Bow advise

[codyw80]

I want to start Bow hunting and know nothing about bows. I have a co-worker that is selling a bow ready to hunt with for $300. It is a Hoyt ZR200. Does anyone have this bow if so anything good or bad about it. Thanks for your input.

[archerychamp]

That's a decent price for that bow. You would want to make sure the draw can be adjusted to your length. Are you comfortable with the draw weight range? The peep sight may have to be adjusted for you. You would want to bring it to a shop and have it set-up for your body size, specs, and shooting mechanics.

You should go to a bow shop and shoot some bows. Go to Kasota in your area and check out Oak Ridge Archery. Also check out Scheels in Mankato.

The Bowtech Assassin is an awesome entry level package for the money. There are pleny others, though, too. You must shoot them to find what works for you.

[rugersol]

When I was lookin' into equipment, I found this ... http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/ ... to be a good resource!

FWIW, $300 sounds a bit high, fer a (older) used bow?! ... it'd help to know what make/model sight it's got ... they range from 'bout $20 - $200 ... rests can vary quite a bit too ... $20 - $100+. Frankly, if yer co-worker's willin' to let that stuff go, with the bow, it's probly not top-end stuff?!

Also, maybe hit Capra's, Bwana, and High Five (each on different days) ... ask to try out a few bows ... they s/b fairly accommodating! ... then, ask yer co-worker to try out his bow fer sale ... if after tryin' all them other bows, ya like what he's got, make him an offer?!

Chances are ... 'less yer both roughly the same size ... the bow won't fit ya! Some bows have some adjustment in draw-length ... don't know that he'd be keen on lettin' ya F with it, 'fore ya buy it?! But if not, I'd probly pass! ... get a new bow ... set-up/fit fer ya, at one of the aforementioned shops?!

When I was checkin' out bows, I tended to prefer the ones in the $600 - $800 range (that's before any sight or rest .. figure to add at least 'nother $150 fer purdy good stuff) ... one exception, was the Mission Venture ... $500 at Capra's!

IMO, rare exceptions, aside ... if ya spend $700+ on a new Hoyt, Mathews, Mission (Mathews "low-end" line), Quest/Prime (G5), 'er Bowtech/Diamond, yer gonna be purdy happy with whatever ya get! Also, FWIW, a lotta the guys on archerytalk seem to like some of the PSE's!

ETA: ... sorry ... didn't notice ya were in St. Peter!

[stesch_s10]

I am currently wanting to get into Archery as well. I've been looking at Mission Bows, made by the big name Mathews. 2012 Model Craze is $299 and the 2012 Model Riot is $399. Currently looking at the Riot. But then I'd have to buy all the accessories, sight, rest, release and arrows. Just some food for thought if you want to get a new bow. I'll keep you informed on what I decide.

[farmerj]

if this is your first bow, do NOT get one with a short axle to axle length. They are very touchy to shoot compared to a longer bow. While they can be very nice and all as well as accurate, they are hard for a beginner to shoot.


Shooting a bow is just like shooting a gun, you have to get into it and work your way up. You didn't start driving a car with a formula 1 either. Same thing here.


Get a light weight (30-45 lb) bow to start. One that is at least capable of going from 35 to 65 in pull weight would be most ideal. As you get more and more used to it, then you can crank up the power.

With that Hoyt being out for over 4 years now (google search is showing comments on them back to 2009), I'd take the $300 and go buy a new Mission bow before I bought a used bow. You don't know if anyone has dry fired it or not or if it's been abused.

[selurcspi]

Oh, you bow like bow and arrow, I was going to send you to the White House, they seem to know how to bow there.

[sgruenhagen44]

I currently have a 2009 bowtech captain with a case for $650 bucks. Packaged and everything. In my opinion thats a lot better of a deal Not just sayin that cuz I want to sell it either. $300 bucks is a lot of cheese to throw at that bow. Especially if ya really get the bug, cuz you will want to upgrade immediately. I have owned a couple of older hoyts, they were good in their day. Even if you are not interested in my bow, don't give that guy you're money. You can find 2005 to 2008 models in that price range used.

[CarryCauseICan]

We're about the same size. You'll have no problem pulling back a bow at 55-65lbs. I shoot at 55lbs. I'd suggest taking it to oak ridge to see if the bow is your size, draw length and such. See how much to set it up for you and buy some lane time from him. Then shoot shoot shoot! Shoot league, its the best thing I did for improving my shot.

[rugersol]

Ya ... unless yer 8yr-old ... 'er 'bout as weak ... I'd get a 60 lbs bow! (most'll be adjustable down to 50 lbs) ... 'sept a Mission Venture ... then I'd get a 70 lbs bow ... that one's adjustable down to 50 lbs! I bought a 60 lbs, but I intended to always shoot it max'd out! My other bow is 70 lbs ... adjustable to 60 lbs ... and I've got it around 65 lbs! ... but I wouldn't wanna go much lower ... to do so, ya basically loosen the limb-bolts! ... and I'd rather not loosen to the absolute minimum!

The Venture's also got an ATA of 'bout 30in ... that's as short as I'd go ... it's not an issue fer me, physically flingin' an arrow ... but I'm not a dwarf ... and by the time I got my peep where I wanted it, and then set the sight, so it'd hit within' an inch, it barely clears the riser! My Quest is a 33in ... I think that's the cat's ass! 35's appear to be more like target bows ... at least, there's a lot less of 'em, designed fer hunting! IOW, as the ATA goes up, yer choices go down!

I'd focus more on brace-height ... 'sposedly it's the distance from the riser, to the string (at rest) ... and 'sposedly it has to do with the bow twisting, as ya shoot ... I tried 'nuff bows, that while I don't know the specifics of it, I'd definitely stick with a brace-height of at least 7in ... 7.25in, bein' in the "comfort zone". It appears, fer the most part, as brace-height increases, speed decreases ... I ain't sayin' that's a given ... 'er linear ... jest, most of the bows with a brace-height over 7.25in, seem to generally be closer to 320fps 'er less ... whereas, the shorter ones get over 330fps ... fer my money, I'll take the longer brace-height, every time!

Fer hunting, ya might also wanna consider the weight ... again, this is where the ATA's gonna work against ya ... the longer the bow, the heavier it's gonna be!

Not to beat a dead horse ... but ya consider price, weight, brace-height, speed, warranty, reputation ... and then, when ya actually shoot one! ... that Venture's an awful lotta bow fer the money!

Also, while most shops'll have a "guest" release ... that's to use to try out one of their bows! ... don't know how they'd feel 'bout lettin' ya use it to try someone else's?!

If ya don't already have a release, ya might wanna look into that, first! ... here's a strap-on, I like! ... http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3982132 ... it's a lot less expensive than a lotta other releases! ... it was the first one I bought (jest dumb luck) ... and after a few months, I had no issues with it, but I thought it'd be cool to get a "really nice" release (read: expensive) ... I tried a dozen 'er more ... I ended up buyin' another one of these Scott's ... after tryin' most everythin' else, and ALL of 'em sucking ... I then realized, if mine ever broke 'er was lost, I'd never let myself live it down, that I didn't buy a back-up!

Fer a sight, I went thru a few 5-7 pins ... then I tried this one ... http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4314675 ... it comes with stupid easy instructions on how to figure out which "tape" matches yer bow/arrow's trajectory ... ya stick it on, then set it to the yardage yer shootin' ... mine's within about an inch up to 50yd (not that I can hold an inch at 50yd, but my group's centered well 'nuff, I can't adjust it in any particular direction). I shot 3D with it ... biggest thing was guessing the yardage (if ya don't have a rangefinder) ... but if yer guess is close, it's almost like shootin' a carbine! Ya can accomplish more 'er less the same thing, with the 5 - 7 pins ... but jest in my back yard, I've forgotten which was which, 'nuff times ... I've lost a few arrows!

Fer a rest ... and I'm certainly no expert ... I started with a whisker biscuit ... still have it, on my Quest ... my Mission, I had a limb-driver put on, right away ... the limb-driver's neat! ... no two ways 'bout it! ... but I'm utterly unconvinced, it performs the least bit better, than a biscuit! Only thing I don't get is, why's the replacement biscuits so expensive?! ... that said, I'm still on the original on my Quest ... it's seen a lotta arrows ... but now it splits time with the Mission ... so I dunno ... I think they hold up purdy well!

Most any idiot can put on a d-loop, and a peep ... but I'd go to a pro shop, and get fitted fer 'em! I started with a G5 peep ... it was very large ... I even got comments from league shooters on how overly large it was! I switched to a deallie where ya can screw in a smaller aperture ... and I put in one of the smallest ... it helped ... but then when I shot closer to dusk, it was almost impossible to line up a shot! I'd probly go at least 3/16th on the aperture ... and I wouldn't go with the screw-in deal, again! ... it came loose once whilst I was shootin' ... and took me a few minutes to figure out where the new sound was comin' from!

[CarryCauseICan]

^^^^^^^ You can pick up most of this as you go.

[promod1385]

I currently have a 2009 bowtech captain with a case for $650 bucks. Packaged and everything. In my opinion thats a lot better of a deal Not just sayin that cuz I want to sell it either. $300 bucks is a lot of cheese to throw at that bow. Especially if ya really get the bug, cuz you will want to upgrade immediately. I have owned a couple of older hoyts, they were good in their day. Even if you are not interested in my bow, don't give that guy you're money. You can find 2005 to 2008 models in that price range used.

This is accurate advise.

I would check out the used rack at Bwana in Little Canada and you might be surprised at how much more bow you can get for the money.

Accessories are a huge expense so I would look at the arrow rest and sight when looking at a used bow. I would figure $100 each minimum if you were to buy new (I shoot Limbdriver rests and Sword sights). Regardless of what anyone tells you a whisker biscuit (or any rest that touches the arrow upon release/follow through) will not shoot well at longer ranges, you need to look at a drop away rest if you want the utmost in accuracy.

Get out and shoot a few bows, most shops will let you shoot a demo bow of all the latest and greatest.

[codyw80]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I think that I will just hold out and keep saving and then go to Oak Ridge Archery and get setup with a new rig and get some training from them also. Cody

[stesch_s10]

I JUST came back from my pro shop here in SD and I just bought a Mission Riot in snow camo. I had them order a Black Gold sight for me. Without the sight they couldn't really set it up for me but i put some money down, picked out a QAD fall away and a trufire release and left it all at the shop. So hopefully within the next week or two my sight will come in and I can go back and sight it in.

[sgruenhagen44]

I JUST came back from my pro shop here in SD and I just bought a Mission Riot in snow camo. I had them order a Black Gold sight for me. Without the sight they couldn't really set it up for me but i put some money down, picked out a QAD fall away and a trufire release and left it all at the shop. So hopefully within the next week or two my sight will come in and I can go back and sight it in.

There really is not set up with sigths/ Especially black gold. Just two bolts. Bolt her on and you're good to go.

[stesch_s10]

Well if you buy $500 worth of stuff from them they give you a one year membership to their range. With the purchase of a new bow they will set it up with free kisser, d loop, cat whiskers, peep sight and lessons to sight it in and how to shoot it properly. SO what I mean by them setting it up is that he still has to put all that little stuff on it and let me shoot it and have him adjust the length such.