Hey guys,
Any of you that have read my "would you trust this" thread know that I am looking for a hunting rig for this season after my bear grizzly broke last summer and am low on funds. I am looking for a decent hunting bow for under $250 bucks if possible. Preferably new, but I have been scanning the classifieds constantly to see what pops up. Any recommendations would be great. Times running out. Thanks.
Jon
Jon I would say scan the ads with a type of bow you want in mind. Recurve or longbow , take down or one piece. Length of bow and weight of pull. I think you will find most all that have ads on here are trustworthy. Most are passing along bows that are not fitting them perfectly or once they get their hands on them , is not what they wanted. I have some bows for sale. ecowden_1@yahoo.com
Jon,
I'd personally go the classifieds route.
There was just a great Bob Lee Dark Archer sold on the classifieds for $200.
Whoever snatched that bow up got a heck of a steal!
A lot of great bows for great prices on here.
Matt
I see you're in ny, what area? if you're not too far from denton hill Pa, it might be worth it for you to check out the blanket sale next weekend. last year I got a hill country longbow for $250.
Check RMSG on the web. I have two lefties for sale on the web page.
If you cant find one in the used route, Samick Sage, put a fast flight string on it and you have a sweet shooting little bow and still have money for arrows and broadheads!
3Rivers has a Martin Jaguar right hand only for $249. I think it was a new item in the most recent catalog,and it's showing on their website.
Jon,
Sent you a pm about a Hornes Traditionalist.
Dave
Check out Kustom King also. They have some great choices, made in Germany, 30 year warranty!! Pete Ward's website reviews most of them quite favorably.
I have one word for you: used. Almost any used vintage bow is going to be better quality than anything you can get new for $250. I know there are a lot of Samick Sage fans out there, they're OK, but they are what they are.... Beyond the obvious Bears, which seem to bring the highest prices, look in the classifieds and on the auction sites for Wing, Damon Howatt, Shakespeare or Ben Pearson. Lot of great old bows out there for less money.
Check the classifieds. Pick up something around 40-45lbs at 28" and learn to shoot the darn thing. You can even post a wanted add with some criterion.
I have loved grizzly bows for a while. You shouldnt have any issues finding another one of them matching your criteria.
not sure how I managed to double post here
I have about a buck and a half in all my bows for the string and arrow rest, the rest is free plus some shop time.
Cut my own wood and start shaving off the excess.
I find my bows to be up to the task on any deer.
Once you start making your own bows, the idea of spending a pile of money on bows won't make sense to you anymore.
Eric stop teasing, next thing you know is his entire property will be covered in shavings, saw dust everywhere, staves all over the place and all his and his neighbors trees cut down, then while hunting he's too busy looking up at trees to look eye level for deer.
agree with you 100% though,, 8^)
QuoteOriginally posted by mahantango:
I have one word for you: used. Almost any used vintage bow is going to be better quality than anything you can get new for $250. I know there are a lot of Samick Sage fans out there, they're OK, but they are what they are.... Beyond the obvious Bears, which seem to bring the highest prices, look in the classifieds and on the auction sites for Wing, Damon Howatt, Shakespeare or Ben Pearson. Lot of great old bows out there for less money.
Mahan' makes an excellent point. Eric does as well. You've got options. Have fun with it.
Okay guys, maybe this was bit misunderstood. I'm definitely not a novice traditional archer by any means,I've been shooting since I could walk and consider myself a good shot say consistent 3-4" groups at 20-25 yards, a lot of the time better. I'm in the college boat though, and like all of us college students I am dirt poor.
I had a 45# bear grizzly that I bought when I was 13 and shot probably close to 200000 arrows through her before it developed some twist and a small crack last august after a long 3d shoot.
The main reason I don't want to go the cheapo samick sage route is I feel like after shooting a grizzly for so long it would be a small downgrade. Not sure. My bear wasn't perfect and the finish wasn't great from the factory, so maybe it wouldn't be.
Eric thanks for the self bow idea, and guess what, I've made close to 3 dozen self bows. some are pretty good even, but I am not as confident shooting them as I would like.
So I guess from your suggestions I'm gonna be looking at a lot of used bows and see what I can get until I manage to get through school and snag that 80k a year job.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Jon
I would reccomend an older Damon Howatt Hunter.
In my opinion it is the best bow you can buy for under 200 bucks and better than most costing 3 times that much.
John
You can't beat the classifieds here. Some great folks to deal with and all of them will be happy to answer any questions you might have. If you find something you like and don't have all the $$ right now....just send a message and politely inquire if they might be willing to work with you. I've bought a couple and the sellers were happy to work with me. Especially if the bow had been listed for a little while. Just offer to pay half now and half in 2-4 weeks....or whatever you can afford and comfortably work out. Let them know that you DON'T expect them to ship the bow until they receive full payment and that will certainly let them know you're on the up and up! Just make sure you are understanding and polite if they can't work with you. Sometimes we need the cash asap for personal things (or another bow). Can't hurt to ask and you will end up with a great new bow that's better than you might be able to rush out and buy with the money currently in your pocket and might even end up with a new friend!!
There have been some amazing and desirable bows on here lately at incredibly good prices!!! Wish I hadn't just lost my good job!! HA HA....
Just a thought....that and 5 bucks will get you a cup of coffee.....not including the "tip"!! :D
if you look on Raptor archery's website he has used bears there that are hunting weight and very affordable.
One thing that is always prevelant in my mind is where the product I am using is made. I would prefer to shoot an American made piece of junk as carry a bow made overseas, just my peference because I love the country I live in. Traditional archery is deeply rooted in the United States, there are people all over the world that lust after our bows. Keep it American. If you find yourself forced to buy something made off shore, let me know. I will give you something decent that reflects my values. Mike
a samick sage with ff string 170.00
classifieds right here, Maddog, or sammick.
sammick would be my last choice of the 3...only because I'd rather send $$$ to a brother.
Post a WTB ad in the classifieds with your wants and needs, and you'll have more replies than you can handle. I have recently bought two Howatts and a Bear for VERY reasonable prices, you just have to be patient.
I couldn't find your 'trust this' thread, so I don't know if these would interest you, but here are two good ones within $25 of your price point. I've owned both of these bows, and they are very nice.
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=060136#000000
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=060269#000000
I have to disagree about all vintage bows being better than cheap new bows. I think the details are better on vintage bows but I just shot a Samick sage and it's limbs will out perform most vintage bows. They are sweet shooters. The riser is a little clunky and the string was terrible but it shoots great. I was impressed. For cheap it's all the bow a man could want. I wish they were made in the USA. I have a hard time not supporting local bowyers whom I get to meet and like. I don't own a Samick but I don't begrudge anyone who shoots them. They are a well built tool.
e-beigh. Lots of cheaper vintage bears on there.
I have a right-handed 1971 Grizzly that is 45x at 28" that has not been for sale, but I could part with it to help out a fellow Trad Gang member. It is in great shape and I hunted with it before I took up Bear TD bows.
If you are interested, send me a PM and we can talk.
Joe
heck my post "free to a good home"
Bonner
QuoteOriginally posted by Dan Bonner:
heck my post "free to a good home"
Bonner
I would go with this :)
QuoteOriginally posted by Dan Bonner:
heck my post "free to a good home"
Bonner
???
Jon
It's on the first page of Pow Wow. You can also click on Dan's SN and link to his recent posts.
CLASSIFIEDS on trad gang, I picked up a DON DOW stik bow for $206 and it shoots well. They are out there you just have to shop a bit.
As was said before cant go wrong with a Grizzly I own 3, my latest purchase was on the big site a 50x# paid $26 bucks for it, it shoots wonderfully. You had a Grizzly if you enjoyed shooting it heck get another....
Look at the Samick bows, before you buy.
Your bow ideas sound reasonable. Good luck with the 80K job right out of college however! God bless
I'd go for the smack red stag. Nice bow for the money. Nicer than the sage and not to shabby on the eyes, for the price
I have a couple of suggestions for you.
Recurves
1. Get a Cartel Triple 62 Riser and Samick SAGE Limbs from Lancaster. Whole package at about $120. There are LOTS of owners that swear by these setups and have moved them ahead of some of their high dollar customs and are planning on hunting with them. Check it out.
2. Hoyt Excel 21 inch ILF riser and a set of ILF limbs. This is no doubt a great setup. It also gives you the ability to swap out limbs for different weights to use when hunting or target practice. The Riser can be found for around $150 or so, maybe a tad more or less and limbs can be had for around $100 USED.
LONGBOW
1. Call 7 Lakes Archery and pick up one of his "BLANKS" in either Hill style or R/D style. He will do most of the work for you and all you need to do is get some sandpaper and a file and take your time. When done you have the satisfaction of having a bow that you partly done. Price is $225.
Gonna get a Hill style myself.
As was mentioned by many others, there are LOTS of choices in the USED markets. MANY BEAR bows, Martin bows, WARF bows a-plenty and all kinds of others.
Good Luck.
Nalaljr
Jon, I must speak up and endorse the Samick Sage 62" recurve. I got mine for $100 delivered, off our Classifieds, with a fast flight string. New about $150. This bow is fantastic. Look no further.
Jon
For certain you can get a great bow for that. I just watched a martin Hatfield with two sets of limbs go for $300 on the being auction site! $200 will get you a martin hunter or mamba, or a Ben Pearson signature or any number of other bows. Just gotta beware the oldies aren't fastflite rated
The cheap modern takedowns have good performance but lack character.
Build yourself a selfbow, it's easier than you think and you'll get so much out of the experience. I am on my second one and If I can do it anyone can.
If you are handy with a palm sander, think about a blank. Mine start at $250 and are built with the same woods, off the same form as my regular custom bows.
Constantly amazed by how many miss the blank route...one way to own a truly custom bow finished to fit your hand and eye by your hands and eyes...or do it the way I did a while back...let the original buyer do that and just do a few minutes of hand sanding and apply a bit of finish...Dryad longbow for 150 bucks to my door in Canada