I borrowed a friend's bow (Fred Bear Epic Xtreme) last week and started shooting. Leaving for an elk hunt in about three weeks. After shooting some with the Epic I've convinced myself I'm going to buy something for myself that is up to date. Budget: $1,000 - $1,200 Purpose: Deer, Elk, hog hunting Experience: Basically Zero. I've only rifle hunted in the past. Ability: I shouldn't have too much trouble with a 70 lb draw. I have about a 28" draw length, if that matters. I don't care about buying a bow to impress my friends with. Maybe I don't need to spend $1K. I want something that's reliable. I've been told I might need to take shots out to 60 yds. So, I want a bow that can send the arrow with enough energy out to that distance to kill a bull elk. After reading so many reviews and responses about people arguing that "their" brand is better; I'm left pretty confused. It sounds like eventually everybody upgrades their bow, so I'm going to guess I'll probably do the same after a few years. That means I'd want a bow that would have decent resale value. I have three archery stores nearby (4, if you count Cabelas), so I think I could get some recommendations there, but I don't want to limit myself to what they have in stock. From the low end, I'm considering a Diamond Outlaw Package to the high end a Mathews Z7 Xtreme. Since I don't own a bow, I haven't developed any brand loyalty yet. It seems like the overall "feel" I have is that Mathews has good all around good bows and they're a well respected company. Heard lots of good stuff about Bowtech, Hoyt, PSE, too. If you have any first hand experience with a particular model I should consider please reply. Wanna hear about some assumptions I might be making that are wrong also. Thanks for ya'lls time. -Osconda
If I were you, I would go to the archery shops around you. I would shoot all the bows you are interested in, and choose the one that feels the best to you. Also, I have not heard very many people that have been happy with the package deals on bows, it seems like everyone upgrades everything on their bows anyways.
There are tons of manufacturers out there. If you have that budget and you know that you're going to really get into the game and not give it up, I would go and look, feel, and shoot the higher end bows at your local archery shops. Bowtech, Mathews, Hoyt, PSE, Bear, etc. All make awesome bows. See what works best for you. See what you feel draws smoother and has the least vibration in your hand. I'm a Bowtech guy and have been for a while now. I usually go to the local shops every year and look at bows even if I'm not really in the market. Technology is forever changing and so are the bows. You can spend the money on a good bow, rest, sight, etc and be able to shoot it great for a few years. Then when you're ready to get another newer model, that higher end bow has retained a lot more of it's value as opposed to the cheaper ones. It's really all about you and what you like and what you want to spend. Best of luck to you on your purchase and your upcoming hunts.
Above pretty much sums it up if you have a $1200.00 budget, you shouldn't have much of an issue to be honest.
Honestly I'd be more concerned with going on an elk hunt in about 3 weeks and being new to bowhunting. 3 weeks does not seem like enough time for a new bowhunter to buy yourself a bow, get it set-up and tuned and then have confidence in the bow to possible shoot out to 60. Outside of that advice when purchasing a bow get yourself one that feels right to you, not what someone else says is the best.
That was actually my first thought but, I didn't really want to call the new guy out. I've been practicing by butt off for the past year, shot my first 4" group at 65yd this past Saturday(been keeping it in a pie plate at 65 for about a month now) and thats a feat I wouldn't attempt. I wish you well but, please don't go out there and injure an animal. Allot can go wrong at 60yd on a 3D target much less a real animal.
Thanks for the replies guys. One of the main reasons I'm wanting to get a bow instead of continuing to use my friends, is that when I finally got good enough to hit a target at 60 yards, it seemed like the arrow was dropping really fast. Didn't seem like it had enough power left to penetrate and do the damage required; especially on elk. My shot groups are really tight up to 40 yds. But as big as an elk is, hitting the vital area won't be that big a challenge at that distance. What I can't account for is what the opportunity will look like...uphill, downhill, through the trees, wind, time to shoot, how tired I am, etc. Placement of +40 yard shots are letting me know if I'm getting steadier and/or stronger. So far, this has been a lot more fun than sighting in a rifle and practice shooting. Today, I will go check out some bows and do the touchy-feely thing. I hope there's enough difference from one bow to another that I'll be able to make a decision. The elk won't know what kind of bow I'll be using since they'll only experience the arrow. I'm planning on using 100-gr. broadheads, but what about the weight of the arrow? Is there an overall weight range I should try to stay within for elk?
Think this is the best thing I have read on here in awhile. Your first ever attempt at an animal im willing to bet you will be shaking so hard with excitement going to make for a very tough shot even at 40 yet alone 60. Good luck to you just make sure to kill him and not just injure him!
Well it will be my first attempt at an elk but only with a bow. I've been rifle hunting for elk and deer for the last 20 years. I still get queezy just shooting a doe. So, I know all about the "feeling". That's why I'm still doing it except bow hunting will increase the challenge. Picked up this Bowtech Assassin yesterday.
good looking bow. bowtech makes a very smooth bow. good luck this year and welcome to the brotherhood!
I too am also new to bowhunting but have been practicing for over a year and been turkey hunting once. All I can say is get your bow ready, sleep with it, eat with it, watch movies together and practice your butt off. I know I could not be ready "out of the box" in three weeks. Good luck to you and welcome to the club!!
I like a bow with a 7 inch or better brace height because they tend to be more forgiving. You might want to consider one of these "package bows." The accessories are not great but they do work. I think just as much time goes into picking out the accessories as it does for picking out the bow. Find a bow that is comfortable to you and do more research and find out what kind of rests and sights you want to upgrade to.
