So I want to get into archery for rec. and hunting purposes, and I'm what everyones thoughts are on PSE bows? I went in to a local archery shop that was recomended to me and after a brief rundown from the clerk and a bit of grip testing and what not im pretty sure I want The PSE stinger. the gal was saying I probly need a 31" draw as im 6'3" with arms like a chimp, so I looked through there catalog and web sight and am now wondering about draw weight and all sorts of other noobish questions.

like arrow materilas
arrow length
hunting heads
and basically what brands of all the accessories are better than the rest.


thanks in advance any help is greatly appreciated

my first bow was a pse and i loved it. I know they have only gotten better since. I shoot a bowtech now and love it, but with todays technology pretty much any good name brand will do. But, the most important thing is to get one that fits YOU. Make sure where you get your bow has a competent archery dept. or someone who knows. If you get a bow that doesnt fit, you will never be comfortable and will never be able to shoot well. As for accessories, that is up to you. Personally i like scott releases, and i have a dropaway rest and a trophy ridge sight. For arrows, i say carbon. For the cheaper price your pay for aluminum, you give up durability and speed.Carbon arrows arent really that expensive anyway. For your first arrows, i would say getting the cheapest version of Gold Tips to practice with as you will break some, and they will be more forgiving than aluminum arrows. As for length, that will be determined by your rest and draw length once you get set up. Then, PRACTICE EVERY DAY that you can. It takes alot of trail and error to learn to shoot well. But enjoy it, because the whole reason is to have fun. Good luck

"The gal" should have measured your drawlength. Perhaps they will let you shot the bow if they have a range. If they don't have a range look for a store that does. Usually ranges and quality stores go hand in hand.

You're going to have a ton o' fun shooting a bow!!!

the chef

they do have a range but, i didn't have the time for a full trial. she did have me draw and based on that with a bow set to 30" draw she said i would need a 31" draw.


what is the general thought on singal verses dual cam bows and all the other options? after my first post i did some more surfing and im not totaly set on the stinger, still strongly leaning towards it but im wanting more info before i shell out the cash.

how much arrow vilocity do you really need for deer bear hogs ect?
thus far ive only hunted in ca but, i intend to broden my horizons in the next few years and i will do an elk hunt in the next few years and hopefully regularly there after, weather or not it will be archery at first will be detirmened by my skill when i get shooting.


thanks again

I have owned and shot my PSE bow for 15 years. It will take everything from groundhogs to deer and moose. I won't change it untill I have to.

If the store you are going to buy from doesn't take the time to fit your bow to you and tune it properly change stores. You will be disappointed. They should need to take PROPER measurments, make arrows for you, tune the bow, all this could take a week depending on how busy they are. Then they should have you shoot it in their presence! They may have other adjustments to make after. This is all time WELL spent!

Good luck and good shooting.

it's the only archery store in my area and they came highly recomended, im sure when buy time comes they will do everything right but, i told the lady when i got there that i had just sarted looking and if i was told correctly they give a free lesson with there bows and do all needed adjustments before and after the purchase.

so does any one have any thoughts on model? im pretty set on pse and i really like the rubber grips vs. wood grips (not sure if they are interchangable). i don't by any means need a Cadi, im perfactly happy shooting the VW i just want to make sure i have a good bow for what ever i might eventually hunt with it.

Agree with a lot of what has already been said - good advice.

Over the years have found that a lot archery is "trial and error." It really helped me to shoot several different recommeded bows before settling on "the one." Actually, I was in the market for a new bow this year and tried out a bunch - glad that I did, as my first idea would have not been the best. There is no substitue for shooting the bow in the actual configuration that you're considering buying. They all shoot differently, and good shooting is all about the right feel, well matched equipment, and good form.

As far as brands go, there are many that make a 31 inch draw - Bowtech 101st Ariborne, Mathews Drenalin LD, Hoyt Katera XL and Elite Extreme XL. Personally, I'm not afraid to travel a bit to shoot a bow I'm considering. The pro shop that I use is 50+ miles from my home. There are a few closer, but none as good. I get great service from some very good bow mechanics, so it is worth the trip.

For broadheads - suggest trying a pack of Montec G5, Muzzy, and Slick Trick. Personally, I like Tight Points - even though they are a bit pricy, they fly perfectly for me - priceless.

No question that Carbon Arrows are a better choice for most of today's hunting - currently using Carbon Express, but Easton's are just a good. Received recent info on the Easton ST EPIC that makes it look like a winner, and fairly affordable.

Good luck, and welcome aboard.

no need to repeat a lot of good advice on here. i will make a recommendation for your sights... try and find a model with a small level on it. the level helped me tremendously, as i had learned to slightly lean and shoot with improper form. with a level i have learned to hold my bow vertical, and more consistent from shot to shot. consistency is the key here.

i like scott releases. if you are going to get a release, i would suggest finding one without velcro. they make too much noise imo. a nice leather strap and buckle work great.

i also shoot gold tip arrows and love the g5 montec broadheads. i also like muzzy 3 blade. i personally prefer fixed blade heads, and they fly well for me.

i have shot feathers and recently switched over to blazer vanes. they both shoot well for me. for hunting purposes, i think i prefer vanes, they are less affected by weather, though feathers may be more forgiving.

i personally prefer a fall away type rest. for a beginner, you may want to look at a whisker biscuit, they are basically foolproof.

for stabilizers, i use an sts stabilizer from my bow to my string, and in front of my bow i use the sims dampeners. the small ones, and i use 2 for the best balance for me. try a few out and find one that balances your bow the best in your hands.

hope this helps. welcome and enjoy!

Ask at your dealer about used bows as well as the one your looking at. Most of the shops will have bow that people have traded in when they upgrade and sometimes it is possible to get the Cadi at VW prices. The owner probably use and try out new models on a regular basis. PSE has a very good reputation and puts out a very good product. I just looked into a new bow for myself and after trying a few I bout the PSE X Force and it is a real beauty. You should try shooting a variety of bows for comfort and feel as well as to the noise level of the different bows.
Have a great time making a choice and enjoy shooting the one you decide on.
Dave

Just a thought and not to disagree but I have hunted a lot of tight and unforgiving places with my bow from the scrub of Az where you are bent over on your knees most of the time to the rain forests of Hawaii and have found what works for me.
First is a whisker biskit, don't leave home without it if you are a hard core go in after em kind of guy.
my sight also has a bubble because the bow came with it and to be honest I cannot remember ever needing it nor seeing it in the moment of truth.
plastic vanes are the only way to go for me, I shoot feathers in my trad stuff but because I like the arrow flight with them.
But they are a real pain in ass to be honest if it rains.
I have a BIG peep, it allows me to center my entire sight in it and then I just pick my pin.
Trying to dick with a rest that does not hold your arrow, line up your bubble and center your pin in your peep in dim light is a real game loser in the tight stuff.
I shoot carbons with hundred grain bacon busters and they have blown through a lot of pigs and goats and one elk and I am impressed.

Oh, one last thing,, really, really consider your hunting style.
It is normal for folks to try and milk every last fps out of their draw length and yet from many experiances to the contrary I have found that the wise thing to do is figure what your max draw length is and then set your bow one inch shorter.
You will thank me some day when you are shooting from an awkward position in a ground blind, from your knees, around a branch, or out of a canoe.
Trying to get the fastest setup, for the perfect conditions and milking the tightest groups does not go with tough hunting.
Adequate arrow speed, good groups, great arrow flight, tough sharp broadheads, trigger release, whisker biskit, big peep and forgiveness in your setup by not trying to have max draw weight and length will put meat on the ground.
You will thank me later.

Dude don't do it. I live in South Africa and hunt often. Go with Mathews you can take anything short of a hippo with one.