Shoot a bunch of bows and then decide. Beleive me on saying that you may think you want oneparticular bow for some reason and you try another one and say, "Dang this is the bow for me." For me it is the one in my sig.

Plus, you have to create some sort of criteria to start with or you iwll drive yourself nuts.

PaBowhntr stated it perfectly. I started in the $500 or lower price range and as I shot other bows that max number kept climbing until finally it wasn't an issue.

However, I don't think you could go wrong buying just about any bow out there. Get the bow you like best. Not the one that peir pressure tells you to buy and you'll love the bow that much better.

I have a Parker now, and I would buy another one. There are a lot of good bows out there.

I like my setup (see below), but of course I just bought it so I am kinda partial. I shot Matthews XT and Drenalin and Bowtech Guardian, Tribute and Allegiance (no Hoyt dealer) and went with the one that felt best to me and suited my short draw length.

The Vital Gear Triangle Sight is outstanding. Super Bright pins (0.29 top, and 0.19 bottom 2), and the way the pins are angled away is really nice.

My quiver is Alpine Soft-Loc. It is sturdy, quiet, and well made, but on the heavy side.

Signature was not on prior post. See below.

I looked at a bunch also But didn't want to go broke so I went with a Bear Instinct with extreme rt sights and a bodoodle rest. I was mid priced and was very comfortable. The new Martin Bengal is priced about the same.

I agree. These two bows are both excellent performers. Kinda like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry of the bow world. The $800 bows are a little smoother and slightly more refined, but they aren't going to bring home any more game than the Fred Bear or the Martin Bengal.

Very true Roskoe. I've owned Bear Bows since I was 19 yrs old and have shot deer with them. This year I just decided to get something different.

The most important aspect ofbowhunting is the guy behind the bow. Not the bow that's in your hand.

If I had to purchase a new bow it would be a Mathews Switchback XT or Drenlin, probably the Drenlin now. I prefer a short/light bow with forgiveness.

Sight- Only a HHA Optimizer single pin sight. They are great!

Arrows- Gold Tips with 2 inch Blazer vanes

Rest- I'm a hunter, so a Whisker Biscut would be my # choice still.

Release- Scott Archery

Stabilizer- the smallest S-Coil Simms makes.

As for myself,I preffered the Bowtech Guardian over the Switchback XT.

Nothing wrong with the Switchback. Or the Darton's that i tried or the Ross. But for me the Guardian felt better.

Something that doesn't have a single cam and it's inherent cam lean. Something that doesn't have a cable guard to twist the limbs, causing cam lean. Something smooth and fast.

I guess that means a Martin with NitrousX cams. But then I already have three of them.