Is it just me or is the price of bows, ridiculous? I mean damn for the cost of a good bow, a bare bow at that. You could buy two shotguns, mounted with scopes.. Did anyone tell the compound bow industry we are in a recession? I mean lets face it most hunters are blue collar americans, that would probabally enjoy the sport of bow- hunting more, if we could afford it.. Just my opionion..
While the top of the line bows are expensive, its nothing compared to the top of the line guns. The archery companies are in business to make money, like any business. Because we are in a recession is no reason for them to discount their bows and forget about the bottom line.
It's not even mutually exclusive to compound archery. Try spec-ing out your "have to have" items on one of the top of the line trad. bows.....and report back. I suggest sitting down when you do this.
you beat me to it , i was just going to say the same thing. just bought my first recurve one piece, used but new to me. i look at all kinds of trad bows, and OMG some of those prices put the top of the line compounds to shame
X2 Yes you can purchase "good quallity" shotguns and then you can purchase the "top of the line" shotguns. There are many entry level compound bow packages starting at roughly the same price as a scoped shotgun. Comparing brand (insert any company name you prefer) top of the line bow with moderate level shotguns from other manufacturers is like comparing apples to oranges. Would I like a brand spanking new Benelli chambered in .300 Win mag, topped off with the most expensive Leupold scope, Darn rights I would. Whats more in my budget is a Remington chambered in the same with a middle of the road bushnell. Same goes for my archery equiptment. Its a personel budget. Not meaning to start a flame war. Just my 2 cents Cheers Reese
Right along the lines of what I was just going to type. Another thing to look at is the R&D and tooling that goes into them comparably. When was the last time there was a change in the technology or tooling in the manufacture of that shotgun? A lot longer ago than the 5 years (at most) for the bows you're comparing them to.
Archery is the cheapest "hobby" i have had in along time! I played paintball last year, and a new gun was $1500 or more for a top of the line gun! That didn't include any of the other stuff that was needed, tank, hopper, paint, ect...
There are many good bows that you can purchase for a great price. I wouldn't be worried about it at all. Everyone has their perceived or actual limit when it comes to purchasing a bow. I purchased my second bow in the last 10 years, 5 years ago. It cost me $180 and is a Reflex Excursion. It shoots out to 30-35 yards and kills things. That is but one of 25-50-75 bows that you could probably purchase for under $300 and will feel great in your hands. Money doesn't kill things, the archer does after much practice.
Like all hobbies, you can often spend a minimal amount and get just as much enjoyment as if you go all out. I've never bought a new bow. Doesn't mean I never will. The great thing about bows (not really that good if you're one to buy new often) is they tend to depreciate rather quickly meaning you can purchase used bows a very good price point.
There is a great used bow market out there, I am just to impatient to take advantage of it. Archery is my main hobby, so selling a bow and losing $250 in depreciation over a year is not a huge deal if there is something out there in the next model year that I am excited about. I have a few lefty's that I call when I am ready to drop a bow and I usually don't have to work hard to find a buyer. I just ordered my second 2010 bow this year, after confirming that my 09 is sold.
Last summer I bought an 08 General and an 08 Guardian with less than 50 shots through each and got the warranty on the Guardian. Paid $650 for both .
I bought a brand new 08 Constitution a few weeks ago for $350 shipped Saw another one for sale the other day for under $300. Ben, who bought the 09?
A Lot of things today are priced high IMHO. Not just Bows! The last sight I bought I paid dealer cost for it and it still set me back more than my 1st compound at retail, but what I made back then was a drop in the bucket too. Dan
I spent 35 dollars on my 14 year old Jennings, didn't kill any thing yet but its not the bows fault. Now add a rest, a sight, arrows, broad heads, release, etc. you start talking about money :D Jim
I bought a new 2009 Martin Cheetah MAG last year for $350 the 2010 model is the same price. It does not have the ultra nice flawless finish, but it gets the job done and it's a great shooting bow that can compete (performance wise) with some "top of the line" bows. I doubt you will find anybody selling theirs so you would probably have to buy a new one. There are some other decent less expensive bows out there, but it wasn't worth the drop in performance to me. I talked a guy into one and he loves it, but any bow made these days will kill them just fine. It's all about hitting them in the right spot with a good sharp broadhead on the end of a straight flying arrow.
Actually, archery/bowhunting is far less expensive than my other past hobbies. I used to spend about $4000 every other year on mountain biking.
Paid 180.00 I belive it was for my 1969 HC 300 and 200.00 for my Golden Eagle in 1970. At least both of them come with a sight.
