New Bow?

Elkhunter · 12-01-2002, 05:13 AM

I'm going to start bow hunting next year (deer), where should a newbe go to shop where I can get expert advice and set up with the bells and wistles and even shoot different bows. I have been reading that the Mathews line is getting good ratings. Any help would be great!

TheRogue · 12-01-2002, 08:23 AM

I've been thinking the same myself. I flung arrows for several years in the late 80's, it was a major rush, actually came back with meat several time.

I've stopped by Archer's Afield in Tigard twice now in the last few weeks, reccomended to me by several people. They are very knowledgeable there, and low pressure as well!! That's the good way to go, don't just order a kit from Cabelas or similar. Save money yes, but might not get what really fits.

I had to quit bowhunting because of brusitis in my left shoulder, found out later it was likely because of over-extending because the used bow I had bought had to long of a draw length. Never knew, just did lots of shooting.

TR

MetalHead · 12-01-2002, 08:54 AM

Elk Hunter, I have been bow hunting exclusively for the last 11 years and have shot many bows and Mathews is by far the best I have shot. I now own one have have been shooting it for the last 4 seasons. My advise is this go to a proshop Archers Afield, Archery World (in Vancouver) etc... Shoot all the bows they have (except the Mathews) that are in your price range (any good proshop will set up any bow in the shop for you to shoot) if you find one you like buy it and practice practice practice. If you dont find one you like shoot the Mathews, fall in love, go into debt.
Have fun
MetalHead

Mathews are the quietest, fastest, most forgiving bow I have found.
Dont forget all the SIMS vibration labs goodies, Limb Savers, String Leeches, Grip Wrap. Oh Boy I could go on forever

Hoosier Daddy · 12-01-2002, 10:52 AM

Don't feel like you have to go in wanting "all the bells and whistles". They are fine, and I don't fault anyone using them IF it makes them a better hunter or shooter. But you don't NEED them. Decide which if any make sense and try them, but above all practice your ASS off, with or without the toys.

crabbait · 12-01-2002, 12:43 PM

Good advice, all the way around. Do yourself a favor and spring for the internal component carbon shafts. I use the Carbon Express arrows. Yes, they are more expensive than aluminum but the increased durability and speed more than make up for it.

There is no free lunch. Heavier bows are more stable. Longer bows are more forgiving (everything else being equal in both cases).

You can buy quality equipment. You cannot buy experience. Shoot alot and shoot plenty of 3D tournaments for the realistic experience (try running in place for a minute, then take the shot, to simulate adrenaline pump).

Good luck!

Elkhunter · 12-01-2002, 04:06 PM

Thanks guys for the good info and locations to visit, thats what I was looking for! I want to take my time and be ready for next year and get plenty of practice, practice, practice! I may need to sell a weatherby to pay for it so my wife doesn't kill me. Thanks again.

Pan Fry · 12-01-2002, 06:04 PM

Archerys Afield is where I bought bow last year, they'll take there time with you. Their Great.
Bob's Outdoor in Longview, kinda of drive, but well worth it. both places are family own busines's

Ps

Catch 22 · 12-01-2002, 07:19 PM

[img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img]

http://www.ifish.net/ubb/ultimatebb....;f=14;t=000884

elkaholic · 12-01-2002, 07:50 PM

I like what I'm hearing from the others, no equipment makes up for practice, patience and time afield for success. I went high tech after 15 years of working my way up and feel I paid the price. So, out came the old faithfull with many notches and I have been using ever since, successfully. Get a good fit, good tuning bow and don't think you have to shoot 300 fps to be successful. Spend the time learning the animals, practice calling and keep the wind in your face. This way I make up for long shots with short shots with a slow killer bow. Even went back to full length aluminum arrows and no release. 67 lbs is plenty for me.

Practice at all angles and on your knees, one knee, canted and quick release because when the time comes, it is generally a very small window of opportunity.

Good luck!!!!! :smile:

lor · 12-01-2002, 10:08 PM

I got started about 4 years ago.
I bought my bow from Broken Arrow, since your in the Oregon City area.
The closest shops to you would be On Target or Broken Arrow.

Eventhough I bought my bow at Broken arrow, I haven't done much business with them since. The people are nice but in comparison shopping there prices seem to be
a little higher than other shops. Hence we have nicknamed the place Broken Wallet.

Price and knowledgewise, I spend my money @
Archers Afield, followed by On Target.

Lured In · 12-02-2002, 07:28 AM

Too funny....my wife and I have been talking about this for the last few weeks. I usually muzzleloader hunt, and she wants to try bow hunting. So after checking regs and talking to my dad who bow hunted for years as a youngster in Alaska and Idaho I have started looking around.

A few questions though...

What does riser height, cam to cam length and other measurements effect in terms of shootablity? Are these primarily for fit and/or function in the field?

Also, since I primarily hunt in OR, most of the bows I have seen have a 70 or 75% let off. Doesn't OR require a max let off of no more than 65%?

Will a good bow shop "fit" you to your bow? I have read that arrow length and weight are also a function of the bow you shoot. Will they help match those up too?

Any thoughts on rests, sites, etc...?

Thanks in advance for the feedback.

Lured In · 12-04-2002, 07:40 AM

Bump...anyone....?

Hanapa'a Time · 12-04-2002, 09:05 AM

Lured In,

Yes, a good bow shop should fit the bow to your draw length. All too often new archers are sold equipment that is just a tad too long, that combined with string stretch and poor form lead to bad arrow flight and frustration. I know first hand, I have a 26.5" draw length and have shot many bows that I had to tweak some to get the right fit. The Bow Tech that I have shot for the last three years has fit me perfectly since day one, without the yearly tweaking of my previous bows.
As far as arrow weight goes, there is a fine line between speed, weight and kintetic energy. I shoot a carbon arrow that produces the most kinetic energy for the speed I choose to shoot.
Hope this helps.

Kurt

Hanapa'a Time · 12-04-2002, 01:22 PM

Lured In,

The shorter brace height and axle to axle bows tend to be faster, but not very forgiving. Some of the new bows have short axle lengths and higher brace heights and are good shooting as well, Mathews Q2 or Bow Tech Patriot. These bows use longer risers, shorter limbs and limb pockets that are angled back more. People who use fingers, tend to shoot bows with 40" axle to axle length because of finger pinch(string angle). Hope this helps.

Kurt

[ 12-04-2002, 02:23 PM: Message edited by: KGS ]

MetalHead · 12-04-2002, 03:00 PM

Lured, if your in Camas go over to Archery World and talk with Joe Malacort the owner or Jerry Ponton both know their stuff and will answer any and all questions. They are located on Grand between Evergreen Blvd and Mill Plain.
Archery World

Lured In · 12-04-2002, 11:50 PM

I mistyped this in my previous post...

What does brace hieght and cam to cam length effect? Obviously a shorter bow (cam to cam) would be easier to handle in tight spaces but does it effect anything else? What about forgiveness in shooting?

Thanks again.

Lured In · 12-05-2002, 05:55 PM

Thanks for all the feedback. I will go check out Archery World and see what shakes out.

Mtn Man · 12-05-2002, 07:48 PM

I hunted with a bow for about 10 years (shot competitivly for 15)...now I hunt with a muzzleloader. The archery gear was getting way to high tech, it was beginning to feel like high power season.
Personally I don't like any of the new wheel bows, I have shot everything from cammed true over-draw bow to longbows. The most enjoyable shooting I every did was with a recurve, they are light, easy to shoot, quiet and pretty. Longbows are nice but require a LOT of practice.
One of the main reasons I switched was because they started imposing restictions on the muzzleloaders. I hate to see the government step in like that, but if the manufacturers won't self impose retrictions then pretty quick there will only be one season (all weapons).

My .02

Alan