New to Bowhunting - Equipment Suggestions

I am pretty new to bow hunting. I live in Maine and have about a month and a half of Deer archery season. I got an old Buckmaster BTR 32 from my father-in-law. I have used it to get the basics down for shooting a bow. It is not tuned for me and I have about 4 to 5 inches in height on him so it feels weird with draw length. I was wondering if it is worth going to a bow shop and getting a new bow for around $600 to $700 tuned and everything or just use this bow and get it tuned by a shop?

Anything will help!

 

Someone new to archery in general I almost always recommend finding a local bow shop and shoot any used or cheaper bows by like Mission (I love their bows) in the ready to shoot packages. Yes these ready to shoot packages will not have high grade sights or rests - but they will get you shooting and are fully capable of getting the job done in the woods. If you end up falling in love with archery you can always build that RTS rig with new better rests or sights OR save up and get a top line bow and build it up.

I shot a couple DIRT old bow hand-me-downs from folks before getting a Mission Venture for like $500 or so whenever that was - then bought higher end rest and sights for it before finally upgrading to again a used Elite 32 which I am still shooting because I love it.

In short I'd go shoot whatever used or bows in your price range you can and see what happens.

 

As long as that bow has the ability to be adjusted to fit you, it will work. You should definitely have any bow tuned and fitted to you. That being said it all depends on how much it want to get into bow hunting. Newer bows have came along way, but no “need” to get a new one as long as you shoot that one well and it’s safe to shoot. Also make sure your arrows are proper length/spine. It seems your draw is too short, so if you extend the draw a good bit you will prob need longer arrows depending on current length of them. A good archery shop will steer you in the right direction, if your a diy kinda person you can buy a like new used bow on classifieds and set it all up yourself. All the info is out there at your disposal, seems like a shop would be the best solution for your current situation. Just don’t get pressured into anything while at the shop. Good luck

 

Being in Maine the Bow seasons are a better fit for getting time in the woods (All coming before the daylight savings after the first week on November). I am ready to dive into bow hunting more due to this. The Buckmaster is almost 20 years old at this point and only goes up to 29" draw which will be close for me (6' 2"). He gave me around 20 arrows fit to the current set up (Think around 27" draw). I feel if I leave it as is it would be a fine back-up bow for both of us and a good fit for any other friend looking to get into it. And if I try to get it tuned for me it will led me to spend money on a 20 year old bow. Any suggestion for a hunting bow around the $600 before attachments and at least 30" draw.

 

As others have said, I'd take that bow to a shop and see what they can help you with. If they can adjust it and get it fitting you, there is no reason to buy another bow.

That being said, if you want to buy a new bow, there are plenty of options. I highly recommend the Diamond Bows in particular because of several things. One, for 5-600 dollars, they come fully loaded and ready to hunt with. You won't need to buy anything else right out the door to get into the woods hunting with the exception of arrows. Second thing is they're highly adjustable for draw length, draw weight, etc. I'm sure other companies have package bows like this too. This gets you a solid bow with decent accessories to get started. Then as you grow and want new stuff, you can always upgrade accessories etc and keep the same bow.

Another thing to consider is buying a top end model used. There are tons of bows that were the flagship two years ago that can be purchased for around 600. The gamble there is that you're new and not sure what you'll want, what feels good, etc.

I just bought my son his first bow, a Diamond Infinity Edge Pro. By fall he will be pulling around 50lbs I'm guessing and the bow will continue to grow with him for several years. Then when he's older and wants a premium bow... he'll have a job and can buy his own... hahaha.

 

Try and get the bow set up for you. New “bells and whistles” never have killed a deer.
If it’s tuned and set up for you, you’ll never shoot as good as the bow. It’s a machine, you’re the variable.
Just remember, KISS and have fun.

 

Thanks for the recommendation. I will most likely get a Edge 320 and give to older bow to a friend wanting to get into Bowhunting and is closer to the current setup on the bow. I will most likely go somewhere to get it tuned with them but finding a place in Maine is not easy with 70% closing down in the last 5 years.

 

I cannot express enough how much it helps with consistency and accuracy if the bow fits you and is tuned.
It sounds like your current bow is quite a bit too short of a draw length for you. Practicing with that is not doing you any favors, it is just giving you bad habits and poor form. If you're enjoying shooting that bow, you're really going to enjoy shooting a bow that actually fits you. Your frustration with groups will certainly go down I'd think.
As @tynimiller said, seek help from a local pro shop. They will be able to work with you to figure out your draw length. There is a method of measuring your wingspan from middle fingertip to middle fingertip and then dividing by 2.5, this gets you in the realm of what your draw length should be, give or take an inch. A shop tech will help evaluate your draw length and get it pretty close. You may tweak it a 1/2" either way after that as you develop the form that gives you the best groups.
The old bow may be able to be adjusted to you, but I'm not familiar with it. You said it can go up to a 29" draw but is likely around 27" right now. If it has a draw length mod you can adjust it yourself, but it may require different cams to change the draw length and that may not be easy to find for a 20 year old bow. If you buy a different bow, I highly recommend you get one that has an adjustable draw length module so it is easily adjusted without needing to purchase different cams or modules while you figure out your ideal draw length that gives you best results.
I have pretty much always used bows that were not "flagship" bows and they have served me well. If I really like one I may keep it for 10 years or better. New bows are like buying a new car off the lot, they go down drastically in value and can be found used for a much lower price after they are a year or more "old". For the first time ever, I bought a new flagship bow this last year (2021). I ordered it at the end of January last year and gave $1200 for it. After January of this year my same bow is being sold for $750-$800 all over the place. I'll never buy a new bow again the year it is released.
Also understand that increasing draw length will require you to purchase new arrows. They will need to be longer so you don't draw them off the rest and will also likely need to be a stiffer spine.

 

Like others said visit an archery shop and shoot as many different bows as you can. A lot of archery shops have bows on consignment that you can buy for a lot less than a new bow. Keep us posted on what you buy. Welcome to the Addiction!

 

Thanks for the feed back. I did that calculation given and will be about 30.5 draw length. That being said I will not be able to get the bow fit to me. So I will go to a bow shop and have them help me figure it all out. I am still in the debate between flagship and medium level. I think depending on my financial standing when i go to a bow. I think that I will spend to much time bow hunting once I get the bow that the flagship might be worth it to last me more years then the middle tier of bow.