for 500 complete ready to hunt nothing beats PSE for beginers... easy cheaper and DAMN RELIABLE. i think i had more than dished out enough punishment to both of my PSE's and they have taken it with out saying a word. and they have never let me down.. i bet ya i coudl roll over my nova with a truck and it woudl still shoot straight. and right now most pleaces are having sales on a complete hunter package...
get yourslef a copper johns dead nuts sight, and a whisker bisquit, some nice carbon arrows, and some Nap nitrons or MUZZYS for heads they have never failed me! good luck and what ever you do MAKE SURE YOU SHOOT ALL THE BOWS IN YORU PRICE RANGE.. who knows what i like you might HATE!
above all and i think 99% of teh people on here will tell you the same....

GO TO YOUR LOCAL SHOP. and shoot everything they will let you shoot. what is teh best feeling bow you shoot. i woudl say 99% BUY that bow you will never regret doing that.