I've read almost every post I can find on bow choices for beginners etc. Now I have a question

As a beginner, I don't want to take out a second mortgage on a new "hobby" so I have to consider the economics of my purchase. I went out to Bass Pro and the archery shop here in Lewisville. Basically they both said the same thing. Starting out with store bought stuff you're gonna dump $750-$1200 on a full outfit.

Now, the alternative is to go "bow hunting" on ebay and craigslist, there are lots of deals out there, people getting rid of their older stuff, lots of new stuff on ebay not so cheap.

Now I'm sure the deer doesnt care if you killed it with a $200 bow or a $1200 bow. There might be the argument that the odds of landing a good shot with an expensive bow, but then again for a beginner, who needs to learn how to shoot before heading to the field, the $200 bow might get more miles out of it... Yes, its a toss up.

So with that said, is something like a PSE Thunder Flite a decent place to start? These can be had pretty cheap with case quiver arrows accessories all in place.

Basically I'd like to start shooting for < $300 to gain skill. That way if I suck and cant get the hang of it, $300 is a smaller pill to swallow.

Thanks,
Mark

Try looking at the classifieds @ www.archerytalk.com

There are usually several good deals in there with good sales feed back.

You better jump on this one. I just bought this bow last year for 500 bucks.
http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=773980

theres nothing wrong with a older bow i bought a mathews sq2 2001 or so for around 240.00 with case and alot of goodies with it .
this is the worst time in the year to buy a bow everyone is going to get what they want form them. after season you can find a really good deal. if you have a older bow i would say stick with it till the season is over then look for a bargin. jmo

Yeah those are some nice deals, thanks for the tip !

You are welcome. Good luck.

Just remember you get what you pay for......

I would go with a good old bow maybe a 6-7 year old bow,that you can pickup for between $200.00-$350.00 look in classifieds or Ebay
Here is just a few bows that were great bows for beginners
Hoyt Ultratec
Hoyt Protec
Mathews Q2
Mathews SQ2
Mathews outback
Mathews Switchback

among others

I just got a hoyt razortec in pristine condition off another forum for 200.00 bare bow!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you find an SQ2 with accessories for $240 like TWB jump on it. I've tried to convince myself to buy new bows since I got this one in 2002, but just can't find one that I like better. Light, compact, shoots great, mathews quality. Good luck.

FM-Mark i was in your same position last year. I got a PSE lite flight 2 for $75. Since then put a new rest and pins. This is my first year bow hunting. I havent gotten anything with it yet but it shoots great.

I bought a parker from cabelas about 2 and a half years ago. It came with everything except a release and arrows for 280. I got a dozen arrows for 80 bucks and a set of broad heads for thirty. I was ready to start for 390 dollars with brand new everything. I went to gander mountain today to get the little rubber tube holding the peep fixed and he told me my bow was old and cheap, I said tell that to the doe I killed this morning. Its really your decision, I'm happy with mine.

matt

I bought a Used Matthews Fx 2 years ago on Ebay for 299. It was fully set up, and came with a release, and alot of extras. I didn't want to jump in over my head as a beginner and I still don't want to spend that extra money yet. My bow shoots great, now if I can just find something to shoot at other than pigs I'll be happy.