Bow Question

I'd really like to get in to bow hunting next year. What can I expect to pay for a decent beginners bow nothing to fancy. I enjoy rifle hunting but I can tell hunting with a bow looks pretty exciting.

There is nothing like being up close and personal with a bow. But you get what you pay for. If you go cheap, it may turn you away from bow hunting. It isn't much cheaper than a rifle setup. A well equipped bow, rest, sight, quiver, release, broad heads, target tips, a dozen arrows, a target and a few tools can easily set you back $800 to $1200 or more. Plus figure in a few of the neat options, (lighted knocks, range finder, string silencers, string stops, poundage scale, And a stand to hunt from, etc). I prefer a Mathews bow, but Hoyt and others make good ones too. Just make sure you get a long brace height. The longer it is from the string to the rest, the easier it is to be accurate and repeatable. Much like a longer barrel rifle is generally more accurate than a short barrel. Remember, practice, practice, practice!!! Good luck!

I would suggest figuring out your budget for the bare bow, and getting as many in that range as possible in your hands. I was dead set on owning a Matthews when I started out, I ended up with a Hoyt because it just felt "right". As far as sights, rest, quiver etc. you have more options than you can shake a stick at and generally get what you pay for. Although I am a Whisker Biscuit fan and it is much cheaper than any good drop away. Like mentioned above, PRACTICE. And be careful, it is extremely addicting!

You can find used bows rigged out for $300-600 . A lot of people upgrade every couple yrs when the new models come out. I'd start with a used Mathews personally. You can get good deals on used bows after bowseason.

You can get a good bow in the $400-$700 range that has everything you need. You don't need all the bells and whistles, high end sites, rest and releases. As was said, pick a budget and find a bow that fits you. Try them all. There are brand snobs, but all your top manufacturers make great bows. Sometimes the top brands make some great too end bows, but their middle of the line bows perform at a less than desirable level.

Truthfully, you can spend as much or as little as you want and easily spend more than you need.

For me, there is nothing like bow hunting. Welcome to the addiction

I got into it this year and on a poor mans budget I went with a recurve. I bought the sage take down at cabelas in 55lb. I bought a new and better string and am very pleased. I only paid $160 for it brand new.

If you are serious about getting into bowhunting you are looking at from $500 to a little over a grand.
I'm talking targets, arrows, points, bow, quiver, releases, and sights just to start, and then all the other accessories that usually go with it that you'll find you can't do without.
You might set a budget at $500 for an initial investment but be warned, that is just the start, as it adds up fast. The good news is you can stretch it out over time for the other stuff.

X2

Bear sells some pretty good starter ready to shoot bows.

Im sure I get flamed for my opinion on this but here goes...

Cabelas has kits starting in the $200's on sale now normally right around 300 or so. They have sites rests. You will need a dozen arrows broad heads field points a release and target and stop by a bow shop and get it tuned.

Bet you could do it for 550-600. That's not gonna get you the latest greatest equipment but it surely will kill deer.

Thanks for all the info guys, I think I'll wait for end of season for a good used deal

You don't even have to wait. A lot of guys have bought new rigs for this season and are still trying to get rid of their old rigs that are basically new. Some great deals to be had year round.

I got set up
At Allstar Archery last year with a Hoyt Charger. That and arrows were about $900. If you are on a budget find out your draw length and look in Craigslist in the offseason. They are like chainsaws a lot of guys buy them, use it once and sell it.

eBay for broadheads

My first bow was a PSE Nova. It was $150 brand new and I killed no telling how many animals with it over the years. I bought it in the early 90's and didn't upgrade until 2004 and I'm still shooting the 2004 one. I'm not one that has to have the latest and greatest or the most expensive. In the end a $200 bow will kill just as well as a $800 bow. Think of it like this. You need a vehicle to drive to work. A Ford Focus will get you there and back just fine and so will a Cadillac Escalade. Just a matter of how much money you want to spend. Both will get the job done.

First thing I would do is go to a bow shop and have them determine your draw length. Tell them what you are looking for and let them make suggestions. You will get a different opinion from everyone on what bow to select. Used bows can be a good bargain. One place to look is at www.TexasBowhunters.com in their classifieds section. There are always bows for sale there.

Se you a PM Nate! Good luck on this adventure, it's a blast even if you only shoot targets! Can't say any cheaper than firearms but can do it without disturbing folks.

go to pigeon road archery in Stevenville, tell allen your interested but don't want to pay a bunch. I got a used pse with arrows sight release and I think broadheads for 300 dollars. He will take care you you

If its your first year I would go used unless your are really commiting, and if that is the case I am a big fan of buy all you can and not have to upgrade for years. I dropped 1200 when I upgraded

I shoot a BEAR GAME OVER ! Guy on Craigslist was looking for a shotgun wich I had ! I googled the 2009 specs! I liked what I read! So I did the deal! And it kills animals! Did the job opening morning on a phat doe@. 30 yards just like the bow said GAMEOVER!!!!

With todays bow technology, even the lower end bows of today are much better than most of the top end bows of yesterday. With that said, like others are saying, set a budget, shoot several bows within your budget and let the bow pick you rather than you picking the bow. Go to a good pro shop (not Basspro or Cabelas) and shoot several bows side by side. Hard to tell if you are shooting one or two today and then another several days or weeks afterwards. Main thing is to get one that you enjoy shooting so you will be more apt to practicing. Mission, PSE and Bowtech all make really great entry level bows. And you can find great deals on Texasbowhunter and the majority of the folks there are a great bunch of people.