I'm looking to get a compound bow so I can hunt with my buddies in some of the "archery only" areas around TX. Years ago, I had a Martin that I shot well. Cams were the new thing then and we all shot sans sights and with our fingers.

Things have changed I realize so what are some options for a guy with $500 or so to spend? Why are the bows so much shorter now? Thanks for the help!

The best advice I can give is to visit your local archery shop, and shoot as many bows as possible to find out what you feel most comfortable with. The bows are primarily shorter today due to the trend towards a more parallel limb designs. here's a few pointers:

1. Get a bow with at least 7" of brace height (more is better, your archery shop should explain this)
2. You should get a good release, and probably use a string loop
3. Solocam bows are the easiest to tune, so if you're wanting to do some of your own bow work, keep that in mind.
4. Use carbon arrows. They won't bend, and they are more durable than aluminum arrows.

Check out Bowtech/Diamond, Ross, Archery Research, Parker, Hoyt, or any other bows that you can shoot to see what you like the best.

Hope this helps

gd

martin still makes a fine bow.

Some people change bows every year or so. These people know their equipment well and treat it just as well. Find someone like that and you've found a goldmine....of used bows that is. So what if you have 2 year old technology, especially if you have 500 bucks to spend. It worked well 2 years ago to hunt with and it'll sure as heck work this year for you.

the chef

Thanks guys! I'm going to visit a couple of local archery shops with a bowhunter friend and see where it leads me.

After shooting bows at local archery shops, I found that most carried last year's model (2007) for great prices. Generally better than most chain stores.

I also did some searching and found some great yearend clearance deals on the internet. I was particularly fond of Mountain Archery. They had 2007 Diamond bows on discount and I bought an '07 Diamond Triumph package for $400 shipped.

I'm still going to buy all of my accessories locally though. There is too much knowledge and experience not to support them.

Go over to archerytalk.com and go look in the classified section some smoking deals on bows over there unfortunately I'm a lefty so I can't partkae in some of those deals. Again if you are right handed some very good deals in the price range of 500 bucks and a lot of times you can get fully loaded bow for that....