What's a good deer bow?

[SuperMagnum]

Want to get into bow hunting but know nothing about bows.

[Uhnalvhi Alisoqualvdi]

Well Super, your about to have this post blow off the hinges.

In the end its more of a Ford vs. Chevy when comparing virtues of the most prominent bow manufacturers. You can, however, break the decision process down logically with little effort.

Once you have met your criteria (length, weight, speed, brace height, and price), I'll bet it will come down to the one that feels best when ya shoot it which is the very feature that sold me on a Archery Research 34 bow.

If your starting from scratch refer to the beguiled editions of Petersons Bowhunting for some good suggestions.....or just wait till the folks here catch whiff of this post and it wont take long to get some real good inside perspectives on the many, many choices the bowhunter has nowadays.

As far as my personal cent and a half, I forsee your choices being Matthews, Archery Research, BowTech, Hoyt, High Country; again, that just one opinion though.

Either way Super get ready to become very addicted to any of these puppies!!! - Good Luck

[Rustywreck]

The short answer to your question is: Any bow you can shoot accurately.
Beyond that, the question is too broad to really answer.
If your just starting out, limit yourself to 60lbs of draw weight, and buy something affordable to you. You can always trade up to a more expensive, higher quality bow after a year or two of hunting and shooting once you've decided your hooked on the sport.
More important than the bow itself is practice as much as possible and do a lot of reading and question asking to learn what you need to know to set the bow and arrows up to hunt.
Good luck and ask all the questions you have. There are a lot of people on this board that will help you with questions.

[gd357]

If you are looking to get into archery, I would suggest that you try out a few bows and find one that you think "feels right". If you have a local archery shop, you would be advised to ask as many questions as possible. I would suggest getting a bow and accesories that have the following attributes:

1.) No less than 7" of brace height (the maximum distance from the string to the grip) More brace height = more forgiving bow

2.) A bow that is not too short (axle-to-axle length), although brace height is the most important attribute in a bow that is easy to shoot well

3.) Look hard at the single-cam bows - they are a little more forgiving than twin-cams, and much easier to tune

4.) A GOOD release aid

5.) Go with a bow that has a maximum draw weight of at least 60 lbs (70 would be better).

6.) GOOD Broadheads. Fixed blade broadheads may require a different pin setting on your sight. Shoot with your broadheads before setting foot in the woods.

7.) A GOOD sight (find the one that works for you!). A string peep is a good idea but make sure it's large enough to let in enough light for low light shot encounters at the end of legal shooting time.

When you get your bow, lower the draw weight to levels that you feel comfortable with. Work up SLOWLY until you can shoot comfortably with the draw weight you intend to hunt with.

Practice is the name of the game. Practice enough to become proficient with your bow, but don't practice to the point of fatigue. This will simply wear you down and you will develop bad habits and a sloppy shooting form. Start out by shooting 10 arrows, then quit. Work up as your muscles develop and allow you to shoot longer without feeling discomfort. If your concentration starts to lapse, stop. Work in shooting sessions 3 times a week and in a month or so, you'll be in good shape (hopefully).

gd357

[SuperMagnum]

What kind of axle to axle length should I look for? Also, what kind of speed should I look for too, minimum speed. I can always get a bow with a high weight pull and just reduce it and work my way up. Right now the hoyt and reflex bows look good to me.

[Rustywreck]

I wouldn't pay much attention to speed at all.
As far as draw weight is concerned, don't think of so much as working your way up to drawing more weight; rather, drawing and holding a draw weight. What I mean is, a 60lb max draw weight bow is more than sufficient to shoot deer and most other north american game - it doesn't matter in the least how far your arrow travels once it passes throught an animal and 60lbs will pass through. I have no clue how big, strong, or old you are -70lbs may be fine for you to draw, but that much weight isn't necessary.
Axle to axle lenght is a tough one. I'd suggest something around 34" for a beginner. There are some advantages to a shorter bow, but some disadvantages as well.
Hoyt makes a good bow. I don't know too much about reflex, but they appear to be a good bow to start with - and maybe use for years.
you gotta shoot 'em first to be sure you find the one you like.

[mazter]

If it's allowed in your State you may want to Check out a Crossbow, Horton make's Great Bow's & they are very Fast, Accurate, & Just as effective as any other bow too. Just check all your option's that’s available to you if it's allowed in your state.

[LoneWolf]

All good advice given thus far, and I'd expect nothing less from HC folks:D

As said, get the bow you like shooting best. That is all that really matters. I have had a couple of really nice (and expensive) bows over the years. The one I shot the most deer with tho is the one I paid $100 for. That was with 3 arrows, a cheap flipper rest, and a soft case.:rolleyes:
It is all about the pratice and the passion you have for the sport.
Welcome to the addictive world of bowhunting, and be forewarned... gun hunting will never be the same again.

[mazter]

Your right Lonewolf, Gun Season is not as fun as Bow Hunting. The last 10 year's all my Buck's have been takin with a Bow. I do go Muzzleloafer Hunting, But very rarely go Shotguning anymore, It might be different if I could use a Rifle here But I cant. But Id rather Bow Hunt anyday over Slug Season.;)

[WT Kevorkian]

Get yourself a PARKER either a phoenix or ul 31 and you will never regret it and your hunting buddies will need bibs for the drool. lol

[Td0g900]

Get yourself a Mathews if you dont mind spendin some money its the only way to shoot because they just cant be beaten

[WT Kevorkian]

If you want a bow that is just as fast as the Parker and twice as noisy, and cost 60 - 70 dollars to swap out draw lengths get a mathews. Hey at least you'll have a mathews and everybody wll think you know what your doing. lol I set up a few bows this year and one of them was a mathews,,, ever wonder why they have all that vibration reduction stuff on them???,,, because they need it and a whole lot more. I set up a legacy and a phoenix 34 at the same time with the same sights etc. etc. Both bows had all the sims stuff etc, plus the mathews had their own stuff all over it and it sounded like a banjo going off, while the parker was whisper quiet. Shoot them and see for yourself, whatever you do don't just buy a name.

[Chaney101]

It is kind of like those guys that buy $1000.00 rifles and hunt once or twice a year shooting at the first thing that moves in the brush, and like to try to call themselves hunters. Oh and they drive $30,000 trucks and have $500 outfits and the newest in boots. Yeah ok ... get out there and hunt like a real man.

sorrry I got off subject. A couple days of those guys can really get to you.

[MOSSMAN]

A great deer bow depends on the shooter (shot placement) and sharp broad heads. I've seen some big deer taken down with a 15 year old fred bear compound and some big deer missed with a brand new top of the line $800, compound. Just make sure you shoot them all and don't ever let the salesman make your mind up for you.

[Wolvie]

you haven`t bow hunted before or had any experience with them,...That`s not a bad thing,.it`s a starting point.

Try getting into the whole Archery thing easy,....Compund bows are more then just puttin a arrow on the string and pullin it back and lettin it fly.
It takes alot,.ALOT of practice to shoot decent at 20 yds let alone tryin to get in the kill zone at 35 yds.

Crossbows give the new Archer the chance to get use to shooting ONCE,. and measuring their yardages,.by just looking,.judging yardages is the most important thing before you can even shoot a deer or any other game.

And seeing how a arrow flys slower then a bullet,.....you have to re-judge how you shoot,.and how far.

I think the basics should be your first priority,.then worry about what type of bow to get.
My suggestion is to go to a pawn shop or someplace real cheap and buy one and try it to see if you will even like it and want to take the time to stick with it.
Archery is the best !!!!!!So dont get me wrong,.......but I know alot of peeps that want to be the NUGE or Fred Bear ,.....and they go out and buy the biggest baddest bow on the market and try it for about a month or so,.then they get tired of tryin to find enough time to practice and get their technique down pat.
I am tellin ya ,.its more then just a toy its ADVENTURE and once you get into it and have succecd in taking something with it,........Well lets say,.you will probly not want to kill anything without it!!!!!!

It`s up to you,.......but that`s my suggestion,.....and opinion.

Later All
SAFE HUNTIN~

[Wolvie]

By the way,..If you decide your going to go all out and get a Compund Bow,......and you want the best?

Try the Onieda Strike Eagle,......
Now you got yourself into something that only one thing can cure ya,...........

A BIG BUCK in front of you with that BAD BOY!!!!!!!!

Later All
SAFE HUNTIN~

[deadonat100yards]

git a refelx. you wont regret it. its like a Mathews without the price.