possable new bow hunter

not the dogs · 09-26-2010, 09:05 AM

I have never used a bow but would like to try it. The only problem is that I'm left handed. Like most everyone else, I don't have alot of money. The few bows that I have found that were lefties have been pretty steep. First of all I want to shot at alot of targets to make sure that I have good aim and that I like shooting a bow and feel comfortable enough to hunt with one. If I had any friends that were left handed, I would ask to shot theirs to see if I thought this would be for me. Any suggestions on what I could do or any cheap bow that I could practice with before I buy one and find out that I can't hit the side of a barn. I do love hunting , just not sure that I could be a good enough shot with a bow.

MBmadness · 09-26-2010, 04:22 PM

You might have to buy one off of Archery Talk or ebay . I hear left hand bows are hard to come by , and a even longer wait . And when you you get one make sure you find a archery shop to set it up for you . Or call some archery shops near you and see if they have any lefties in stock .

V8Ranger · 09-26-2010, 06:45 PM

I have bought a couple used bows on E-bay. Soon as I got them I took them down to the pro shop and had them checked out and new string put on them. All in all, I think I set up the used one's for a couple hundred bucks.... It gets you practicing, and you will need allot of it...... Then you can up date from that as you get the money

not the dogs · 09-26-2010, 06:58 PM

Thanks for the advise. I do plan on getting one soon and practicing from now until next season. Maybe then I will be pretty accurate. Thanks again.

V8Ranger · 09-27-2010, 12:52 AM

You don't have to spend $700 to $1000 on a bow.... Sure, it would be nice to have the best of everything on the bow. The bow I shoot, I got off E-Bay. It was new. I got it off of an pro shop that just happen to be selling some on there. My bow came completely setup with everything, and ready to shoot. The only thing I had to buy was a quiver. But I all ready had one. I think I paid like $300 or $350 for my bow. IBO is 300....

DDMPrecision · 09-27-2010, 02:58 AM

As a southpaw myself,the hardest part for me has been sights. Finding my bow was easy. Most of the larger shops will have left handed bows in stock, and often you can find great deals just after the season (I know that's not what you want to hear, but it's true).
Other options are Craigslist for your area, putting up a flyer on a bulletin board at the local hunting shops for what you're looking for, and scouring the classifieds every day.
If you can, have a bow shop check out any prospective bow BEFORE your buy it, checking the wheels/cams for damage, string condition, and availability of replacement parts.
Parts for a left hand bow do not necessarily fit a right hand bow, and vice versa.
Arrows and other accessories are ambidextrous (no such thing as a left handed arrow), but many releases are hand specific.
I respect that you have a budget to keep within, as I was in the same boat when I got my rig.
Over the years, I have saved my pennies, and upgraded things as I saw fit and as budgetary considerations made available.
Tru-glo makes a great sight setup that's about $100 that extends the reticle out a little further from the riser, which (IMHO) puts more distance between the peep and the pin, enhancing accuracy.
Welcome to the brotherhood of southpaw archers!

V8Ranger · 09-27-2010, 05:35 AM

Oh ya, I'm a lefty also.....