OK. I have been reading around on the forum now for a week or more, asking people who I know shoot bows and doing a LOT of reading on the net and I think I have it narrowed down to a few bows.

Martin Tracer Mag Tru-Arc or the Tracer Mag Dyna-Cam
Reflex Excursion
PSE Typhoon or the Deer Hunter

Are there any "accessories" I can live without to start or will I need to get the works? By the works I mean sight, rest, string silencers, release and a case? Remembering this will be my first bow so allthough I am not on a budget per se, cost is an issue.

everything u mentioned u need. technically u can go w/out the silencers but most shops will throw them in for free if you buy everything else there. the case is a wise investment but is also not a must have. but to transport your bow w/out it in a case you must have the strings locked together with a short piece of twine or rope to be legal. you need the rest and sight for sure

I figured that is what someone would tell me, but hey, you never know the answer till you ask the question.
What about the choice of bows? I tried to find some bows that were 1)inexpensive and 2) forgiving of the beginner shooter and 3)would allow the shooter a high fun to usability ratio ie use in the backyard as well as the backyard.

If you plan on hunting don't forget a quiver. Should you end up with a pse bow I'd suggest a pse 2 piece quiver. They are mid priced but are rock solid on the bow. I get absolutely no noise or vibration at all out of my quiver. I use to have a pse one piece detachable. It was bulky and not nearly as quiet of the two piece.

Contrary to popular opinion, the only accessories you actually "need" are an arrow rest and a nockset. Everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING, else is optional.

When it comes to silencers and stabilizers, a lot depends on the bow itself. If it's got a lot of string twang, then you'll need silencers. If the bow doesn't balance properly, you'll need a stabilizer. A bow case is not an absolute requirement, but it's a wise investment. A bow quiver is also a good consideration.

Sights and releases? This is where things start getting sticky.

In the beginning, maybe it's best you do start out with everything. But once you get to the point where you've gotten your form pretty much down and you're shooting good, start experimenting. Try shooting without using the sights. Try shooting with your fingers. The only thing about fingers vs release is a different type of rest is required for fingers shooting, one with a strike plate or cushion button for the lateral paradox, vs the vertical paradox you get with release shooting.

Maybe you'll find you shoot well with your fingers but you'd be better off with sights. Or you could find you don't need sights but do need the release. Or you might actually need both, sights and release. At least you'll KNOW what you need and what you don't need.

Don't be afraid to experiment. Even more, don't be afraid to follow your own path. To me, just because everyone else is doing something, that's just one great reason for me to go and do something else.

I've been there with the sights and releases but now I'm back to shooting my compound with fingers and without sights like I did 25 years ago. I also shoot recurves and longbows. I dabble a bit in making and shooting selfbows, like I did when I was a kid in the 50's. Archery is a diverse sport. Don't let yourself get locked into only one narrow aspect of it.

Yikes![&:] I hope you haven't made your list based on "what you read"

Go out and shoot as many bows as you can and base your decision on what feels good to you , not a popularity contest.

I also have to agree with Arthur when it comes to "what you need"!

My choices for potential bows wasn't made because they were popular. As I said I did quite a bit of reading about bows. Brace height, axle to axle length, draw weight, let off, etc, etc and how they all affect the performance of the bow or how forgiving they are to bad form or a new shooter. And their were things that I wanted in a bow and the ones I mentioned were the ones that fit the bill. But I would go to another bow if it felt better in my hands. I just wanted to look at those first.