Im confused

[dispatch 510]

After a few days of reading and researching differant bows,Im lost.It seems that every bow that I like has some kind of bad review.Can somebody point me in the right direction of a good entry level bow.I really like the looks of the Greattree Deermaster.Its kind of in my price range. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[Rob DiStefano]

1. In the best of all worlds you need to try before you buy.  If you have little or no experience with stickbows, all the more reason to also hook up with some local seasoned stickbow archers.  Those who don't (or can't) try before buying wind up making lotsa posts on the Trad Bow Classifieds. Ask me how I know this.   :D

2. ALL stickbows have an inherent uniqueness.  How that uniqueness applies to you and your shooting is an experiment of one that only you can sort out.    

3. Therefore, there is no easy answer to the age old questions "Which bow is best for me?"  "What bow should I buy?".  'Cause all yer gonna get are the personal opinions of others - now go back and reread point 2.

4. Bow specifications are another matter, and type, length, draw weight and draw length are criteria you need to understand and apply as well.  Now refer back to point 1 as to what to do about bow specs.

5. Good Luck!    

[frassettor]

Well said Rob  

[Killdeer]

Wow, you just missed a good shoot in your neighborhood, too. Trad shoots are a terrific place to try out a lot of bows for free.

Check out the Tennessee forum here at Trad Gang, and the trad events forum. I happen to know that a feller from Mt. Juliet is looking for a carpooler to go to ATAR with. He has a campsite which can hold two tents reserved for Thursday through Monday, the 10th through the 14th of July.

This feller is highly credentialed and comes with references. If you carpool up with him, I will buy you lunch and a balloon.

Here is a link to the Tennesee forum:
 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum&f=97&submit=Go  

Killdeer  

[Killdeer]

BTW, that does indeed look like a nice bow.    
But Ted Bundy looked like a nice guy. You should shake hands with it and see if it raises the hair on the back of your neck.

Killdeer  

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Killdeer:
BTW, that does indeed look like a nice bow.    
But Ted Bundy looked like a nice guy. You should shake hands with it and see if it raises the hair on the back of your neck.

Killdeer    

My oh my Killdeer, you have SUCH a way with words ...  :D

[4runr]

                           

[Bjorn]

Roflmao!!
Several good bowyers offer a try and buy program..........an entry priced Fedora is inexpensive and they offer a trial.

[R H Clark]

The only thing I might add is that if you haven't shot a lot of different bows don't spend too much on a new one.Chances are something will come along later you like better.IMHO it takes a trad shooter some time to develop to the point that he even knows what he likes or shoots best.The kind of bows I liked when I first started are not what I shoot today and may not even be the same in a few years.

You can get some good used deals.Just know who you are dealing with.Even if you spend a little more on a good used deal,you won't lose money if you decide to sell or trade later.If you can't get to a trad shoot check out the classifieds and our sponsors.

[JL]

Good entry level bow?

Get a good/solid Bear recurve in a weight you can handle 3X over. Shoot it until your arm falls off and then shoot it some more with your toes. Your going to have to figure out what works best for you. There is no golden anwser to your question. As your shooting style evolve's, so will your equipment requirments untill you find THE bow that suits you. It's a good persuit but it will show up.

Did I hear free balloons? I want in...

JL

[Killdeer]

Hey Jerry! I'll PM ApplePie and let him know that you'll be down to Tennessee to pick him up!

What some guys will do for a balloon!  :rolleyes:  
Killdeer

[b.glass]

Blackwidow bows have a try before you buy plan too. I think they are kind of expensive. But that is a way to start trying some bows if you can't get to a shoot. I shot one of their recurves at Kalamazoo and fell in love. But can't get one...yet. I plan to try an ACS bow the first chance I get.

[Bill Carlsen]

One of the best bows on the market for the money are Quinn bows. I have a friend who has one and it is an outstanding shooter. They are made in the USA so if a problem arises with the bow getting service will not be a problem as it would be with a Korean bow.

[Two Arrows]

Check out the Traditional Bow Classified section here. As of right now, there is a Bear Kodiak Hunter and a Bear Grizzly that are both listed at $175 (no, neither one are mine).

Good advice about the Quinn Bows too.

[stmpthmpr]

My first trad bow was an old Martin "D" longbow. I found it laying behind a bow rack at a shop one day and everyone was afraid to string it. So I did, and when I shot it everyone stood back. My eyeballs are still twitching from the handshock and that was twenty five years or so ago.

But that bow took a 7 foot black bear before it was happily retired. The moral of the story is... JUST GET ONE. I paid $25 for that bow but it was the start of a love affair that will last my lifetime.

[laddy]

I would go with the Bear Grizzly, it has many fine qualities and it's pretty much the most underated bow there is.  You will develop your taste for your own style with experience and with a little success, you will one day be the proud owner of many bows.

[DeerSpotter]

Richard,

If there's one thing I've learned on this site it is this " good looks do not kill deer "

Functionality does !

I can't give you any of the advice of the more economical bows, because I started out spending $375 for my first bow, on the classifieds on this site.  It was a custom bow, a John McDonald " Big River", quality custom bow.  The lesson I learned from that bow, I was over Bowed.  Although it was quiet smooth, and accurate most the time.  It was too much bow for me.

The one thing that I did do before I purchased that bow, I spend $150 on a viper bow, I got that often the classifieds, had it for three weeks, and sold it for $150.  What that particular bow did, is show me what I was looking for in a bow.  The viper bow, most deftly had hand shock.  It was not quiet, it was not smooth on the draw as some of the custom bows are.  It gave me in education.  A education may cost you 150 $200, but that is a small price to pay compared to what it would cost you if you start out with the wrong expensive custom bow.

And they are expensive, when you get the wrong one.  But if you get the right one like I have now, they are priceless.  Because they shoot straight, shoot quiet, and my draw is as smooth as butter.  I could't ask for better bow, I have Bob Lee three-piece takedown, and the Bob Lee "Hunter" is at a good price considering its three-piece takedown.

To get to this bow, I have purchased and sold and traded, 7 different bows.  Thats only because I do not have a traditional shop in the area.  And I started out wanting a custom bow, I'm older, fussier, and determined, but I really like the bow I have now, as my wife puts it;

" do you have a "Mad River" yet"

Sometimes my wife looks at something that I'm going to purchase and she flat out says " that's just not you and you know it, spend the extra, it'll save you money"

She's got a good attitude    


Pastor Carl

[R H Clark]

+1 for the Quinn Stallion if you don't mind metal risers.You could get a set of 40# limbs to start and Quinn limbs are cheap enough you could get a second heavier set later.