Bow Hunting Advice

Hey guys, went this weekend to the archery range by my house and just rented some of the equipment there at the range. I would really like to get into archery again and eventually get into bowhunting.

Went out to Bass Pro yesterday and was looking at the PSE's and the Diamonds. I also know that Hoyt, And Martin make some good bows as well.

I just want to know what you guys use and how you like it? Alsp would like to know the pros and cons on it. I don't mind spending the extra cash to get a bow that'll be well worth the expense.

Thanks in advance guys/gals of TW!

 

I shoot a diamond rock 2.0

quick bow, quiet bow, easy draw back, and still has the capability to go 70lbs.

its also very small axle to axle, not sure on the exact measurements but if your going to be up in trees or stalking then a smaller bow it the way to go.

 

Mathews makes some really nice bows check them out!

 

I have one of those, bought it there in NB actually. Good bow, have 2 PSEs too and they have never had any issues.

 

Love my Mathews

 

MATHEWS!!

 

I have a bear and my wife shoots a Mathews. Both are great bows. You really can't go wrong with the name brand bows these days. It's all the little extra stuff u put into them that makes them a good bow.

 

I shoot a matthews Drenaline. It's a good bow. Like was said earlier, the top brands are all good, even if I prefer matthews. Shoot as many as you can before you make a decision.

Matthews may hold a little better resale value if you plan on trading in at a later date than some of the other brands.

 

I like hoyt I have an alpha max 31" its great. My friend owns an archery pro shop and quit selling bears because he had problems with the limbs delaminating. All the top bows are great the biggest determining factor I tell people is how the grip fits I like the forward cant of the hoyt the mathews feels to straight up and down for my taste other then that they are pretty equal.

 

i would shop at a pro bow shop..not some big box store. just my opinion tho.

a bow needs to fit, then it needs to be put together correctly, then it needs to be tuned..alot of needs. a pro shop is your best bet.

dont get caught up with name brands..they all rock now. get one that fits, and shoot well for you.

 

Bowtech Destroyer here, shoot them all, Bows are a personal selection, they are all a little different.

 

I have had Mathews and PSEs. I currently shoot a Mathews Z7 Extreme. First, go to a reputable archery pro shop, not Bass Pro, or Gander or any "big box" store. Second, get them to measure your draw length. Third, shoot every bow in the place and see which one fits you best. Don't be pressured by any of your buddies or anyone on here, get the one you are most comfortable with. Once that is done don't skimp on the accessories! You bought a good bow, get good components. Get a sight you like and I would recommend a QAD Pro fall away rest. Get some good arrows that for your draw length and draw weight and you should be good to go.

 

Mathews or bowtech. I shoot a bowtech assassin, not wealthy enough as a college student to get the higher end, but I'd go with the destroyer 350, bigger brace height then the 340 so more forgiving. Fast mother fucker.

Diamond is made by bowtech btw.

You have to just shot everything and see what u like best.

Also check out elite. Smoothest bow I've ever shot

 

I got into bow hunting back in 2009..I picked up a brand new Parker, hasnt let me down yet. I took a nice 9 point as my first deer as well. I wouldnt get all twisted up in the big name brands..Out the door, I think my setup with arrows was under $500 from cabelas.

 

Hit up SurfInferno. I think he's been going for Turkey recently. Might be able to help you out / be someone to practice with. He lives in Ventura, I forget where exactly you were at.

 

I have a Hoyt and love it.. but they are getting so damn expensive now. My dealer dropped Hoyt after 20 years because people couldn't afford them, now he has PSE and everybody loves them.

 

Thanks for all the comments, going to go out tomorrow morning to a local pro shop and see what they have there. I am going to shoot as many as they allow me and I will check back in. I have been doing a ton of research on the Hoyt's and Mathews. I think I am between those two on paper, need to see how it feels in my hands.

Side Note: I was at Bass Pro just doing general shopping and wanted to take a look and talk to the guys there. Found an old timer that knew a lot. Dont think I will ever buy a bow from there though just because its not a specific pro shop for archery.

I will post back tomorrow with what I learned and what I liked. Thank you all for the info and if you guys have anymore itll be greatly appreciated!

How long did it take you guys to get out with the bow and hunt? I heard its pretty difficult to get an animal just because of distance issues... Really cannot wait to get into this again and get out and in the woods!

 

I'm going to reiterate, shot them all at a pro shop. I'm good friends with and hunt with the owner of avid archery up here in nor cal and u really need to find what YOU like. Everyone will push what they shoot till they die. The higher end brands are bowtech, Hoyt, elite, Mathews, pse, and a fewwww others that are smaller company's. But find what is a comfortable draw for u, and comfortable to shoot. I can get into brace heights and axle to axle and and all the components, but start with that, find what u like, and then the rest can be answered. For the higher end, which is worth it, your looking and a bare bow around 800-1000. Budget is another thing u have to ask urself.

 

Yeah I am definitely going to keep an open mind and just see what feels right when I go and test them out!

You have any opinion of single or double cam bows? I have heard pro's and con's for both but not a whole lot of solid evidence. Dont know if they are all preference or if there are truly operational advantages to one or the other.

I havent really heard of big differences in axle to axle height other then more compact are easier to get around with and what not. Anything else?

 

http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/

Archerytalk has a ton of knowledge. But like most forums you have to wade through the bs as well.

I have own both Mathews Drenalin and PSE Vendetta xs. I have two boys one has a Bowtech Assassin and the other has an Alpine forget the model my daughter shoots a Parker Buckshot.

I would tell you to find a good bow shop stay out of Basspro and Cabelas. Simply because you will be setup better at a bow shop and you do not have the experience to realize if they do something wrong at one of the chain stores. I speak from personal experience. With that said. Shoot everything you can. Honestly when you start talking about spending $600+ for a bare bow you really can't go wrong.

When my boys go to get new bows I have them shoot 3 bows on 3 separate visits to ensure that they get what they need. I also have them take a pen and paper to take notes on their bows that they are shooting and wanting to shoot. May seem like a pain and difficult but its better than getting a bow that either wrong for you or not what you like. Bows are like suits they are all different and need to be tailored to fit properly for you.