Beginners Bow?

[Phil]

Hey guys, nice Forum.

Just to introduce myself - I'm phil, been hunting since I was 6 or 7 with rifles, decided to get into bows :wink:

I'm after a new bow, can't afford anything too expensive (around the $400 mark). I was thinking of getting the Hoyt Banshee, would these be any good? How much would it cost to get a bow, sights, arrows etc? (all the stuff you need to go out hunting with)

Thanks guys, looking forward to your responses.



Phil

[Mitcon]

Hi Phil, welcome to the forums.

I'm still a newbie myself but I would say get yourself down to your local archery club or shop and have a look 'n chat. As to what bow would be good for you too hard to say with just a budget limit as we have no idea of your build, strength and draw length ( a club or shop can help you out with working these all out). $400 wont go very far on a new bow with it set-up or is that your budget without accessories ?

As for cost of accessories, well how long is a bit of string ? lol. Really depends on the type of shooting you do I guess. Are you going to shoot release or fingers is the first place to start. Really a bow can be shot without pretty much anything (well would need a rest and arrows lol) just how many accessories and what they cost depends on what you need/want and your budget.

If your budget is really that tight why not have a look through the classifieds here on the forums for a good pre-loved bargin which may already be set-up.

[Phil]

I'm around 1.8metres tall, weigh 67kilo - build is tall and thin, but not quite lanky :lol:

Can draw a 60pound compound (I want a compound by the way) using fingers, cant do it with a release aid lol.

Sorry - $400 for a bare bow + how much for accesories needed to hunt? I'm guessing you need: Sights, Arrows etc, Quiver, and maybe a release aid if it helps accuracy....sorry im a complete noobie so I dont know a lot.

I have a good mate who shoots recurves at the youth olympics but doesnt hunt (I'm working on him dont you worry :wink: ) so ill have a chat to him soon.

Thanks for the help.

[Mitcon]

Do you live in Australia and if so what part of this great country of ours ?

The Banshee may be a little under-sized for you. It's only a 40lbs max bow with a max draw length of 27". As I said it's very important to find out your correct draw length when selecting a bow, you can work this out yourself several ways but the best way is to have a shop or club do it for you.

I would think if you really like the idea of having a new Hoyt your best bet would be a Reflex Gamegetter (I'm think these are made by Hoyt) as you can find some good deals around on 2005 models for around your budget. Or for a little more money a 2004/2005 Hoyt Ultrasport.

I'm pretty sure theres a Martin bow in your price range also and maybe worth a thought too. Used will give you more bang for your buck though normally if your on a budget.

The only accessories you really need to hunt (besides the bow lol) is a arrow rest, nocking clip/point and some arrows with broadheads. You don't have to have sights but I prefer them as do alot of people. Sights can be had from about $10-20 for a very basic pin sight with a basic fibre optic sight prolly around $40. Arrow rest for finger shooting will cost you between $5-$60 roughly.

Quiver can be had for about $20-$40 for a basic 4-6 arrow quiver.

[Phil]

Oh Ok - That's helpful, the Banshee has been knocked out of the equation.

A 45-60pound would be fine, yes I would use sights, I'm too paranoid not too lol. (about shot placement etc).

I'm not set on Hoyts, I just want a bow that I can shoot accurately, comfortably and cleanly take game with.

I really am very new to all this, so please forgive me lol. What are some other brands around my budget?

Thanks for all the help guys, much appreciated :wink:

[Grunter]

G'day Phil, I would go with Mitcom's advice and find local archery club or reputable dealer in your area and ask there for advice. If not close by to where you live, you will ind unlimited advice and suggestions here on this site and others with a wealth of knowledge for archery. Still the best bet is get to club etc, so it's face to face when setting up your gear for archery. As for cost, you can make it nearly as cheap or expensive aas you want to suit your budget. The only other advice i can give to you is be patient and do your homework on archery before parting with your dollars. Try to stick with it, i have seen to many people go to archery and go to the range and see blokes hitting the X ring everytime when they are all over he shop. But with practise and the right advice you will love it and improve 200% before you know it. Lastly, become proficent with your gear before you go hunting live game. Theres nothing worse than injury to an animal that may suffer due to lack of skills and die a slow death. As a Bowhunter you owe it to your game. Sorry for going on, but i hate seeing people get the wrong advice and gear, and the bow pusher under the bed.

Grunter

[Phil]

Do you live in Australia and if so what part of this great country of ours ?

I'm in the Bathurst area, NSW.

[Phil]

Guys, what do you think of these bows?

http://www.hoddywell.com.au/BOWS-P.S.E.html#P.S.E.%20TRITON

http://www.hoddywell.com.au/BOWS-REFLEX.html

http://www.hoddywell.com.au/BOWS-MARTIN.html

I am talking about all the cheapie's $400-$500. The Martin Jaguar Cam looks nice.

Am I seriously wasting my time asking all this on a Forum? I will try and go to the local club with my mate asap and talk to them there.

Thanks,


Phil

[Grunter]

Phil, You are not wasting your time at all, if you are gaining knowledge. I think i can speak for all here on this sight. You will get a bunch of info here and meet a bunch of top people. Wasting your time is going at it blind with a bad taste for the sport of archery, as many do. As a forum it is a little difficult to replicate the same as hands on, but i am sure we here will help as much as possible.

Grunter

[Uba Tracker]

G'day Phil, welcome to the forum cobber, mate speaking as a Martin Jaguar owner I can only laude praise on it. It's light, very adjustable in draw weight and length and fast actually very fast and quiet. Go to the General tab and have a look at 'Show us your bow' there is a pic of mine there, and might I add many other fine examples of modern bow technology. :D

[Phil]

Good news, my mate's dad owns a Martin Jaguar, having a look and hopefully a shot on Saturday afternoon, let you know :wink:

[rinaldo]

If you are going to shoot with fingers I would go for the Reflex Game getter it has a longer ATA(axle to axle) which would make it easier to shoot with fingers, less string pinch. If you are going to use a release then all of the above are good. Take a wander down to the archery club at Bathurst, near the race track they are a good bunch of guys, they'll be able to help.

[the real]

Phil, in the Martin Range my suggestion would be to stick with a dyna cam more so nitrous. Nitrous are a little bit more fiddley in regards to tunning and timming later on in life.
Around the $435 mark will get you a Jaguar in Dyna Cam.
I think, dont quote me as I have sold a PSE in the past months, but a PSE Nova is better bow than the one your looking at. Synergy Unervisal Cams upto 70# (Mid $400?)
Or even a Phantom 2 if you can your hands on one for around the $470-$490 mark again in Dyna Cam.

[XTfreak]

I have owned a few diffrent Martins with a few diffreent cam configurations, and a few diffrent PSE bows. All were ok bows. You cant go wrong with a Martin with a Dyna cam configuration.
Bill

[Glenn]

Phil you have been given some good advice here mate, don't buy anything until you have shot the bow that you know suits you, if you buy something and down the track it doesen't suit you it could be an expensive lesson...Glenn...

[Spider]

Phil, let me know if you start to look seriously at the Gamegetter. I'm just about to pick up my new bow so my Gamegetter will be up for sale :D I'll even throw in 5 2117's for it if your draw isn't to long, did have 6 till I robin hooded one

[rohan]

i have a martin jaguar magnum with the dyna cam and love it.
rohan

[Phil]

Thanks for the advice fellas.

http://www.archerymart.com.au/package.htm - Check this out, are those accesories pretty expensive, i mean, if i bought individually would I save $?


Cheers,


Phil

[Phil]

Spider, yes I am concidering the Gamegetter as well, but I have a Jag just up the road that im keen to try out - I will be trying before I buy as suggested.

What price are you thinking of? Also my arms are quite long, my 'archery mate' told me my draw length would be around 29" - Again I apologize for being a complete noobie lol.

[HOOD]

Thanks for the advice fellas.

http://www.archerymart.com.au/package.htm - Check this out, are those accesories pretty expensive, i mean, if i bought individually would I save $?


Cheers,


Phil

The reason they have them in a package is to save you money. So if you can afford to pay for the package out right go for it you will be saving a bit that way rather then buying the bits seperatly. That is unless you are after specific accessories for your bow.

[jpbon]

i was actually looking at that exact same package before i bought my bow. it pays just to look around a lot and find the best deal and the best bow for you.

jpbon

[XTfreak]

Phil you have been given some good advice here mate, don't buy anything until you have shot the bow that you know suits you, if you buy something and down the track it doesen't suit you it could be an expensive lesson...Glenn...
Great advise Glenn!!
Ive been there and done that. More than once :(
Bill

[Spider]

Hey Phil, will be putting in classifieds shortly for $250. Set up for finger shooting with flipper rest, no sights, has limb savers.

[Phil]

PM sent, I'll keep an eye out.

[Phil]

Hey Guys,

I have been shooting my mates Martin Jaguar with a release aid and am getting good groups at 10m when I concentrate.

Also managed to get a humble bunny, my first bow kill, target set up and all lol.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i60/phil308win/1stBowKill001.jpg

Are there any differences between the target and hunting models aside from the paintjob?

Also borrowed a mates Darton Proline, not a bad bow but I find it a bit bulky compared to the slim little Jag.

Thanks for the help guys, he might be selling me the Jag (well hopefully), is there any reason why it couldn't be turned into a hunting bow? I'm not worried about the purple too much lol, can be painted over if it causes troubles.


Cheers,



Phil

[NormGunston]

Phil, looks like your hot on the scent! All I'll add is to have a squiz at used gear- you can get top quality accessories at bargain prices. Good luck!
Ant