Looking For My First Bow

[Moe.JKU]

Ok so after a little debate I want to come over to the darkside of hunting. Now knowing nothing about bows, i have a few questions.
I will be buying used for now to keep the cost down. What are some features that separate nice bows from bad bows? Is there anything that i should be looking at or looking for when buying used bow? What sort of specs should i be looking for, or is that all dependent on the person? I will be stopping in to local archery stores but, just don't want to get what is best for the sales man and not myself.
Any tips when looking to start up into archery? Probably going to start with a compound.

 

[boom]

personally, i think you are in a good spot. real bow guys change bows like they change underwear. chasing the latest and greatest is a sport.

used bows are great deals. i'd find one that has a transferable warranty and run with it. one company that offers this is ELITE. great bow. (my next)

the only sucky thing is that most of them are online sales, so you dont get to feel and touch them. bow shops usually sell bow on consignment. nice to let a proshop measure you up first. sizing matters.

 

[PhillyB]

You arent coming to the dark side, you are coming to the right side! Not many hunters switch to archery, then switch back.

Nothing wrong with buying a used bow... just buy it from somewhere like archerytalk, where you can read feedback on the seller.

Another thing to consider, is year end closeouts on older model bows. They can be had for 1/2 price and are brand new.

Check out a guy named scott custom archery (google it) he has an in with a few of the major bow companies, including Hoyt and Elite, and usually has great deals.

As a note, I like my Elite Hunter. I have shot lots of bows and never found one that fit me as well as this bow does. Not saying it is the best bow out there, but the best bow out there for me. I would go shoot as many bows at the range and pro shop as possible, then look online to compare prices.

 

[quackaddict]

Don't be scared of "entry-level" bows either. A PSE Stinger is a great bow for the $$.

The Hoyt Charger is one of the best shooting bows out there right now(IMO...I just wish it was a little longer ATA), and they can be had for a real good price too.

Quest is another really, really good "value" company. I'm not sure how they can build a bow that nice for the prices they sell them for.

 

[Moe.JKU]

Yeah i meant dark side as in the amount of tinkering and the obsession you get. Kind of like when i switched from gear fishing to fly fishing, more work, less %, more reward, far better.

Thanks for the help so far. Ill check those guys out, and i have been looking at 2013 bows as people are making room for the 2014's already i don't need it until my january hunt anyways so i got a little time. Just trying to absorb as much info.

 

[InDeep]

Look at mission they make a good bow that shoots good and lots of draw adjustability

 

[boom]

i don't need it until my january hunt anyways so i got a little time.

this january?! you dont have that much time. practicing will eat that up in no time! and dont even get me started if you get a finicky bow, in terms of broadhead tuning.

you better jump on board, last week!

FYI, i think i shot my bow for 6 months without the pressure of hunting before i twisted on a broadhead. i wanted to be good before i settled the pins on a live animal. i owe them at least that.

 

[Moe.JKU]

I have already shot 2 deer with a bow on the exact same hunt last year. Just figured i would get my own bow and start to go further in depth with the sport. I just don't know what all is in a good bow, dual cams, single, materials, brands etc

 

[tipsntails7]

Honestly go to every bow shop you can, shoot last years model bows, see which ones you like the best and wait for it to pop up on a classified site for half the price. A lot of shops and dealers sell through ebay or archerytalk. Great great deals can be had, I've got my eye on a bear motive that I have to keep telling myself I don't need

 

[jmez]

You need to go to a shop and shoot some bows to see what feels right for you. Kind of cliche but all of the brands have a different feel and what one likes another may hate.

I would advise you to stay away from the speed bows. Speed sells in archery and there will be a lot of people tell you that your bow has to be fast. Most of the faster bows are not beginner friendly. You need to develop solid shooting mechanics and repeatable form before you graduate to the burners IMO.

Look for something in the 33-35 ATA range with a 7 inch brace height. How tall are you and what would be a ballpark figure for your draw length? Those numbers will also make a difference in what works for you.