First compound bow advice

I recommend the same thing. Get a cheaper starter package thats already rigged up for hunting.

OR....

Look online, specifically the classifieds on ArcheryTalk.com. Find a higher quality used bow thats already rigged up and buy it. Its regulated and its a safe place to buy bows.

However, you might want to check out a archery pro shop first so they can measure you for your draw length and you can figure out your draw weight. If you're a normal sized guy, I would recommend starting out with a 50-60lb. bow, even if you can pull back more poundage than that. Even if you're a really strong guy, archery uses a unique combination of muscles that nothing else uses, and it will take a while to condition the right muscles to work together in unison.

Looking on craigslist or archery talk can be a good place to find a great package deal but I've always had the idea that bows aren't like guns. If you get one that hasn't been handled right you're basically drawing back a bomb. Id just rather buy new. The peace of mind is worth the extra money to me.

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And one more thing: buy from an established archery shop. Build a relationship with these guys, they will be the ones doing the tuning and work on your bow, arrows and other equipment.

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I second this. If you don't know anything about archery yet, this is a good place to learn. I do all my bow work myself, but I have the right equipment and knowledge to do so and most people don't; mine has just come from experience. The thing about bows is that each bow is tuned and equipped to fit the owner like a glove, and when it does fit like that it performs at the highest level. A pro shop will help you get your bow tuned how it needs to be.

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if I had gone ahead and bought the Mathews at first I would have been a lot happier and just spent the money once and over the long run saved money

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There's logic in this way of thinking. My dad has always said to buy the best that you can afford with what you got. IF you can afford to drop big coin on a high class top of the line bow then thats what you should do. If, like me, you're a working man that has to save up to to be considered broke then there's nothing wrong with starting out with a lower tier bow. It'll kill a deer just as good as a $1000 Hoyt

All these guys are pushing Mathews, but my advice to you is to try out a variety of brands and see what fits you best. Any modern bow company today produces a great bow. Shoot what feels best in your hand, not the name brand.

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All these guys are pushing Mathews,

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I shoot a Hoyt, and still push Mathews bows.

Go to a bow shop and get them to measure you for draw length. browse around if they have used bows, if not, go online and buy you a used one that is rigged out in your draw length. You will save lots of money and will get a lot more bow for the money.

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I shoot a Hoyt, and still push Mathews bows.

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No doubt Mathews makes a great bow, but the playing field for modern compound bows is pretty level as of today.

Mathews, Hoyt, PSE, Bowtech, Prime, Elite, Bear, and all their sub-companies. They all make good bows.

I've shot a Hoyt for a long time and I'm shooting a Carbon Spyder Turbo this year, but what fits my style won't likely fit somebody else. A bow is a big investment and you want it to fit your body and shooting style like a glove. You want to be confident in it. I always go in and shoot the flagship bows for each company every year. All great bows.

Can you email me @ brandon.larousse@icloud with some info on the bow you want to sell?

Thanks for the advice guys. All very helpful. It looks like my first stop that all you have mentioned will be a shop that specializes in archery.