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.
