Any bow hunters here?

[YoungGun21]

I think I'm going to start bow hunting sometime next year and was wondering on what is a good bow for beginners or intermediate users? I've shot a bow before and I learn pretty quick so I don't think I need a strictly beginners (aka learning) bow. What arrows/tips do you all use? What treestands do you use?

My family built this awesome wooden 2person stand for shotgun season but it is like 25-30ft in the air so I'm thinking its too high for bow season.

 

[KK]

I'm in the same boat. I was looking at the Elite bows. They seem to be pretty decent bows per what I've read over at archerytalk.com. I was going to get a new one from ebay last week, but decide to put it off till around April or so. As for a tree stand, do you want a climber or a ladder stand?

 

[vi edit]

Compound or recurve?

 

[Greenman]

I've hunted a lot of white tail over the years, and I can tell you that dinner and a movie works way better than a bow.

 

[MrPickins]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Compound or recurve?

Real men hunt with a recurve.

That said, all I've ever owned were compound.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: Greenman
I've hunted a lot of white tail over the years, and I can tell you that dinner and a movie works way better than a bow.

You chose the wrong skill. You wanted the bowstaff skill.

 

[YoungGun21]

I'm not sure on the stand I'll use. Probably not a ladder stand, probably something like a hang-on with either a set of climb stick (or ladder stick, whatever you call it) or I'll use those steps you screw in the tree.

As for the bow I'm definitely looking for a compound. I'm 5'8 135lbs if that helps any.

 

[DrPizza]

Go to a specialty archery shop. Many have indoor ranges. Most archery shop owners will be more than happy to assist you in selecting a bow that fits you best, and will fine tune that bow for you.

For arrows, I prefer a carbon fiber arrow. There are as many broadheads as there are opinions on which broadhead is best. #1 rule: keep that broadhead as absolutely sharp as possible. You want it cutting veins, not pushing them out of the way.

Also, my own personal preference: I'd rather just have one sight on my bow, instead of 3 or 4 or 5... Some people have a sight for every 5 yards. Most people have multiple sights. Regardless, most people have fiber-optic sights to help gather the light.

But, there are a lot of other shooting options... release with your fingers, or use a bow release? Do you want a peep sight? Or would you rather use a button (placed against a spot on your cheek when you draw back? What kind of arrow rest do you want? Do you want some weight stabilizers added to the bow to help your aim? etc. You can end up purchasing a $800 bow, then adding another $800 or more in accessories, or you can get a $299 bow off the shelf, have it fine tuned, and start using it immediately.


In the end, all that matters is that you can consistently hit a 6 inch circle at any distance you plan to shoot a deer from, and that you're comfortable with your bow. However, I suppose a comparison can be made to guns. A $250 Remington 870 Express is just as lethal to deer as a $2000 gun with a hand carved stock, etc. There's a huge range of options; some which will make you a more successful hunter, others which will merely provide you with some measure of... <the word escapes me at the moment.>

 

[YoungGun21]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
Go to a specialty archery shop. Many have indoor ranges. Most archery shop owners will be more than happy to assist you in selecting a bow that fits you best, and will fine tune that bow for you.

For arrows, I prefer a carbon fiber arrow. There are as many broadheads as there are opinions on which broadhead is best. #1 rule: keep that broadhead as absolutely sharp as possible. You want it cutting veins, not pushing them out of the way.

Also, my own personal preference: I'd rather just have one sight on my bow, instead of 3 or 4 or 5... Some people have a sight for every 5 yards. Most people have multiple sights. Regardless, most people have fiber-optic sights to help gather the light.

But, there are a lot of other shooting options... release with your fingers, or use a bow release? Do you want a peep sight? Or would you rather use a button (placed against a spot on your cheek when you draw back? What kind of arrow rest do you want? Do you want some weight stabilizers added to the bow to help your aim? etc. You can end up purchasing a $800 bow, then adding another $800 or more in accessories, or you can get a $299 bow off the shelf, have it fine tuned, and start using it immediately.


In the end, all that matters is that you can consistently hit a 6 inch circle at any distance you plan to shoot a deer from, and that you're comfortable with your bow. However, I suppose a comparison can be made to guns. A $250 Remington 870 Express is just as lethal to deer as a $2000 gun with a hand carved stock, etc. There's a huge range of options; some which will make you a more successful hunter, others which will merely provide you with some measure of... <the word escapes me at the moment.>

I'll probably use a mechanical release, what are some good ones? I read about a thumb trigger release that sounded really nice.

I'm not sure on the sights, I don't really know what I would like. Same for an arrow rest.

 

[vi edit]

Martin is a pretty good value for the bow. Look for a year or two old one and save yourself hundreds. You'll get a discount on the bow itself, plus it will likely be tricked out with pricey options that you are now paying pennies on the dollar for.

For a stands, check out:
http://www.lonewolfstands.com/

Their office is right around the corner from where I work and a number of guys that I know swear by them.

 

[KK]

see your profile shows you are from IL, they got some awesome whitetail out there. where about do you hunt?

 

[adairusmc]

Parker makes some good bows, but if I had to pick any bow, it would be a mathews. I have a Parker myself.

True Fire releases are very good.

A Whisker Biscuit would be the only arrow rest I would ever use myself.

As far as sights - I prefer a two or a three pin setup. A sight with more than three pins is kind of worthless IMO. I use copper john sights myself, and I like them quite a bit.

You definately want to go to a smaller archery shop, as they will custom fit the bow and cut the arrows right there to your draw length. Most of them should have an indoor range too, and they can coach you as to how to shoot the bow properly. Don't just order a bow and think you are good to go.

Don't forget the Ted Nugent arrows

 

[YoungGun21]

Originally posted by: KK
see your profile shows you are from IL, they got some awesome whitetail out there. where about do you hunt?

I hunt around Newton. There was blue tongue disease (or whatever that is) like around the springtime so population levels were low this year. Also, there has been a huge increase in hunters all throughout the state so deer count is getting slim in that area. Too many "foreigners" (out of state hunters) coming to my territory!

Adairusmc, I'll definitely go to an archery shop I just wanted to know if you all had any suggestions so I know what to look for. I like to have some sort of idea of what I need because you never know if the shop owners are trustworthy or just want some more $$. Plus I don't want to sound like a total idiot going in and asking for an "arrow releaser looking thingy" lol.

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: adairusmc
Parker makes some good bows, but if I had to pick any bow, it would be a mathews. I have a Parker myself.

True Fire releases are very good.

A Whisker Biscuit would be the only arrow rest I would ever use myself.

As far as sights - I prefer a two or a three pin setup. A sight with more than three pins is kind of worthless IMO. I use copper john sights myself, and I like them quite a bit.

You definately want to go to a smaller archery shop, as they will custom fit the bow and cut the arrows right there to your draw length. Most of them should have an indoor range too, and they can coach you as to how to shoot the bow properly. Don't just order a bow and think you are good to go.

Don't forget the Ted Nugent arrows

Have you tried those drop away rests? They look pretty nifty.

 

[adairusmc]

Originally posted by: KK

Originally posted by: adairusmc
Parker makes some good bows, but if I had to pick any bow, it would be a mathews. I have a Parker myself.

True Fire releases are very good.

A Whisker Biscuit would be the only arrow rest I would ever use myself.

As far as sights - I prefer a two or a three pin setup. A sight with more than three pins is kind of worthless IMO. I use copper john sights myself, and I like them quite a bit.

You definately want to go to a smaller archery shop, as they will custom fit the bow and cut the arrows right there to your draw length. Most of them should have an indoor range too, and they can coach you as to how to shoot the bow properly. Don't just order a bow and think you are good to go.

Don't forget the Ted Nugent arrows

Have you tried those drop away rests? They look pretty nifty.

The local bow shop had a couple I played with, and they are nifty - but I would still rather have my Whisker Biscuit.