Bow Hunting 101

Hoyt
Matthews






Everything else

Go to Archerytalk.com classified and get you a used dressed out bow on the cheap.

I was in your shoes two years ago. Shot Bear, PSE, and Mission (Made by Mathews) ended up with a Mission hype dt. I'll probably upgrade to a Mathews down the road as I'm hooked after taking two deer with it. I bought it new rigged out for about $600 including arrows and a release.

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Go to Archerytalk.com classified and get you a used dressed out bow on the cheap.

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Not very good advice for someone starting out.

Take it from someone who did this, although the bow was given to me--don't do this!! Go to a good bow shop with a good tech to work with you. Bows aren't like buying guns. You can't just pick up any bow and shoot it.

I got lucky, the bow was in good shape, and it wouldn't have cost me anything if it wasn't.

The other thing about buying a used bow is assuming the condition. Not suggesting you're going to get a bow with bad limbs or anything like that, but it's a used bow. And unless you can get the bow checked out by a bow tech, I just wouldn't risk it.

If you buy a used one, at least go to your local bow shop and figure out how much a new string and cable is going to cost you, and figure that in. And make sure you already know your dominant eye. That makes learning a lot easier. Again, take it from someone who had to learn to shoot with his nondominant eye because he was given the bow. IT AIN'T EASY! Hell, I had to teach myself how to close my right eye independent of my left (before, I could only close my left eye, or both eyes at the same time).

FWIW, I shoot a Diamond. It's perfect for my first bow, and I will likely upgrade to something a bit newer and better at some point. I don't see a reason for a first time bow hunter to buy a thousand dollar bow right out the gate, with no idea as to whether he is actually going to stick to it. If you can afford it, great. But you aren't going to notice a difference initially, because chances are, you won't have shot a wide array of bows enough to know the difference.

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e was given the bow. IT AIN'T EASY! Hell, I had to teach myself how to close my right eye independe

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I shoot my bow and all my guns with my non-dominant eye. I also shoot my bow left handed but I shoot a right handed bow. I've never shot a left handed bow and I've never shot my bow right handed. I never will either. It's all about how you're most comfortable.

I agree about comfort. I shoot a left-handed bow, but all my guns right-handed. I'm right-eye dominant, but left-handed.

I guess that is more or less my point. You have to consider eye dominance, and COMFORT. But I think the eye dominance plays a part in vomfort.

Start with a budget friendly bow, shop craigslist, letgo app and other places like that to find a good used bow. Less is more, when it comes to lbs when starting out. Learn the basics and lots of practice. Good luck.

i say buy a used mathews from the switchback XT/drenalin/DXT era if you are spending your own money.

I think those bows were very forgiving and tough. I had a DXT and absolutely loved it. Even if the draw length isnt right, a mathews dealer should be willing to swap cams with you.

If you dont like it, sell it for what you bought it for. You probably will have a hard time recovering your money from the lesser known brands even though most of them shoot great. Whatever you buy, you will probably be ready to double down after you shoot something with it. Good luck!

Whatever man. I went to archerytalk, bought a used Hoyt Alhphamax completely dressed out with 1 dozen Easton FMJs with 6 rage broadheads 5 years ago for $700. Pretty good deal for a starter.

I’m the same. I shot a Hoyt for years. A decade.

I found a used Z7 from someone in Washington state for $600 shipped with a 7 deadly pins sight, break away rest, and Mathews quiver.

If you know what you want, and see it for a steal somewhere, you can get a great bargain.

What kind of bow?

Crossbow.