Wanting To Get Into Archery

[rangerman2003]

Well now that I am surfing the forums again and that deer season is in for archery I am starting to get the itch to expand my hunting horizons into archery. My question comes on the basis of what is easier, and cheaper (im a poor college kid), Archery or Crossbow.

Can anyone give me some basics on which one is best for beginners and what brands to get or what to avoid. Also some links to good setups and equipment. Thanks Rangerman2003

[slow-bow]

I would have to say that a crossbow would definately be the easier of the two to "master." Once you get comforatable with a crossbow, it more resembles shooting a gun than a bow and roughly within the range of an "old- school" shotgun/ slug combo( before modern rifled slug barrels). They're, obviously, different but, similar, none the less. Price-wise....both are just like anything else. You want an $800 set-up, they've got it. You want a $250 set-up, they've got that, too. Both can get the same results with plenty of good old-fashioned practice. I, personally, love the satisfaction of a good "bowkill"; but, that would be a personal preference. Good luck in whichever you choose.

[150PandY]

From what I have seen the price range is about the same. There are expensive models in both catagories. I personally would recomend a compound because of the greater opportunity the season offers. I think you would enjoy it more than a Xbow. Go check out a good bow shop and look at their models. Most shops carry different brand bows that will fit into anyones price range. You can get a good bow fully equiped for 300-400 or you can get a top name brand fully equiped from 700-1000. It all depends on what you are willing to spend.

[slow-bow]

Don't be afraid to check out a pawn shop, too. Sometimes they may have a dandy for next to nothing, compared to new.

[WBBP]

I would say that it is cheaper to get into archery based on the number of used bows out there. Not too many used CBs out there yet.

I would suggest a used compound bow to get started. I think they are more fun than cross bows, even if they are a little harder to master.

I support the expanded use of cross bows, but they just feel too much like a gun to me.

Good luck.

K

[keith meador]

wbbp gives you good advice. both habits are expensive initially, but you can use your equipment for years if you take care of it. i like bowhunting with a compound, and have never hunted with a crossbow, but either way, i hope you do get into the sport, you will enjoy every minute of it.

[12 pointer]

both habits are expensive initially, but you can use your equipment for years if you take care of it.

this is true for sure. I have a 95 model clearwater archery "Power Mag" that I bought used from a friend of mine after he had a car wreck and lost his leg. Lefthanded, I got it at a deal. and I still have the bow that I bought when I was a junior in highschool. PSE Stratoflite. AND< I still have My Bear Whitetail that my mom bought me used when I was 15 from E.A. Cohen in greenville for 30 bucks. You do not have to have the Newest thing out to be productive. I have about 15 or so bow kills to my name. not alot compared to some nowadays but those were back when you bragged about seeing 10 deer all season, not 10 a day.:D

[Southbound]

I believe the extended season of bow hunting is very appealing. Its not difficult to learn how to shoot a bow at a target, but in the woods...thats a different story. Crossbow hunting seems more like short range gun hunting to me.

[JDMiller]

Neither one is a "off the shelf.. head to the woods item". They both require some amount of practice & tuning before attempting to harvest a game animal.

The crossbow will win out as far as ease of mastery but getting broadheads to fly true takes a little more doing. Theres lot of guys on the crossbow forums will tell you finding the perfect combination is tough because you lack the tunabillity like you have in a vertical bow. In hunting situations ...especially treestands ... their pretty awkward until you get use to them. In most cases a second shot opportunity is non-existent and the comparison to drawing a compound vs raising a crossbow to your shoulder is pretty close to the same as far as movement. The movement of horizontal limbs is just as hard to get away with in a stand or on the ground. Their pretty much a 40 yd or less piece of equipment regardless of what you hear and the short arrow will loose energy real quick past those ranges. The one thing that has always impressed me about crossbows is sheer speed & power at normal hunting ranges. Their a very effective hunting weapon and enjoyable to shoot & hunt with.

The compound bow..... is a good choice as well. A bow in your correct draw length, properly matched arrows and tuned to perfection is deadly accurate. To be consistent requires good form and regular practice...if anything you need to condition yourself with regular pratice and build confidence in your shooting abillity. As with everything.. technology has spilled over in the archery world. Drop-away rest... fiber-optic sights..release aids of various styles ...arrows ..right down to the bow themselves have came a long way. Its not that hard to become proficient with compounds if you get everything set-up right and a little advice on proper shooting does'nt hurt.

Either one is a good choice and can lead in many directions in the archery world. Crossbows can entice users to compounds for the challenge. Either one could lead to even more challenge with recurve & longbows. To be successful with either weapon has many variables and for the most part genuine hunting skills...shot placement.. abillity to draw in presence of game is something you learn through trial & error. You will get as much out of archery as your willing to put into it. I'll warn you... its very addictive.

[arshooter]

for the best money spent take a look at martins line of bows..they are top notch bow with out getting into the pocket too deep....as for an x bow it depends on what kinda of challenge you are looking for a upright bow will give you more satisfaction in the long run...

[rangerman2003]

so as for a regular bow what bow set up would you suggest for a beginner that is forgiving and easy to learn on. I would want this to be able to take a deer and still be fun and easy to learn on since I have NEVER shot a bow before

[JDMiller]

so as for a regular bow what bow set up would you suggest for a beginner that is forgiving and easy to learn on. I would want this to be able to take a deer and still be fun and easy to learn on since I have NEVER shot a bow before

Theres lots of brands & models out there and depends on how much you want to spend. Unless you purchase one already rigged ...you need to figure in sights, rest, quiver, string acessories such as peep & D-loop, arrows and release aid..tab or glove. You dont have to spend a fortune but its a good idea to buy quality stuff. I would go to a good archery shop vs. mail order to put my hands on different models and get the correct fit.

Your draw length needs to be measured for the proper bow. Bow choices on compounds are basically single cam or double cam. I personally like single cam bows but its a preference thing. Overall length of the bow or axel to axel comes into play as well. I like a happy medium around 34 inches shooting a release without a D-loop. Shorter bows .. a D-loop is not a option its a must. Finger (glove or tab) shooters like even longer bows. Brace heights in my opinion give you the forgiveness. A reasonable axel to axel length with high brace height ....say 7-8"inches would be a good choice. Other advice... dont get caught up in speed as reason of choice. Again... a good archery shop will steer you in the right direction.

[150PandY]

so as for a regular bow what bow set up would you suggest for a beginner that is forgiving and easy to learn on. I would want this to be able to take a deer and still be fun and easy to learn on since I have NEVER shot a bow before

One thing I would suggest when starting out is a whisker biscuit arrow rest. They are very easy to use and you dont have to worry about your arrow falling off. I have been bow hunting for 15+ years and I have on on my Switchback XT now. So they are not just a beginers rest.

[naturalelite]

What area do you live in. There could be someone on here that knows of or owns an archery shop near you. If not I am sure someone on here can recommend one close to you. You need to go to someone that is there to help you and not make a sale. They can fit you, and get you set up with equipment that fits YOU. I don't know what price range you want to stay in but I agree with arshooter, Martin for the money is as good a bow that there is on the market right now. I have never hunted with a x-bow but my dad enjoys taking deer with one every year but he does say there is nothing like stretching the string on a compound. If you have hunted long you probably have friends that have both, shoot them and see which ones you enjoy the most. To me there is nothing better in the hunting world then sitting in a tree stand with my trusty compound.

[rangerman2003]

none of my friends have one, that i have asked many times haha... but i live in Boone County if that helps anyone

[buckstopper2]

rangerman if you can swing buy the best you can get because if you like to hunt you will completely love bow hunting. Don't want to make anyone mad but if I had to choose between gun hunt or bow hunt (give me my bow and show me the woods).
Draw length and set-up mean alot more than speed. If you don't know alot about bows get a good friend to go with you or find a good ole country boy in the shop to help you out and good hunting.:):)