Archery Talk

Are there any archery places near you? I won't recommend a certain brand of bow cause there are so many good ones these days. You could always find a newer used bow in your price range if your looking for a top name. I have a $250 Bear I shot a decent 8 point buck with last year. It doesn't matter what you pay for your weapon, it's how you shoot it is what it boils down to.

 

I appreciate that statement for sure because I feel the same way with firearms.

reason I’m on here is because there is such a vast amount of research and info, most of which that is conflicting. (As with most topics) real first hand knowledge and experience is what I was in search of. I’ve been told by a couple friends who bow hunt is that it’s just like a handgun, pick what feels good. My hang up is the size of elk vs whitetail plus the distances typically being greater 40-60yds so I want to make sure whatever I buy will last a while and be capable of that length of a shot.
From what I hear you saying, neither of those questions trumps plain old practice and skill

 

That's exactly right. Bows are like trucks, whatever feels good to you is what you want! Any newer bow won't have a problem taking down an elk up to whatever you feel comfortable shooting. Check your local craigslist for bows and post them up in here and everyone won't mind helping you.

 

Yea craigslist around here just has a couple garbage bows. Same with the marketplace. I’m gonna run to the local
Sportsman’s warehouse and see what they have. Thanks for the advice!

 

Forums! Go to ArcheryTalk forum and become a member. Join in some discussions to learn some things and then when you hit the allowed post count....hit the classified section. ALOT of good bows for sale at a decent price. I would for sure hunt Elk with my Reign 7 and I've seen quite a few on there at amazing prices! But like most said on here, it's about how it feels to you.
So go to shop, try the different brands and then shop classifieds for that brand!
Once you get your bow, watch NockOnTV YouTube channel and practice everyday. Good luck!

 

you need to shoot at least 3 different brand bows. Find the one that feels best to you. You dont need a 70+lb bow...60 will easily kill a deer or elk with proper placement. And you can hold longer if needed on a 60lb bow verses a 70....me personally i like mathews with rip cord drop away rest. Single pin sight

 

Go to your local shops, see what they sell. Personally I'm a PSE fan, the evolve cam bows shoot great and are very adjustable. However, just shoot some stuff and ask some questions. I won't spend a dime at my local shop, will drive 2 hours to the shop I like.

 

Alright, so I’ve settled on a Matthews Vertix. Actually got a really good deal on it by trading some insider info for last years hunt in Colorado

next question.. I want opinions on drop away rests vs whisker biscuits and 3 pin vs 5 pin sights.

keep in mind that I’m hunting elk so a bulk of my practice is going to be above 40 yards just to be prepared

 

I held off buying a drop away for years because I'm old and hard headed. A few years ago I finally bought one, QAD Hunter (I think it's a Hunter)...anyhow, I absolutely 100% recommend a drop away. Zero arrow contact, you can't beat it.
As far as pins, I can't help you there. I use a single, fixed pin about an inch high at 20 yards. I'm good out to 35ish. (Even farther when luck is on my side).
Best of luck to you! I hope you enjoy bowhunting as much as I have/do.

I also want to add...the closer you get to the animals you hunt, the more fun it will be.

 

I agree with Stock, drop away for sure. Not a fan of whisker biscuits, I think they slow your arrow down. As far as pins, whatever you feel comfortable with and what your bow will shoot. You will probable okay with 3 though.

 

I’m stoked about getting into it. Especially diving into the deep end with my first bow hunt being for elk. Stalking and getting close isn’t a problem. I actually shot my last deer of the season this year at a whopping 18 yards with my .308 he walked up on me and had no clue I was there. I was just leaned up on a tree

I think I’m gonna start with 3 and if for some reason I’m drilling it at 45 yds after a month of practice I may make the switch to 5 and try to pull a few more yards out of it. Only fear I’ve got is buck fever and deciphering between 5 pins when trying to take a shot

thanks y’all! Hopefully buying my first bow on Friday. Would have bought one a week ago but my water pump blew on the Super Duty and that cost me $800

 

I can’t shoot 5 pins, my eyes aren’t good enough and they start to run together at dawn/dusk.

 

That’s my fear.

I’m an odd breed and am left eye dominant and right handed (a couple major iris infections wrecked my right eye) so that means I’ve had to really train myself to focus when shooting. I’m fearful that the busy 5 pin sight will be too much.

Also, drop away is what everyone but one person has recommended. What I see online is it’s based on what you started with if you’re new to bows. Gonna start with a drop away I think

 

I agree with the QAD rest. It holds the arrow like a biscuit, which would be great for stalking also..

 

I'm left eye dominant/right handed too and it sucks.
My buddy is also, a few years ago he switched to a left handed bow. I shot it one time, that wasn't for me.

 

Yea story of my life lol. I’m also a cross handed golf player because my dad was a lefty

I tried to shoot left handed, tried to play golf left handed and tried to switch back to a right handed grip. None of them felt right. So I stick with what I know and am used to. Being left eye dominant it just means I have to close both of my eyes then open my right then my left to have both eyes open and be able to have sight picture

 

Whisker Biscuits aren't as consistent at longer ranges. Definitely go drop away, limb driven. I run Hamskea, they're very high quality. I run a custom sight setup, a 4 pin slider. A bit complicated, but works well for me

 

limb driven hurts my brain trying to understand how that works lol

 

Nice! Rip cord drop is super quiet and i love it on my Mathews...

whisker biscuits are super loud out in the woods...i dont like them personally. Rip cord is the way to go

 

Off topic, out of curiosity, where in north Idaho are you? I’ve got some friends in Sandpoint. Beautiful area