Folks,

After reading lots of posts here, I have tentatively decided on a bow and accessory set. I know it's not complete, but should get me started.

Let me give you a bit of background on myself.

I'm a competitive shooter in trap, skeet and 22lr bullseye. I shoot lots of 5 stand and sporting clays. I have hunted for many years and we eat primarily free range meats and fish.

I have hunted w/both recurve and compound bows in the past (like 15 yrs ago). Rotator and arthritis now limit me to a compound. Even though I'm not starting from scratch, the Xbow will be a new experience for me. Also, I plan to practice a lot before the Oct 1 opener - want to order soon and "get good" with my new equiptment.

Within my budget range, I think an Excaliber Vortex with the Excaliber Accessory "right stuff" package should get me started. I think I'll order from Wyvern (again, seems to have a good rep here).

All I need is a good target (suggestions welcome here as well). Can you think of any other "must haves" I might have forgotten.

Do you think I've selected a reasonable package? Reliability of product is very important.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Mike

Got to say I agree, shoot both Vortex and Phoenix...as well as a compound (Parker Cyclone). Though If I got to keep only one (heaven forbid) it would be the Vortex. Vern will treat you right.

Well, there are just a few very important items you might really have to have.
1. A good set of binoculars
2. A good range finder
3. A good thermos bottle
4. A thermo Cell
5. A never ending supply of cheese and crackers
6. The BuddyBo-Gotta-Go pee bottle
7. Several up to date deer hunting magizines
8. A green streamlight
9. A well practiced dog bark for running deer outta your hunting area after it gets dark so you won't spook em when you climb down.
10. And now we get to the last thingy you gotta have: A picturein your pocket of a really big buck just in case you don't see anything!

At least these are the things I have with mewhen I go hunting.
BBO

Now I never thought about carring a picture with me! I hunt from perment blinds, so I think I will get a couple of pictures and hang them in them. Maybe get a whole herd of pictures.

Thank YOU.

Dave

Ya done good!

I found that a must have is Danny Miller's pliers (to easily pull your arrows out) for the times you want to use a foam target. For the other times, they say that the Spyder target (pricey) is the best but I'm very satisfied with the Yellow Jacket (a bit cheaper). Stops arrows at close range and 2 finger pullouts. You will love Excalibur!

BO!!!

Thanks for your suggestions!! However, since I am using so much hi-tech equipment I've decided to introduce a bit of tradition into my hunting.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to carry much more that the Xbow and arrows since I'm planning on wearing nothing but a loin cloth and body paint!!

Two good things:
1. Hunting in early October so weather is warm (don't need the goose down loincloth)
2. No barbed wire to cross!!!!

Seriously, I do appreciate the input and am looking forward to ordering and practising!! Gonna be fun. The nearest knowledgable bow-people are hundreds of miles away (unless I'm missing someone... sorry) so I depend on your honest input... and am thankful for it. hard to imagine that here in MI's U.P. there are precious few stores with experts on bows. If anyone knows of one, please let me know.

I will no doubt be asking for more help in the future, and know you good folks will help. I hope at some point I can prove some valuable input to this forum... gotta learn a little first.

Yes, Bo, I will take your suggestions into account!!! I do have a nice photo of a monster buck, but it won't fit in my pocket (it's LIFE SIZE!!! )

Thanks again all!!!

Mike

I don't know how far into the UP you live, but Jay's in Gaylord and Clare are very good. The ones I talked to seem to know what they are talking about. Being that crossbows are "new" to the general puplic, most sports shops don't know much unless they are crossbow hunters. I have two within 15 miles of me, one has knowledge the other guesses. Ask a lot of question. They benifit everyone.

Dave

Thanks for the PM's and replies to my posts!!

Went to the Wyvern site and the server must be down , so I'll try again tomorrow.
Someone recommended a "yellow jacket" target... not familiar with that. Can you describe and tell me where to order. I'm going to Jay's (in lower MI) on Sat, so might pick up something there.
Haven't pushed the "buy now" button yet, but getting close. Maybe if the server is up tomorrow, I'll give Wyvern some Visa numbers.

Again, thanks to all for your honest opinions - hope I can contribute some day. At present, I recognize that your knowledge and sophistication of opinion on this subject far surpass my own. It is encouraging to see that no one is suggesting "you absolutely, positively, must-or-die, follow my advice". Got too much of that on other sites. I'll start out simply, and progress as my ability improves.

I'm a fairly competent trap shooter and after many years have a Ljutic Dynokik for competition. I almost always recommend a new shooter use their hunting gun to start before sinking $K's of money on a gun (lots of Rem 870 shooters out there getting better all the time). I'm not starting from scratch here, and glad to see no one is suggesting I spend $$$ immediately.

More later!! Thanks,

Mike

Dave (Wyvern Creations) at 603 659 0575.

Yep...my site is down at the moment...server issue [:@]
Wyvern