General Bow Hunting Help

[Bob J]

I'd like to start bow hunting but don't know where to begin. What I'd like to know is how much $$$ can one expect to spend to get started and how much of a time commitment it involves to be in "the game". I know it depends, so all I'm looking for are averages for costs and time commitment. Nothing fancy, just basic starter stuff.

I'm a thirty something family man and just don't know where to start or if the time makes it even possible.

Thanks for your insights.

RJ

 

[Ghost]

Maybe the best way to start is to go to your local shop and shoot some bows. On the equipment end of things, its about like buying a car, you can spend a little or spend a lot. Many shops have bows that have been traded-in and are very affordable.

As far as time is concerned, wow...that depends on what your life will afford you. Any time in the tree is great!

Good luck and I'm sure you will get some good input here.

 

[DOR]

My best advise would be to find a mentor!
Someone in your area who you know that bowhunts. Gear can get expensive fast. But if you find a veteran bowhunter to be your mentor ill bet you he has just about enough used equipment laying around that you can borrow for a year or two to get you started and maybe even get you into some deer right off the bat. Good Luck.

 

[muddy]

i see you're from des moines. go to central iowa archery and just try to learn what you can. just by being at CIA you will run into a bunch of guys from this site. archery is addictive, i hope you have fun and can get into it as much as we all are.

 

[DLO]

Bowhunting is like any other pursuit. You can spend all the money you have and all the time you have free. I started about 18 years ago and over the years have learned some really important things , here's the important ones:

1) Buy sound equipment that you can afford. A lot of us have over a grand in just our bows but none of us started there. I traded a bait-casting reel to a buddy of mine for my first bow. It's not the price of the bow that kills a deer, it's the guy running it. You should be able to get set up with a mid-range bow and all the goodies for around $500.00

2) Find someone in your area that has experience shooting. A good instuctor is priceless! Starting from the beginning with a good foundation in shooting form is the most important phase of the learning curve. The correct form you learn will become second nature to you after time and is the one thing you will depend on to make consistantly good shots.

3) PRACTICE!!!! Can't say enough about practice. You owe it to the animals you pursue. Knowing where the arrow is going to hit BEFORE you let it fly is the stage you should be at before you take up any hunting at all. Archery is an art form and an aquired skill. It's a completely different feeling I get when I harvest a deer/turkey/rabbit etc. with my bow than when I get it done with a gun, you'll see.

You asked about the time cost.... In my experience, my success bowhunting is directly proportional to time spent practicing, scouting and hunting. You can't be consistantly successful without putting in a lot of time and effort. Ask any of our wives about how much time is invested!!

I hope this helps a little. Good luck and welcome to bowhunting! DLO

 

[IaCraig]

The short answer...

Beginner bow completely setup with 12 arrows & 6 broadheads $250 - $325
Climber tree Stand $150 - $325
Bag or Block target $25 - $50

Total Dollars $425 - $700.
Total Time - As much as you can afford



The long answer:

If you want new, a PSE Nova with sights & quiver is an OK new starter outfit for about $200, also Reflex has some for about the same $ that I like a little better. However, since you are just starting out the best advice i can give you is to go to an archery shop like Archery field and Sports or Central Iowa Achery and get set up. They will have a selection of starter stuff for under $300 including decent used equipment or lower end new stuff. They will fit the bow to you, accessorize it properly, fit the arrows to the bow and give you free range time and some shooting tips. Plus, when you need a tune up or new string or cables don't be shy about taking it back to them and they will be glad to fix you back up.

Tree stands ?? There are 3 basic kinds (ladder, stationary or climber). I'd recommend buying a climber for a first stand because you can use it almost anywhere and keep mobile. Cheap ones start around $100, the better Lone Wolf ones can be found for about $325. Depending on where you hunt, a ladder stand or stationary one may be better, but a climber is good most anywhere.

Time Commitment - Depends how adicted you get. Early season I go every dawn and dusk I can, when the rut is on I often spend the entire weekend in the woods, coming home to eat & sleep after dark.

I stil recommend going to Archery Field and Sports and ask for Irv, however like someone else said, if you know a veteran hunter they can help save you save some money if that is a big issue. They may have older equipment that fits you and you can borrow or buy. Or you can get a $200 bow starter set from Cabelas or somewhere, and your friend can help you set it up and make sure it fits and is accessorized properly. I will caution you on this though, If your friend doesn't actually know what he is doing he can cause you mega frustration with an improperly tuned setup.


IaCraig

 

[blake]

RJ,

Send a PM to avidhunter. He should be able to give you a good idea on start up cost. He just got involved in bow hunting this year.

 

[boatman]

I would have to agree with every post here. In a nutshell, cost is up to you!
My start was a $35 used Jennings Forked Lightning, a $20 tag and a home made treestand $15

The memories PRICELESS!

Get with someone that already shoots/hunts and have them get you started with the equipment. You dont have to spend a pile of money to get started, find a bow that fits and you can shoot. That old Forked Lightning I started with, afetr a few thousand arrows I got my first Robin Hood at 20 yards. It was old and didnt have much let off, but wow did it shoot!!

Good luck with your new obsession!!

 

[katy]

Robert - I shoot league at Central Iowa Archery every Friday Night. They close at 6:00 on Fridays, but I'm usually there til 9:00. I would be more than happy to help you get started. I can setup a few bows for you to try out, and help you find one that's right for your needs. Let me know if you would like some help. I can meet ya there whenever.
Good luck and stick with it!

 

[CamoMan]

You know, Supertec, that got me to thinking. CamoKid will be needing a new bow next year. He is at the top end of his Hoyt Banshee. Maybe you could work with us sometime to match him up with a bow ?