Bow under $1K

What would you get should you be shopping for new bow? Looking for quality and reliable product.

I'm thinking about buying new bow and I'm willing to spend up to 1K for reliable bow. Whitetail deer would be primary target at this point. I do not mind to go with something that is more that I need at this time should I decide to go for bigger game later.

Thanks for you input. Charles

 

Go with a Mathews they can Handel anything in North America. The bow does not have much to do with what you can shoot.

 

Go to a local bow shop and shoot everything you can. $1000 can get you about everything you want. Every brand makes good bows. I would shoot Bowtech, Mathews, Hoyt, Elite, PSE, and Mission. Let the bow pick you. I love Bowtechs but I wont tell you to go buy their bow without you shooting it. Its all personal preference.

 

Guess that all depends on if your $1000 Budget isfor the entire setup(rest,sight,quiver,release,arrows) or just the bow. Eitherway you can get a nice bow and accessoriesfor that budget.
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^This revised a little :D

 

Like most people have already said, go to the shop(s) in your area and shoot anything you can get your hands on. Pay attention to subtleties in each one you shoot. Try every brand and don't let anyone sway your decision, the bow will pick you just as much as you pick it.

 

I would wait and see what the 2012 bows are like before buying a new one at this point.

 

i have 800 with arrows and broadheads in my bowtech and love it, youll find one.

 

Shoot some bows, figure out what works for you. Don't go buying a bow based on mine or anyone else's "say so." Pick out a bow based upon what feels best to you. Don't buy a bow based on speed, the difference in a 20 yd shot between a 300fps and 350fps bow is minimal, and those speeds are only advertised speeds, most archers will NEVER achieve anywhere near the advertised speed of a bow. As for sights and rests, that again is a wide open field.

 

Try to avoid the top end speed bows. They are usually very unforgiving for a new archer. As everyone has said, shoot as many as you can and let the feel of the bow make the decision. That being said, make sure you get a bow that fits your draw length and is in a draw weight that you can handle comfortably. For deer I wouldn't go more than 60 lbs. peak weight. If you plan on hunting bigger stuff in the future you may want to go up to a 65 or 70 peak but that's not even really necessary for anything in North America with today's technology.

 

Thank you guys. Yes, I will test some of them. Where do I go to do that? Does Cabela's have place to test bows?

I understand that it's personal decision on what bow feels best. I just don't want to pick brand that fells good but has crappy build quality that would backfire on me later. I'm sure that some brands are better than others.

It looks like Bowtech is popular here.

Headstrong mentioned 2012 models. Is that smoething that we can expect to be announced fairly soon? I just checked Bowtech website and they still have 2011 lineup.

1K budget is for bow and accessories. I hope that will get me reliable and decent setup.

Charles

 

$1k probably wont get you a top of the line bow. The top end bows are normally around $800-900 for the bare bow. Then you got to figure in the sight, rest, stabilizer, release, quiver, arrows, and broadheads. Cabelas should let you shoot some not sure what their policy is though. Try to find a small bow shop somewhere to help you out. This would be the best option. Good luck.

 

All the major retailers Cabelas, BPS, Gander all have ranges so you can try them out. I would check both archery shops as well as the big guys. you can get some great bows all set up from the big guys well in your range. Based on your budget for everything I would be sure to look at the Diamonds before making a final decision. Personally I am a Hoyt guy and would tell you to buy Hoyt but my opinion is crap and what do I know I'm not you!! LOL
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jfergus7, I'm in Chicago northwest suburbs. It looks like you are local and you could give me some suggestion on places to visit. Cabela's is the only place around I could come up with?
Any tips on local bow shops?

 

Well if your near me you have Cabelas, Bass Pro and Gander all within reasonable distance. I like Hysell archery just north of Kenosha but I know another shop that just opened in West Dundee. I don't know the name of it but I will get it for you. I am actually going to it Tuesday at lunch time. I have a list of shops at home I will look for it tonight after work.
Where in the burbs are you at? We have several from the site in this area. A bunch of us just got together for a practice shoot on Sunday.

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Looks like Gander in Rockford and Cabelas in Hoffman Estates would be two options to explore for me. I'm in Woodstock but I often work around Palatine, Schaumburg etc.

 

Gander Kenosha and Bass Pro Gurnee are within 10 minutes of eachother and if your in Woodstock you have TZ Archery on Washington St. Right by you. Think they are an Elite dealer.
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Hah.. you meant T.A.Z. Archery I assume. Cool!!! I should visit them. They are really close. I like to support local stores but I still want to test different brands. How are Elite Archery bows comparing to other top quality bows? Good, bad?

 

Elite bows are really good. I believe that they have the best warranty out. Dont quote me though. When I go to buy a new bow they will be on my list to shoot.

 

Sorry missed the A but yes that's what I meant. Eite makes a great bow definitely check them out!
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