I want to get into bow hunting

[Robert_G]

The archery seasons have gotten a little too generous for me to only hunt with a gun.
5 years ago, archery seasons were mediocore at best, but now they are just too irresistable to not want to take part in.

First thing I thought about was would I like bow hunting?
Well, even with gun hunting, 'be dead still..wait and ambush' has always been my favorite way to hunt...so bow hunting would probably suit me fine.

Anyways...I know very little about bows and arrows. I walked into Hubs and found that the average setup is around 800 for the bow, making a full setup around 1000 bucks or more. I was kind of hoping that a quality setup could be found for less then that.
Then there is the different kinds of bows. I don't want a crossbow, but I noticed there are compounds as well as traditional bows. Is there any reason why one may be better then another. Traditional bows are also cheap too, which made me think of getting one.

Some good advice would be apprieciated.

Rob.

[Elkhound]

I am looking at doing the same thing for next year.

Check out the buy and sell here and on Archery talk forum

Plus some very nice packages at good prices from

http://www.huntersfriend.com/bowpkg2.htm

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.OnlineShopping

good luck with your decision......there are also experienced archers on this forum and HBC that can help more than I

[Avalanche123]

Well I put my rifle down for good three yrs ago and hunt exclusively with a recurve bow (traditional). I chose traditional because of the simplicity of it all. IMHO it way more robust than a compound (no sight pins, cams, other gadgets etc....) however it does take more of a commitment to learn. It is easier than a long bow though.

I am not too trad though as I do shoot carbon arrows. I've had my bow for 7 yrs now and at that time it cost me about $500.

I should also mention that one can do a lot of "stump" shooting with trad gear and I am not sure now much compound shooters do this but it is excellent practise.

Good luck with whatever you choose. I am sure you will enjoy yuorself!

[Canuck2]

Rober G and Elkhound, I think you both have made an excellent choice. Not only are archery seasons somewhat more generous than they used to be (although you realize that you can bow hunt during firearms season and if you can find a good spot where you're not in danger from a stray bullet) but bow hunting gets you right in the face of game. Very exciting.

FIRST - don't make the mistake of trying to cut a few corners and get an outfit from someone who has no interest in making sure the bow fits you. That will sour you faster on archery than anything and is probably the main reason guys abandon it after an initial kick at it. Go to a knowledgeable pro shop and find what best fits you (correct draw length, appropriate poundage, etc). And you SHOULD be able to get outfitted for significantly less than $1000; there are many good bows that aren't necessarily the top of the line, and used bows are often available too.

As far as traditional bows being cheap, good ones can cost every bit as much as a good compound. To be adequately proficient with trad equipment requires dedication. To be good with a compound also requires dedication, too, but less so. Your effective range with traditional stuff will be less, but some guys really enjoy the less technical equipment.

Let me stress that, whatever you end up getting, get to know it well and commit to keeping well within your own abilities when hunting. That will be a lot less than distances you can hit a bullseye under ideal conditions.

Any questions, I'll be happy to answer them as best I can. Good luck in our quest.

Don't over bow yourself. A bow with a 60 lb draw weight will put you in fine stead to persue all the ungulates. While it may feel fine pulling 70 lbs for a few shots, a long practice session or a cold morning in the field may be another thing. Believe me I have been there, trying to grunt back 70 lbs on a cold morning with a buck 20 yds away. To hold the bow infront of you and smoothly draw it back is the best case scenario.

[johnengland]

my buddy brought a new bow cost him around 800 for a compound quality matters don't cheap out . I believe his draw wieght is adjustable do lots of research.

[Elkhound]

well here are two I have been thinking about......opinions

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catal...rTarget=search

http://www.huntersfriend.com/PSE-Bab...ce-package.htm

Soooo yeah.....opinions. Let me have them

[Nechako]

Don't buy mail order, all bows feel different. Go to a pro shop and get one there.
The shop will work with you to help with picking components and get the bow perfectly set up for you.

I've been shooting about 5yrs and would really recommend Kyanne archery in Pitt Meadows ph# 604-465-3651. Great people that really know bows.

It's not a cheap sport. I have more than $1500 in my bow, but it's more of a target setup than it is hunting.

Nechako

[270WIN]

Originally Posted by Robert_G

The archery seasons have gotten a little too generous for me to only hunt with a gun.
5 years ago, archery seasons were mediocore at best, but now they are just too irresistable to not want to take part in.

First thing I thought about was would I like bow hunting?
Well, even with gun hunting, 'be dead still..wait and ambush' has always been my favorite way to hunt...so bow hunting would probably suit me fine.

Anyways...I know very little about bows and arrows. I walked into Hubs and found that the average setup is around 800 for the bow, making a full setup around 1000 bucks or more. I was kind of hoping that a quality setup could be found for less then that.
Then there is the different kinds of bows. I don't want a crossbow, but I noticed there are compounds as well as traditional bows. Is there any reason why one may be better then another. Traditional bows are also cheap too, which made me think of getting one.

Some good advice would be apprieciated.

Rob.

i do have a bow i am intrested in selling it is a martin jagwuar it is fully set up for hunting it is 28-29 in draw 50-70 lb draw weight has fiber obtic sight pins, peep sight, and an over draw.
i am asking 300.00 obo

[DDD]

a compound bow will be easier to shoot well sooner, especially if you set it up with sights and a release, and you will be able to shoot accurately to greater distances. A traditional bow may well be cheaper, but it will probably take you more time to learn to shoot it well and you will not likely be able to be accurate enough to make a clean kill beyond 25 yards, maybe 30 (although I know some people will disagree with me).

[grandslamer]

wholesalesports has a darton setup i bought it and after arrows and all other acc it cost 660$ and its a hell of a bow

[solocam]

Hi RobertG, I hunted with a compound for 9 years and decided I wanted to challenge myself a bit more so I bought a recurve. I practiced a tonne and shot a couple of does with it but I always had to be very close to feel comfortable enough to take a shot. I found if I didn't shoot at least every two days everything would fall apart! It is a very instinctive thing, like throwing a baseball.... you adjust how you throw it depending how far you are from the target without thinking about it. At first it is so much fun and you shoot all the time but eventually the novelty wears off or your wife's list of chores gets to long and you don't pick up more than once a week. In my mind you need to practice with traditional equipment every couple days if you plan to hunt with it. I just don't have the time anymore so I bought another compound.
If you want to borrow a couple different recurves (cheap $250 to not cheap $600.)let me know, they aren't collecting dust, but they aren't getting used enough either.
What ever you end up doing, don't cheap out, you wouldn't on a rifle.