www.huntersfriend.com has some reviews of bows though you always have to take any review with a grain of salt as nobody is entirely objective...myself included. Speaking of which, I did just post a review of the Hoyt Vipertec over on the tech. forum if you are interested. It would normally be out of the price range that I would normally suggest for a beginner but it makes for some enjoyable reading none the less.

Definitely get a feel for what folks are saying is good before heading into a shop. Though the pro shop is definitely the way to go don't have someone else tell you what is good and what isn't. Decide for yourself what you like to feel in a hunting bow.