Any bowhunters?

**yater** · 05-26-2005, 12:55 PM

I've always been big on bird hunting (duck and dove) and have been on a few gunhunts for whitetail but never really got into that. I have a few friends in Louisiana that bowhunt and I would really like to check it out. I don't know JACK about equipment....any recommendations on a nice bow for beginners? I have a little experience with a recurve (and was actually pretty decent with it) but would rather a compound. Any good websites/forums?

**ejc042** · 05-26-2005, 01:39 PM

If you are buying new, look to spend around $400-$600 for decent equipment. PSE is a good bow for the price. Sights, release aids, arrow rests, arrows are more of a preference. I have two bows right now. I have about $750 in my PSE if you include the arrows and everything. My Alpine is about $950, maybe a little more.

**yater** · 05-26-2005, 01:49 PM

Guess I'll need to do some reading on accessories and equipment but I'm surprised that the new bows are reasonably priced. I thought I'd spend an arm and a leg getting into it. I'm all about value and don't need the latest and greatest.

**chris200x** · 05-26-2005, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by ejc042

If you are buying new, look to spend around $400-$600 for decent equipment. PSE is a good bow for the price. Sights, release aids, arrow rests, arrows are more of a preference. I have two bows right now. I have about $750 in my PSE if you include the arrows and everything. My Alpine is about $950, maybe a little more.

For that much cash I would buy a gun. It's alot easier! When I started I bought a used onieda eagle for like $100 or so. Once I learned how to shoot I started sinking some money into it. It can add up quickly that's for sure. No use spending all that money if your not gonna stick with it.

**yater** · 05-26-2005, 01:58 PM

I'm pretty sure I'll stick with it. I've been an avid bird hunter since I was a kid and always wanted to get into bowhunting. I have ZERO interest in rifle hunting....killed one doe with a 270 and didn't find it any fun. There is something primal about bow hunting that really attracts me. I think I'll like it.

**chris200x** · 05-26-2005, 02:04 PM

Your making me jones...

Sad to say but I'm already looking forward to Fall. We get about 6 weeks of bowhunting here in Pa. Smack dap in the middle of the rut. You can also use it during regular rifle season. I would like to try bowfishing eventually.

If you decide to buy new, definitly go to some sort of proshop to get measured up. I'm sure they'll be more than glad to help you out.

**BIGCRIP28** · 05-26-2005, 02:10 PM

id buy a used setup that comes with everything on it, sights, rest, arrows, the whole deal and try it out just to see if you really like it before you drop serious cash on a new setup. you should be able to start hunting on 2, 3 hundred probably. (maybe less)

**yater** · 05-26-2005, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by BIGCRIP28

id buy a used setup that comes with everything on it, sights, rest, arrows, the whole deal and try it out just to see if you really like it before you drop serious cash on a new setup. you should be able to start hunting on 2, 3 hundred probably. (maybe less)

I'm gonna run by the local shops and get measured and see what I like. I'll definately look for used before new. These things shouldn't be hard to find on ebay. Anybody bowhunt in Texas?

**Meat-BoX** · 05-26-2005, 02:35 PM

Well lets see. I bought my 1st bow at 13 A Browning Nomad Deluxe. I still use that Bow as its mostly Wood which is light and keeps your hand warm. For you the 1st thing you need to do is measure your Arm from ips of fingers to shoulder I believe. Thats your Draw Length. The Bow you Buy need to Have your Draw Length. It is adjustable and even more so on the new bows. Get your Bow, talk to your Bowhunting Friends on Good Bows for you. If you are a lefty make sure you get a Bow for you. Dont worry about all those new goodies on todays bows, they are a Joke and you dont need them. All you need is a Good rest for the Arrow, a Peep sight for your eye, a Sight with 3 pins preferably Fiber Optic Pins as they tend to be visable longer in the woods before dark. The 3 Pins are for 10, 20, and 30 Yards, Bowhunting is all about being a good Woodsman and getting close to you Deer. These new bows are capable of shooting Farther but good luck getting a clear shot in the woods more than 30 yards. If in a field and you think its 40 yards and you are Sure you can take that animal cleanly just aim the 30 yard pin at his spine above vitals. Anyways you allso need a good release, as they help with accuracy big time and is comforatable. Then go to a Bow Shop and ask about Arrow size and Broadhead and Target Tip Weight. I shoot big ole lincoln Logs at my deer so I use 125 weight on my broadheads. You need to dial the arrow and brodhead in so they fly good and straight. A bow shop will help you, as there are a few different Variables that are involved in getting the proper arrow and Tips. As in how many lbs your set at, mine is at 65lbs and I thought I was good to go this year but when that Crotch Horn Walked up at 10 yards and watched as I feebley tried to draw back 3 times on him. Messed up my shoulder, I had target shot to sight in, but being in a Tree freezing your nutties off for 2.5 hours with all you gear on is another situation. One I should have known better after all these years. Im dropping it to 55 lbs this year. Dont fall for that Macho shiot, "well my bow is set at 70lbs" there is no need for that. Of course you will need all the Hunting gear and thats where the cost kills ya. Then you need to find the place you want to hunt scout it out and set up properly, as in down wind and your entry to your stand. No use walking to your stand with the wind hitting you back, every deer in front of you will smell ya. Thats another thing. I keep my gear in a huge Camo Duffle bag year round with apples in it. When I was em I rinse the washer a few times then wash in Baking Powder. The less scent of you the better. O yea and last thing is, it took me 12 years to get my 1st deer

If your state is like mine and you can shoot either sex trust me "If its Brown its Down" is a good motto. I fell for going after Racks, you cant eat the Rack. Practice alot need to get that good clean shot, nothing worse than killing a deer that you cant find. Its a crappy felling knowing you killed an animal for no reason and that it probably suffered. I love Bow hunting, there are no

s running everywhere shooting 5 bullets at a deer. It quiet, peacefull and the rut usually starts during Bow seaason. Jeez I wrote a book.

**BIGCRIP28** · 05-26-2005, 02:42 PM

yeah, around 50 pounds is plenty enough to kill a deer.
shooting 70+ is not needed, the lower poundage bows are just as fast nowadays.

**yater** · 05-26-2005, 03:15 PM

Another thing...archery season in Texas usually starts at the beginning of october. "General season" starts about a month later. I'm assuming that archery season overlaps with general season and runs into february right? It's not just 4 weeks I hope

**chris200x** · 05-26-2005, 03:29 PM

Texas... Everytime I watch those huntin shows on the outdoor channel most of those guys are hunting in texas. Your a lucky guy. seems be be some very big dear down there.

I'm not familiar with your seasons but we also have a late season that starts the day after christmas and runs till mid January.<--way to cold for my blood!

**ejc042** · 05-26-2005, 03:30 PM

Most states you can use archery all the way through gun season. And I usually bowhunt as much during gun season as I gun hunt.

**ejc042** · 05-26-2005, 03:34 PM

My next archery investment is a bowfishing set-up. Haven't decided what equipment to get yet. Still doing research on bowfishing.

**BIGCRIP28** · 05-26-2005, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by ejc042

My next archery investment is a bowfishing set-up. Haven't decided what equipment to get yet. Still doing research on bowfishing.

i was thinking about getting a setup for bowfishing also, then i can get after these bad boys.

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