Help with my first bow.

corrirod · 10-14-2004, 09:08 AM

I would really like to get into bow hunting and would like some advice on where to start. I am an experienced rifle hunter but don't know the first thing about bow hunting.

Some questions I have would be:

<ul type="square">[*]Are there any indoor/outdoor ranges in the Beaverton or west side area?[*]Would the range have bows available for trial?[*]I would imagine they would be able to size me to the correct bow?[*]Unfortunately money is an issue right now so I will have to purchase a used bow, what things should I look for in a bow? What should I stay away from?[*]What accessories will I need? What things are mandatory vs. things that could go on the wish list?[/list]
Thanks for any help. I've always admired bow hunters and I'm going to make a concerted effort to become one for next year's seasons.

outdoor.spec.ops · 10-14-2004, 09:39 AM

I would think that any bowshop with a range would help you make the conversion. Most shops are very good with helping newbees and are eager to get a bow in your hands. They usually have demo bows, and used bows for sale. Have fun, enjoy the experience.

Bait O' Eggs · 10-14-2004, 09:45 AM

Rod, if I hadnt given my old bow away to my nephew yesterday, you could have had it.

You will need to decide if you want traditional long bow or recurve or a compound. Most people hunt a compound bow (it will have round devices on the end of the bow)

Using technology to get an arrow from A to B as quick as possible will increase your succes. I will assume you want a compound bow.

I would recommend a release rather than using fingers. Advantage is your more accurate and can probably hold a draw longer waiting for the shot, disadvantage you have to pack a small device around all day tied to your hand/arm.

I would recommend a drop away arrow rest, cant say enough good things about the trophy taker. It gets the rest out of the way so the arrow doesnt rub on the release doing all kinds of crazy things to your arrow flight.

I think the arrow rest is more important than the sight but you will need a good sight. I am going to change my string this winter and get rid of the surgical tubing that I need to hold my peep sight straight. I think they call it a zebra string or something like that, that allows them to put the peep in the middle of the string. It takes some tweeking to get it to line up right when you draw. I am tired of the tubing breaking every few months on my setup. Get some fiberoptic sights rather than just metal pins. I like the sights that come in from the side, but the ones that come in from the bottom (vertical) are liked by others.

I would recommend carbon arrows with inserts. Aluminum arrows usually weight more giving you more kinetic energy downrange, but they bend and dont fly well with use. Carbon are broke or straight. I am shooting 4 inch vanes. 5 inch would be fine, I would not use the little vanes the target shootes use, as you will need some rudder to hold a broadhead straight in flight.

Lots of broadhead choices. I use Muzzys, Thunderheads are popular also. I use a three blade broadhead, some use 4 blade, each person has their reasons.

Tons of bows to choose from. Starting out, maybe you buy the best now rather than upgrade in a few years, but with a budget limit, I think Martin makes some nice bows for the right price. Shorter bows typically are harder to tune, but easier to carry. I pack it a lot more than I shoot it, so I chose something easy to get thru the brush and kept it very short.

Archers Afield in Tigard on the West side is a good bow shop IMHO. Near HWY 217. I have never been to Kuchers on the west side by hear nice things about them.

I am sure this should give several people something to start agreeing or disagreeing with like all forums.

Hoosier Daddy · 10-14-2004, 10:06 AM

BOE nailed it pretty well. Compound is probably best to learn on. Sights certainly help, as does a release. I started without one, and have never been able to convert. Guys that use them are generally MUCH more consistent. You can go nuts with stuff to put on the bow. Sights, yep. Good arrow rest, crucial on a compound. The RIGHT arrows, ask your shop when you find one. A release, mebbe. Really, that about covers it.

How tall are you? Long arms? I have a compound I'm not using right now and you're welcome to borrow it, or buy it if it seems to fit. It needs some updating, like a new peep, maybe a new sight, and a cable guard replaced, but it shoots fine right now. Let me know.

You could trade me that dory for it.....

TheRogue · 10-14-2004, 10:23 AM

Well, you're on the west side. That puts you close enough to head out to Kutch Archery out of Carlton. Kenny's got a bunch of used bows, and a great selection of new bows, at very good prices. He normally is open 5-9 in the evenings, and like 11-5 on Saturdays. I know that he'll often open up shop at other times for anyone who's serious about getting into bowhunting, or just shooting. He won't steer you to the highest priced stuff on the shelf...but won't let ya buy junk, either!

Indoor range, 100yd outdoor range, and a great 3-D course to boot.

Look it up, Kutch Archery in Carlton.

TR

Norm · 10-14-2004, 10:25 AM

It's the right time to get started for next year. I'd agree with most of what BOE said. Before you buy a used bow, keep an eye out for last years models. I picked up a last years Martin Jaguar for ~$250.00 after I broke a limb this season

. It will probably become my backup bow or my sons next bow, but it's not a bad shooter for the price. Archers Afield is a good place to start, but take someone who knows somthing about bows with you. IMO, they tend to over-sell a bit. Archers Afield also have winter indoor leagues that will help you a ton.

I'd be glad to let you try out my Jaguar some afternoon depending on your draw length. I work in Beaverton and wonder over to Archers Afield for lunch some days

.

Mello-Yello · 10-14-2004, 10:34 AM

Allright Rod! Don't have enough frustration in your life so you want to add some more??

The folks before me covered a lot of the basics, but I'll add a few more and throw in some opinionated stuff too.

Perhaps the single most important thing you want to do first is get a bow that fits you. By that I mean draw length. The only way to do that right is to go to a reputable dealer and have them determine what your draw length is. Accuracy is directly related to consistency. If your draw length is wrong, you'll never achieve either.

I would highly recommend a single cam bow. Twin cams can be a challenge for someone new because the cams could be out of synch OR out of timing (not the same thing) and this alone will affect your accuracy (and your confidence) alot.

A drop away rest is great, but for now I wouldn't make it a priority cuz you won't be shooting broadheads till next summer. I would try and get something that's easy to adjust, both horizontally and vertically.

You'll want sights. For now I wouldn't get too wrapped up in fiber optics. They're nice, but not a necessity at this point, especially since a lot of your shooting will be indoors this winter.

You might want to get an armguard until you get your form down. If you don't, you'll likely wish you had.

Do a search for some Larry Wise books. They're easy to understand and will help you a lot with the technical aspects of tuning a compound bow. He has the credentials to back what he says.

I wish I was familiar w/the PDX area bowhshops, but I'm not. I so know there are some good ones (and probably a few not so good). I'm sure you'll be led in the right direction from others on this board.

If you get hooked up w/a good pro shop, they'll help you get started. The important thing is to get off on the right foot. This requires a bow capable of shooting consistently, arrows that will fly consistently, and shooting form that produces arrow flight consistently. The first two should be a cinch, the latter will become a lifelong challenge, depending on your expectations.

Another worthy piece of advice (I think). Ask around about getting involved in an indoor league. Indoor will be kicking off soon. You'll be shooting 20yds only, but trying to consistently hit a small circle w/each shot. While it sounds easy to some, it isn't. Especially when you see what some of these guys can do. It will help you to learn the things you need to learn to see fast improvements. Bow setup and form. Those are the same two things you'll want to have a good handle on by next year's hunting season.

I wish you lived closer.

brdkdg · 10-14-2004, 11:49 AM

I also would stongly recommend Kenny at Kutch Archery. He is the one who is most apt to sell you (ONLY!!!) what you need to get started. He and his wife are very serious archers.

The most important thing to understand is that their are so many options and personal preferences, that you will end up changing almost everything that you buy now. I went through 3 expensive releases and 4 sight before I found the ones that work for me. (Sometimes I can be a slow learner.)

The two biggest mistakes that we males make are 1. we get bows with a draw length that is to long and 2. we try to pull to many pounds while we are learning.

Good Luck!! It is a great sport!!!

Bill

NW JET'N · 10-14-2004, 01:30 PM

Alright Rod!!!! Becareful now, it is VERY addictive.

Drop me a PM if you want. I would be more than happy to show you some things. We live really close and I'm pretty sure our draw lengths are similar enough. We could go to the range in Washington Park. It is free too. You won't regret bowhunting. People are so much more helpful I think. Kinda like fishing out on big blue. Plus you don't have to worry about somebody firing at you from 400 yards! I have 2 cam bows and one cam bows you could try out. I also can get you shafts cut to length and fletched at cost.
Luke

corrirod · 10-14-2004, 03:15 PM

Wow, you guys rock!

I'll lookup the stores mentioned and try to get the initial sizing done.

Thanks for the offers to try out some of your bows and I'll take you up on it as soon as I get a little window to go play.

cooper · 10-14-2004, 03:26 PM

I believe archers afield is close to beaverton they will let you shoot some bows there in there indoor range. I dont know the address but it is the phone book.If I was buying a used bow I would first check the limbs for cracks.I would also use a realease it makes it much easier to shot tight groups.A good drop away rest like a trophy taker makes life a little bit easier on you. Good luck.

skein · 10-14-2004, 04:58 PM

And when you're ready to try it out for real, I'll take you coyote hunting. :grin:

If you think it's challenging with a rifle, just wait.... :tongue:

Skein

oregonoutdoors · 10-14-2004, 06:21 PM

Go to a bow shop and shoot a bunch of bows. Figure out what draw length and weight you want, and take note of what brands you like. Hoyt and PSE make good bows, Mathews are the cream though, and worth every penny. Then look on ebay best place to get a great deal on a great bow that is only a few years old. The only down side is when you take your bow back into the bow shop to get it set up you might get some flack for not buying it there. The best bow shop that I have been to in the state is the BOW RACK in springfield oregon. warning though, bowhunting is not like rife hunting, every year it seems as though I spend at least $100-200 on stuff even if I bought a new bow last year. Joining a outdoor bow club is a great way to meet people in the sport and get real practice. Good luck

Wak · 10-14-2004, 06:54 PM

Another vote for Kutch Archery.

corrirod · 10-14-2004, 07:52 PM

Yeah Skein, I figure I've got nothing to lose. I can't hit'em with a rifle, I may as well NOT hit'em with a bow!

What are the safeties like on a bow?

Spooney · 10-14-2004, 08:34 PM

Learn to laugh at yourself

Go to kutch archery (near flying M) above Carlton. They have the best facilities I have ever seen (both sides of the Mississippi). They will start you off on the right foot without taking a lot of your money. Indoor, outdoor, 3D, pro-shop, custom equipment, real nice people. I promise you will like them.

Beefcake · 10-14-2004, 11:55 PM

Rod, I too have a bow you would be welcome to use for the next 6 months or so (I promised it to my girlfriend's kid, but he won't get around to trying to learn until about a week before the season starts next year. lol). I bought it used, and don't remember what it is, but it's supposed to be a decent 2-cam compound bow with a bunch of accessories. I thought I was going to get into bowhunting, and I was planning to start lessons at a range in Milwaukie (On Target Archery?), but I moved and eventually lost interest. PM me if you want it for a while.

Quasimodo the fish killer · 10-15-2004, 05:56 AM

hey corri one thing the guys forgot to mention is when you buy a bow watch the weight of the bow.

a lot of the older bows were anchors. I had a pse inferno maxis that I swear by the end of the day was the same weight as 2 cinder blocks. I think the thing was like 10 lbs in actuality I switched to a bowtech bow at less then 5 lbs man what a difference that made when taking off down a trail.

oh and my preference is for bowtech bows I had a couple pse bows and the bowtech was by far the better. mathews is a great bow also. I have never hunted with a mathews but if I were buying another bow it would be a bowtech or a mathews with out a doubt.

Quasi

.

Popeye · 10-16-2004, 05:08 AM

Rod....Bowtech is the one we manufacture :grin:

skein · 10-16-2004, 07:11 AM

Quote:

....Bowtech is the one we manufacture

We? We? I thought all you did now was sit around waiting for some broken-down 'Dog to call for help.

What are you gonna do, mount a bowrack on that 450 you just bought?

Can I sneak in another Thank You?

Skein

corrirod · 10-16-2004, 08:00 AM

Yeah, what's this "we" thing?

I guess he's not easing into retirement quite as quickly as we thought! :shocked:

And yes, thank you for coming to get us the other day!

TWB · 10-16-2004, 12:03 PM

Rod......Bows are like boats....you have to buy at least three of them!

Miss B Haven · 10-18-2004, 01:49 PM

Hey- this must be the new Salty Dog board. Everyones over here!

You going Bill Bowhunting Rod (if you understand this then you must be a redneck) :grin:

Mello-Yello · 10-18-2004, 08:16 PM

Actually Mel........there's been some brief discussions about doing some "shark hunting", not unlike "carp hunting". Spose the population could handle it?

M-Y