Looking to get started bow hunting
 

Hey I am looking to get started bow hunting. I went to a pro shop this past weekend and was told that I am a DL of 31.5 to 32". I would get a bow there but the only thing they would set me up with was bows over $1000. I have a limited budget and am looking to spend $500. Does anyone have any good suggestions on bows to look at? I was thinking about a Bear but not sure how their bows are. Thanks!

Congrats on getting into the great sport of bowhunting. I would look at the mission line of bows. They are made by mathews and are a little more economical. I think they are mathews old technology. I have there mission eliminator and have shot five deer with it the past two years. I paid $399 for it and it is worth every penny. I think there new version is the mission venture for the same price and field and stream rated it a best buy. Short smooth fast and accurate. I would probably go with a fixed broadhead like the muzzy three blade. Very reasonable and have killed many deer. Good luck and let me know if I can help. Scoot

$1000 for a bow? That is insane to try and get a new shooter started on a setup like that. Your best bet is to shoot a variety of platforms, find what is most comfortable and shoots best for YOU, and then get the bare-bones version, no stabilizers, silencers, nothing. Bows are kind of like an AR-15. You can customize it as much as you want. All you will realistically need to get started is a bow, a 2 or 3 pin sight, arrow rest, (whisker biscuits work great for most people and they are pretty cheap) and a half dozen arrows with field tips for practicing and a package (2 or 3) of broadheads. You don't need a release, although it makes shooting much more enjoyable and easy. Bottom line, the most precise and expensive setup in the world is useless without the skill to shoot it in the first place. My grandpa has killed over 20 deer with the bow he bought USED 30 years ago.

I'm getting back in to bowhunting after a couple years off due to lack of time and a properly fitting bow. I'm looking at the PSE Stinger 3G, $399 at Basspro and Cabela's, comes with stabilizer, arrow rest, peep-sight, sling, and nock. I had the chance to shoot one this year at the Northeast Outdoors show and they are very comfortable to shoot, however I'm also a very small guy (about 5'6) and I was shooting a smaller model.

if the shop is only offering you +$1000 bows i would look at another shop
$500 is a decent amount to spend and should be able to find a decent selection in that range
also 32" is fairly long draw length, i hope they were right on your DL
just in case make sure the bow has adjustable DL.

Son, here's the hard news first
 

They don't manufacture compound bows for NBA CENTERS. The biggest normal size made is usually up to only 30" draw.

Only some make bows even up to 32" and the salesman was right. Rare usually means expensive.

I'd become acquaited with this site for the education, at least.
Only a few offer a 32" bow.

http://www.huntersfriend.com/compoundbows.htm

I see Bear is coming out with a 2012 bow, the Bear Encounter for $299, bare boned. Learn that there is a bare bone price and a price for the bow and the ACCESSORIES.

And I'd double check that draw length size again. A second opinion from another shop would be good.

Just bought a Bear Encounter on ebay. Ready to hunt packages for this bow going for 320 to 399. If you can do your own tuning you can get the 32" draw set with this package. New in 2012. Some sellers will set the draw and Pull for you but that is pretty simple to do yourself. No draw module change either. Just remove two screws, adjust and replace and tighten the screws. No Bow Press required. I set it up with a D loop to get 32.5" draw. Yes I wear a 38 sleeve dress shirt and I do not play round ball profesionally. My wingspan is larger than my height at 6'2" tall and 6'6" tip to tip.
I shoot Aluminum and have for years. 2514 easton lodgepoles. 33" Shafts. I won't give them up until I have too. I have 2 dozen set back and a couple dozen I shoot regularly. Good luck and have fun!

By the way Westfirefighter 17 a quick check for your draw length... Measire tip to tip acros your chest, longest finger to longest finger, divide by 2.5. That is pretty accurate. I just checked again. 81" tip to tip 32.4" estimated draw length. The "Old Way" i used to check, Make a fist and put it against the wall. Asume a bow hunter's target stance with the fist at shoulder height. Measure from the wall to the corner of your mouth. That is still a great place to start.

I am just curious as to how tall you are. A 31-32" draw length is awfully long.