My wife (who has never liked bow hunting or bows, but does rifle hunt) surprised me today saying she wanted to take up bow hunting with me.

So my question is what would be a good beginner bow for her (can be new or used) and is about 35# a good place for her to start? I know there are a lit of good bows but is anyone has a specific recommendation. Preferably on the cheaper side in case she doesn't like it.

Also if she sticks with it, what draw weight should she build up to hunt with?

Thanks in advance

Fin

Sent you a pm.

How long is her draw length ?  That'll make a diff.  My wife only draws 21". She's small, only about 5' tall. She started out with a Maddog bow.  Now she shoots a 40# @ 28" bow.  That gives her just under 30# at her draw.  She can shoot a 45# bow but it gets to her pretty quick.

 I'd say a 35-40# bow would be in the right ball park.  Don't want to tire her out to quick or she won't want to keep shootin'.  Either talk to Mike @ Maddog and get one to fit her, or just get a used one.  Don't get one too long, or if she's like my wife she won't like it.  

 Good luck, it's nice havin' the wife shoot with ya, if she's enjoyin' it.  Gotta keep 'em happy.  

Agree 100% with JoeKeith but I'll suggest that if you do go with a new bow, have your wife pick out the woods, this way she's involved in the process & it is her personal custom bow.

Just in case my wife didn't like it I bought a 3 piece so I could get heavier limbs made for me. She ended up loving it and she enjoyed being involved in the building process.

My wife is 5'06", 120# and was a college athlete so she is quite strong.  She draws to nearly 25" and 35# was too much for her to learn with.  She is learning with her non-dominant hand due to eye dominance so that makes some of the difference but I got her a 25#@28" and she is much more comfortable and it shows in her form.  Good luck....Shawn

If she thinks she'll stick with archery, if it was me, I'd get her a 30# or 35#, depending on her strength, custom made bow measured at "her draw length" instead of a bow where the poundage is measured at 28".

Draw lenghth, right or left hand pull? Might have something.

I got a #31 bow for my wife, but it is to heavy for her.  She is not physically strong.  I am going to put it up on the classifieds and see if I can get a lighter one for her.  Better to start her light and let her build up.

Thanks for the replies guys, she just told me today so we haven't had a chance to find draw length yet,but she is 5' 6" and she is right handed but left eye dominent as shoots rifles left handed so im thinking she will shoot a southpaw bow.

Fin

I've seen women shooting anywhere from 25# to 45#.  If she is 5'6" I would guess she has 24-26" draw length.  I sold a sweet LH Super Mag just two weeks ago that was 42#.  Sorry about that.

If you have to mail order a bow without trying somthing first, I would target 30-35#.  Of course, nothing can beat putting your hands on a bow.  

Personally I like to see people shooting 40# at their draw length for a minium on deer.  I have several customers who have killed deer with less so I know it can be done.  You should check your state game laws.

I got a bow for my wife.  I still miss her sometimes but it is a nice bow.

QuoteOriginally posted by John Scifres:
I got a bow for my wife.  I still miss her sometimes but it is a nice bow.

Now that's funny. Lol    

Im kind of fond of my wife though, so it would have to be a REALLY nice bow.    :p  

Fin

I have a left handed Great Plains recurve that is 30#@24" and 34#@26" (it is marked at 26"). It is an absolutely beautiful bow loaded with bocote in both the riser and limbs...and it is essentially new. We got it for my daughter and by the time it arrived I was making bows...and made her one soon there after. All the GP does is sit on the rack. The GP youth bow is a copy of the 52" Bear Magnum...but way more beautiful. It does have the name "Pink for Lynn" written on it, but I can remove that and refinish it. We are also adding a "mid sized" highly reflexed/deflexed bow to our line up. If interested in either, let me know...and we can discuss the details. These are just two options. I don't have a picture of the GP, but here is a video of my daughter shooting it.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyzmrSuUFEo  

Also, it certainly would be advisable to check the classifieds or to contact Mike at Mad Dog Archery.

You will certainly have many choices. Good luck. I hope she enjoys it.

Check out the Samick Sage, very nice bow for the money and it real inexpensive, around $180 shipped and extra limbs are less than $100. I have shot one and was impressed. Shawn

I also have a superb 40# Wing that at her draw would most likely be fine for her. If you wanted me to I could pack it up and ship to you, if she likes shooting trad you could than buy her a bow and just send the Wing back. I would even pay shippin out to ya. Let me know. Shawn

Shawn,  
that is amazingly generous, everytime on here (which due to my smart phone addiction is pretty much constantly) I realize more and more how much I love this site and how great all you guys are.

After talking with her more, she wants to start with training wheels. I wish she wanted to go trad, but im not complaing, she is joining me in yet another hobby. So thanks for every ones input and maybe I can get her to the dark side eventually  

Fin