I am contemplating buying a bow. I have been wanting to get into archery now for a couple of years. I have been looking at bows in the Cabela's catalog,PSE,Highcountry and Browning are some of the brands offered,for a begining archer what would you recomend???

You can shoot all the high speed gadget bows if you want. However, I honestly believe that you will be happier in the long run with the simple to start, a 50 lb recurve. Any of the bigger makers make a fine bow. Then there's lots of other things to consider (sound familiar? ).

I started with recurves way back when and got a recurve. Too much junk, too heavy, too cranky and thus no fun. Fun is why we do it. And you aren't really handicapped, particularly if you're a tree stand hunter.

One word of advice is dont buy from Cabelas until youve shot that exact same bow at your local pro shop. Even then you may consider buying it from the pro shop due to the fact that you will get personal service and guidence. You really need to go shoot some different bow and maybe even some recurves if you wish but I started with a recurve and could wait to go to compound. My kids started out with compounds and are shooting up a storm at ages 6, 8 and 10. Id never consider going back to a recurve personally but you may choose to go that route and that is fine if you do. Archery is not a team sport and all people have their own tastes. Do what feels right but PLEASE take my advice of going to a LOCAL PRO SHOP and doing business with them and you will come out ahead in the long run.

PSE makes good bows for those just wetting their feet. Make sure you get the correct draw length and you should enjoy shooting from the start.

oh btw, all my bows are P&Y legal.... something to consider in a bow these days if you are so inclined.

Go see Fred at the Bow shop. Its off of 410 and vance jackson on speedway. Tell him that Larence sent you over, he's good people.

Might just run into you there.

I'd follow the above advise and go to a archery shop.Most of the Kit bows have cheap sites and will require tuning anyway.I got back into bow hunting a couple of yrs ago and bought a PSE Nova from the local shop.I am still happy with it and have no problem putting 5 arrows in 6" at 30yds.Which is about the farthest I care to shoot.

Thanks for all the advice

I'll also add the recommendation about going to a bow shop. I think the second bow you get you'll know enough to do it yourself but figuring out draw length and getting a bow to fit you is better if you have someone helping you. I'd suggest a compound for the first bow though, as they are a little easier to shoot when holding at full draw.

Might want to look into a used bow for a starter if money is tight, most shops have several.

I have found from personally fitting people that when they fit a bow themselves the usually will choose a longer draw by about an inch than they are supposed to have. Id say overall about 75% of customers who know very little about archery shoot too long of a draw. i was guilty myself about 10 years ago until i started working at a shop. I went from a 29 to a 28 and I now twist my string to about 27 3/4.

DD - I hunted for years with a compound, then 10 years ago I went back to hunting with a recurve. As much I as I enjoy the simplicity of traditional gear, I wouldn't suggest you start with Trad gear. With a little help and a correctly set-up compound you can be shooting respectible groups within an hour. You'll have fun immediately, and hopefully stay6 with it. The same can not be said for Trad. equipment.

Get youself to a good pro-shop and have them set you up with hunting bow from one of the top 4 manufactures. A this point the model DOES NOT MATTER. What does matter is that your get a good bow with the support of a pro-shop.

You don't need super speed. Real fast bows are harder to control and accuratcy is everything just like firearms.

A longer axel to axel lenght is easier to control.

Keep your sight system simple 2 or 3 pins is fine.

Keep your gagets simple and learn how to adjust them.

All your firearms shooting disaplines & practice experiences hold true with a bow.

BTW - You have to loose & break a few dozen arrows to get good. It comes with the territory

Coondawg,took your advice,went to the bow shop,ordred a PSE Nova. The people over there are very helpful and freindly,they will set it up for me when it comes in,cant wait to start shooting it,almost as exciting as a new rifle!Thanks once again for all the positive advice.

Not a problem! I helped one guy over there the other day also, he bought a PSE Nova too. Fred and Val are really nice people, in fact it was Bob in Tx that sent me over there

You have a pm