Beginner Compound Bow

[CPBassFishing]

Hey guys that do archery/bowhunting what is a good starter compound bow for $200 or less? I have done archery three times- twice in PE and once at an amusement park and I like it enough to want my own bow. I don't hunt. I just want something to screw around with in my backyard and shoot practice arrows at foam blocks.

[jbsoonerfan]

For just playing around, I would go with a Mathews Genesis. It comes as a package with arrows.

 

Here, I found a link

 

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=22397136&camp=CSE:GooglePLA:22397136:16750288:ARCHERY-&gsidynamic=GooglePLA-_-ARCHERY-_-ARCHERY-_-SKU-16750288

[South FLA]

Craigslist is your friend

 

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/spo/4076518698.html

[je1946]

I've shot archery at various levels for many yrs, my recommendation would be to find a reputable archery shop and have them set you up with a gd used bow, with sights and draw wt you can handle.  Stay away from the dept stores and sporting gd stores.  The key to getting started in archery is to have a bow that fits you properly,along with properly spined arrows, and you'll get that at an archery shop. Don't turn your nose at used bows, I've shot with guys who upgrade their bows on a regular basis and $200 to $300 can get you a really nice complete set up.  You say you just want something to screw around with but if the bow doesn't fit right your not going to really enjoy it and your accuracy will be like throwing a hand full of pebbles at a barn door.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Might I suggest a traditional bow? IE. Recurve or Long Bow. If you really want a challenge get a Horse bow and thumb ring.

I just got back into compound bows this year. I've been shooting my long bow and my two horse bows for the last 4 or 5 years. I find them more fun to fool around with then my compound bow. Hell of a lot more skill involved with them than a compound bow.

I ain't talking about some cheap 50 or 100 dollar fiberglass long bow or recurve. I'm talking about the real thing.

I'm just giving you some food for thought.

Compound bows can't even come close to matching the power on my Hungarian Horse Bow. That thing has 130# draw weight, and no let off, seeing as it aint got cams or pulleys. It will straight up launch an arrow. Accurate as all get out too. That's what they call a man's bow!

[CPBassFishing]

Might I suggest a traditional bow? IE. Recurve or Long Bow. If you really want a challenge get a Horse bow and thumb ring.

I just got back into compound bows this year. I've been shooting my long bow and my two horse bows for the last 4 or 5 years. I find them more fun to fool around with then my compound bow. Hell of a lot more skill involved with them than a compound bow.

I ain't talking about some cheap 50 or 100 dollar fiberglass long bow or recurve. I'm talking about the real thing.

I'm just giving you some food for thought.

Compound bows can't even come close to matching the power on my Hungarian Horse Bow. That thing has 130# draw weight, and no let off, seeing as it aint got cams or pulleys. It will straight up launch an arrow. Accurate as all get out too. That's what they call a man's bow!

LOL I can handle about 60lb draw pressure.

[CPBassFishing]

I've shot archery at various levels for many yrs, my recommendation would be to find a reputable archery shop and have them set you up with a gd used bow, with sights and draw wt you can handle.  Stay away from the dept stores and sporting gd stores.  The key to getting started in archery is to have a bow that fits you properly,along with properly spined arrows, and you'll get that at an archery shop. Don't turn your nose at used bows, I've shot with guys who upgrade their bows on a regular basis and $200 to $300 can get you a really nice complete set up.  You say you just want something to screw around with but if the bow doesn't fit right your not going to really enjoy it and your accuracy will be like throwing a hand full of pebbles at a barn door.

thanks for the tips. I'll look for a shop in my area.

[clayton86]

Like stated before dont over look Craigslist and eBay its how I got my set up. Plenty of older used bows on there well within your price range.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

LOL I can handle about 60lb draw pressure.

They make tons of them in your range of draw weight. Mine are custom bows. They are high dollar and made specifically for my height, draw length, and draw weight.

You can get a longbow custom built without any frills for around 90 to 120. You can get a beginners recurve for around the same.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

However, if your dead set on a compound. Do like Clayton said. Get on craigslist.

Go to your local bow shop and get your draw length measured. Talk with the tech about what your looking for and what you intend to use said bow for. Then jump on the internet and buy yourself a used bow.

[jbsoonerfan]

A used bow can be a great starter bow. However, make CERTAIN that you are buying something that fits you. The reason I suggested the Genesis is because it will fit anyone and if you don't plan on hunting it would be something that would just be fun to shoot in the backyard.

 

I have seen many people get a "good deal" on a used bow. Then they figure out the draw length is wrong and they need to put new cams on it (most older bows won't use modules) Sometimes you are looking at $50 - $75 for that + shop labor. I have also seen some that the string/cables need replaced, another $50 or so + shop labor. I have owned 20 + bows in the last 8 years and all but 4 of them I bought used. However, I know how to work on a bow and know what I am looking for in a bow.

[jbsoonerfan]

Also, let me add this.

 

Go into a Pro Shop FIRST, introduce yourself and ask if they can help you out. Tell them you are just getting started and explain to them that you don't want to spend a lot of money and ask them if they might have anything in your price range. They "should" measure your draw length, and maybe let you fling a couple arrows to see what # you would be comfortable with. If they don't have anything for you, politely ask if you were to find a bow on the internet, would they be able to help you get it set up. Then ask about any fees that may come along with the set up.  Do not just walk in and ask to measure your draw length so you can go to the internet and buy a bow. I know a lot of shop owners hate to see someone bring in an old POS and want it tuned up and ready to shoot because everyone suggested they buy a bow off the internet. Some guys will set up a bow for free if you buy from them or they might not stick it to you if you at least attempt to give them your business first. However, some guys will put it to you on set up fees if you bring in something you bought off the internet. Maybe that's not the way it should be, but that is they way it is.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Also, let me add this.

 

Go into a Pro Shop FIRST, introduce yourself and ask if they can help you out. Tell them you are just getting started and explain to them that you don't want to spend a lot of money and ask them if they might have anything in your price range. They "should" measure your draw length, and maybe let you fling a couple arrows to see what # you would be comfortable with. If they don't have anything for you, politely ask if you were to find a bow on the internet, would they be able to help you get it set up. Then ask about any fees that may come along with the set up.  Do not just walk in and ask to measure your draw length so you can go to the internet and buy a bow. I know a lot of shop owners hate to see someone bring in an old POS and want it tuned up and ready to shoot because everyone suggested they buy a bow off the internet. Some guys will set up a bow for free if you buy from them or they might not stick it to you if you at least attempt to give them your business first. However, some guys will put it to you on set up fees if you bring in something you bought off the internet. Maybe that's not the way it should be, but that is they way it is.

I ain't had that problem with any of my internet bought bows. Or the two bought for my brother in laws in the same manner. Not once have we had a problem with them setting up a compound bow for us. It cost me 15 in labor to get my new strings installed a few months back. Ain't never charged a dime to setup or change draw weight or length on any of our bows. With the exception of 25 dollars for new Matthews cams on my BILs bow when he traded them the old ones. My friends have never had a problem with them doing that either.

[clayton86]

I ain't had that problem with any of my internet bought bows. Or the two bought for my brother in laws in the same manner. Not once have we had a problem with them setting up a compound bow for us. It cost me 15 in labor to get my new strings installed a few months back. Ain't never charged a dime to setup or change draw weight or length on any of our bows. With the exception of 25 dollars for new Matthews cams on my BILs bow when he traded them the old ones. My friends have never had a problem with them doing that either.

Same shop you bought your long bows at? Or did business with?

Both the local shops by me are like he mentioned you just walk in with a bow off the net and they either A refuse to work on it or B jack the rates. The one shop i go to he flat out refuses to work on any bow from another shop if you bought it on Craigslist or some thing. That guy is kinda funny to do business with anyways exhaust hes very very pushy on certain products. The other shop he will work on em but he's not quick about it and prices can get a little up there. I took mine in last spring and first thing he did is look for the tag on the bottom for where it came from. I was honest told him I got it on Craigslist and needed it set up it took almost 6 weeks because he did all his repeat customers first and bows he sold before mine. Mine was kind of a "when I have time ill get to it" thing almost. I had friends take bows in after mine that they got from that shop needing more then mine and they got there's back before me and all I was having done is a res and quiver put on ad everything checked over.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Same shop you bought your long bows at? Or did business with?

Both the local shops by me are like he mentioned you just walk in with a bow off the net and they either A refuse to work on it or B jack the rates. The one shop i go to he flat out refuses to work on any bow from another shop if you bought it on Craigslist or some thing. That guy is kinda funny to do business with anyways exhaust hes very very pushy on certain products. The other shop he will work on em but he's not quick about it and prices can get a little up there. I took mine in last spring and first thing he did is look for the tag on the bottom for where it came from. I was honest told him I got it on Craigslist and needed it set up it took almost 6 weeks because he did all his repeat customers first and bows he sold before mine. Mine was kind of a "when I have time ill get to it" thing almost. I had friends take bows in after mine that they got from that shop needing more then mine and they got there's back before me and all I was having done is a res and quiver put on ad everything checked over.

Nope. My long bow was custom made by a bow maker I did some electrical work for. One horse bow was made by the same guy. The other was purchased, custom built, and and shipped from Europe.

Aside from my various arrows the only thing archery related I've purchased from them is the custom string set on my PSE.