New to archery, help me pick a bow

[roamingaz]

About 5 years ago after not getting drawn again for anything I decided to take the leap into archery because it is an OTC tag. I went to Cabelas and they were very helpful but also very busy so with their help I picked a clearance rack bow and after a brief basic lesson shot a few arrows down range and was surprised I could hit the target. Over the next several weeks I practiced in my back yard and started gathering other gear to prep for the late season. I decided I wanted more real world experience so I borrowed a 3D target and headed to the mountains to practice. On my way back I stopped to meet up with my brother for lunch and afterwards while we were talking and walking back to my Jeep my heart nearly stopped I discovered someone had opened the back side window on the soft top and took off with my entire bow setup and case AND my backpack with rangefinder, GPS, Binoculars, etc etc. I know I am part to blame for leaving it in my Jeep with only a soft top but hindsight.....so anyways no luck with surveillance, restaurant, police or insurance because an old Jeep I only keep liability insurance, never heard back from anyone and finally just chalked it up as another life lesson and moved on firmly believing in karma.
In the time since then I landed a great job as a truck driver for Coca-Cola which enabled me to replace most of the gear that was stolen, except for the bow. Though I do work a lot and don't have a lot of free time during the week since I work night shift, Coke has a great benefit package that gives me 4 weeks off a year but with the caveat the we need to pick our time off now for the entire year which really sucks. I have 1 week left to pick and was going to take the first week of January and try to pull off an archery deer hunt before the season closes. But I need a bow so figured I would ask the knowledgeable folks here what should I look for in a bow.
I know asking for a brand recommendation will start a war of words but if you like a specific brand let me know why. I have only shot a Parker which was ok, a Martin which I just didn't like how it felt and an Elite that I really liked but don't remember specifics of it. I know I am 30-31" LOP and well Im really new to this and looking for ideas and suggestions, I really don't have a price in mind as I pretty much never buy gear based on price but rather find the best of something and figure out how I will pay for it then.

 

[Forestryguy]

Shoot everything you can get your hands on. Then decide which felt the best to you, most archery shops will not have a problem of you coming in multiple times to try bows out. I would also figure a price range you want to be in. There are a good number of "Lower end" bows that shoot pretty nice anymore.

I shot different bows for almost 6 mo. before I decided on the Strother's that I now shoot.

 

[Nalgene]

I would stay away from a big box outdoor store. A good person to set up and fit the bow is more important than brand. I almost stopped right after I started due to a big box store setting up the bow wrong. A owner operated bow shop will probably have used bows that offer a great value.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

I like hoyt but I've also owned PSE and like them as well. Now that's not saying that Mathews or Bowtech or any of the others are bad bows because I've never owned them. From the bows that I've owned , PSE is more forgiving to shoot but hoyt it is a tougher bow and will take more abuse. Don't get caught up in the latest and greatest speed bows, slower bows kill critters just as dead. Shoot the highest poundage that you can comfortably draw, you will get mixed opinions on that but your strength will grow fairly quickly and you wish you had a higher poundage bow if you got a lower one. Other than that as was already said shoot as many bows as you can and pick whichever one feels right to you. Also if the shop does not have a range for you to test the bows and an experienced staff to coach you on shooting just leave.

 

[weaver]

I like elite.

 

[velvetfvr]

Go to a shop and try some out. Pick the one you like the most.

 

[Tony Trietch]

Find a pro shop. Not a big box store. Tell the pro shop worker you are new to archery and that you would like to buy a new bow.
From there you can shoot all his/her bows to find what you like best. The pro shop can help you get the right draw length and set the bow up much better than most box stores. Not that you can't find good service at the big stores, but on average you will see more personalized service at small shop.
Go shoot them all.

 

[5MilesBack]

If I wasn't left handed and 32 1/2" draw, I would NEVER buy a NEW bow. Get measured properly for draw length, figure out what draw weight you want to shoot, then pick up a great deal on a used bow from someone here or Archery Talk. Shoot the heck out of it, and then keep trying different bows when you get a chance. Then you may decide to change things up a bit. Lots of good bows on the market these days.

 

[KMT]

Recommending a bow is like recommending coke, Pepsi, or Dr. Pepper. You have to shoot some and figure out which one you like best. There is nothing wrong with a Parker bow. You pay more for a Mathews because you have to help cover their huge advertising budget.

Someone mentioned it already, but go to a bow shop that has competent people. You will get a now that is the correct draw length, and it will be set up properly.

 

[MuleyFever]

If I wasn't left handed and 32 1/2" draw, I would NEVER buy a NEW bow. Get measured properly for draw length, figure out what draw weight you want to shoot, then pick up a great deal on a used bow from someone here or Archery Talk. Shoot the heck out of it, and then keep trying different bows when you get a chance. Then you may decide to change things up a bit. Lots of good bows on the market these days.

I agree. My last 2 bows were bought off ebay for a fraction of what they would have been new. I like Hoyt because I have shot them for 20+ years and never had an issue with one. That makes it easier to buy used because I know what I want. Doing some searches can also give you some info on how a bow shoots. In todays archery market you will not go wrong with most bows.

As far as finding a local shop and trying some bows I would say that is great advice. I would add to find 2 or 3 shops as one may only sell a few brands and another may sell some others.

 

[jherald]

I just rediscovered bowhunting and found a nice Xpedition bow. I'm digging it.

 

[Manosteel]

Get fit properly for draw length no.1, don't rely on a shop without reading up first on what proper draw length and form is supposed to look like. John Dudley has some great articles on form etc...

http://www.dudleyarchery.info/article?start=10


http://www.dudleyarchery.info/article?download=16:solid-as-a-rock&start=70


Lots of good bows out nowadays at all different price ranges, figure out what you want to spend and go shoot all kinds of bows in that price range or look for used in what you like.

 

[Brodie]

Try out a Quest Drive. You can find them at Cabela's, Bass Pro etc.
I realize it might be a big box store bow but their warranties are awesome, risers are built like a tank, awesome finish, flex guide for cables, good factory strings and 330fps IBO. I bought one this fall, selling my Hoyt ultramag. I absolutely love it I had it field points and broadheads grouping perfect within minutes out to 60 yards with simple rest adjustments, the only con IMO is that it slightly heavier. If you have the cash I would look at Prime bows as well.

 

[roamingaz]

Get fit properly for draw length no.1, don't rely on a shop without reading up first on what proper draw length and form is supposed to look like. John Dudley has some great articles on form etc...

http://www.dudleyarchery.info/article?start=10


http://www.dudleyarchery.info/article?download=16:solid-as-a-rock&start=70


Lots of good bows out nowadays at all different price ranges, figure out what you want to spend and go shoot all kinds of bows in that price range or look for used in what you like.

Thanks for that info and thanks everyone for responding. I was going to try a smaller shop because Cabelas and Bass Pro are ok but they don't live and breath archery like a smaller place does. I figure a price of $1k -$1500 should get me a decent setup to start with.

 

[Ironman8]

For those saying to buy used, do you have any reservations about warranty issues? I know Elite's warranty is transferrable, but Hoyt, Matthews, ect. aren't. Any thoughts?

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

I've bought several bows used. I've never worried about the warranty. Besides maybe having a limb issue there isn't much to go wrong in my experience. Plus your usually buying a very lightly used now at half the price.

 

[ohoopee]

I switched from mathews after 15 yrs to an obsession sniper gt. Been very happy with it. Much easier to hold on target longer and smooth draw. The let off is not as smooth though. Both are nice bows. I agree with earlier post. Find a good local pro and shoot several.

 

[Scot E]

Best advice I can give is shoot as many as you can. Everyone makes great bows. Some are better than others but nothing trumps what feels best to you and fits you.

Try to shoot them all the same weight and proper draw length for you. If there is any one thing you want to look at I would pay attention to how well the bow holds. This isn't the easiest to do because you will have different accessories on your bow than they do at the shop but you can still usually get a good feel. Some bows will just hold much more still on the target than others will.

If you aren't interested in smaller bow companies that offer bows that compete or beat the big names, look at obsession, xpedition, and prime. Really, really good bows IMO. Plus I like supporting smaller companies that are making superb products!

 

[kodiakfly]

I'll echo what others have said about finding a dedicated archery shop. Box stores can be hit or miss as far as expertise. First thing I'd do is verify your draw length. How tall are you? 31" is a long draw length. Not saying that's not you, but having worked in several archery shops, on a regular basis I'd have a guy come in saying he was a 31 or 32 or even 33 draw and they were actually 29 or even 28. If you're a tall guy, then 31 is realistic.

As for bows, I've always shot Hoyt and they've never let me down. But once you find your archery shop, get a bow they sell and service and can get you parts and support for.

 

[roamingaz]

I'll echo what others have said about finding a dedicated archery shop. Box stores can be hit or miss as far as expertise. First thing I'd do is verify your draw length. How tall are you? 31" is a long draw length. Not saying that's not you, but having worked in several archery shops, on a regular basis I'd have a guy come in saying he was a 31 or 32 or even 33 draw and they were actually 29 or even 28. If you're a tall guy, then 31 is realistic.

As for bows, I've always shot Hoyt and they've never let me down. But once you find your archery shop, get a bow they sell and service and can get you parts and support for.

I had the guys at Cabelas measure my draw length and they said I was right between 30-31", I am 6'3" and I have monkey arms. I have 2 archery shops local to me so going to check them out this weekend and see what I can find.
Any recommendation on arrows aluminum or carbon and broadheads ?