Parker? I'm just fine with a Whisker Biscuit as a rest. Got a lot of [bleep] going on I feel like I'm gonna have to skimp on the bow.

Bear?

New or used?

With what you pay for a new package, you can probably find a used bow on Archery Talk, or e-bay for the same money with accessories.

Bear is OK, it will get you shooting, but which Bear are you thinking about?

I would say what ever brand feels good to you. One does not need a $1500 bow to kill a deer .

That's my thoughts. Been Packing around a Martin Firecat that prolly 20-25 years old.

Found this link today. But local shops have bow packages set up ready to go.

I'd like to keep it at $500 or less.

http://www.huntersfriend.com/compound-bows-professionally-prepared-package-deals-best-service.html

if it were me I would go to the shops and shoot the bows they have. that way you can tell how the bow feels and shoots in your hand. if its a few more bucks than online big deal at least you know your getting a bow that feels good to you...

I'm with ya and I need too. Kinda hate giving up the old Martin but I'm sure one I do I'll be glad.

absolutely ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

my last hoyt was $25.00 at a pawn shop and looked n.i.b.

Used Obsessions are floating around for good prices. Especially 2014 evolutions and phoenixes amd addictions. And these bows fall under the lifetime transferrable warranty. Amazing shooting bows

You've been given good information so far. I, for one, usually buy bows two years old and find a significant savings. However, note that the cheapest package bows today probably would have ("would of" for the morons) been a $1000 or more bow ten years ago.

AMEN !!!

Obsession Turmoil. I offer a package deal that includes bow, Hogwire Custom Strings, a qad hdx or trophy taker smackdown pro rest, and my tune for $848.99. Shipping is $25. Dont have to skimp on anything

I bought the 2017 PSE Infinity bow package as a backup rig to my recurve (in case I get back probs again).
I hate the sight and the stabilizer, plus it had a WB rest.
So the package didn't really work out............

I'll yank all the pins and run it as a single, fixed.............if I don't like it,,,,,,,sh*tcan it and run an HHA.
Quiver seems tolerable.
Stablizer..............eh I'll have to drop the coin for a K tech.
Rest will be QAD.

Proly take the new "take off" components and package them on Fleabay.

The PSE sight is aluminum, but has cheesy red ring around the pinguard, and a level. I took that crap off.
Got a black cable guard slide too..............less red, the better the bow looks.
Which reminds me, to get a super fine black paint marker, to color that dang PSE logo on the limbs.

The bow was only available as a package and I got a deal at the shop, so can swap components and not lose too much.

I'd buy a Safari finish Hoyt Cam and a half, not spiral cam, if I could find one. Problem is............they're 10 yrs old or so, and close to what many new bows of better perf cost.

I just got my buddy into a like new PSE from 2015 for $625 shipped to his door. That included a QAD rest, and $175 sight. It cost him another $25 to go to the pro shop and have everything tuned up for him. So now he has $650 in a bow that cost somebody $1400-$1500 around 2 years ago to get set up. My last several bows have been slightly used and that's about the only way I can see myself going now. Just watch some of the forums and you'll see what I'm talking about.

I've got an older Martin, a Bear and a PSE Mach-X circa 2007. I've not upgraded anything on any of them except string and cables... and they all still kill what they throw arrows at (usually). You don't have to spend a lot of $ on the latest and greatest to fill your tags. Some do and that's cool too! Whatever set-up you go with, just make sure it's tuned properly and practice with it as much as you can. Save the money for more tags and meat processing!

Most archery pro shops will have a section of used bows. Go in there (not on a Saturday) when they are not busy and ask around. They are usually happy to swap things around and get you a nice setup for much less than retail on a new one. But if you prefer new, almost all of the manufactures have package deals on nice bows. I prefer Hoyt, I think their package is $600 for bow, sight, rest, stabilizer and quiver. You still need arrows and a release.

Shot my 2017 PSE package bow today.
Was unfired til this evening LOL.

Hadn't shot a release since 2008.

Laid 'em right in there at 20. Do have to play string rotation game, it's not perfect.
Dang thing makes hitting the bullseye pretty darn easy.
Almost too easy.

Get some different arrows and see how it does at 30 yards.
Where I hunt now, all my shots are under 30.

Fast enough, smooth enough, quiet enough.............pretty solid deal for the $.

Eh, I'd rather use my recurve.

Go to an archery shot which has a range. Shot a few different bows and find one you like in your price range.

Shot mine some more. Peep won't come around. Went to pro shop, came home............it's worse.
Yeah, string not shot in.............but I can't shoot it in when it rotates so far out.

Proly sell or wrap it around a fence post before the string gets shot in.

Ridiculous.

Factory strings leave lots to be desired regardless of the bow or price point. That peep is rotating because the string is stretching. And pretty soon the bow will no longer be in tune. It stinks. But so it goes when string makers focus on how many vs how good

My Hoyt and Mathews were usable after setup and once string shot in, were not difficult to get rotation perfect.
This PSE is just silly.........isn't progressing in one direction..........shoot 100 arrows and it'll proly be OK.

I however will not be shooting it to that point.

Can't run recurve and compound. Have to pick one. Just too different and messes me up.

Plus I don't like shorter compounds, or single cams. Thought I could tolerate em. Nope.

Some people are more adaptable. I can shoot this new bow OK..............I just don't want to.
Fired the Blackwidow recurve, horrible.........but I'll get back in the groove.

Back is screwed up and I shot without going full cripple. I'll tough it out. Like the heavier mass weight of the BW, so my Bear Kodiak will be going bye bye too.

Not going to even bowfish it.............since we've been hammered by rains so bad, gonna take forever for the local and other spillways to clear up.