Totally new and clueless to all this, my 11 year old son is interested and i think it would be a great opportunity for us to bond. Thought there would be no better place to come for help and ideas, any help would be greatly appreciated. Need help deciding where to start, iam going to go to the local bow shop and start there. But I would still love all your guys suggestions on anything and everything, Thanks!
You're going about it the right way. Go to a reputable bow shop and get a bow that is fitted to YOU. Also, shoot as many as you can and pick the one that "feels right"...you'll now. Read some articles on the net about shooting with proper form and get that correct off the bat. Good luck!
Thanks, I hope I can go some place and not get taken advantage of by someone trying to take my money, and I also don't want to go in looking like a complete idiot, trying to learn some knowledge, and don't really know where to begin, lol
Generally speaking, you want to try and avoid the "big box" stores. Sure, some know what they are doing but most don't. Hell, there's a lot of "pro shops" that don't have a clue. Whats your location? Maybe some guys on here know some reputable shops you could check out.
Here's my $.02. There are a lot.. and I do mean a LOT of different bows on the market. While there are subtle differences in each one, they're nearly all going to be good equipment. Bow manufacturers have stepped up their games. So if you walk into a bow shop and the guy is trying to sell you two $900 plain bows, he is probably trying to take advantage of the situation. Make sure you look for a place that has a range so you can shoot the bows. You and your son should shoot several different brands and models to see which you like the best within your price range. No one person can tell you what bow is right for you. If you're trying to save some money there are a few brands you can take a look at. Diamond (made by bowtech), Mission (made by mathews), and PSE. I shoot a PSE in the Xforce line, but they have all varieties of more affordable equipment. As far as rests, releases, sights, quivers, etc... Well in my experience the $20 stuff works near as good as the $120 stuff. Unless you're looking to shoot 3D, I wouldn't break the bank of those things. Whisker biskuits are popular and relatively inexpensive (not what I use). Drop away rests are more expensive, harder to tune, and have moving parts, probably not what a beginning archer would be looking for. A cheap multi-pin fiber optic site will do you both fine (just make sure it looks solid, don't pay too much attention to the price). For the quiver, I'd definitely get one you can remove while in the stand. It makes the bow more maneuverable in the stand. As far as hunting, helps to know someone or own your own land. Public ground is great in some areas, and perhaps someone from your area can help you with that. Most importantly, go take the hunter safety course, both of you. They require it in MO, probably where you live too, but if they don't you still should take it. Always practice safety! Once you decide on a bow, go shoot! Hit the range when you can and eventually you guys will be posting your deer on this forum. Hope this info has helped.
welcome i am also a new to archery. These guys are the best zombie. ANY question you have just post on here and the wealth of knowledge in the answers will blow your mind. I have gotten so much help from this community it is mind blowing. also ask friends that you know that hunt. my grandpa, girlfriend's dad and long time family friend have been some of the most helpful people i know as well as have offered to help me out. this is an amazing sport and i am sure you and your son will enjoy the time spent together.
Here is my 2 cents. Buy a well tuned bow that is average price from a small archery shop that you feel comfortable with and trust. Don't bother buying expensive scent lok style camo, it is a waste of money. Play the wind. Purchase inexpensive quiet camouflage that keeps you warm. Purchase a good quality lightweight stand for you and your boy so you can move around. I own two top of the line stands a climber and a hang on with sticks. I hunt private and public ground with these and move accordingly. Two great stands is a lot less expensive then buying one for every spot you'll hunt. Finally, purchase this instructional dvd Hill County Bucks from bloodbro.com or from the huntingbeast.com. I have learned more from this video than from anyone or anything else. It will be the best $20.00 you have ever invested in your hunting, period. If you hunt around Morgantown than this video is ideal given your terrain. I would not recommend this if it wasn't worth it. Good luck to you and your boy! Hope you guys make a lot of good memories!
Awesome, just awesome... All this knowledge and advice is really appreciated... What am I looking for when I go to test some bows? How do you figure out what kind of tree stands to purchase? I will most likely be hunting private and semi-public land... What about arrows and targets? I know iam such a newb...
What you're looking for when you test bows is what feels "right" in your hands. That is, what feels good to you. How quiet, smooth, vibration free, accurate, etc. It basically comes down to what bow you enjoy shooting. That's why you shoot many (I'd say at least 10). As far as tree stands go, I'd go with climbers. They're great for people hunting property that isn't theirs. With a climber you can go out, scout, hang the stand, then you see that deer are moving 50 yards away from you.... with a hang on stand you have to do some work to move it. With a climber, you just change trees... very easy. The more you spend on a climbing stand, the more options you get. They are also generally (notice "generally") more comfortable. Get something that's lightweight so you can carry them in on your back (like a backpack). Personally I hunt my cousin's property so I just bought 6 climbers and put them where I wanted. I leave them in their area, and only move trees if I need to. I paid $25-$50 for each. About $200 total ... From craigslist. They aren't brand new, but they work and were cheap. A good climbing stand will cost in the neighborhood of $250-$400. The best way I can suggest you handle this would be to go to a retailer, sit in the stands they have (if you can) and pick one you can sit in for 6+ hours. Arrows, from my personal (read as bad) experience, do not skimp on these. It is the one thing I would spend money on. I hunt with easton axis and I really like them. I hear good things about full metal jackets. Plan to spend $10 per arrow, saving $3-$4 per arrow isn't worth it. Buy good ones and you'll be happy . I'd also suggest buying a lumenok for one arrow (they're like $10) when you start hunting. That way you can see your arrow if the light is a bit low, or help find the arrow after the shot. Targets, just buy something that works for your yard. I used to go to this place in my hometown and buy a huge (4x3x10) styrofoam cube for $10. It worked for the entire year (if you didn't mind the little foam balls roaming in your yard) and was really cheap. I'd bet someone in your area produces a product similar. Now I just use a public range at the conservation area (free, and you can shoot up to 40 yards). You might have a place like that near you as well. Otherwise, go to the shop and see what they recommend. Most bow shop employees won't lead you astray.
Lots of good info guys have posted up! The Hill Country Bucks from huntingbeast.com is great source w/ a wealth of info. It will come in handy hunting the hills of WV. Also in the whitetail section of this forum look up the topo bucks thread by gri22ly or something like that. Lots of good info in that thread! I know WV has some great bow only public land zones. Find out which counties they are and get in there. As stated above i would stray away from the higher bows. Hate to see you drop around 2K in two upper end bows. The Hoyt brand had the turbo hawk for around $500 and I think they may still have a $50 rebate and is a great bow. What ever you do shoot a wide range of bows (different brands). Get the one thats fits you and your son the best. Do your research and have fun. At the end of the day thats what its all about. Best of luck to you.
I think it will be a great incentive for him to want to better in school, and will be a great workout to make him stronger in the other sports he plays. And it will be a great way to bond, learning everything there is about bow hunting together and going through the hunter safety course, we are pretty excited about the whole experience that lays ahead for us.
