Starter Bow

High Life · 06-05-2006, 10:52 PM

Im just starting to get into bow hunting and was wondering what is your opinion on a good starter bow,i was looking at the martins and they look like nice bows.i would like to get a set up for under $500.thanks in advance

gottafish · 06-05-2006, 11:59 PM

IMHO, buy the best you can and you'll be happier with it. there is no such thing as a starter. get good equipment You owe it to the game you hunt. that said there are good bows in all brands. you have to shoot all of them and pick what you like. go to a pro shop that has a selection. Nobody can pick it for you . its a personal thing.

BloodNtheboat · 06-05-2006, 11:59 PM

I see you are in Lebanon, It is definatly worth the trip to go to eugene and visit the BOW Tech factory pro shop. Tell them what you want, and they will set you up with some bows to try out and shoot there. they usualy have last years models at good prices, for 500 bucks you should be able to walk out of there with a decent starter setup. Go there sooner than later though, as the closer it gets to bowseason, the busier they get, and the less one on one attention you will get.
I bought a Tom Kat there 3 years ago as a starter bow, and I havnt upgraded yet because it fits me and I can shoot it accuratly, that is the most important part, dont get hung up on all the specs and tech that people talk about, find a bow that you LOVE to shoot.

gottafish · 06-06-2006, 03:03 AM

BloodNtheboat Said it, Practice now. You are a bit behind the curve for season this year IMHO you should be shooting daily. But thats just me. very irritated with the crowd just starting a week or two before season.

SandyRiverFisher · 06-06-2006, 04:56 AM

I started with a Martin. Good bows and I think you cant find better quality for the money in your price range, but everyone is different, you might like something else better.

MooseTurd · 06-06-2006, 09:12 PM

If you are able and willing to put in the time practicing you can pickup a good recurve on eBay for about $200.

lor · 06-06-2006, 09:58 PM

Quote:

IMHO, buy the best you can and you'll be happier with it. there is no such thing as a starter. get good equipment You owe it to the game you hunt. that said there are good bows in all brands. you have to shoot all of them and pick what you like. go to a pro shop that has a selection. Nobody can pick it for you . its a personal thing.

I agree with Gottafish, it was the same advice I was given, and I'm still shotting my first bow 9 years later.
Since your in Lebonon, you can try the local Archery Shop, the Archery Hut on Crowfoot road, John is a good guy and very knowledgeable. If you want to take a road trip there is also the Bow Rack in Springfield, owned by Wayne Endicott. Either shop would be a good place to start.

beardbuster · 06-07-2006, 06:34 AM

You will get the best deal and service at BowTech. I have owned three BowTechs and they are great bows. If I ever need anything done to the bows they are more than willing to accommidate.

This year between my friends and myself we have bought two Diamond Liberty's (excellent bows), two equalizers, two Tributes and a Rascal (kids bow) mostly because of the excellent customer service and prices.

Granted, you have a small shop in your town but since you are trying to buy something in your budget, its worth going to the factory. They sell in volume and can pass some saving on to you.

A small shop that only sells a few bows a month usually cannot cut you any deal, and their accessories cost a bit more too.

Spend the money - you'll be glad you did and you can hunt with that bow for quite a few years. Be sure to replace the string every other year and when you pick an arrow to hunt with, stick with it.

Different arrows have different weights and you'll never seem like your getting your bow sighted in.

Good Luck, but I would definitely give BowTech a try.

PullShootExplode · 06-07-2006, 07:40 AM

Hey you might go to Sportsmans and try out a ROSS, you'll save a couple hundred and they come with winners choice string and leaches. Very smooth and nice to shoot. Just my .02

jschainsaw · 06-07-2006, 07:51 AM

If I were you I would make a trip to Euegene to The Bow Rack- They have a website too... Wayne is the guy to talk to and does a great job for everyone-

High Life · 06-07-2006, 09:37 AM

thanks everyone for your comments.i think i am going to purchase a martin jaguar.i really liked this bow and it seems to fit the price range.
gottafish- ya i know i am alittle bit behind for this season but i guess that will just be a better excuse to tell my parents to let me shoot instead of doing chores

thanks everyone again

gottafish · 06-07-2006, 03:05 PM

Quote:

thanks everyone for your comments.i think i am going to purchase a martin jaguar.i really liked this bow and it seems to fit the price range.
gottafish- ya i know i am alittle bit behind for this season but i guess that will just be a better excuse to tell my parents to let me shoot instead of doing chores

thanks everyone again

Well I wish you live closer I d be more than happy to coach ya. Maybe some guys on here that live closer can help you out. good luck. Just practice a lot.

lor · 06-07-2006, 04:35 PM

A Martin Jaquar is a good bow. One of my buddies has been shooting one for 10 years. Since your in the lebanon area, you may want to consider joining the local archery club, Waipati Bowmen.

John Stone at the archery hut is listed as there contact.
They have a 3D shoot this weekend.

BigSkyHunter · 06-07-2006, 04:50 PM

Quote:

i think i am going to purchase a martin jaguar.i really liked this bow and it seems to fit the price range.

This is what I started with and was very happy with it. Practice, Practice, Practice though. The bow shot very accurate. Good luck and you will be an archery addict before you know it.