Doug,
There are a mess of bow that are excellent beginner's bows, you just have to decide what set-up feels best to you personally, and make sure you get the right draw-length and a weight that is comfortable for you. I'm a big guy, and a 70# bow draws just fine, I could probably draw a 90+ bow, but didn't see the point. Longer Axle-to-axle lengths and and longer Braceheights are more forgiving, meaning they will allow for more "form flaws" than a SHORT a-t-a, short BH bow. Speed factors in as well, but you'll generally find speed is more associated with BH than much else in MOST bows. Best advice is to set a budget, with some flexibility and then do some searching from there. Bowhunting is a VERY addictive thing, and very rewarding when everything comes together. IMHO, MUCH more rewarding than any gun hunt I've ever been on, which I think the majority of bowhunters will also tell you. Check out
www.huntersfriend.com, and do some reading on their site about choosing a bow and what different spec's mean. I keep their site in my Fav's, because I can use it as a reference for friends trying to figure things out, guestimate speeds of bow they know nothing about, etc. I've personally shot everything I could get my hands on to shoot over the past 3 yrs, and there are a LOT of nice feeling bows out there. Another option would be to go on some basic spec's, and look used if you're not real sure how much you want to invest into it, then build from there. Archerytalk.com has probably the BIGGEST bow classifieds section you'll find, and if you find one bigger I want to know where it is, because I'm always "shopping." I set up my Trykon XL, with after-market strings (about $80 most places), a nice TT micro adjust rest, a Cobra Sidewinder site, and a nice one piece quiver (my preference) all for about $480. New MSRP prices on all of that is around $1000, but doing some "smart" shopping can put things in your hand much cheaper than the MSRP, especially if you're willing to buy something that has been gently used. Sure I didn't get a warranty with my bow, but I got over $900 worth of merchandise for $400 shipped to my door, I can always buy a new limb or cam if I have to with the amount of $$$ I saved buying used, not that I'll need to with a HOYT. (sorry, shameless advertising for a great bow company) But seriously, there are lots of GOOD options. Bear has some of the best bang for your buck bows on the market if you're looking new, and most of their bows are pretty decent shooters. Martin also has some GOOD deals, but their set-ups may not be quite as forgiving as what you might get from a Bear, and if you're looking for something real nice all set-up, a Bowtech Tomcat is a nice package deal that comes with everything but the arrows and release in a nice FORGIVING set-up.
New bow
