Buying my first bow, Need Help

[COlineman78]

So, long story short; I hunt muzzy elk here in CO and am going to pick up a bow this year in order to extend my season. I haven't shot a compound ever, but was very good with a long bow when I shot in scouts 13 years ago. I am 6'5" with a 34" inseam so I have a very long torso and with that comes very long arms. I haven't been fitted for a bow, but I suspect that I will be around 31" draw. I have a bad left shoulder and am right handed. So... here are my questions:

In order to save some money, I have considered picking up a PSE Freak used as it is easily self-adjusted for draw length (since I don't know what I am) and supports lengths long enough for me. 1) Is this a really bad idea? 2) Will a bow shop help fit it (for a fee obviously, I hate people that expect specialty shops to help non-customers)? 3) What tech differences are there between a current model bow and say a 2012 Freak and are they worth a $400 difference?

If the above is a bad idea. 4) What bows should I be looking at to fit my freakish build?

5) What do I need to get started other than the obvious rest, arrows, sight and release?

Any other tips or recommendations are welcome.

 

[OR Archer]

That bow will work well for you. If I remember correctly it adjusts to 32.5 or 33" in draw length so it will give you some room to adjust.

I would budget some extra money towards new strings and cable for the bow in addition to all of your other accessories you will need. I would suspect it still has the factory strings on it and they will need to be changed. Another tip. Once you get the draw length dialed I would add some blue lock tite to the module screws. They are notorious for vibrating lose on that era of PSE.

Now for accessories I always advise my customer to NOT skimp on the arrow rest. You can get by with cheaper stabilizers and quivers, even sights. But get a good quality rest. Its whats directing your arrow and needs to hold up. I prefer a limb driven rest personally.

Find a good shop in your area and have them help you set it up. And by all means ask if they will give you some proper shooting instructions to get you started.

 

[elkguide]

Before you spend/waste any of your hard earned money....... go to a good bow shop. Get fit and shoot a lot of different bows. Archery is an awesome sport and a lot of fun but if you don't have a bow that fits you or other things are off, it won't be comfortable or fun. If it's not fun, you won't do it as much and to be comfortable and good at archery, you have to be set up right. Just because you buy a "good named" bow, if it doesn't fit you or feel good in your hand, it's not fun.

 

[PNWGATOR]

While at the good bow shop, get some instruction and lay the foundation with proper form and technique. It'll be an investment in your archery future. Instill these fundamentals from the beginning.

 

[5MilesBack]

I have the Freak SP, not sure what the differences are between it and previous Freaks. I know the PSE Vendetta XL was another decent bow for long draw guys. Not sure what you mean by "bad left shoulder". Can you draw a bow without inflicting more damage? I'd start at the Pro Shop to answer some of these questions before sinking money into anything.

Which eye is your dominant eye? Perhaps you'd be better off shooting LH?????

 

[COlineman78]

Before you spend/waste any of your hard earned money....... go to a good bow shop. Get fit and shoot a lot of different bows. Archery is an awesome sport and a lot of fun but if you don't have a bow that fits you or other things are off, it won't be comfortable or fun. If it's not fun, you won't do it as much and to be comfortable and good at archery, you have to be set up right. Just because you buy a "good named" bow, if it doesn't fit you or feel good in your hand, it's not fun.

I have a problem asking a small business to spend time and money helping me when I'm not sure I am going to make a purchase from them. I guess some would see it as them "earning" your business, but if I can get something that will work for more than half the price i'm not sure it's fair to ask them to compete with that. I fully expect that I will pay for their help in tuning the bow and a lesson or two if I do go with a used bow. I wish the big box stores carried something with a long enough draw because I have no problem taking advantage of them and using them for a free fitting.

I have the Freak SP, not sure what the differences are between it and previous Freaks. I know the PSE Vendetta XL was another decent bow for long draw guys. Not sure what you mean by "bad left shoulder". Can you draw a bow without inflicting more damage? I'd start at the Pro Shop to answer some of these questions before sinking money into anything.

Which eye is your dominant eye? Perhaps you'd be better off shooting LH?????

I am considering a 2015 Freak SP as well as there is one available for almost 30% off retail on a certain auction site. By bad left shoulder I mean that I had a surgery called thermal capsular shrinkage done when I was 16 to add stability after I tore my AC ligament which healed with a 1" step-off from my collar bone. I also had a small tear in my rotator about 3 years ago that has mostly healed. So to answer your question, it is as good as it's going to get and I can't really do any more damage.

I am right eye dominant thankfully. My little brother is left eye dominant, but shoots right eyed if it has a scope. I make fun of him for it all the time and call him cock-eyed.

 

[5MilesBack]

I am considering a 2015 Freak SP as well

The Freak SP is a great bow, and a piece of cake to change the draw length on.

 

[kingfisher]

I don't think your too off base. Some may disagree, but get a good high dollar release if you think you'll want to do this long term. I have had my Scott for 10years, and it improved my shooting drastically. Also, not all bow shops know how to chose an appropriately spined and weighted arrow for the poundage/length, and game animal you pursue. For that matter, not all bow shops know how to tune a bow, even on a basic level. Find the right shop and guy who knows his stuff in that shop. If you do go for a new bow, find a shop that carries a lot of manufactures in your draw length. This way you can shoot a number of bows that work for you, instead of getting sold on one or two they carry in your length. Do your research and find a good bow shop, and realize the importance of good tuning. A $1000 bow that isn't tuned doesn't shoot half a good as a used $300 bow that is tuned with love. Good luck. Oh and for your list, a hip quiver for practicing is nice. Good advice on a drop away rest, and don't get a site made with any plastic(or cheap alumminum) you will regret it.

 

[elkguide]

I have a problem asking a small business to spend time and money helping me when I'm not sure I am going to make a purchase from them. I guess some would see it as them "earning" your business, but if I can get something that will work for more than half the price i'm not sure it's fair to ask them to compete with that. I fully expect that I will pay for their help in tuning the bow and a lesson or two if I do go with a used bow. I wish the big box stores carried something with a long enough draw because I have no problem taking advantage of them and using them for a free fitting.

IF you are going to get into archery, there will come a time that you will have to get your bow repaired, a new set of strings, new arrows, broadheads, release, etc. You will need a good shop to work with. I agree that "using" a local shop is not good but sometimes you have to get some professional help and you do have to pay a little bit more to get started out right.

Would I buy a bow from my local bow shop today? Probably not.

Have I ever bought bows from my local shop. Absolutely. Yes their prices are higher than an online store because of their overhead but I think that I have gotten a lot of bang for my buck.

 

[LostArra]

I bought my first compound at 63 yrs of age after shooting/hunting a traditional bow my entire hunting life.
Bad right shoulder from scapula fracture and surgery in my forties. Now terminal arthritis. I needed to try a compound to insure I could make my annual Wyo elk trip.
With my trad gear I'm all DIY but compounds were a foreign language.
I went to a good pro shop on a weekday morning during non-hunting season when they weren't busy and got set up properly on numerous bows, both new and used and shot a bunch of arrows.

Buying my first and probably only compound, at that shop was the best archery investment I could have made. Perfect customer service.
I even tried to buy a case when I bought the bow and the owner told me to come back in a month for their 30% off sale.

I see no downside to going to a good pro shop for an initial bow setup and/or purchase.
yeah, yeah it seems more expensive but on your maiden archery voyage you only have to make a mistake or two before you are tossing money down the drain.

 

[husky390]

You're welcome to try my Elite Answer, PSE Full Throttle and PSE Phenom. They're setup for 29 1/2" draw but you can at least get a feel for them. I shoot on Wednesday nights at RMSG. Just give me a heads up by tonight so I can pack everything up.