Beginner Compound bow?

[Go4Lo]

This is my first post here, got referred to this site from a fellow 4wheeler.ca member...

I've been toying with the idea of getting started in Archery, preferably 3D shoots. Not sure what kind of bow to look for or what is even a good brand?? I've been to a few archery competitions just to watch and it seems like a ton of fun.

So I guess my main question is what kind of compound archery bow is good for a beginner and do I need to get fitted for it? or do the arrows just need to be cut to my specific draw length?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ryan

[Ballenxj]

Hi Ryan,
I have been working on this same question, and I've found conflicting answers on the draw weight in particular, so I dove in even deeper, talking to a seemingly knowledgeable guy at a BassPro archery shop, I was told specifically to NOT try to use too heavy a draw while trying to learn. This person told me it would actually do harm to my learning a shooting style. A lot of people seem to think that heavier is always better. I found a website operated by Ted Nugent(Yeah, the Rock n Roll Guy) were He (Ted) stated that He hunts deer with a 45 LB bow, and He described one of His shots that went straight through the deer and stuck in a tree in the background. That convinced me. I now have three bows, two compunds and one TD recurve. The two compounds max out at 65 & 70 LBS, while the TD recurve is just for fun at 25 LBS. All three are made by the Bear Archery CO. I'm keeping the settings on the compounds low until I feel confidant enough to increase the poundage. (45/55 LBS)
Sizing the bow for you is important, and I'll link to another thread I started about this here, http://www.bowzone.ca/modules.php?op=modload&name=phpBB2&file=viewtopic& t=3042
I hope some of this helps. 8)
-Bruce

[WOOKIE]

Go4Lo, the best thing to do is to go to a archery pro shop and get them to fit you properly. Have a look at the stock they have, they may even let you shoot them. Rent a bow, take some lessons and go from there. Where are you from, maybe we could recommend som pro shops near you.

[Dillershortbow]

Go4lo i would recammend going to a local archery club shoot and talk to different shooters . THay will know of a good shop i didn`t do that and and ended up being sold a bow i hated. I don`t know where your from but in small town canada you can`t find dealers that have enough stuff to test so talking and watching guys shoot is the best way. thy will let you try there bows to.

[Go4Lo]

Thanks for the quick reply guys! WOW! Great responses and have helped me greatly.

I am now on a hunt to see whats in my city (the great city of Saskatoon :roll: ) so we'll see what it has to offer!!

Would you recommend a used/second hand bow to learn with before stepping into the big $$ for a brand new bow?

Thanks again,
Ryan

[WOOKIE]

Second hand bows are fine, but shoot a little before you buy and make sure you have someone nwho is well versed in bows have a look at it.

[Go4Lo]

Thats what I plan on doing, trying a few out, hoping a few locals will let me try their bows. Hope they're like the rifle guys and won't mind letting me have a go! 8) I'm kinda blind at buying a used bow, unless I buy one from someone in the club, and he doesn't plan on screwing me over :shock:

There are actually a few bows for sale at the local wildlife federation, one is a Barnett, states that its a good "starter bow".....your opinions on the brand?

Ryan