Hello everybody.

I'm new to bowhunting and I was pretty shocked when everybody told me to expect to drop $400-500 on a first bow just to try it out. I finally talked to one shop owner who suggested that I look into Parker's bows. They are much more in my price range - down the road I may look into upgrading, but we'll see.

Cabela's is selling the Parker Buckhunter with the Outfitter package right now for only $230. From all of the research done, here's what I expect with this purchase:

- replace arrow rest with whisker biscuit
- consider replacing cheap sight
- adjust the screws immediately after opening

That's about it to start. I just want to get something in my hands to begin shooting with.

Don't say something dumb like "I only shoot Mathews" or "Only go Bowtech" or "Save your money and buy the best."

I'm not looking to spend a lot of money right now - I've had shoulder problems in the past and this just might not work out.

Any thoughts?

Thank you

Have you considered buying a bow 2nd hand? I'm not a wheel bow shooter, and so that's the best advice I can give. Lots of good 2nd hand bows out there.

There's no doubt in my mind there's an element of "getting what you pay for" with bows. At the same time though, a $300 bow's not going to kill a deer any less effectively than an $850 bow. The differences are subtle and don't necessarily have much/anything to do with putting an arrow on target. If the extra money is a stretch and means a difference in your kids' Christmas presents, it's not worth it. If the price difference is no big deal in your budget and the premium bow makes your heart smile, it's certainly worth it.

there are many good bows out there today and yes you get what you pay for. But todays $250 bows are yesterdays $600 bows. Parker makes a good bow as do many other manufactures.

More importantly get a bow that fits you, meaning a comfortable poundage and the proper draw length. If you have shoulder problems something with a smooth draw cycle, which means try them out before you buy and don't let the dealer influence what you want!

Yes me too.... I wish someone would say " This is the quintisential beginers bow...cheap, easy to set up and maintain, reliable dont require tools maintenance free" Help on this please

We cannot all afford $1000 plus to set up

You have obviously done some research and seen the weak points in the bow (sights rest etc )
$230 is cheap for a compound Bow package ( but you still need arrows)

Hunters friend Ready to hunt start at $399 and go steadily up

A Bear Strike for $629

a Bear Attack for $995

New mods come out every year but you dont need a 2010 model, after all hunters managed quite well with 2007 2008 models
but the correct draw and perhaps not too much weight for your shouder

Like you I have been looking for an inexpensive reliable bow for some time,
til I decide I am having great fun with my very cheap recurve bow

My suggestion is for you to buy a good used bow. Learn to shoot, then if you want a top end bow or better bow.. either buy a better used bow.. or brand new... choice is yours.. but that is my advise..

But remember.. if you buy a cheap bow or a Wal Mart bow.. you get what you pay for. You don't get service if something goes wrong and when you come to the conclusion that you may have bought a cheap bow.. your resale value will not be there..

I shot everything I could get my hands on for 18 months before buying my latest bow. I shot Bowtech, Mathews, Hoyt, etc. I also shot Parker and Martin bows. There are a LOT of good bows out there. I ended up likeing the feel and the shooting of the Bear Truth II. The "best" bow out there, is whatever bow you have at the time. If it fits you well, and you like it.....go for it. Whatever bow you buy....make sure it is fitted to you with the proper draw length.

If, and when you upgrade, you'll do well to shoot everything you can find. Different advances are made every few years. However, I recently got rid of a 12 year old bow. It was still shooting very well, was fast, and has MANY good years left in it. I honestly don't anticipate ever having to buy another bow in my lifetime. My Bear has a lifetime warranty and as long as my "wanter" is kept in check....why upgrade. I'm not one who has to have the latest and greatest. However, that said, some do buy new equipment every year or so. You can often get excellant used equipment. Just buy from somebody you know or trust. The regulars here are good folks. Watch our classifieds and you never know what might pop up.

By the way, any new ride is a joy. Enjoy yours and let us know how you enjoy it!

That statement is sooo true. All the bow manufactures have their flagship bows and a lot of them are approching the $1,000 range for a bare bow. I won't get into the Mathew's is better than Bowtech debate or the other way around, but my advice is to shoot ALL the bows you can in YOU'RE price range and buy the one that YOU are comfortable with. You can get a very good bow now days completely set up for under $500.

Do ever feel like you are talking to yourself... someone post something and ask a question ... NEVER TO RETURN....so... BUY BOWTECH... IT"S THE BEST and COST LESS THAN MATHEWS..












Now I feel better

Get what you can afford, but beware you do infact get what you pay for with a cheap bow. I shoot a mathews and i would say find a second hand hoyt there good bows and they go through rigurous testing.

Hey everybody, I appreciate the replies, just haven't had time to reply back. Give me a sec...

Yeah - I've considered it - problem is, I don't know enough about bows to tell whether or not a used bow is usable or just old junk, ya know? I'm looking at some, but don't ever really know what to think. Obviously, they all tell me they're in good condition, only been used 10 times, whatever.

Hunter's Friend seems like a pretty good site - I'll check it out, thanks. I really don't need the best or newest, I just don't want to buy something cheap and get into a mess and have to put in more money. Something quality and used to start with would just be nice.

I definitely won't be buying a bow from Walmart. The only problem with a used bow is I don't know how to tell what is and isn't quality in a used bow - I don't know what to look for.

Thanks for the thoughts. As long as I could get my hands on something used but quality, I only anticipate buying one quality new bow in a year or two, then letting that last awhile. But that's a lot of if's. Time will tell I suppose. Thanks.

I appreciate that, thanks. Do you have any preference as to which Bear bows are "good enough" to start out with?

Well Welcome back Eric..
You know what quality is by just looking at most bows.. usually if it look cheap it is. Plastic is usually a good give away, same if you were buying a gun. So keep that in mind.. but look, read and ask questions. What is a quality bow compared to a non... most guys on here will give you a honest answer and give it to you straight. High end bow that are 2 years old will be the same price as brand new middle of the road bows and or higher end low grade bows.. if you know what I mean.
I only buy used.. I have only bought 2 new bows and I took a beating at that. Used bows.. I just bought a 08 last year and paid half the price of it new. The bow was used as a back up and never shot so basically it was brand new. That is what I look for.. ask questions and we will help where we can.
Pat

How do you feel about Bass Pro bows? Particularly the Redhead Kronik. From what I understand, it's a year or two old version of a Bowtech? For $300 ready to shoot, it's mighty appealing. Then there's the Bear Charge for $300 bare or $400 ready to shoot. Both "new" but cheap

Oh and Bass Pro has the PSE Stinger.

I've been looking on eBay for the Stinger and Kronik... much cheaper.

Any thoughts on these?

If I had my choice between a PSE stinger and a Red Head Kronic I would go with the Kronic! The stinger is a good starter bow but the Kronic is better! I too recommend Bear Archery products they have a awesome warranty, also look at Martin Archery!!!

Sorry Eric I have been away for a couple of days, personally I have not shot either one of the bows you are speaking of.. the closest Bass Pro is 4 hours from here so I don't get by one often. We no longer have a PSE option in our town either. So mostly I know about is Bowtech and Ross. Ross is another bow line that gets very little attention now.. but its still quality.
Eric the best I can say is try on a few to see how they fit, ask questions of the staff that helps you set up to shoot. Lastly I would find a club some where near by.. there are plenty of bow shooters who will help you find out more. Find these guy's and most of your questions will be answered, bow shooters can't help it all they ant to do is talk about bows, gear and gadgets...

Eric,

This is a question that has no real answer. May as well ask "what is the best handgun?"

Truth is, the best bow you can buy is the one you are comfortable with. That includes not just how it feels in your hand and how it shoots for you, but how it fits in your budget.

To that end, I would say that you should spend every dollar that you have available without breaking the budget. If you are sitting on $1000 that you COULD spend, don't go cheap and buy the lesser bow - Get a premium piece of equipment and it will serve you for years and meet all of your expectations. On the other hand, if you only have $400, spend it on what you think is the best bow value for your money, but still use it all. There are a good number of decent bows out there for reasonable prices, and you can be in the field hunting within your price range. Saving up may just keep you out of the field for a few years.

There's nothing wrong with driving a Ford just because Ferrari exists.

Forgot to mention. Yes.
The higher end bows are worth the money. But I will take you back to the Ford/Ferrari example:
I can get a sweet Mustang for about $30k, but a Ferrari costs almost $300k. Both are fast, get me where I need to go, etc. However, the Ferrari will cream the Ford in ANY situation from comfort to speed to quite ride. Is it 10x better?
That's all dependent on your situation.

Thanks a ton for the replies everybody, I mean it.

I'm starting to think that just any cheap old bow might not do.

Turns out (in case I haven't already said this) my uncle has an older Browning bow I can use. He's about 3" shorter than me, so if it doesn't fit me he says I can just trade it in. He's extremely generous and not rich at all.

Anyhow...

What do you guys think of the 2010 Bear Strike?

$400 for the bare bow, and I would only get the Whisker Biscuit, sight, peep, nock for now - not the ready to hunt version.

The dual arc suppressors are impressive. They would have to more evenly distribute the force, and center the end of the shot.

What do you guys think?

Bear Archery has a great warranty. At least my Truth II has a great warrenty. I think the warranty might be the same for all bows. It's a lifetime warranty for everythign except the string and silencers. Check it out....most of the Bear Bows are excellant buys.

I've heard about their lifetime warranty before, and that speaks volumes as to how much they stand behind their product and their commitment to the customer. They really do seem like the company to buy from.

When the G5 rep was at our Open House at Spirit Quest Archery, I shot all 3 G5 Quest bows and they are nice and smooth. From the cheap $399.00 starter bow to the most expensive at around $600

Beauty is in the hand of the bowholder.

Alright... well, thanks for everything everybody. Like I said, I'm just trying to get into archery right now. Turns out my draw length is 31" and 30" just won't do.

Know of any bows that go up to 31" and aren't over $700??