Need some advise on a bow

[Firemedic]

Well I have taken a lot of pigs with a rifle. Anyway my hunting buddy talked me into bow hunting. I have shot bows before, but for fun. I would like to know what everyone is using. I know there are a lot of bow hunters around here.

I can't (wifes rules) spend too much money. I have about $500 (give or take) that I can spend. I have been looking at some of the combo packages on cabelas. One in particular is the PSE Super G-Force CF. I'm just not sure what I should get. I would like to get something that is good quality, but affordable. Anyway any help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Cal hunter]

One thing everyone of us is gonna tell you is go to a shop and shoot as many diffrent bows as you can.Make sure you pick the bow that fits you.If money sets some limits shoot everything you can in your price range.One to try out is the 2006 Bowtech Tomcat.Its about $600 for the package but I shot one with the smooth bianary cams and for me that little bow was very impresive for the price.Now with that being said I shoot a mathews legacy so Im not trying to push bowtech just is a nice bow in your price range

 

[Lurediver]

I decided to save some money and purchase my Mathews bow on Ebay. I found out what bow I wanted made sure it fit and was the right length for me. It was used and I knew it but I also saved about $300.

 

[Firemedic]

Thanks for the info. I plan on going to OC Archery this week and shoot a few. I just want to get some real world perspective. Thanks again...keep it coming!!

 

[Killzone]

Look around on ebay u can get some good deals on archery, find a complete package i got a parker ultra lite 31 there a few years ago complete with hard case. good luck , where have u ben hunting?

 

[Zbearclaw]

GO get a last year's used model top of the liner, pro shops will have plenty of used bows that folks are selling so they can get the new Bowtech tuning fork, or Mathews or Hoyt.

One thing I would reccomend not doing is going to a shop and spending the folks there's time setting draw length and draw weight and bow models with the intent of buying online, that ain't cool, and if the bow guy has half a memory he will remember you and won't take very good care of you when you bring your used bow in for a tune, nor should he.

Good luck, check out the bowhunting and equipment forum.

 

[Firemedic]

OK. I do appreciate the advise. However, I had no intention on wasting anybodys time. Like I said I am new to this and wasn't sure how else to figure my draw length and bow size. I suppose I can find out how to measure it myself and then buy a bow. I don't care where I buy the bow. I just don't have a lot of money to spend the cabelas bow seemed reasonable. I apologize if I seemed to go that route.

I do like your idea of looking for last years top model.

I hope the local shops have some left over!


Should have one by the end of the week. I will let you guys know what I end up with. Should be fun!!

 

[MJB]

I disagree on wasting the bow shops time, with in reason.
You will still spend money on arrows and all the little nick-nacks at the local shop. I run a small business and if a customer buys something from someone eles and they need help their is no attitude at all by any employe, this is free enterprize society. If the bow shop gives you grief move on.
And by the way I just bought a new Mathews in the local shop.

 

[Lurediver]

"I would reccomend not doing is going to a shop and spending the folks there's time "

Even though I bought online I've spent at least a few hundred on all the extra crap for my bow at the local bow shop, I don't think I wasted anyone's time.

 

[YoungBlood]

I think I understand what Bearclaw is talking about though, I was testing a Hoyt and Matthews prior to buying the Bowtech and the guy at the shop told me we don't have all day to shoot them. I told him, if I'm going to drop 6-8 hundred on a bow, I'm going to shoot it more than once.

I bought my '06 Bowtech Tribute on archerytalk.com and got a smoking deal w/in your price range. I took it to my local shop and they checked everything for me and helped me get it dialed-in. I bought a ton of stuff from them and will continue to do so.

Good luck on the new bow. -YB

 

[Jagermeister]

This web site has excellent information about compound bows:

http://www.huntersfriend.com/

And yes, they sell them too. If you decide not to buy local, I'd consider them. I learned a lot just reading their web page. I have no experience buying from them. It would be interesting to hear from anyone that uses them. If their service is half as good as their web site, they may be a good option.

George

 

[Firemedic]

Its funny you bring hunterfriends.com up. I just started a thread about 2 bow packages from that sight. It is in the Bow accessories forum. I have been glued to that sight for 2 days now. I have learned so much from just reading the sight.

I have narrowed it down to 2 "ready to hunt" packages. I am waiting to see what the guys have to say over in the Bow forum.

1.) Bowtech tomkat

2.) Fred Bear Element.


Side Bar: I understand what bearclaw was getting at. I just wanted to let him know that am not trying to short change anybody. I may buy the bow online ( for price), but I am sure I will spend 100s at OC Archery in years to come.

 

[wtpops]

Hay Firemedic i have an old Hoyt Super Slam That you can have for the cost to ship it. Its not the up and coming todays tech. but it is a realy good shooter It might need new cables and string and a lube job that the shop can do for you then you can spend the money you have on arrows and heads and things.

 

[Firemedic]

What year is it? I am pumped you would even offer it to me

.

The only thing that would hold me back is that my wife is buying it as a gift for me. She said she wants to get me a "new" bow. Don't get me wrong you are a good person for even offering it to a new guy like me.

 

[wtpops]

I think i got it in 96, right after that i switched to a trad bow. I understand about it being a gift from the wife you got a good one there. Well the offer is there. Someone helped me out some 30 odd years ago to get into the sport and i try to return the faver when ever i can. Good luck and you will love getting close enough to fling an arrow it is the best part fo me. If you have never done it before you will spook game and think man i could have gottin that one if i had my gun, but the first time you get close enough and let a arrow go weather you hit it or not you will be hooked.

 

[Firemedic]

Right on!!

! I can not wait to get this thing and go hunting.

 

[Zbearclaw]

It depends on the context, if I were to go to a shop and have them set me up, and shoot a bow model I had no intention of purchasing there I would send a .45 GAP thru my noodle, that is crappy, now if you are just trying to find a good used bow and go to every shop you can find to find "yours" then that is different. If you intend on having them set you up with a model and then buy it online or somewhere else, have the stones to tell them you are going to do so, enjoy the service. Before I got back into archery full time I had intened on getting a used bow online to save some money and get top of the line accessories vice new bow and mediocre accessories, however the proshop earned my business an actually helped me out with teh #'s since I was an enlisted peon, and ws good by me.

The shop I go to now which I drive at least 45mins each way earns my business each and every time I go in there so saving 100$ don't mean jack cause he takes care of me, and saves me money, I consider him a buddy and send everyone I can his way.

It is hard to be new with a budget, but it can be done, an if I were startng out today I would get an 05 model that is no worse than the 07's and get a spot Hogg sight and good dropaway rest with good arrows and a carter release, you will have the kind of gear you never need to replace unless you just want to, not need to, and still be able to spend a few bucks on the wife as well.

Hope I cleared it up, I know folks that would drive an hour to save fifty bucks and then expect their local shop to work on it and handle the warranty if that would arrise, which is another point, a used bow from a shop will get taken care of, buy a used one on ebay with cracked limbs or bent riser and you are SOL.

 

[Firemedic]

Thanks for all the help. I see what your geting at.

 

[beastslayer]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (wtpops @ Dec 4 2006, 01:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Hay Firemedic i have an old Hoyt Super Slam That you can have for the cost to ship it. Its not the up and coming todays tech. but it is a realy good shooter It might need new cables and string and a lube job that the shop can do for you then you can spend the money you have on arrows and heads and things.[/b]

wtpops,

I'll hi jack the offer if Firemedic is not taking it. I've started some lessons two years ago and was getting nowhere. Right now, all is left is my dream of owning a traditional Japanese longbow. And envy after reading posts here of successful and upcoming hog hunt with bow and arrow.

This maybe the way to re-start. If not, at least you'll get your bow back with new cables, strings, arrows etc. but adjusted to 28" to 30" draw.

 

[500+grns]

Sell a rifle and match the offer,or wait till you can afford it.
Manufacturer warrenty is worth the money and quality equipment is much more reliable.
Rule of thumb when purchasing a new bow is that your going to spend the same amount of money on accessories as you will on the bow itself,sight,quiver,stabilizer,arrows,broadheads,silencers,case,ect.
It's very important to get sized up and find the bow that fits and feels right.This will improve your accuracy.
-I recommend Mathews bows hands down for a smooth shooting,quiet hunting bow.
-Stay away from the light weight arrows for hogs(Kind of like shooting a big boar with a 22)
-Cutting point broadheads for better penetration(Magnus stingers)
-When you can consistantly shoot 4" groups at 30 yds.(w/broadheads) your ready.
Good luck and welcome to the wonderful(and somewhat expensive) world of Bowhunting