first off bowhunting is an expensive sport. it is very hard to get by without spendin some money. i shoot a 600 dollar botech and i really love it. but my dad shoots an old pearson that he bought at a grage sale 15 years ago for 40 dollars and has killed more deer than me. my best advice for you would be to look around at pawn shops and on ebay, i bought my first bow from a pawn shop and my brother buys all his off ebay and has always got good deals. and for your son i would get him the Mathews mission menace. that is the best bow for a young kid that i could think of. just don't do what i did and go to basspro to "look" at bows and come home with a 600 dollar one.