Newbie questions

[Kyle K.]

Hello,

I'm interested in learning to bow hunt and I just have a few begginer's questions.

What kind of draw is neccessary for deer hunting, how about for turkey hunting?

If I were to select a good starting bow what would some good choices be? I'm 17 years old and don't make a lot of moneyworking part time after schoolso please consider cost when making recommendations.

I found one used bow that someone on another forum is selling for $35 plus shipping. Here is the description: Bear compound bow. 70 LB draw. Includes quiver and arrows. New string last season.

It is probably some really cheap bow you wouldn't want to take hunting for that price but perhaps it would be ok to use for practice until I save up for a decent one. Take a look at the photo and tell me what you think.

[Rob/PA Bowyer]

It could kill a deer however, I feel you could do better with a little research.

Through all the years of hunting with bow and arrows, there have been a lot of deer taken with minimal draw weights...shot placement is more important than anything else with adequate bow poundage. My question, what kind of poundage are you capable of pulling?

[Kyle K.]

I lift weights with the school football team and right now I bench press about 225lbs.I doubt I'll have to worry about theminimum about that will work or buy some kind of "junior" bow.

[Kyle K.]

Should I buy this bow for $35 plus shipping?

It seems to seem like it would work alright either for practice or hunting and it seems like a good deal considering it comes with the sites, a new string, a quiver and arrows and release.Would it be a good choice for a first bow (I think the 70lb draw won't be a problem) or should I pass it up and buy a better used bow or a new one?

[fufanu360]

yikes that is a very outdated bow... i would spend a decent amount more.... and get something that is enjoyable to shoot...

[ButchA]

I agree... Kyle, you stated you are 17? Okay, that's cool... Let's put it this way regarding that Bear bow for $35 bucks. That bow isolder than you are!!

I would check out this site and review all their styles of bows to choose from:

http://www.huntersfriend.com

[mobow]

Butch, what d'ya say, perhaps a Reflex Excursion for the young man?

Seriously, check them out. Very reasonable, I think you can get one set up for around $350. Yeah, it's a tad more than $35 but it shoots better, straighter and faster with more knockdown power. Besides, it'll last you for years.

Do some research and see what you can come up with. You can do much better than that old Bear, although they were quite good in their time. Head to a pro shop out and see what you can't find. They often have used bows that are a year or 2 old for next to nothing.

[Kanga]

right now I bench press about 225lbs

What you can bench press has nothing to do with drawing a bow as you use different muscles

The best advice I can give you is to go to different Pro Shops and try different bows and get one that fits you otherwise you will soon be discouraged and give up.

BTW I do not conceder Bass Pro or Cabelas as archery Pro Shops

[TerryM]

As Ausie said no matter the price of that antique it won't help if it does not fit you right. You really should hit a pro shop first to figure what your draw length is before buying "any" bow. If in fact that one does fit it will kill a deer as thats what people used years ago and they killed plenty of deer. But realize that its really old and will likely need a new string right off the start. It looks like its around 25 yrs old to me with metal cables and likely has about 35-50% let off. The quiver is probably worth about 20 bucks anyway.

[ButchA]

ORIGINAL: mobowhuntr
Butch, what d'ya say, perhaps a Reflex Excursion for the young man?

Sounds like a winner to me! The Excusion has a huge brace height and is very forgiving, from what I've read. He could go with one of those or a used (2 - 3 years old) Hoyt model.