archery and wanted my son to be able to use it if I ever moved up in bow.

I've been happy with it, although I am admittedly a newb in the archery world. I got my first archery big game animal last month with it after 2 unsuccessful archery seasons.

I agree with the advice to go to a pro shop, assuming that you have a pro shop in the area staffed by people passionate about archery more than about selling a bunch of high priced equipment. You can get fitted properly and learn what to look for in a bow and accessories within your budget range. The shop we have here in town is a true community resource.

Unlike firearms, used bows have very poor resale, so if your archery shop takes trade-ins, try some of them. This years' hottest, gotta-have model for $1,000 will be a $300 bow in 2 years.

No No, say it isn't true. Another one going over to the dark side.

Complicated machines, all those parts and "accessories" when it's so enjoyable to have a simple stick and string in one's hands

Well at least you're considering archery again, not all bad.

Good luck with your decision.

Geno

True, but someone new to compounds is unlikely to get a used bow with a proper draw length and tuned to how he shoots the bow. A compound setup for someone else and/or with incorrectly spined arrows is a recipe for frustration.

Visit youre local bow shop(s), and have them show you various bows in your budget. A good bow shop will find a bow that works for you and set it up for you.