New and lost.
 

Howdy all, ive been rifle hunting for the last 6 seasons and am looking to get into bowhunting but i have no one in my family or hunt group that bow hunts all strictly rifle hunters. So the question i have is with a $500 budget give or take $50 or so is it better to buy online because i can get the whole setup (bow,quiver,site,rest,arrows,release,tips,peep site,case) for $459 parker ultra lite 31 http://www.huntersfriend.com/bowpkg2.htm or should i get a less quality bow something like the PSE S3 but from bass pro where i can get some knowledge on my exact draw length and draw weight, and send some arrows downrange at their indoor range? I quess the question i have is it okay to buy my first bow online and rely on their chart of being 5ft 9" and 155 pounds means i shoot at a 27.5" draw and 55#? Any advice for the best way to go on a $500 setup (including arrows, release, site, quiver, etc) would help alot thanks guys.

go to a proshop and have them find your draw length and weight...then buy there or if you want then buy online....but just to let you know im 5'9" and 145-155ish and i shoot 67lbs, and have a 26.5inch draw length......every one is different.

I agree- know these things before you buy

Thanks for the feedback fellas, ill hit the pro shop for sure and make sure i get a bow that fits me, or at least my measurments so i can order online if i decide to go that route am i likely to find a set up at bass pro or gander mtn around the $500 range that shoots over 300 IBO including arrows and accessories if i keep it basic obviously?

Don't get stuck on the "over 300" number. If you ran a poll on here you'd find that most are shooting under that number. Even if you buy that "over 300" bow by the time you get set up it won't be that fast.

By the way - my starting set-up was $350 out the door minus the release and broadheads. Killed deer every year and probably still is if the new owner is any good:D

A $500 hundred dollar budget is PLENTY to get you on your to way to a good set up, and you'll find on this site thats its mostly about personal preference more than anything!And just as Walhangr stated, don't get caught up in the speed game. Go get your measurements and then shoot as many different bows you can in your price range and find the one that fits you best!! Make sure you get a good set of the same arrows, all cut the same(length wise), fletched the same, and use the same weight tip(85gr,100gr,125gr). Your arrow is the most important tool!!! The bow just propells it on its mary way to the target, hopefully a monster buck :) Good Luck and Welcome to Club brother

Check out a Diamond Razors Edge. Really sweet bow and fast. One of the best mid level bows for the money. Diamond is made by Bowtech. Draw length is easily changed on the cams without the need for a press. Draw weights are 30-60 lbs. on one set of limbs without the need to change them out. You could easily set yourself up, out the door for well under $500 with this bow.

Shane

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

3rd pic down on the left column...im Devin from PA...


i was in a VERY similar boat...

i used this site to learn and try to make good decisions...but a bow shop couldnt TOUCH prices like hunters friend can offer...

they also let me swap alot of stuff...i got more arrow, had them fletched how i wanted, and switched broadheads, got extras etc etc...they let me do what i wanted and kept the prices right...of course i paid a bit more than the package price but i got a dozen arrows, more heads, different release etc...

great company to work with and everything came and was setup and ready to go...

once your string creeps after a couple weeks of shooting you can retune and all that...

if you know your draw length and comfortable draw weight, that will really make everything easy..once it comes it'll be setup and ready to shoot...

after a few years i am just now slowly upgrading my gear...put a new rest and sites on the bow...shoot different arrows etc...but killed my first buck with the bow setup basically how i bought it...

good luck with the decision...

dont forget that its going to take extra time to get it from them this time of year...and dont forget archery isnt something you jump into and run off to the woods n kill a slammer...ive been shooting for a few years now and wont get home till 2 days prior to our opener...havent shot since nov...i KNOW i'll be missing the opener and probably first week and ive been shooting a few years..i just know it'll take some time before im shooting well and got myself n the bow good n tuned...some guys shoot well quicker than others...just takes time, practice and knowledge of form and related stuff like that...

I agree with going to a proshop, but beware. Ive seen too many proshops with guys who have no clue and try to answer questions by trying to sell you the most expensive products they have. With 500 bucks, you can get a good bow set up and not have to go with the highest end products made. Ive put together perfectly good compounds for guys for far less than that (if I build a top end trad bow, it will cost a little more:)). Might ask around to be sure the proshop you go to is not full of quacks.

Dont get caught up in the speed thing. I hunt with longbows and recurves that are extreamly slow compared to my compounds. Effectiveness is not measured in speed, but rather in abillity and shot placement. My first hunting bow, from 1978 was a recurve that shots a whooping 240 fps. I still killl deer and hog with that bow to this day. Last year, shot two deer with it and both were complete pass throughs..


The longbow I built last spring, which will be one of my hunting bows this season, will only do 260 fps and I will guarantee pass throws with it. Here she is. I made her from a bamboo pole, bodarch post and a peice of ipe decking. She sure will do a job on hogs. Shot one earlier this summer with her.