Hey all, First let me introduce myself. My name is Reuben and was born in Germany. I was raised in NW Indiana near Chicago and enlisted in the AF after high school. I was an intelligence analyst for nearly four years working in the space community. Anyways, I just separated in April and am now a supervisor at a Teleperformance call center with an AT&T contract. It's nice to meet all of you. Now, lately I've been considering getting into bow-hunting. I was in to archery and camping when I was a kid (still into camping) however I'm finding myself wanting to try something new. I'll be honest, I haven't hunted before either, always wanted to but I would just like to venture into something new in my life. Try it out. Maybe it's a void to get out their in the field since my active duty life revolved around a cubical (haha). Anyways, where would you guys recommend I begin learning about the sport? You can just point me in the right direction and I can do some reading, you don't have to explain the sport from A to Z if you don't want to. But what is some advice you would have for someone considering the sport? What types of beginner bow-hunting equipment should one have as a necessity to even start? Anyways, thanks for all the advice. Again, I'm looking into trying something new, so let me know what you all think. Thanks again for the input. -Reuben
Hello and welcome friend...this is the place to pick up the basics of archery to get you started. Hunting with a bow will be where you learn things that can't be learned here on on any website...there is no substitute for time in the field. With that said, if you follow the advice of most guys on here you will be fine. They can get you set up with the right equipment and help with tuning and form...if you have land to hunt, you can start this season depending on the weapon you choose. Start asking questions and there are no stupid questions...Nobody on this site will turn their nose up to any question you have...ask away!
Thanks for the quick responses. Well, I'm on a budget (who isn't..) and it's pretty slim for the time being. However, I still have my combat boots while I was in, and I may still have my Gore-Tex all-weather jacket around here somewhere (hoping I packed it away). But I'm not sure if those would be sufficient to start with. All the bows I've been seeing on other websites seems pretty pricey... however I've seen some decent prices on craigslist/ebay (just saw a Browning compound 70lb bow set for 200 bucks on craigslist for example). Also, is bow hunting more of an individual sport (don't know how else to word it) or is it like snowboarding-and I mean that in the way where you can go out to some places, rent a snowboard and bindings, etc - comparative to my question, is there any places out there where you can rent a bow and some camies, etc. and go out in the land? I'd like to try it out before investing a lot of money into it, but I'm curious if there is anything out there like that..
You can't go out and rent a bow that Im aware of, but you can borrow one from someone...but there is so much more to it...you can't just shoot any bow...it needs to be set to YOU. meaning, the draw length needs to fit you first and foremost. The poundage of pull needs to be set for your comfort level. arrows need to be the correct spine and length..peep sight needs to be aligned.. you need the correct release, and the bow must feel comfortable to you.. there are many other things to consider..Im not trying to scare you or discourage you at all when I say this...It's really hard to just "get into" bowhunting....it's a commitment like no other...you can get set up but it's not exactly dirt cheap..even with low end equipment...Do you know anyone that has a bow that is willing to let you shoot? even if it's not set up for you right now, you need to shoot several arrows to get a feel...then make your move...You should be able to get a set up for hunting for under 300$ at that's including everything..
Welcome Rueben, can't say I ever saw a place that rents bows, to start real cheap and try it out it's best to have a friend or family member that may have equipment you can try. If not I recommend going to your local pro shop who sells archery equipment. They would be happy to show you some bows and let you fling a few arrows. Just to get the feel and see if it is something you would like to pursue. Have them measure you for draw length and either wait for one that will fit you in your budget either craigslist or even on here. One piece at a time. Good Luck my friend were here like the guys said if you need anything!
exactly Tribal..if you have a pro shop close by, go in and tell them you want to shoot a bow and see if you get a feel for it and go from there.
I completely understand the whole, "just can't go out and shoot". Tribal: great idea on the pro-shop. I'd like to give that a shot. Vabowman: as far as poundage of pull at my comfort level, that can be something I can check out at the pro shop Tribal mentioned. For the arrows, spine and length, why are these factors important? What are different lengths and tips beneficial for? Spine? Not sure what that is. Peep site alignment? For some reason I just analogy that with twisting the site knobs on an M-16 to dial it in to the distance you're shooting... what about the kinds of releases out there? How does that work? And if I can get everything for $300 or under, that seems to be alright. Just need a list of everything to be needed. Also, what are some differences in tactics, strategies between bow-hunting and rifle-hunting? Aside from distances, what's are some other challenges bow hunters face? What are some overall tips? I've seen on here there's weather and downwind to be taken into account, scents... what else?? Thanks again everyone.
Welcome Rueben, you came to the right place for advice. It would be great if you could find someone close by to help you out and maybe go with you to the pro shop. It can be overwelming when the guy starts talking about all of the technical stuff and you might need some translation into more understandable terms. Plus the pro shop being in the business of selling equipment might want to sell you some things you really don't need. Not all would do this but some would. To answer a couple of your questions. Arrow Spine is the stiffness of your arrows. They come in varying amounts of stiffness. When the arrow is shot from a bow, it is a very violent event. The arrows bend and flex more than you would think. The more poundage you shoot the stiffer arrows you need. This affects the accuracy of the arrow. Renting equipment. You can go to most pro shops and try out different bows kinda like test driving a car. There aren't many bad bows on the market but they will have different characteristics. Some just feel better to shoot. Hunting tactics. The most common way to hunt deer is from a treestand, but you can kill them many other ways. Scent control is the most important factor when hunting them. If they smell you they are gone. Staying clean and setting up on the downwind side of trails will help out a lot. Camo. A lot is personal choice, but for the most part any pattern will work. Lately the trend is to go with a more open pattern such as Predator to break up the human outline. Good luck with your new hobby, but be careful, this can turn into an addiction!
A good bow shop will set you up[ and explain and show you everything I listed.. Spine is the stiffness of the arrow istself...too weak, and it will never shoot right/ too stiff, it will be hard to tune, the perfect spine will allow you to tune the bow and arrow... getting the arrow flying true...length is a factor when discussing spine... arrow weight as well.. these are based on the amount of weight you pull and the length of your arrow and draw...just go to the shop and shoot...don't worry about that stuff yet, it will only confuse you at this point...just go and shoot a bow and see if your interested...my bet is...you will be addicted like the rest of us, and that's good, we will be here to help you... As far as the differences betweem rifle/bow...there are many, but the essence a bowhunting is closeness to the game....it's that simple...the closer you have to be, the better you have to be....scent control, movement, and keeping it under control for the shot...
i can't add anything that hasn't been said.... so, welcome aboard and listen to these guys, lots of 'em have been doin it a long time and have a wealth of knowledge... I keep learning somethin new each day from these guys... not to mention these guys being a great group... hope you get a chance to make the get together next year to meet 'em...
welcome rueben! I like you is just starting out. when i needed to buy a bow, a friend suggested a parker bow, they are well priced, shoot well, and like i siad cheap my main concern. there are alot of other to choose from but thats just a suggestion. BH.COM is a awesome place. i didnt know diddly squat comming on to this site, and all these guys really helped me get started!
I know everyone is on a budget, just what I've learned: "Get what you want the first time, it's better to pay $500 now then to pay $200 now and $500 later". I was very hesitant when purchasing my bow. But I bought it at the end of the year and it was 40-50% off.
I bought a Bear for my first bow they are reasonably priced and a good starter bow. There are LOTS of knowledgeable people here that can help you out. Welcome to the obsession.
