Archery Talk Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Is it to late to start bow hunting?

Tags
new hunter
1 reading
Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 52 Posts

Mad.Decent.JiuJitsu

· Registered
Joined
·
93 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
With Deer season a month away is it too late to start? New hunter, I don’t even have a bow or anything and I’m thinking I should wait and buy one during the holidays to save some money or wait until next years drop and grab a discounted flagship. This would give me a year with a good bow to get better. I want to spend $1300 bow/rest/sight.. I’m willing to spend a little more for the right bow.

can someone experienced shed some light on what’s a guy to do who knows nothing about buying bows?
 
#2 · (Edited)
Ok.. definitely do NOT buy a bow right now and expect to go hunt with it. You will be doing no one a favor by doing so, as it takes a lot of self discipline and practice to hunt.. especially with a bow. Your best plan of attack would be to yes, purchase a bow during the holidays or even now, and practice practice practice. You need to learn how to properly shoot a bow before any animals get in that sight picture, and that is FAR from something that happens overnight. This is going to take dedication from you. There are guys who pick their bow up only to hunt a few times a year, and those same guys come on here in the Fall to post “I smoked a buck but can’t find him, what happened?!?”.. then they never find the deer and blame anything but themselves. This is not cool, not ethical and not respectable.

$1,300 is not a lot of money if you’re interested in a very recent flagship model bow with “flagship” accessories as well. With that budget, you will be better suited for a less recent lightly used flagship model, maybe 3, 4 or 5 years old (maybe even older), which will still leave you with about half of your budget for accessories. Alternatively, there are some great deals on here for kitted out used bows in that price range. You could find something very nice, fully loaded for that price. BUT as you said, you know absolutely nothing about the equipment you would be purchasing, so you will then have to take it to an archery shop to be checked over and fitted for you.

Buying used bows CAN turn into a headache for someone like you, as maybe the string/cables need replace (~$100-200), maybe it’s missing a screw somewhere, maybe one of the cams got dropped on concrete so now it chews up the string and needs filed/replaced, maybe the stabilizer hole is stripped out, maybe it was dry fired once and one of the cams is slightly bent or a limb is splintered. There is a plethora of things that COULD go wrong for someone who has no idea what they’re looking at or doing. BECAUSE OF THIS, you may be best off to go to multiple different archery shops (with good reviews) in your area. Explain your situation to them, and see what they have in your price range. Some shops sell used bows, and they would be very happy to fit you into one if it works for your budget. Then you will be forming a relationship with a shop, who can then help you out along your journey. The shop would have also combed through said used bow, so they would (hopefully) have addressed all (if any) issues with the bow before it hit the rack.

Some shops also have ranges where they may host shoots or events or what have you. For example, I shot in an “indoor league” this past winter. Yes you keep scores, but no one really cares what anyone scores except for themselves. This would be a good way to meet other likeminded people and maybe get some more help/advice along the way. There were a couple guys I chatted with in the league who were new to the sport.. they were just as welcome to shoot as the old guy who’s been shooting for 60 years. Being new may be scary, but it’s totally normal and perfectly OK.

There are beginner bows out there with huge weight ranges and draw length ranges, but if you’re an adult that is finished growing, you’d be better off not going with one of these models. Do not let ego drive your purchase either, shoot what poundage is comfortable to YOU.. just because some guy tells you he shoots 70lbs doesn’t mean you can’t be happy shooting say, 55lbs.

The short and sweet version of this.. You’re best off going to a reputable shop, being humble honest and willing to learn. Do not shoot at any animal until you are proficient enough in archery to do so.. this may take months or years and everyone kind of has their own “judgement” for this. Just be respectful to the animals you are hunting, it’s not really a “sport” and it’s far from a game. Also if/when you do get out in the field, be respectful to those around you as well.

OH, and don’t litter in the woods please.
 
#3 ·
Emmitt.W said:
There are beginner bows out there with huge weight ranges and draw length ranges, but if you’re an adult that is finished growing, you’d be better off not going with one of these models.
Click to expand...
I agree with everything said...except this. There are long enough ATA beginner bows for adults to use. And I have seen new adult shooters that couldn't pull 40lb. These high adjustable bows allow a person to start really low on poundage and develop form and technique, but still be able to work up in poundage without having to purchase new limbs or a new bow. Bows like the Diamond Pro 320 and Alter are great bows for adults to start with, but also will be good for quite awhile. Same with a bow like the Bear Legend XR. As I said, these are all "adult size" bows, but allow them to grow with it.
 
#4 ·
veritas.archangel said:
I agree with everything said...except this. There are long enough ATA beginner bows for adults to use. And I have seen new adult shooters that couldn't pull 40lb. These high adjustable bows allow a person to start really low on poundage and develop form and technique, but still be able to work up in poundage without having to purchase new limbs or a new bow. Bows like the Diamond Pro 320 and Alter are great bows for adults to start with, but also will be good for quite awhile. Same with a bow like the Bear Legend XR. As I said, these are all "adult size" bows, but allow them to grow with it.
Click to expand...
Good point, can’t disagree with that! BUT I do think it would be easier to fall in love with the bow and archery as a whole, using a higher tier piece of equipment. Though I never shot those models you listed, they may be great and have solid back walls, good draw cycles and a high quality “feel”. I would just assume a model like a used Revolt X or something like that, would feel and perform like a better piece of equipment. But then again, we are talking a brand spankin’ new archer asking the question here.. so you may very well be on the right track with your thinking. I honestly didn’t take into consideration that some adult men may not be able to hit that 50lb mark (if say, buying a 60lb bow and turning it down).. so this is a good point.
 
#5 ·
Yes it's to close for this season to buy bow and everything needed plus build skill to be able to kill with it.

Go buy a Excalibur crossbow and hunt with it this season.

That way you can get everything together for the vertical bow and have all winter,spring and next summer to train and tune it and be ready for next season.
 
#8 · (Edited)
Welcome to the forum. Good question & I hope the answer you are getting are not discouraging you.

It is a fine time to start thinking about bow hunting at some point in the future. We are left with a lot of un knowns about you as a hunter. Have you ever hunted deer with a firearm?

Additional questions that come to mind include why do you wish to start bow hunting this season or next? Do you know anyone who bow hunts? Have you been in to a pro shop to get measured up to know your draw length, draw weight that will suit you & or consider archery lessons? Do you have a location in mind to archery hunt?

If you are truly serious I would be stopping in to a pro shop to start the process of knowing what you are considering getting in to. Figure out where you will practice. Figure out how much you are going to want or need in additional equipment. Will you hunt from the ground or from a elevated ambush location.

You do not need a new bow to hunt with though you do need a properly set up bow for you. Be aware the bow is just one piece of the puzzle. Ask yourself what all else will I need to archery hunt?

Start building a mind set for evolving into the sport & envision what a path to success means to you.
 
#9 ·
There is a wealth of information here, you just need to know what to search for. Not to suggest that this is the first & last place to acquire knowledge. Though You can get a heck of a jump start here starting to gain a understanding of considerations and terminology. May start off with release aid, anchor point, too much draw weight & bow tuning. Should add in proper grip as well.
 
#10 ·
Not un common for a archer here to buy a new flag ship bow & start off replacing the strings with properly built & stretched strings to help keep the bow in tune & peep rotation correct, going forward. Point here is the first thing to go, generally on a used bow is the strings. You may do well to purchase a older flag ship bow with new custom strings from a local shop that is fitted to you. A new bow is not alwayse all it is cracked up to be.
Learning curve comes with potential issues with equipment & the nut pulling the string.

Beware I have seen fairly reputable locations sell a guy a bow that had too short of a draw length for him to get him into his price point on a clearance bow. Getting measured up at multiple pro shops to verify your draw length may be prudent. Don't let something like this happen to you.
 
#11 ·
Definitely not too late. Get a setup and go try. Worst comes to worst you strike out and try again next season and take some lessons you learned this season. Some of us have been hunting for years and strike out some seasons… with hunting state game-lands it’s sometimes a crap shoot.

your pricepoint is pretty good. I have a CBE Tactic 3 pin sight, CBE stabilizer kit, and a Qad HDX and QAD MX2 rest ill sell to help you get started if you wanted.
 
#12 ·
Ridiculous to say it is too late to get a bow and hunt. If you were wanting to shoot traditional then maybe but it does not take much skill to shoot a compound. I could have someone shooting hunting size groups in an afternoon. Don't over bow yourself, I would suggest starting with a 50 lb bow. Be sure to get the draw length correct. I would suggest keeping it simple with a Whisker Biscuit rest, properly spined arrows, and a simple broadhead like a Magnus Stinger. There are people every year that pick up a shotgun for the first time and start hunting without any experience. Bowhunting should not be any different. As far as price, they aren't going to be any cheaper in December.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
Emmitt.W said:
Ok.. definitely do NOT buy a bow right now and expect to go hunt with it. You will be doing no one a favor by doing so, as it takes a lot of self discipline and practice to hunt.. especially with a bow. Your best plan of attack would be to yes, purchase a bow during the holidays or even now, and practice practice practice. You need to learn how to properly shoot a bow before any animals get in that sight picture, and that is FAR from something that happens overnight. This is going to take dedication from you. There are guys who pick their bow up only to hunt a few times a year, and those same guys come on here in the Fall to post “I smoked a buck but can’t find him, what happened?!?”.. then they never find the deer and blame anything but themselves. This is not cool, not ethical and not respectable.

$1,300 is not a lot of money if you’re interested in a very recent flagship model bow with “flagship” accessories as well. With that budget, you will be better suited for a less recent lightly used flagship model, maybe 3, 4 or 5 years old (maybe even older), which will still leave you with about half of your budget for accessories. Alternatively, there are some great deals on here for kitted out used bows in that price range. You could find something very nice, fully loaded for that price. BUT as you said, you know absolutely nothing about the equipment you would be purchasing, so you will then have to take it to an archery shop to be checked over and fitted for you.

Buying used bows CAN turn into a headache for someone like you, as maybe the string/cables need replace (~$100-200), maybe it’s missing a screw somewhere, maybe one of the cams got dropped on concrete so now it chews up the string and needs filed/replaced, maybe the stabilizer hole is stripped out, maybe it was dry fired once and one of the cams is slightly bent or a limb is splintered. There is a plethora of things that COULD go wrong for someone who has no idea what they’re looking at or doing. BECAUSE OF THIS, you may be best off to go to multiple different archery shops (with good reviews) in your area. Explain your situation to them, and see what they have in your price range. Some shops sell used bows, and they would be very happy to fit you into one if it works for your budget. Then you will be forming a relationship with a shop, who can then help you out along your journey. The shop would have also combed through said used bow, so they would (hopefully) have addressed all (if any) issues with the bow before it hit the rack.

Some shops also have ranges where they may host shoots or events or what have you. For example, I shot in an “indoor league” this past winter. Yes you keep scores, but no one really cares what anyone scores except for themselves. This would be a good way to meet other likeminded people and maybe get some more help/advice along the way. There were a couple guys I chatted with in the league who were new to the sport.. they were just as welcome to shoot as the old guy who’s been shooting for 60 years. Being new may be scary, but it’s totally normal and perfectly OK.

There are beginner bows out there with huge weight ranges and draw length ranges, but if you’re an adult that is finished growing, you’d be better off not going with one of these models. Do not let ego drive your purchase either, shoot what poundage is comfortable to YOU.. just because some guy tells you he shoots 70lbs doesn’t mean you can’t be happy shooting say, 55lbs.

The short and sweet version of this.. You’re best off going to a reputable shop, being humble honest and willing to learn. Do not shoot at any animal until you are proficient enough in archery to do so.. this may take months or years and everyone kind of has their own “judgement” for this. Just be respectful to the animals you are hunting, it’s not really a “sport” and it’s far from a game. Also if/when you do get out in the field, be respectful to those around you as well.

OH, and don’t litter in the woods please.
Click to expand...
Hell of a reply and intro to this forum. MY GUY THANK YOU! So much to take in here..
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
SDguy said:
Welcome to the forum. Good question & I hope the answer you are getting are not discouraging you.

It is a fine time to start thinking about bow hunting at some point in the future. We are left with a lot of un knowns about you as a hunter. Have you ever hunted deer with a firearm?

Additional questions that come to mind include why do you wish to start bow hunting this season or next? Do you know anyone who bow hunts? Have you been in to a pro shop to get measured up to know your draw length, draw weight that will suit you & or consider archery lessons? Do you have a location in mind to archery hunt?

If you are truly serious I would be stopping in to a pro shop to start the process of knowing what you are considering getting in to. Figure out where you will practice. Figure out how much you are going to want or need in additional equipment. Will you hunt from the ground or from a elevated ambush location.

You do not need a new bow to hunt with though you do need a properly set up bow for you. Be aware the bow is just one piece of the puzzle. Ask yourself what all else will I need to archery hunt?

Start building a mind set for evolving into the sport & envision what a path to success means to you.
Click to expand...
Super awesome reply!! thank you for the response you guys on here know your stuff :)

the advice is genuine and logical.
 
#15 ·
Not the answer to the question you asked, but if you are a brand new hunter I’d strongly suggest that you get yourself a 12 gauge shotgun or a .22 lr and go hunt some squirrels. The skills that you learn from hunting them will directly translate to making you a better hunter overall. There’s a lot more to hunting than killing the animal. The real work begins AFTER the shot. Squirrels are dang tasty too! Starting off hunting deer with a bow, while a noble gesture, will have you posting your new bow for sale in the classifieds in short order. It’s like taking someone who’s never been fishing before fly fishing for trout in Eleven Mile Canyon, CO. You just wouldn’t want to start someone that way. A bobber and a worm would be a much better and more productive approach.

That said, I do recommend that you get a bow. A bow that’s in your budget and from a reputable shop. Being new, I would encourage you not to buy used through the classifieds here. You get more than just a bow when you buy from a good shop. If you were to pick up a bow this winter and put in the practice, there’s no reason you couldn’t be ready to hunt by next fall. I wouldn’t rush into hunting with it though, get your practice in. Hunt those squirrels!
 
#18 ·
I got back in bowhunting back in 2005. I walked into my local bowshop the day before the statewide season opened and boought a RTH bow, arrows, needed shooting accessories, and a target. I shot with it a month and decided I was OK enough with my shooting to buy my archery tag. I didn't know why my shots during practice missed the mark and I didn't know why they hit the mark. I figured things out over time but I was clueless that season.

That first season, I took two shots at the same doe.......one flew high and wide above her rump and after she stood there are gave me another shot, the next shot went low behind her hind leg.

I had zero business actually hunting with a bow that year.......but I learned a lot just from that first season just being in the woods, observing deer activity during October and November vs all I knew from gun hunting in December.

It's all a learning experience and no matter how long one continues to bowhunt, it's a continual learning experience that never ends.

I'm not saying you should or should not bowhunt this year. Just sharing my experience.
 
#19 ·
The central point, of all the posts, bow hunting is a science that takes time to understand throughly, would be go to pro shops (plural), get measured for draw length, then try several of their bows and releases, recurve or compound or crossbow, they have in stock in different poundages, at their practice range, with the pro shop pro helping you with form and follow thru. The range is usually about 20 yards long.

Don't get hung up on accessories at this point as you can dress a skunk like a swan with all the accessories that are for sale now days.

If you have a local bow range, call the owner and ask if he has or knows a pro that would help a newbie. The bow pro shop will have a list of pro customers that will help also. Some will do it for free. Other archers at the range will help also. I know you won't know if they are good or not but that is where you take a summary of what all they are showing you and break it down to categories. Like balance, hand position, cheek spot, draw length, etc.

Sean McVeay, Seans Outddoor Adventures, has a lot of youtube videos on how to use different types of bows, form, stance, follow thru, etc., and he tells the truth as I have learned from him and I am 71 years old and started bow hunting 2 years ago. No I am not a pro but I am comfortable shooting my Bear Adapt and can hit bullseyes at 20/30/40 yds and I don't get string happy when a deer comes into my peep sight.

That being said time, as stated above, practice, patience, learning and having an open mind will aid you in your bow hunting adventure.

I think you could start hunting this year as long as you don't take any hap hazard shots and only ethical clean shots that serves the deer as well as yourself. You don't want to hit a deer, follow the blood trail as several hours or longer, and cannot find the deer. That would keep me up at nights if I did that. Now it will happen sooner or later that you thought you had a clean shot but your shot missed the vitals and the deer suffered but survived. But you would never know cause you didn't find it.

One thing no one has mentioned, or I missed it, is you need to spend as much time on looking and learning about a release as you do your bow. You can have the best, most expensive bow made, and a crappy release that ruins all your shots. Releases come in all flavors, styles, colors, etc., and find the one you are comfortable with takes practice and time as well.

Last point, don't get hung up on buying the top of the line bow at first, IMO, as you might not like bow hunting and then you are trying to sell it to get your money back.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SDguy
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#20 ·
If I were you I’d hit the east button and just buy a crossbow right now. Not the $5,000 one, just get a good enough one for a couple hundred bucks. That’s the fastest way to get you ready to ethically harvest game. After buying the crossbow, I’d start scouting as much as you can. Assuming you work, you’re getting a real late jump on the game, so you’re going to have to start piecing the puzzle together and rely on getting a little lucky as well. Plan for the rut in your area, and start thinking about where the deer are going to be when you do get out there. Good luck.
 
1 - 20 of 52 Posts
About this Discussion
51 Replies
32 Participants
Last post:
Kevin2
Archery Talk Forum
posts
39M
members
240K
Since
2001
A forum community dedicated to bow and crossbow owners and archery enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, performance, troubleshooting, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Archery Discussion Bowhunting and Bowhunter Showcases Traditional Archery Crossbow Forum - General Crossbow Discussion F.I.T.A, N.A.A., Collegiate Archery, And J.O.A.D.