Sub $500 whitetail bow

[MEwaters]

Hey all. Single income and homeschool. Unexpected 5th on the way. Due date is first week of rifle season in Maine which lasts 4 weeks. I am new to hunting (2 years rifle) in an area I will not be able to go this year given circumstances.
I am looking to get into expanded archery to put some meat in the freezer. Have good potential right near my home.
Looking for sub $500 compound OR crossbow. I was going to capitalize on the bear crossbow 50% off but I’m getting analysis paralysis.
Bear cruzer? Diamond sb?
Any better used options on classified here?
Wouldn’t be opposed to a fully adjustable for kids and myself

 

[Kkeene]

I’d wait for a Cabela’s sale and pick up either the Diamond or Bear combo…. If your local store has a decent archery tech on staff. Archery has a learning curve and an ill fitted bow or too heavy draw weight is not the way to start.

Would NOT recommend buying anything from a pawn shop unless you are already proficient at archery.

 

[MEwaters]

I’d wait for a Cabela’s sale and pick up either the Diamond or Bear combo…. If your local store has a decent archery tech on staff. Archery has a learning curve and an ill fitted bow or too heavy draw weight is not the way to start.

Would NOT recommend buying anything from a pawn shop unless you are already proficient at archery.

What diamond or bear combo?
The sb and cruzer and Maxx can be had for under $500 right now. One archery shop around me but operates like a pawn shop with no care to customer so can’t go there

 

[Mighty Mouse]

I generally oppose crossbows being allowed during archery seasons, but if your state allows them and filling the freezer as efficiently as possible is your primary goal, get a crossbow.

 

[Kkeene]

Edge max for an adult.

 

[MEwaters]

I generally oppose crossbows being allowed during archery seasons, but if your state allows them and filling the freezer as efficiently as possible is your primary goal, get a crossbow.

Excalibur seems to be the most recommended but sort of out of price range. Been looking at Bear constrictor pro but it’s so new to me.
Harvesting is the priority over “challenge”

 

[Kkeene]

I buy the Blackout arrows, these are Goldtip’s repackaged for Cabelas / Bass Pro. Great arrows for a great price!

If you have short arms get the X5’s, if you have longer arms get the X3’s. If you cut a lot off the arrow it reduces the runout and you can get pretty straight arrows for cheap.

 

[Kkeene]

Ask the archery tech for tips on how to anchor your hand on your face, usually on the jaw joint. I anchor a little higher in the “depression” under / in front of my ear lobe. If the bow fits you should be able to put the tip of your nose one the string for a more consistent anchor.

 

[kcm2]

Used Excalibur Axiom. Recurve crossbow, selling for $200-$300 on Ebay and elsewhere.

 

[PredatoronthePrairie]

Have a mathews switchback I might be will to part with.

60 and 70# limbs

 

[LongWayAround]

I'm not sure what they msrp for, but you might look at Mission bows. They're basically a cheaper Mathews. I used one for about ten years, when I purchased I think I was out the door with a package setup for about $550.

Archery gets you on all of the extra accessories. You have to buy a bow, arrow rest, sight, quiver, stabilizer, release, arrows, broadheads, field points, targets...

It's definitely not super cheap upfront but most of the stuff will last quite awhile.

 

[syoungs]

Used market can be great if you have a local proshop to help with tuning and such.

I had a diamond infinite edge i purchased for my stepson years ago, I was impressed with it for the 200$ I spent used. Just passed it down to a buddies kid and it's still shooting great.

 

[Eleven]

I consider compound bows to be training wheels and Xbows to be tricycles in terms of how much you need for skill. If you need to go out and legally harvest to fill five young mouths and Xbows are legal in ME, that’s what I’d do. I use trad, compound and Xbow at various times of the season depending on area and goal. There is no question that if I needed to harvest legally with a bow and it needed to happen RIGHT NOW I’d take the Xbow. I like Bear as an economy but good quality maker of archery tackle.