Starting out

[s8mdevo]

Right, I'm over in UK and we are not allowed to hunt with a bow. Big aspiration of mine is to hunt the states with a bow so I have found a little archery club and shit my first compound on the weekend. Was hoping to get as much practice as possible on targets here and then head over in a few years on a trip.
What do you guys recommend for a beginner setup, it is a mine field out there with all the different gear. I'm looking at a pse carbon air 2016 (on sale ATM). But as far as arrows, release, broadheads, sight, quiver, etc go I am clueless. Thought best to ask here and get real advice as opposed to the reviews on line that just seem to say everything is great.
Any help would be appreciated
Cheers
Sam

 

[Bwana]

What draw length & poundage are you interested in ?...have you shot archery before, or just starting now ?.

 

[s8mdevo]

I shot first time on weekend. Was shooting a 60 pound bow and my draw length was measured at 29.5
I am totally new but am hooked already.

 

[theleo91386]

You have tons of time so my recommendation is shoot all of the bows you can and go from there. Carbon bows are nice and lite but if the draw cycle and feel aren't there that your looking for they can be an expensive and lest effective paper weight than aluminum bows. A sight for the time being could be a decent fixed multi pin sight like a MBG sight, they're good quality and wont break the bank. For a release I'd recommend a wrist strap with an open hook like a Wise Guy or a Short'n Sweet but you'd need to shoot as many as you can to see what works for you. For arrows get some GT Hunters as they're cheap and you can abuse the snot out of them as you get better/closer to hunting you can step up to XT's or Pro's and you won't have to change your setup at all. Don't even worry about broadheads now, there's no reason to be shooting them years in advance of your first hunt.

My biggest suggestion is that for rite now you concentrate on solid reliable equipment that doesn't break the bank. There's no point in trying to setup your perfect hunting rig rite now because in the years between now and you going hunting your preferences will develop and change. So getting the latest and greatest multi pin sight could be pointless because in a year or two of shooting you may find you prefer a single pin sight or a slider of some sort.

 

[s8mdevo]

Cheers for the advice I'll start looking at some of your suggestions. Might write on here what I'm thinking of getting and get some people's reviews and comments. Best to hear from actual hunters.

 

[elkguide]

Since you're shooting at a club, there is probably a shop there too, or at least one somewhere near by. Go there and talk with them and then shoot every bow that you can. I can tell you what I like but I'm not you and what fits me fine might feel absolutely horrible to you. Be patient. Archery is an amazing, fun filled sport but if you don't like the feel of your bow, the fun goes away fast. So start shooting every bow that you can, ask for help from a pro, so you don't develop a bad habit and just plain have fun.

Be warned................... ARCHERY IS ADDICTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bwana]

Since you're shooting at a club, there is probably a shop there too, or at least one somewhere near by. Go there and talk with them and then shoot every bow that you can. I can tell you what I like but I'm not you and what fits me fine might feel absolutely horrible to you. Be patient. Archery is an amazing, fun filled sport but if you don't like the feel of your bow, the fun goes away fast. So start shooting every bow that you can, ask for help from a pro, so you don't develop a bad habit and just plain have fun.

Be warned................... ARCHERY IS ADDICTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with all of this, and don't over bow yourself with too much weight...go to a pro shop and be fitted correctly for draw length also.

Have fun & enjoy the process

 

[s8mdevo]

Would you think buying secondhand is a good option? Not that there are many used for sale over here. Might be able to pick one up on eBay US.

 

[s8mdevo]

And yes I feel the addiction growing already

 

[s8mdevo]

I got fitted in the weekend at an archery shop. The fella said 29.5 draw. I shot a couple of releases, I liked the wrist one with pointer finger trigger best. The bow was a Hoyt powermax from memory, it felt good but obviously I don't really know the difference between good or bad is yet as its the only bow I've shot.

 

[Bwana]

Would you think buying secondhand is a good option? Not that there are many used for sale over here. Might be able to pick one up on eBay US.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with buying second hand, just make sure to stay with 1 of the Big 3 brands and have your local shop check the bow out when you get it.

 

[elkguide]

I've bought a few new bows but a lot more used bows. I've only bought one or two that I hadn't shot one like it before I bought them though. Some times the best company names and bows with the best reviews, just don't fit or feel right.

 

[bean outdoors]

Right, I'm over in UK and we are not allowed to hunt with a bow. Big aspiration of mine is to hunt the states with a bow so I have found a little archery club and shit my first compound on the weekend. Was hoping to get as much practice as possible on targets here and then head over in a few years on a trip.
What do you guys recommend for a beginner setup, it is a mine field out there with all the different gear. I'm looking at a pse carbon air 2016 (on sale ATM). But as far as arrows, release, broadheads, sight, quiver, etc go I am clueless. Thought best to ask here and get real advice as opposed to the reviews on line that just seem to say everything is great.
Any help would be appreciated
Cheers
Sam

what price range are you thinking?

 

[s8mdevo]

I have £1200 budget.

 

[s8mdevo]

Access Denied

Thoughts on this? I've spoke to the guy and can get this a bit cheaper than listed.

 

[texag10]

I am relatively new to archery and bowhunting myself. I tried to get setup with really inexpensive stuff my first go round and have replaced almost all of it. I wish I would've spent less on the bow and more on accessories the first go round. Once I get my last cheap holdout (a truglo carbon xs sight) replaced, I will have a top of the line setup after buying literally everything twice.

 

[s8mdevo]

I am relatively new to archery and bowhunting myself. I tried to get setup with really inexpensive stuff my first go round and have replaced almost all of it. I wish I would've spent less on the bow and more on accessories the first go round. Once I get my last cheap holdout (a truglo carbon xs sight) replaced, I will have a top of the line setup after buying literally everything twice.

Yeh that's why I am tempted with the eBay buy. It has good accessories and the bow seems to get good reviews. The problem in the UK is that because nobody hunts with a bow it will be very difficult to shift any unwanted gear.

Shot a few bows this weekend and of all of them I really liked the bowtech 360. Still have heaps of time to make a decision yet though.

 

[elkguide]

Yeh that's why I am tempted with the eBay buy. It has good accessories and the bow seems to get good reviews. The problem in the UK is that because nobody hunts with a bow it will be very difficult to shift any unwanted gear.

Shot a few bows this weekend and of all of them I really liked the bowtech 360. Still have heaps of time to make a decision yet though.

Patience is a virtue..... especially when it involves spending money on fun things!

 

[nrh6.7]

I've been out of archery for a long time, so instead of buying new I bought a used bow here on Rokslide. Paid about half of a new bow, which will allow me to not only buy the rest of the things I need to pick up for back country hunting, but will give me a great back up bow if and when I decide to buy new in a few years.

This site gets expensive! : )

 

[ChasinBugles]

As for accessories there are a ton of options too and most just come down to personal preference. I would definitely recommend a drop away rest, there are some good options out there, I'm currently shooting a QAD HDX which works great, before that I shot Ripcord Code red rest which was good too. I like the QAD better only because it will stay up if you let down your draw slowly.
For a beginner release I think a wrist strap with a trigger works best. I like models that are just an open hook that you just hook onto your D loop. I shoot an old Carter model that I don't even think you can get any longer but there are several like it.
one of the more popular quivers nowadays is the Tightspot quiver. I don't shoot it but everyone I know that has it likes it. It looks pretty good to me and if I were getting a new one I would probably strongly consider it.
Sights - I have shot many models over the years and currently have a Black gold Ascent 5 pin. It is a few years old but I haven't seen anything that I really think I'd like better. I like the option of adjusting for longer shooting. Even though I like to stick to closer shots during hunts, it is fun to practice out to ridiculous distances during practice and I find it makes me a better shot at closer distances.
Good luck with whatever you decide to get. Archery is a lot of fun... Bowhunting is even more exciting!