Who Makes The Best Hunting Bow?

[scooter]

Well? Let's hear it! Who makes the best hunting bow in your opinion and why?

[Hubbard]

Hoyt, cause they seem to be always tryin to make em better, savin my coins cause i loved shootin the cam and a half at cabelas when i was in the states in january.

[jackal]

I like the HOYT SUPERTEC for hunting and 3-d it can produce speeds of 310+ and I also get 286 fps with 420 grain arrows at 61 pounds for hunting which makes it a little flater than most bows out there. Its great for mulies and elk.



Jackal

[HoagieAB]

Gotta go with the Bowtech's. Superlight and extremely fast. I shoot the Mighty Mite and get 303 fps at 70 lbs with the huntin setup. I would like to know what Sniper hunts with however. I was regaled with a new hunting story (courtesy of jackal) this past weekend, and after the dig Sniper gave me about my "little bow" and my bear................ :shock: :-) :-)
Just kiddin Shane........hopefully see you guys at a shoot soon, but we'll be at Nationals for sure!!

Ryan

[littleal]

I'm partial to Jennings(Bear Archery) bows. I've been buying them for the last 15 years. They are great bows KEPT at an affordable price for the average guy. Plus I find it easier reasoning with my wife when it comes time to upgrade :-)
AL

[scooter]

Plus I find it easier reasoning with my wife when it comes time to upgrade :-)
AL

That's the most important thing! :lol: :lol:

[petew]

Kodiak,
They are the quietest bows that I have shot.Smooth draw,good speed, no shock, and great looking very acurate..No limb pockets, fully adjustable for draw length and valey/wall without a press or the need for modules.They are stock with Winners Choice strings.Bare weight is only 3.2 pounds for the KO32.

[sniper]

All right! All right!

last year I hunted with my good ol cougar 2000.
Was a little noisey though.

This year it might be the new Salyer Thats Hanging in my garage.
This is a very fast bow, And Jackal knows why I might need a little extra speed, and aparantly so do Hoagie and Bighorn. LOL LOL :roll: :roll:

[scooter]

All right! All right!

last year I hunted with my good ol cougar 2000.
Was a little noisey though.

This year it might be the new Salyer Thats Hanging in my garage.
This is a very fast bow, And Jackal knows why I might need a little extra speed, and aparantly so do Hoagie and Bighorn. LOL LOL :roll: :roll:

I'd like to touch on a couple of your statements too if I may....

1. And you call yourself a bow hunter. What's the big idea using a shotgun in archery season? :mrgreen:

2. I think I may know why you need some extra speed...cuz yer short and fat like me :flipoff: :flipoff: :flipoff: :flipoff:

That is all...Carry on!

[brian81]

Hoyt/Reflex, great products, good customer service

my only beef with them is they come out every year with something new I feel the need to purchase :lol:

of course i got screwed on my new hoyt so my reflex gets another season in the woods this year

[Scar]

Martin Hatfield Takedown Recurve. The takedown feature is great for travelling, the bow is very sweet to shoot and if I'm gonna wander all over in search of whatever that I'm probably not gonna shoot at anyway, (I'm not quite as stealthy as I'd like) I figure that a 2 pound bow is the way to go.

[Travski]

APA Black Mamba X2 fast quiet and a pleasure to shoot

Travis

[WOOKIE]

I have a little red fibreglass recurve that my 6 year old daughter passed down to me. Now that I am building strings, I am going to short string that lil sucker so I can get 40 lbs outta it and its my new huntin bow! :loser:

[Dillershortbow]

What i want is a high country with the carbon riser maybe an iron mace. It would be real nice not having to hold that cold alum. riser on a -something day.

[WOOKIE]

What i want is a high country with the carbon riser maybe an iron mace. It would be real nice not having to hold that cold alum. riser on a -something day.

Trust me Merv, Carbon isn't going to be any warmer.

[Scar]

What i want is a high country with the carbon riser maybe an iron mace. It would be real nice not having to hold that cold alum. riser on a -something day.


I think I read something on the bowtech website that they are developing a heated grip. however I still think grab a stick bow, wood doesn't suck the heat out of your hand anything like an aluminum riser.

[acearchery]

My new Montana that should be arriving next week!.......

Sweet little bow...... Pete coming onto the darkside!......

[timba]

I'm partial to Jennings(Bear Archery) bows. I've been buying them for the last 15 years. They are great bows KEPT at an affordable price for the average guy. Plus I find it easier reasoning with my wife when it comes time to upgrade :-)
AL

I agree,I've had my buckmaster for years and love it.

timba

[Vinyari]

by asking this question you are going to get eveyones bow they are shooting now or want to own......

for hunting you need.....
-a longer ata for fingers OR...
-a bow that is a shorter ATA for convenience more than anything, if shooting release
-a forgiving bow as opposed to a faster bow, when it really counts you want to know your shot is going to hit where you need it to
-lighter would be nice for those long hours of carrying it around
-quiet is necessary, or at least the ability to quieten it down with the use of mufflers and limb savers, etc

look at your budget and decide how much you are willing or wanting to spend, decide what accessories such as sights and rest etc you are going to use, then figure out which of the manufacturers fit into your needs and wants.

I don't think there exists a BAD bow in the market right now, some are better than others for different things, some have newer technology some are definatly older technology.

make the decision for yourself, there are alot of good bows on the market, get out there and shoot as many as you can that fall within your needs and budget, I am sure you will find the bow that is right for you, not what is right for the guy standing next to you at the next shoot.

I personally don't get the "XXXXXX is the best bow around" or the "never buy XXXXXX, they are crap"

find what works for you and who cares what anyone else thinks of your choice, your shooting your bow and bringing home your kills.

good luck with your choice
Vinayri

[Dillershortbow]

Viniyari thats not how this archery game is played. If you shoot pourly buy more exspensive trinkets if you still can`t hit buy a new bow. The winner has the most bows when they cash in. :tongue: :tongue:

[Vinyari]

LMAO

I know so many guys like what you just discribed Dillershortbow,

Vinyari

[toxo1]

I do not know. There so many bows today........What ever bow you like and shoot well with is the best for you. :boohoo:

[acearchery]

Let see....

I got a MArtin Impala
A 90 lb Custom Hoyt Raptor.... Can you believe it... me putting my stink on a hoyt... or vice versa!....
AMathews Outback
A Mathews Apex 7
A broken Recurve..... Display Piece... Broke shooting carp in 40 degree weather in Kamloops.....
A Montana longbow... almost here!...

My wife has :
A PSE Nova

My sons have
2 - Martin Long bows

A left hand Browning Junior/Ladies Target bow.... soon for sale
A Check mate Left hand Recurve olympic bow with 2 sets of limbs

So far Not Bad.....

[Dillershortbow]

I don`t know ac------ if you put your stink on a hoyt you might not loose all those crispys. :nutkick:

[Mikey]

You know AC ... A wise one once told me that if Geronimo had shot a hoyt ....we would all be speaking Apache right now

[acearchery]

That was the problem..... They brought a bow to a gunfight!.....

[toxo1]

no one. It is not the bow. It is the shooter. It can cost $2,000.00 and if it does not feel right to you, forget it........get one that feels right and comfortable to you and that is the one you shoul buy. toxo :lol: :lol: :sure_ok:

[willyqbc]

I chose a Hoyt Protec as my hunting bow...several reasons why

1. Very accurate and forgiving bow
2. 75% L/O
3. Generous Brace height gives a little extra room for not hitting bulky hunting clothes with the string when you shoot.
4. Surprisingly fast for a high brace bow....currently getting 289fps with a 440 grain arrow and 72#'s

Chris

[acearchery]

We are missing the most important element of a hunting bow... It has to be lucky.....

My Martin is lucky.....here are a few examples...

First day with this bow (twin to one that ******* stole the previous day out of my truck)... i shot a hybrid (whitetail) buck in morning.... big 2x2..... then a 130 class 4x3 mule deer in the afternoon..... Now! I knew bow would be lucky!.....

As I was unloading out of friends explorer to hunt.... big mulie came running up with two does to 40 yards....stood broadside.... and looked away.... I had to calm down and stepped out from back of explorer and shot..... 178 3/8 net mule deer.......178 5/8 gross just a beautiful typical rack!... and I like typicals.... see my luck bow knew that when it brought that deer in..... Intelligent and lucky!......

Sneaking up on some whitetails in a bale field.... going from bale to bale... get to a bale...waiting behind it see deer starting to ove my way.... they keep coming i tuck behind bale.... and get ready.... I hear a noise on other side of bale....draw...look around bale... deer is eating from bale I am hiding behind..... arrow barely out of bow before it hits deer... 120 class typical whitetail..... (It was the smallest one perhaps bow was not as lucky as it should have been)

Fell asleep on oatfield.... waiting for bears... wake up.... bear gonna pass within 10 yards... I draw.... bear growls and stands up.... arrow buries to fletches in chest....NO PASSTHROUGH....what the heck?.... bear continues standing and begins the death rattle and falls over.... arrow stuck in tree behind him!..... (lucky that I pinned him!)...

Another season.... 3 doe tags.... doe in morning 5 yard shot.... wlking up trail stopped... turned around deer behind me!..... later left camp and went along same trail... another doe about 50 feet from camp.... 10 yard shot.... down.... retrieved... processed then headed out again...... get to lease and hpoing for a moose the whole time.... 3 big wt does step out and biggst one is 20 yards.... I draw.... broadhead hooks riser and pulls off of string.... i start letting down gently...BOOOM1 bow dry fires..... WTF... I check bow quickly... fine no slivers....cables still in place.... (whew that was lucky!) hook arrow back up.... in the proceedings.... Big doe WALKS CLOSER (lucky again).... IS about 8 yards away... I draw look down arrow and nail her.... she drops in her tracks.... 3 deer in one day farthest one was 10 yards!........and I was hunting for moose.... later that evening hunting again.... no deer tags left.... sit above lick waiting for moose in a spruce well... tired... fall asleep... get woken up by a monster 5x5 WT buck that huffs at me.. stands at 20 yards... and huffs some more.... then goes to lick...and beds down..... 30 yards away...NO TAGS..... End up walking from lick to another lease...no moose on way back... coming through a blueberry patch...see a large brown animal... get behind tree and get ready....not a moose....a grizzly bear.... 30 yards away... biggest tree was 10 feet tall... nearest tree i could climb... 200 yards away.... not gonna win that race... bear is 30 yards away and taking time eating blueberries..... I draw bow....in self defense... bear feeding towards me....feel urge to void bowels.... waiting........ waiting...... pretty easy to hold 76 lbs now...... waiting.... bear is sbout 20 yards away... if i move a muscle...it will be ugly.... bear statrs feeding away..... still holding bow fully drawn..... bear starts walking crossways of trail and into bush....... GOOD THING I HAD MY LUCKY BOW............. pretty good for a day's hunting....

These are just a few times when the luck really showed..... Bow is on my wall and I use it periodically.... I will never sell it....unless maybe to a new archer who needs some luck.... It has 9 black bears 12 deer 2 moose, at least a dozen coyotes, and many carp, gophers, chickens, rabbits, and even a few trees to its credit....

How do you know if a bow is lucky..... Hold it... shoot it.... you will know if it feels right or not.... Again whether you get a lucky bow or not is..... LUCK...... This bow was an immediate replacement for the bow that got stolen..... the bow that was stolen had two black bears and a coyote to its credit in its first spring!....It won me $1000 in a one arrow long shot.... over 100 yards at an elk....I pinwheeled the thing....that is luck!......

and just for you MIKEY it was a bling 3D bow grey riser and glossy black limbs.....and glossy black cams.... with white strings!....the limbs have since been replaced with camo ones...and the wheels with grey ones.... when the originls wore out...

My new bow is definitely not as lucky and has some bad luck funk on it....

[Dillershortbow]

Good god AC i don`t want to read that much :wink:

[Mikey]

I have heard of verbal diarria my Daughter has that... but key board diarerria .... Only the Great AC can pull that one off

Oh and My Hoyt Supertec is lucky too .... Killed everything that its launched an arrow into. :mooned: :mooned: :flipoff:

[acearchery]

Mikey with most people... that is skill......

Oh right YOU!..... definitely Luck!.....:hump:

Hope that's not too much to read!.....:laugh: If you can't read very fast.... i will have to type slower!:)

Just had to put in a few examples to illustrate my point!..... a whole bunch of hunting stiories associatted with bow!.....

[Gary]

Hey guys, I've been lurking around here for a while and thought I better get more invovled. I enjoy the banter and the good back and forth...you guys cut me up. :wink: I notice in this thread that AC has kinda hijacked the topic with his success stories; it sounds like he has done pretty well over the years. Why don't we turn this thread into a photo thread. I know you guys have all done well and it would be great to see the trophies you guys have. I'll start it off and then flip it to AC to carry this on. This will be my first attempt at posting photos so bear with me. We have to get Pete to post his bucky photo; the guy is ingenious. Here goes.

[acearchery]

ROACH!..... Good to see you Man!....... Welcome!.....

Bucky the wonder deer has been posted somewhere ...

Also there are galleries where a person can post their pictures!

Okay I will have to find some impressive pictures!... I got a few digging around!....

I was just looking through some old albums.....

I will have to scan and post pictures related to the stories!......

i didn't think I hijacked.... just had to show that a bow's best charactaristic is its luck..... and not sure what brand takes that into account or builds it into their bow!....

[toxo1]

No best bow, just the guy that can throw the bow the furthest when he misses and does not break. That is how you tell if the bow is good or not!!!!! :loser: :nutkick: :bang: :hump: :thumbsup:

[cdn-redneck]

Hoyt what else is there to say :nutkick:

[toxo1]

I have said it before and I wil said it again.........It is what is best for you not anybody else.There is a rule about rules brother, what is right for one may be wrong for another. :cheers:

[dg72a]

My Champion Contender seems to work just fine, for now. I think my next purchase will be a reflex Caribou, as I am a finger shooter. Carry on, just don't knock Champion bows........... :) dg.

[toxo1]

The only thing I knock is a door

[Grunter]

I've owned a Martin and a PSE and prefer the PSE but $$$ prevented me from purchasing a Darton or Bowtech which was my first choice(s) at the time.

If I had the opportunity to buy something again I would be hard-pressed to make a decision but then again I haven't shot a Hoyt or Matthews yet either so the next round may see four contenders for me!

[razortec]

Imo....Hoyt is at the top of the list where it belongs! :thumbsup:

[acearchery]

I tried a Hoyt Vectrix and Vulcan yesterday....

Very nice bows.... if I had to choose on how all the new bows flt now it would be a hard choice.... they all are smoot, fast, hold well.... ...

Too bad I am not able tp pick out a "lucky" one!.....

[Joey]

Without shooting each one, it's impossible to choose accurately. There are certain things I look for though.
Short axle-axle length, must be quiet, light, an easy draw at a high poundage, and a high IBO. Reasons for these- smaller bow is easier to carry through the bush, and in a stand. The weight is pretty self explanitory. If I can draw it at 70lbs just as easy as I can at 50lbs, I will keep it at 70. Quiet, so there is no "jumping the string". And if they still do, I want the arrow there as fast as possible to still get that lethal shot.

I found all of these in the Browning Illusion. 33", 4.2lbs, draws easy, and IBO of 319fps.
Super quiet, and ZERO hand shock. This thing is absolutely dead in the hand. Price tag of $889.00.

Now with that being said, we also shot the Browning Myst. Shoots just a hair slower than the Illusion, but feels just the same. Quiet and smooth. The biggest difference is the cost.
$530.00.

I am dying to try out a couple of Bowtech units though, because I have heard nothing but good things about them. Especially the Guardian. Maybe I will sneak over to JimBows for a trial before work today.

[Joey]

Well, I made it to JimBows. Saw the PSE X-Force on the wall, and just had to give it a try.
Didn't like it at all. The short brace height was sure evident, and it was the hardest drawing 65lbs I have ever tried. The wall is hard, but very short. No relaxing at all, or it's going in on you.

Then I moved on to the Guardian by Bowtech. WOW!!! What a sweet bow. Easy draw, quiet, and I can't begin to explain the absence of any shock. Time to start sweet talking Momma.

My vote goes to Bowtech.

[kbowie]

I shoot a Ross bow. Just bought this year so I will assume it works good for hunting. Having fun with 3d, Good for practice I hope.
My goal was for hunting Elk this fall. Don't know if it will be as good as AC's. I am planning not to meet bears like you have AC. Used to having a gun not sure if I could hold full draw and wait for a griz to walk away.

[ninjasloth]

my opinion is obviously going to be biased, as i haven't had a lot of experience with too many different bows. this being said however the champion diablo that i'm hunting with and have been shooting for three years still outperforms most of the lastest equipment from darton, pse and the list goes on.

[Twisted Canuck]

You know AC ... A wise one once told me that if Geronimo had shot a hoyt ....we would all be speaking Apache right now


Now that is just tooooo funny. Here's a little apache for you:

"'Ákoo bitseeí tsínáiłgoná'a. "...

That means 'and he continually poked his tail in the fire'. Really. Made me think of you....

Here's the link if you don't believe my amazing apache language skills:

http://www.omniglot.com/writing/apache.htm

The internet is a wonderful thing. Oh yes, and I'll put my dollar on Hoyt too, for all the abuse I take from the Mathews shooters up here Hoyt should be sending me a new Vectrix in their new 'Compassion Purple Haze' color..... :notworthy

[petew]

Times change and now that I shoot traditional only, I will go for a trad bow every time. Nothing like no parts to come loose, and when they weigh only 12 to 19 ounces complete they are a joy to cary all day.
No problems with pins full of snow or not enough light , peeps moving etc. Faster to come to draw,aim and release.

The down side ? is they make you hunt better and get close, but bowhunting is suposed to be a close up and personal thing isn't it?

Pete

[Farmer]

The best hunting bow I have shot to date is made by a small new company called MonsterBows .

Looks like an Onieda but that is it . It is very very different . there are no cams , shoot thru cable system , let off is variable from 0 to 90 %, 8 3/8 BH and IBO's at 300 fps.

Very smooth , quiet , and dead in the hand . With the 8 inch plus brace it is very forgiving .

The feature of the bow that I like the best ; is I can do all my own service . The bow can be tore down with 2 allen keys with out a bow press . The string and cables seem to last forever. I have 5000 shoots thru the bow and they are going strong. Others with this bow have far more shots than that .

[Nails1913]

I shoot a Mathews Ovation (finger shooter)and really like it. I put down others because I would love to test other equipment to see which which is the best hunting bow for me. My pockets are just not that deep to take up this quest.

[Nails1913]

I shoot a Mathews Ovation (finger shooter)and really like it. I put down others because I would love to test other equipment to see which which is the best hunting bow for me. My pockets are just not that deep to take up this quest.

Todd

[Elroy]

Quote from an old indian in "The Bowhunter's Bible" which I read as a kid:
'Any bow good bow. Arrow heap much work!'

[toxo1]

I love my Darton cross bow. I shot my Darton bow and then my shoulder just went big time....now all my muscles in my bow holding shoulder are torn and they can not operate. Great cross bow!!!! toxo

[pupper]

bowtech- quiet, strong, tough, light, fast, good quality, fine machining, consistancy, accuracty, lack of handshock,.

[dropzone]

I'm with pupper. Bowtech !!!

[CDNBear]

I bought a Fred Bear Whitetail II 15 years ago, it's still as good as the day I bought it. It's quiet, strong and doesn't look like a toy when I hold it. Being a large lad and all.

I've upgraded the sights, rest and replaced the string over the years, but she has proven to be a supior weapon, in all kinds of weather conditions.

Only draw back, weight. She is heavy. But I'm into those large framed lasses...lol.

[minishooter]

I like Fred Bear but I have only had one bow in my life so far so when i grow out of this bow i might get a hoyt :flipoff: :angry_mad :cheers: :eyemouth: :loser: :laugh: :sign_trol

[minishooter]

you know, I voted bear but I really want my next bow to be an alpine I looked at this one at the CAC and it is 21' through 28' and it is 40 lbs so i can hunt with it and it will last me quite a while

[Van_fl]

DAS hunter but no whells still shoots 124ft/sec with a 125 gr BH

[Dillershortbow]

DAS hunter but no whells still shoots 124ft/sec with a 125 gr BH

124 fps ......when i was 20 i could run faster then that. :tongue_na

[Van_fl]

oops typo 224 ft /sec

[The Hermit]

Other...

Chek-Mate Take Down Hunter 11 Recurve. Easy shooting, light as a feather, quiet, deadly fast at 55- 60# aty 28" draw. No fiber bits to break, no sight to get bumped, no little peep to ge full of mud, did I say very light? :tongue_na Just sold my compound... never again!

[Bear36]

I see you have champion bow in your list, didn't champion get shut down for copying a riser design from another company?

Greg

[Bear36]

I see you have champion bow in your list, didn't champion get shut down for copying a riser design from another company?

Greg

[scooter]

Nope...it was a cam module issue.

[bigugly]

I've only owned 1 bow and it's a bowtech so Bowtechs must be the best:tongue_na

[bochunk]

I put Hoyt because I shoot a hoyt Razor tec and I love it. I shoot well with it and love to hunt with it.
Steve.

[ForestWalker]

Traditional Howard Hill longbows are the best. I'm talking bare longbow, nothing but an arrow rest. Very lightweight, great penetration, no limb twisting, durable, years of service. I have shot deer, moose and elk with the same longbow. Last animal in 2006 was 315 4/8 elk, single bladed Howard Hill broad head, 160 g. I have Bear and Pearson on the wall also, but prefer Hill!

[Bearcat]

I currently own a Hoyt but I really like PSE. They provide poor folks like me with high quality equipment at very reasonable prices. They require much less collective bargaining with the wife to obtain....

[Huntsman]

I voted Mathews, this being my 5th bow. I started with a Buck (Champion) then PSE,PSE, Mathews Legacy and now Mathews Switchback XT.....
I really like the roller guard concept not to mention the other exlusive Mathews inovations:)

[MerlinApexDylan]

Merlin makes a quality piece of kit that is very durable in all weather conditions and has been a joy for me to hunt with.

[mooseman]

Well i have to go with parker. I've shot three different types of bows so far ( im only 13) hoyt, pse, parker and i liked parker the best plus Ikilled my first big game animal ( a deer ) with a parker:bang: and now im hooked on parker.

[sureshot]

I have shot many different types of bows over the years, and I have to say the mathews drenalin I just bought last is the best one so far. It's light weighing only 3.85 pounds and very quiet. And there is very little hand shock for such a lightweight bow.

:beer_chee

[mongogerry2]

I like bear archery. They and team primos devoloped the new truth 2. For its retail price which is small compared to most in the market these days, is packed with many new features, such as the string dampeners, adjustable draw from 24-30 with mods, and winners choice string. It shoots 318, and is very vibration free, and noiseless and accurate. I will stand side by side with many other manufacturers and just feel like i got better value for my buck. They have many other models which are all very value based and sharp looking, like the lights out, showdown etc. Myself i still shoot the truth 1. If it ain't broke.......... but i sure like #2.

[JBear]

APA Innovations
I love my Black Mamba X2

[acadian]

i absolutely would have to say elite ,, and why ,because they have the BEST of Bowtech and MArtin put into their bows ,,
Kevin used to work for bowtech and is now married to the daughter of the martin owners , and they opened up there own little company combining the best of both worlds ,,
i just got my Elite Envy #4 and man oh man , what a beauty, barnsdale limbs, you can't go wrong
definitely worth checking out
good luck

[Reed]

you really have to look hard to get a crap bow.( assuming you send some $$$). Hell ever a mid rage bow now is better than the top of the line stuff of a few years ago. As long as it fits you should be good to go.

Reed

[Deer Camp Chick]

Fred Bear, his bows still shoot after 50 years.......:)

[Marc St Louis]

The best hunting bow is the one you make yourself. Hunting and taking game with something you have crafted yourself does not compare with using something machine made and mass produced. There's a sense of true accomplishment and a freedom of mind that this knowledge gives you.

[Deer Camp Chick]

The best hunting bow is the one you make yourself. Hunting and taking game with something you have crafted yourself does not compare with using something machine made and mass produced. There's a sense of true accomplishment and a freedom of mind that this knowledge gives you.

I agree with that and I did look at the bows you've made or shown online and they are beautiful.

DCC

[Marc St Louis]

I agree with that and I did look at the bows you've made or shown online and they are beautiful.

DCC


Thank you DCC. My bows are more than just good looking. They take game also

[Deer Camp Chick]

I went to a 3D shoot this past summer and saw some beautiful bows. They were custom-made, by a company called Zipper. Ever see any?

DCC

[Marc St Louis]

I've not heard of them. There's some good bowyers out there and I know of most of the better ones.

[Deer Camp Chick]

Any from the USA or all from Canada?

DCC

[Marc St Louis]

Most are in the US actually

[ve1fsm]

I think the bows are all good for Hunting, It is personal prefernce. Myself I prefer PSE But that is the only brand of Bow that I have ever shot.

I'm quite sure if I picked up a Hoyt / browning / or Mathews etc.... and practiced for a day or two I would have confidence that I could take it to the woods and harvest game with it.

Anything that will send a 2 foot projectile with surgically sharped blades on it down range at high speed with put your game down. I prefer my PSE and will certianly pick on the fella shooting the Hoyt (in fun only) but they're all good for Hunting.

remember a Faster bow don't mean it's Better it just means you can miss quicker !:laugh:

[JBear]

I still love my APA Innovations Black Mamba x2
Good speed, smooth and forgiving.(the forgiving part is very important for me):286:

2396

[wcbarker]

Mathews need I say more??????

[mooseman]

I was a HUGE Parker fan I didn't want to shoot any thing else, but once I had out grown my Parker buckshot(40 lbs just couldn't kill a moose) we did not have a parker dealer anywhere around use but there was a bowtech and we were looking into them but they are way to exspensive for a 14 year old to buy so we found out that they made Dimond and they had an amazing bow for dome one growing. The razors edge 30-60 lbs and draw lenght is somthing around 21-29. The bow is so smooth and fast its a good bow so from what i've seen in there tecknoligie im starting to like bowteck alot more.

[Huntsman]

I've been shooting a Mathews for the last 5yrs, tonite I shot a Monster..hated it, shot a Reezen...mmmm..ok..then I shot an APA Viper...not too freak'n bad!!
My only complaint was the grip.

[Mikey]

I have converted my Stables to Bowtech ... I have a 101st airborne which is the perfect 3D bow ....and a new Diamond Black Ice .. that I just set up and is pretty damn fine lil hunting bow ... Its the shortest A2A that I have ever shot ...

some friends of mine are liking the Elite GT500 ... But the 2009 model would be the one to get as I see Elite going down hill for 2010 model year ...

Next year the Bow I would be after would be a Strothers Archery SR71

[lightfoot]

I shoot hoyt and love them. I just got a new alphamax and can't wait to put something on the ground with it this fall.

http://www.bowzone.ca/forum/images/smilies/wub.gif
Alphamax 70# 28-1.2"
Truglo micro sights
Simms Stabilizer
NAP 4000 rest
CX lite hunter 6075
Rage broadheads

Shooting one pin out to 35 yards. This thing is smokin.

Good luck all and happy huntinghttp://www.bowzone.ca/forum/images/smilies/beer.gif

[medic75]

I would have to say that APA is for me. Its a Mamba X and a few years old bit have had a lot of comments on how quiet it is and no hand shock. Best of all its Canadian made...

[scooter]

I would have to say that APA is for me. Its a Mamba X and a few years old bit have had a lot of comments on how quiet it is and no hand shock. Best of all its Canadian made...
They make a good bow...that's for sure!

[elitexlr]

What about Elite bows? GT 500 is super fast even @ low poundage, not to mention smooth drawing & virtually no hand shock! And no my user name is not why i shoot it, loed Bowtech's for years & still do! :laugh:

[scooter]

What about Elite bows? GT 500 is super fast even @ low poundage, not to mention smooth drawing & virtually no hand shock! And no my user name is not why i shoot it, loed Bowtech's for years & still do! :laugh:
I added Elite for ya!

[Rielbowhunter]

HOYT
Because i have been hunting with them for 15 years and i haven't had one let me down. I am on my 4 Hoyt bow. and my 5th will be Hoyt. Reliable.

[calgaryXhunter]

For me the new PSE bows are tops. Fast as hell, smooth, silent and hit like a train! Pass throughs and short blood trails have made my choice easy.:yo_sup:

[Dillershortbow]

I didn`t vote cause i don`t beleave their is a best. The bow you take hunting is the best know matter what it is. ..after all its not the bow... its the indian

[pilsnerhunter]

what about a browning rage i picked one up a coupple months ago and have had no problems with it it a 50 lbs but does good for me so far

[Vinny_HC]

I have a short limb High Country Split Force X1 bow that is about 10 years old. I have not shot it that much, but I am getting serious about bowhunting this year. This bow has good draw weight (not sure what max is). I recently emailed HCA and said some paint/covering was coming off the bottom limb and asked if there was a way to make it stop peeling. It seems every time I shoot it loosens something.

Anyway they have been bought out and what they do now is an trade in program.

So firstly, should I be considering upgrading my bow? Is there a way to wrap limbs with some kindo flexible covering?

They said if I traded in my bow they would give me a certain credit and I could upgrade (for extra money of course) to an Iron Mace or a Speed Pro for a little more. Should I be considering other brands in lieu of HCA for this price range?

[Dillershortbow]

Are those US or canadian dollars ? both those bows are very good. i really like the speed pro have shot it a lot. but a iron mace for 399. i would do that. would be a real good hunting bow.

[beprepn]

Do we include price?

I've got 4 Martin's (accidentally) and a Browning - must be the price.

[obwon]

If you're trading for one of their newer ones & they are giving you a credit, that's not to bad. Of course depends how much for the trade?
If it's just paint coming off, that's just cosmedic, not damage & will be fine.

If you haven't shot it much, & have a sight & rest, maybe a few arrows, you could get better deal by selling it second hand.

Purchase a bow that will fit your needs, how much you plan to shoot can also be part of the decision. Min shooting you might want a bow that's towards 36 axle to axle with 7" brace hieght, giving you a more forgiving setup & overall easier to shoot.
Most manufactures make good products.

I've been shooting Hoyt for 12 years & never had a problem with them.

[wheelie]

Can't answer this question because beauty is in the eye of the beer holder:beer::beer:
Everyone likes what they have or they sell it and buy another one then that becomes what they think is best. I own a hoyt for hunting and a PSE Mojo 3D for 3d and spot shooting. I like them both. So it is a tie!!!!!!!!!! LOL

[camel]

I'm like you wheelie,almost.its personal preference.I'm a PSE fella buts its all I've ever owned.Never had any problems(knock on wood)Got a Bow Madness on order,coming in skull camo.Shoot great and well priced,lots of choices and new models to think about buying every year,same as most companies.:beer:heres to the beer holder.

[Wolverine57]

I can't answer ths question because I don't own one of everything to compare. :wacko: :laugh:

Yeah sure I'd love to have a Hoyt, Mathews, or Bowtech but right now I have 2 Parker's and just bought a Martin for my wife. :super_hap

[bowtech-shooter]

Be bowtech/diamond for me. Only bows I have shot.

[faulty shooter]

What's the best bow for what? Still keep an old Hoyt Defiant Fastflite twincam, nice to draw,holds speed with a heavy arrow better than a Solocam, can tune without a bowpress. It's heavy,but reliable. Shot Bear Solocams & Matthews Solocams,both were good bows. I liked the old Feathermax for 3D, I used the Hoyt for hunting until the Cam&1/2 came out,then bought a Supertech. Amazing power,285@ 7grs., decided it was a pig to draw though,had Spiralcams. Didn't like drawing it from awkward positions, tough to draw without fighting it. And it needs access to a bowpress to be tuned up. So do the solocams. And for someone with a long draw, the short bows under 35" are not neccesarily the best choice either, due to the string angle.
There is a whole lot of gimmickry out there now, and sales hype. Of what I have tried out, and what I have owned and shot, I still like two different brands of bows. Hoyt and Matthews. But, their new stuff isn't really any better than their old stuff, just prettier, and in Hoyt's case , lighter. And until Hoyt came out with cam&1/2, nothing would handle heavy arrows as well as the old twincams.:beer:

[rdneckhillbilly]

I voted other...APA. It would also be interesting to see a breakdown of others if possible.
:D

[Grayzer86]

I used to shoot a martin but now shoot a bowtech, i find that their recent center pivot design is extremely dead in the hand, forgiving and quiet. have been looking at the maxxis 35, the new destroyer, and some of the APA line for my next one though

[coyote1664]

i like my PSE, smooth and quiet, a close second is my Ross Cardiac

[howy]

just started bowhunting so my opinion is not that relavent but i started out with a 09 admiral until i tried a z7. To me there was no comparison. still not sure about the milk crate riser but cant deny the bow shoots and handles great. plenty fast small just plain awsome

[Gentleben]

I have shot allot of fine bows but To be honest after shooting the 2011-70lb Darton 3800 ds in 70lb model done up as hunting rig it blows all the competion away( maybe not pse evo debatable).Until to draw it,shoot it,and hear it you will not understand.But always remember any and all bows are only as good as the person shooting them.Pratice ,pratice,pratice.I have a friend shooting the bottom of tim hortons cups consitantly at 60 meters wit 2011 pse brute 60 lb bow ,while there are other in our club shooting bows from 1000.00 to 2000.00 who cannot hit broadside of a barn.

[Bbushhogg]

i really like my Ex Caliber

[Vinny_HC]

I have shot allot of fine bows but To be honest after shooting the 2011-70lb Darton 3800 ds in 70lb model done up as hunting rig it blows all the competion away( maybe not pse evo debatable).Until to draw it,shoot it,and hear it you will not understand.But always remember any and all bows are only as good as the person shooting them.Pratice ,pratice,pratice.I have a friend shooting the bottom of tim hortons cups consitantly at 60 meters wit 2011 pse brute 60 lb bow ,while there are other in our club shooting bows from 1000.00 to 2000.00 who cannot hit broadside of a barn.

I have a friend who just bought the DS-3800. They are fast and quiet. Very nice bow.

[bfoot]

The Bowtech Tribute, best bow they ever made.

[BustinLungs]

I don't think we will ever find out the best hunting bow out there, I perfer to judge a bow by the price and by the way it handles in my hands. We will never find out what bow is the best and which ones are the worse, the best bow in my opinion is the one that works for you.

I perfer Quest Bows, they all seem to be around $600.00 or below that price.

[houndogn]

Sure like my Mathews Passion, at 50# , quad pro rest, viper site and stabilizer, ......tack driver

[Vinny_HC]

Oh boy, tested out another guy's Hoyt Carbon Element while shooting at Sherwood Park Archery, and I liked it way too much. The draw weight feels like you are shooting 5 lbs less than actual. It felt like holding a toy, it was not cool to the touch like aluminum risers and very vibration free.

It is pricey so I sold 2 of my bow to get this one! In 2012 I refuse to test any new bow!

[Milo]

Since I started shooting APA, nothing else compares. With a 26inch draw length, no other bow has ever bin able send a hunting weight arrow over 300 fps for me.

[hilbilyhunter]

Maitland Retribution Usa I like the quiet and speed i get compared to the hoyts i shot and others

[20-30-40]

Bowtech/Diamond Like the quietness and overall feel. Used to shoot PSE and switched this year.

[Labman55]

Kind of a loaded question, like fishing lures attrack Fishermen, Bows are a matter of Marketing and personal preference. I've owned at least one new bow a year since 1975. Some I liked, some didn't feel right, but all shot!

[Rodquadnbow]

Well......lets consider for a moment that Mathews was the inventor of single cam technology and all of the bow manufactures have at the least one model that is solo cam, Mathews hands down!! still like my Bow River Archery recurve and longbow though....if it is wheels, I like my 'Drenalen. the rest as they say are just followers.........

[Labman55]

Well......lets consider for a moment that Mathews was the inventor of single cam technology and all of the bow manufactures have at the least one model that is solo cam, Mathews hands down!! still like my Bow River Archery recurve and longbow though....if it is wheels, I like my 'Drenalen. the rest as they say are just followers.........

Actually it was McPherson, who invented the solo. He was bought out by Matthews, I believe he may still have some interest in the company.

[Rodquadnbow]

Hairs it tell ya Hairs, lol you are right but the point is the same...... When I started shooting 30 some years ago and seen the first solo cam, i thought ya right as if, then there was the oneda eagle laughable, but the solo cam came through the eagle........not so much hell my 12 gauge was more stealthy then it, lol still is it chevy, ford or dodge???? Just shoot it and you will know when it is right! Labman you are truly a person of knowledge are you sure you are a junior???????

[Labman55]

Hairs it tell ya Hairs, lol you are right but the point is the same...... When I started shooting 30 some years ago and seen the first solo cam, i thought ya right as if, then there was the oneda eagle laughable, but the solo cam came through the eagle........not so much hell my 12 gauge was more stealthy then it, lol still is it chevy, ford or dodge???? Just shoot it and you will know when it is right! Labman you are truly a person of knowledge are you sure you are a junior???????
I'm only a junior to those that were born earlier than 1955. :laugh:
I was at one point in the early/mid 70s a student of a very talented outdoorsman in B.C., he had us carve our own Chokecherry bows and hand draw our shafts, with hand filed nocks and the fletch was attached with rawhide. Zwikey style 150 gr. Black Diamond 2 blade heads.Shot my first Mulie with that setup. But that's a dim memory, same as the early 80s as Porcupine Creek/PSEs Pro-archer/Bow tech. :D

[Rodquadnbow]

Those were the days eh! I remember porcupine creek as I am a transplanted Alberta boy living in Saskatchewan, Cochrane was my stomping grounds, also hung out at Visscher's archery in edmonton with Ryk, Brian and Wes. Man I tell ya time flies, back then it was a High Country sniper @ 85 lbs, overdraw and 25" arrows about 5 gr/pound. Was getting 301 fps back then until the riser basically blew up ( still have spells from the limbs hitting my noggin) lol

[Labman55]

Yup, I had the first 100lb.+ bow in the province! Laser Magnum riser, Stage 6 Graphite wheels and Citation Limbs, scaled at 103lbs! I built it all out of warranty parts, Don Lovo the owner of Porcupine Creek back them, helped me find a set of shafts, (15xx inside a 2117) we shot it about 100 times then dismantled it! :wacko:
Seems like after every few shots, it would have to be retightened/tuned!!!!!!!!

[Rodquadnbow]

lol, it was fun playing with them early models! Brian at visschers had a pink PSE signed by Mr.Shepley and he shot it at 115lbs was great until he couldn't pull it when the bruin of a lifetime came into the bait.

[DDDave]

I just actually drew a Monster yesterday and was totally flabbergasted by how nicely a twin cam can work. Hard to beat the features of that bow. Nice length for a long draw shooter. Of course one of these days I will get back to shooting my other Mathews, Solocam serial number 751 built in 1993.

DDDave

[grandpawarcher]

Voting Hoyt, will be replacing my Swat (sweet draw) with the Carbon Matrix if it ever comes in????
Moose season opens in neighboring Quebec on Sept. 24th!!!!

[Fishcop669]

Went with Mathews this year - got a new Z7 Xtreme (love it). Shot the Hoyt CRX and also loved it - but it didn't fit my extreme rear sight (peep eliminator).

[Elkaholic312]

APA Black Mamba all the way

[Standing Bear]

Athens Archery is pretty hard to beat, the smoothest draw cycle out there !! :)

[JBear]

Darton!!:super_hap

[moosemeat]

my hunting bow is a pse vendetta 60lb,light,fast,great in the trees and just right for the blind.i have had good luck with it.but there are lot of nice bows out there.

[ElkHunter]

Alot has changed in the 8 yrs since this thread started, with a least one of those company's being gone. The main players all remain popular though, kinda cool.

[dangerous dan]

I like Hoyt but to each their own

[benamen]

I like Hoyt the best. Its the only brand of bow I have ever owned and I have been shooting for 4 months now. :)

[skid]

where's APA on the list? I don't shoot one but have heard there a good bow.

[DXTCLUE]

where's APA on the list? I don't shoot one but have heard there a good bow.


This poll was started in 2004, I dont even know if they were even around then.

[Bearen09]

This poll was started in 2004, I dont even know if they were even around then.

Ya, I am a Mathews shooter and let me tell you G5 has an unreal bow out there right now..
If you get a chance fire one ....wow is all I can say..
I think we need a new post started that isn't 8 years old....LOl

[rdneckhillbilly]

Ya, I am a Mathews shooter and let me tell you G5 has an unreal bow out there right now..
If you get a chance fire one ....wow is all I can say..
I think we need a new post started that isn't 8 years old....LOl

I think Dave Cousins is shooting one.

[DXTCLUE]

Ya, I am a Mathews shooter and let me tell you G5 has an unreal bow out there right now..
If you get a chance fire one ....wow is all I can say..
I think we need a new post started that isn't 8 years old....LOl

Hard to find bows to try being a lefty. Bought my DXT and my C4 with out ever shooting one. Just did lots of research on them before I bought them.

[rdneckhillbilly]

Hard to find bows to try being a lefty. Bought my DXT and my C4 with out ever shooting one. Just did lots of research on them before I bought them.

I am also a lefty and this is unfortunately very true. Add to that I am a 30" draw and it's damn near impossible to find a shop with a left handed bow in a 30" draw. I sometimes end up shooting a rh bow lh just to get a feel for the draw, valley, wall etc...

[DXTCLUE]

I am also a lefty and this is unfortunately very true. Add to that I am a 30" draw and it's damn near impossible to find a shop with a left handed bow in a 30" draw. I sometimes end up shooting a rh bow lh just to get a feel for the draw, valley, wall etc...

I kinda got lucky when I found my DXT at the sportsmans show , the guy who wokrs for Fishing World in the bow dept is left handed and he had a DXT in my draw length there. But finding target equipment is a pain in the butt. And the real kicker is Iam right handed.

[HOOKS]

Hoyt!!!!

[Stone Age]

My criteria for a hunting bow is:

Rugged, lighweight, well balanced, quiet, portable (reasonably short ata) and a good shooter.

Currently I've got a pair of Bowtech Admiral FLX's, but have a High Country Speed Pro X10 on order to play with.

[stevem174]

I love my PSE EVO it's smooth, fast and forgiving.

[saskarcher]

funny you guys don't have APA listed here. My personable favorite, smooth draw cycle, fast. The extra tools on the riser is a pretty big bonus.

[BobH]

I love my PSE EVO it's smooth, fast and forgiving.

Same here. Just picked up a new 2011 EVO and am really impressed. Bought a lot of PSE bows over the years and never had any problems. Not sure they are the best but they work for me.

[Slipfox]

First bow I ever got, Bowtech.

[cody j]

I like my Elite GT500

[Smokey]

Hoyt all the way boys

[robertyateman]

Definetly martin !

Because I have one that im trying to sell :p

[colan80]

i've been shooting a mathews reezen the last few years and absolutely love it!!

[Joshb91]

Bear archery because of price and quality