Prices of bows
 

Bowhunters,
I would like to start in this world of bowhunting, I received my Bass Pro Archery catalog the other day and was real excited until I saw the prices of "Bare" bows. I'm not the cheapest guy in the world but good grief.
Then they will try and get you to buy the next year's model saying it is better then last year with a price increase.
Am I wrong to make a negative statement about the super high price of mass produced bows and the equipment?
I hope I do not offend anyone, but is there anyone else out there who feels the same way?

Take care and happy hunting

RE: Prices of bows
 

BGM:

I found out REAL QUICKLY that this sport isn't for the faint of wallet. I've got the better part of 2 season under my belt.....and each of my deer have cost me THOUSANDS...lol.

Bows? I believe the route to go (if $$ are an issue) is three-fold. A good, quality, name-brand bow can be had, used, for a LARGE discount from new, retail. The big box stores also carry lines that are affordable. The third line is the name brand mfg's second-tier lines (i.e. Diamond and Reflex....just to name 2 of the MANY).

I honestly believe a man can buy a QUALITY bow....outfitted with gear that is ABSOLUTELY capable of taking ANY NA big game animal......for about $350-$500.

Good luck.

RE: Prices of bows
 

GMMAT is absolutely correct. You don't have to buy the latest and greatest to harvest animals. I made my first archery harvest using a Golden Eagle Sparrowhawk, this thing cost me 250$ out the door.
If you are not looking to spend an arm and a leg the previously mentioned Diamond and Reflex lines are the way to go. I shot the Reflex Growler yesterday and was impressed with how quiet/vibe free it was. I think the package deal was right around 400$.

Good Luck

RE: Prices of bows
 

I don't think you are offending anybody here. The cost of hunting whether it be archery or rifle, has increased considerably.

I too was in sticker shock whenI started. However, once i started shooting some of these bows I changed my mind.

The first bow I bought myself in 1991 cost me $150 with a rest, sight, and quiver. Next bow in 2000 cost me $300 with accessories. The latest cost me $685 before accessories. I'm over $1000 right now just for bow, accessories and arrows.

There are quality rigs out there that can be bought for a reasonable price from PSE, Bear, Bowtech, Reflex, etc.

Here's a hint too. The Bass Pro Redhead bows are made by name brand manufacturers.
Reflex makes the XP series
Parker makes the XSC
Not sure who makes the Krypite

RE: Prices of bows
 

I bought my first bow fully equipped, ready to hunt (save arrows, a realease and a stabilizer) at a Pawn Shop for $60. I killed a couple of truck loads of deer and pigs with that bow.

Just about any bow will take game, most of it is still up to you. Just don't expect the performance of a top end bow out of a pawn shop $60 PSE.

The most important part of your equipment is that IT FITS YOU!!!! Make sure than any bow you buy, no matter what the price, matches your draw length, your comfortable peak weight, or can be put into spec to match you. After that, its lots of practice.

RE: Prices of bows
 

well, it's the same over here, in Belgium as well, it's expensive.
And if tell the guy behind the counter that the dollar rate's low, he tries to teach me a lesson about shipping and handling and the cost for getting a bow from the US to Europe......


grtz,

Frank

RE: Prices of bows
 

yea who doe s make the kryptic???

RE: Prices of bows
 

Just between us friends, I think it's absolutely absurd that a bare bow can cost more than a nice hunting rifle with all the accessories. That's especially so, considering the bow is going to be practically worthless in 5-10 years while the rifle will still retain a healthy portion of it's value.On the other hand...

Whenever this topic comes up, I feel compelled to point out one basic fact. Our ancestors invented archery thousands upon thousands of years before they ever dreamed up the concept of money. If you want a bow you've got choices at two extremes. Buy what they offer and pay their price OR make it yourself for free. There are all kinds of options in between.

I can think of few things that are more rewarding thanfashioning a collection of wood, feathers,metal and string into a bow and some arrows, thengoing out and taking game with it.

RE: Prices of bows
 

BowTech..... Not Diamond....but yes.... BOWTECH

RE: Prices of bows
 

When I looked at the picture I thought it was made by Bowtech. The bottom cam looks like one of theirs.

However, it's a little surprising that it's not made by diamond due to the fact that it has a single cam.

Arthur's comment is exactly what stunned me about the price of a new bow.I have a 1973 Model 788 .308 that sold for $125 or so back then with a scope.I bought it for $330 6 yrs ago. People are paying over $500 for that model now depending on condition. In 20 yrs my bow will be worth about $.25. I'd make more off of recycling the riser.

I would think that the turn over for a new bow is much higher than for a rifle. Most people that buy a new rifle still have the old one and use it. While most people that buy a new bow try to give their old one away or it just collects dust.

RE: Prices of bows
 

Bows are getting way too expensive in my opinion. That being said there are still some deals in the 300 dollar range.

My advice is if you get one, don't go to Bass Pro. Find a decent pro shop and let them know what your budget is.

Archery is expensive though, especially when you are first starting out.

Paul

RE: Prices of bows
 

I agree about the strange lack of correlation between gun and bow prices. Maybe bows will start to hit a ceiling of peak performance and will level off for a while. Just like it's hard to improve a basic Remington or Winchester bolt action rifle, maybe bows will get to that point one day. I kind of have my doubts, but maybe we will soon see a gradual levelling off, where the model year differences start becoming more and more cosmetic, and where an 2008 really doesn't shoot any different than a 2010 model.

I was also surprised at the barebow prices in the BP catalog. If I remember right, there were about 6 bows in it that cost within $50-100 of a new Tribute, Allegiance, or Switchback XT (a few that were more like the Mach X). I couldn't imagine paying about the same for a Bass Pro bow (with worse specs) than these top of the line bows bought from a local shop who would take the time to set it up properly, tune it, and back up the product.

If your price range is $250 - $450, I think that BP might have the right bow to hit the sweet spot (especially with the package deals), but above that, I just don't get it. I think that you can get plenty of bow for any deer in this price range, but I chose not to go that route this time.

Also, am I the only one that didn't think that BP accessory prices were all that great either?

RE: Prices of bows
 

These guys are pretty much right on, so I won't repeat it, but I will answer a question you asked about this year's models vs. next....

The advances in bow technology amaze me every year. I relate it to computers. Every year amazes me at how much better they are than last. I know Hoyt, so that's what I talk about. They Trykon is one AWESOME bow, won honors of bow of the year and all that good stuff......This year the Vectrix was introduced, and I am bein honest when I say it is WAY better than the Trykon....

I often find myself wondering what they will be like in 5 years....I am amazed every year at how much they improve. Are they overpriced? Yep. But is it worth it? IMO, yep.

RE: Prices of bows
 

You need to go to the thread where the kid is looking at an outdated PSE that PSE still sales new and say the same thing there. I'm about ready to sendthe poor kidthe $30 to buy the better PSE or BEAR package.

I remember being in that boat when I was I graduated from college. Didn't have a lot of moeny but wanted a bow so I bought abow. However, there were much better bows for $50 more.I should have suffered that extra $50 or so fora better model.I liked the bow the day I walked out of the shop but startedhating it 6 months later when the limbs started to turn and the accuracy was worse than my Whitetail Legend. Actually stopped shooting for a few years because of that bow.

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=2111786

Sure, there is nothing wrongwith the older bows but the new ones do things that much better.

RE: Prices of bows
 

ya but i got my bear omni pro on sale for 200 on sale. and i have killed lots of big game with it

RE: Prices of bows
 

As a recent college grad thatjusttook up the sport, Ihave learned quickly that the price of archery isn't limited to a bow. In the two months I have been shooting, I have spent a pretty penny putting together a rig and getting accesories. Although my paltry teacher salary doesn't allow me to splurge on every item I want, a new set of priorities (if I wantnew arrows, I can't go out drinking with the boysfor one month, etc.)has allowed me to enjoy archery with good equipment bought at reasonable prices. I NEVER would have thought it was this expensive, but, just like anything, you get what you put in.

P.S. I have a Bear Instinct. I really like the bow, and think for the price it is worth a serious look.

RE: Prices of bows
 

Bear has really turned a corner in my eyes from the entry level bows in the late 1990's.

The entry level Bear Buckmaster was the bow I refered to in my earlier post. It was the recurved split limb model and the limbs rotated on it. I know they fixed that problem with the plate over the limb bolt.

The Instinct looks like a nice bow.

RE: Prices of bows
 

I would encourage anybody looking for a great bow at a good price to check out Pearson's lineup. The Z-34 is almost identical to a Ross Cardiac and you can pick one up for $499 - and that includes custom strings and cables.

Or you can go over to archerytalk and search for Monofletch's Pearson's. He sells limited run models for around $300-$400 that are literally the same bows that the dealers sell for hundreds of dollars more.

You can also pick up barely used Pearson Stealth's for around $350. The Stealth shoots every bit as good as the Trykon and Vectrix that I shot side by side. The deal with Pearson's is that because they don't say "Hoyt", "Mathews", or "Bowtech" the resale value stinks. But if you are buying used, you can get an unbelievable bow at a great price.

RE: Prices of bows
 

Manufacturers know there is a strong market for $800 + bows and they are more than happy to supply it. As long as that market exists somebody will supply it regardless of what it costs them (the manufacturer) to fill it. Mass production and lowered manufacturing costs often translate into higher margins, not necessarily lower prices.

RE: Prices of bows
 

I agree with all you guys, bow prices and accessory prices like on many of the latest sights are just plain ridiculus! However, all of US are still foolish enough to run out and pay a premium for them and wonder why they continue to rise in price! The only thing that has ever bugged with that much with bows is the fact that an outdated bow rig is worth nothing. Atleast when I put $1,000 into a gun that baby is still worth most of that years from now. Put that same money into a bow rig and you won't get half that in a single year! :(

Of course buying all the latest and greatestgear and gadjets is a compulsive disorder for me, perhaps there is still hope for others. ;)