I've owned three brands - started off with a Hoyt, went to Mathews, now Elite. My Elite (Emerge) bow is my hands down favorite and I don't think I'll convert back.
I will classify my favorite hunting bows as the bows that gave me the most wow factor at the time I bought them. The 2004 Bowtech Allegiance and the Origional Halon 6. Both bows just had an it factor for me. Many other awesome bows before, between them and since but none jumped out at me like those two did. For target bows it is the Mathews TRX 36.
07 Allegiance, Halon X, and the VXR 31. That VXR is the first bow I haven’t sold immediately after the season ended in 10+ years.
I also kept my VXR 28 from last year and didn't get a V3. Been a lot of years since I haven't got a new hunting bow. Probably back to the Heli-m where I kept it a couple seasons.
That's crazy. I have hunted with the Heli-m since probably 2012 or 2013. I have shot most of all the newer mathews flagship bows and never really got the feeling they were worth the upgrade. I did almost get the Triax when I shot that when it came out. Went home and shot my Heli-m and just couldnt put her down just yet. Who knows maybe this November something will peak my interest.
First is my E32 that i still have. I wish i could find 70# limbs for it. I have been kicking tires on some new bows but havent made a move. The new mathews almost had me whipping out my wallet a couple times. Second would be a bow i borrowed from my buddy for a few yrs. it was i think an 08’? bowtech guardian. Heavy bow but it shot like a dreamcicle. I didnt want to give it back. My only other bows were my first a bear black panther, and an old pse i cant remember model. I loved the black panther. Somewhere theres a pic of me opening it on Christmas. It was used but i didnt care.
I feel the exact same way. As I said before, I bought a Triax when they came out and for target shooting it was better, but when it came to hunting I preferred the Heli-m. Now I have the new V3 and again, I’m more accurate with it at longer distances and the speed increase helps with misjudging yardage by a bit, but the jury is still out on whether or not I’ll like it when I’m hunting. One thing is for sure though: If I decide not to keep hunting with the V3 I sure won’t give it away like I did my Triax.
Sure was! He bought that and whatever the hoyt was that year and loved the hoyt so i capitalized! Hahaha. Speaking of Hoyt… doesnt seem to be may hoyt shooters on this sight. They are good bows.
Martin cougar - first compound *Martin firecat - Favorite of all, most confident I've ever felt with a hunting bow *Martin Nemisis 35 - love this one too, still my target bow PSE drive 3b - for a 500 dollar bow, I shot this as well as I do the VXR, keeping as backup Matthews VXR 31.5 - current hunting bow. Shoots great, but still newish *shot these bows with a back tension, might be the reason I shot them so well, will be going back to back tension this season with the VXR I've also had a ton of older bows(beaters and bowfishing) maybe 10-12 of recurves and longbows, I think the Ragim Impala is my favorite recurve, Ragim Fox for longbow also never spent a ton of money on traditional bows, so that's a very limited opinion.
I am still hunting with my Halon 32, and don’t know that I’ll ever part with it. That said, I’ve had several bows that I really liked, but the favorite (after the Halon) is easily my Z7 Magnum. Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
love this Hoyt pro defiant 34! Got my first turkey with it this year on the ground with the gillie picture shows my bow set up I had too Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
Hoyt Katera was probably my all time favorite. Funny thing is, I haven't liked or owned a Hoyt since then. Owned 1 Bowtech (invasion I think?) which I did not like at all. Then have been Mathews ever since.
Bear Archery Epic Extreme. It was 32" axle to axle, light, fast and quiet. It was my first "quality" bow and I used it to harvest my first big game with it (Hogs & Deer). I ruined it on a Mule Deer hunt out west, and regret it to this day. I now have a Hoyt Carbon RX-3 It is fantastic, but until I start killing deer it will not rate higher than that Bear.
Hmm? I'll try n remember my bows from the past. Started with a Jennings. Not sure what model, browning woody, A York of some kind, a pse of some kind, a Martin cougar, Xi legend, another pse, hoyt Katera and now shooting a Matthew's switchback. Can't say I have a favorite. I've killed deer with em all so I guess they are ALL my favorites.
