Money to burn! (theoretically)
 

I am a new hunter with only a Browning 12 gauge shotgun. Lets say I have $1000 to spend.What would you recommend that I buy next?

A) Buy a rifle. What brand, caliber would any of you recommend?

B) Buy a compound bow/crossbow. Which is preferred? Im leaning towards compound bow, but my father-in-law suggests crossbow. Then I could still buy a reasonably priced rifle. What brand/caliber would any of you recommend for a rifle under $500 or so.

Im leaning towards B because I can bow hunt during bow hunting season, but the learning curve of shooting a compound bow is what bothers me.

I hunt out of state so I want to get more 'bang out of my buck', literally speaking.

Let me know what you guys think!

RE: Money to burn! (theoretically)
 

Onestly I just started to shoot a compound bow 3 months ago and i love it.. I have shot 4 3d compitions with scores 251,245,256,267(in order). I am gradually getting better. Myt shooting buddy has been bow hunting for 25+ years and he is scoreing average 220. Yuo will pic it up very easily but it is different for some people.. I suggest a compound bow its a blast...

RE: Money to burn! (theoretically)
 

This is what I think you should.

1st.... buy a Remington 700 ADL in 30.06 with the synthetic stock.

2nd....Top it with a 3x9 Busnell Bannerscope.

I'm not sure how much the rifle will cost but itsa good, accurate gun and its lower priced than alot of rifles. I'm guessing you will have around $500 in it, maybe less if you really shop around for a deal.

With the money you have leftget as good a bow that you can find. I would not reccomend a crossbow. My father has one and they are boring. You will enjoy shooting the compound.

RE: Money to burn! (theoretically)
 

awwww, dont listen to windwalker about the crossbow part;)i got a horton and i absolutely love it! all u have to do is buy your bolts, broadheads, and go and shoot 45 or 50 rounds to get it sighted in. easy as tht. go with the rifle CROSSBOW combination. my horton only cost me 350.00 so u'll have some extra cash to scope your rifle and your crossbow. but dont forget, one shot, one kill, horton:D

RE: Money to burn! (theoretically)
 

As far as the compound/crossbow you have to decide how much time you want to put in it. If you think you will enjoy shooting alot and going through all the trial and error get a compound. I say this because most of they guys I know have to shoot alot during the summer to keep there skills up. And when you buy a compound your initial sucess will depend on who helps ya. With a compound I think its real easy to get going in the wrong direction depending on how much help you get from the wrong people. Too many choices and variables in the compound for me. Now if you get a good Crossbow like a horton it comes in the mail, you use there arrows and you will be busting nocks by the end of the end of the day. And after your done pull it out a week before the season just to make sure things are still ok. With a Crossbow you dont have to put in all the time to keep your skills up like you do with a compound. Just decide on how much time you want to put into the pre hunt, I would rather be in the stand then in my back yard practicing.

RE: Money to burn! (theoretically)
 

it depends on what kind of challenge you want. If you just want to fillyour tag easy, go for rifle. If you want to have a good challenge go for bow. im not saying hunting with a gun is easy, but its a lot easier than with a bow. as far as compound bows go i would get a mathews, bowtech or hoyt, they are all really good brands from what ive heard.

RE: Money to burn! (theoretically)
 

My opinion on the crossbow is based on where I'm from. Here in PA, you need a permit to use a crossbow to hunt during the regular archery season. You have to have a doctor sign the application saying you are unable to draw a compound.

Here in PA we also have 3D shoots, where you walk through the woods on a course shooting at life size animal targets. They are a blast when you go with a group of friends. I don't know if they have these in your area, but if you get the crossbow, you will miss out on that.

My father hunts with a crossbow because he injured his shoulder. He hunted with a compound for years. He has a Horton Legend and he hates it. He wishes he could still pull back the compound.

To each his own, I guess.

RE: Money to burn! (theoretically)
 

get a bow!!! YOU'LLLOVE IT!!!

RE: Money to burn! (theoretically)
 

Windwalker,anyone can hunt with a cb in Pa. You don't have to be disabled. Check seasons and dates in regs digest.

RE: Money to burn! (theoretically)
 

No reason you can't get a good compound and a good rifle with 1000$.

RE: Money to burn! (theoretically)
 

Go for the Bow. When i got my first i fell in love with it. Mathews, Bowtech, and Hoyt all good chocies but see which one is the most comfortable.

RE: Money to burn! (theoretically)
 

lol apparently you've never been graced by the power and presence of an Excalibur crossbow now have you? go to cabela's and ask to shoot the ExoMax and you'll never pick up a Horton again......been there done that

RE: Money to burn! (theoretically)
 

If I had to choose I would buy a bow because the season is usually longer. But with a 1000 dollars you could buy both if you looked around. plus if you have a shot gun you may be able to buy a slug barrel for it to compensate for a rifle. A poor man has poor ways. Thats what I live by if I aint got the money to justify buying it then I don't need it.

RE: Money to burn! (theoretically)
 

Thanks for the advice guys!I think I will try for the compound bow, rifle combination. I need more advice though, I write left handed, shoot right handed. I went to a sporting goods store yesterday and was looking over a compound bowjust to get a look and feel. My problem is that my right arm is weaker than my left and I had problems drawing the bow. I think the saleman said it had a 70 lb draw. I don't think I want a left handed bow because that will mess me up. Have any of you faced this dilema?

RE: Money to burn! (theoretically)
 

What ever you don't buy 2 cheap things and end of cursing and swearing at them when the season rolls around. You already have a gun that you can use to gun hunt so I would get a good bow. Personally I would go with a Horton or Excaliber, but that is beside the point. Take what is left from the bow and if you can find a good gun with good optics (if you want them) for a deal then pick it up. If not I's hold out and hunt with the bow and shotgun until you can get something good. Nothing is worse than your equipment failing when you need it most.[&:]


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RE: Money to burn! (theoretically)
 

get a bow. the learning curve isn't that bad. i use a recurve and it's a lot harder to shoot than a compound but if you've got a couple months to practice say 20 min. aday you'll be ready. i suggest shooting with someone who knows what there doing or get the shop you buy the bow from to get you squared away. bow season is the bomb here in new York. it's still going during the rut and starts so early that the first week is a great time to bag a doe or scout out that buck for the rut:)

RE: Money to burn! (theoretically)
 

Before you buy anything, I think you should seriously think about what type of hunting you want to be doing. What kind of turain you'll be hutning on. Big game, small game....etc. What kind of challenge you are looking for.....

RE: Money to burn! (theoretically)
 

The only time you can hunt with a CB, if you aren't disabled,is during the early muzzle loader season, the rifle season and late muzzle loader. Maybe in Allegheny Co. but I'm not sure about that.


Answer me this. If a hunter is not disabled, can he hunt the first day of archery season anywhere in the state? The answer is .....NO.....Why limit yourself to one week, during the early muzzleloader in PA, with a cross bow, when you can hunt 6 weeks with a compound.

RE: Money to burn! (theoretically)
 

All you need 45# to kill a deer..

RE: Money to burn! (theoretically)
 

You are right to be concerned on getting the best you can. My suggestion would be to get a nice Mathewes bow this year and concentrate on a gun next year if you can only get one. My reason for this is that with a bow yu will usually get a longer season and be able to be in the woods longer. Plus you said you like to hunt out of state and a lot of states don't allow cross-bows. but back to the bow always to try to get the best quaility gear you can and I don't think anyone here will argue with me Mathewes makes the best. As far as a rifle goes I would rather get a medieoka rifle and a real good scope then the other way around. Mike

RE: Money to burn! (theoretically)
 

I agree with Adirondack hunter. it all depends on how challenging you would like to make it. I myself would go with a good longbow. but that is just me. I have my heart set on a habu viperkahn so when I come across an extra 1600 that I dont need that bow would be the first one I get.