Buck Hollow Sporting Goods - click or touch to visit their website Midwest Habitat Company

Price of hunting gear

meyeri

meyeri

PMA Member
Anyone else blown away with how expensive everything in the hunting world has become?

I was browsing new bows on the ATA page and $1,200 for a new bow seems excessive, especially when the next year they'll come out with a slightly improved version that is more marketing hype than actual improvements. I can buy a heck of a gun (or two) for that price and I find it hard to believe that the technology and machining going into them justifies that price point. I will probably never buy another new bow considering how fast their value depreciates and how good the used bow market is. Not only bows, but accessories as well. I busted my quiver and I couldn't believe they want up to $130 bucks for a quiver! lol I could go on and on with clothing, treestands, packs, etc. Seems like it's a little out of touch with what the average guy can afford. I'm not the type of guy to keep up with the latest fads in gear, but thank goodness for amazon sales and sites like Camofire where I buy 75% of my gear.
 
While there are definitely bows out there at $1200-1500 there are also lots of really good bows for only $400-600.
I just came back from SHOT show and held guns that cost over $100,000 and saw LOTS of them in the $5000-15,000 range
Lucky for us there are items at all price levels matched to fit what you want (and what you want to spend)
If you want absolute top of the time you will pay for that privilege - but I believe the same can be said for any item you want to buy from shoes, tvs, cars or even a toaster (Amazon shows a toaster for sale at over $1000!)
 
New bow prices have always amazed me. I've never owned new and likely never will, but I've done just fine with the few used bows I've had in the past.
 
I've bought a few new bows, but all have been in the 600 dollar range. I prefer to wait until the new models come out and they want to get rid of the brand new bows of last year's model. Like many others I try to find sales and things of the sort. My clothing is where I skimp usually. Main reason is I don't need the latest and greatest. I layer up and if it gets cold throw on the HBS. I also don't shoot with a quiver on so a $15 Kwikee quiver holds my arrows as well as the expensive ones. I don't mind shelling out some good money for high quality products when it matters, but also I try to find areas where I can skimp
 
It all comes down to how well we decide to treat ourselves on a given day or period. I'm sure your like me and feel like I need to treat myself every once in a while. I have at times felt that I NEEDED a particular item but spend a lot of time dinking and diming in order to find someone that has it reduced or is almost giving it away because they HAVE TO HAVE the newest and greatest.
When my oldest son reached the stage that he needed a mens bow I gave him my Outback and went and purchased an Adrenaline. I shot a lot of game with that Outback and felt really confident each time I drew it back. I didn't want him to go bow poor from buying his first bow and decided to put that burden on myself. Well the Adrenaline never fit me like the Outback and so last year when he decided to move up into whatever Mathews has for their top of the line now, I got my Outback back. I pulled my accessories off my Adrenaline and refit the Outback to my liking and that's where I am again.
It is crazy what we can dump into a normal hunting season with the cost that everything runs. Although it seems like arrows haven't had too much increase as I seem to purchase some new ones every other year. Broadheads seem to run a little higher since a lot of these companies have gone expandable and really push the markets. I still shoot rocky mountain premiers, used to be able to buy a 6 pack for 27.99, I think you only get 3 for that price now and that is if you can find them.
You know as long as we keep buying at the high price the companies look at it as if there is a demand. High demand equals consistent prices, no price reduction. Can't blame the companies if we continue to pay the price.
 
Let's go by beer at restaurants for $6 a bottle when you can buy a six pack down the road at Walmart for the same price. Just gotta decide what is worth spending the money on.
 
I just got a new bow, second time I haven't been looking but was offered a great deal on a year old brand new Mathews. Helps I am a lefty and sometimes they must be tough to unload. I spend more than I should on stuff like that. I know my old switchback, or any used bow from the past ten years will do a fine job, but it's my one treat for me. Arrows are terrible, sucks to lose one. I tend now to not skimp on tree stands (big comfy and lite, sticks, and cams. No 400-600 cams but no cheepies either. Accessories are the killer for me, keeping my Z7 Extreme set up so going all new and can't seem to get it under 500$, that's with no quiver. Crazy.
 
Clothing is getting right up there also,I bought the wooltimate pants from Cabelas this year and they are really nice for cold and wind.I added a pair of suspenders and they work great.They are on sale now again along with coat.make sure and get the wind shear liner
 
I really think bowhunting gets more marketing and product crazy than that majority of things out there. After college I spent big bucks on a new bow, binoculars, range finder, clothing, boots,etc. five years later and I'm still using the same stuff and don't plan to get anything new in the foreseeable future, take care of what you have and it will last. Sometimes I wonder how all these places stay in business putting out new gear every year at the prices they do, a lot of people update more frequently I guess.
 
#1 reason I bought a HBS . I know I can stay warm unlike sitkas outrageous overpriced layering system they want you to buy into . Can buy a HBS for what 1 Sitka coat cost . What a joke .
 
I think the craziest thing about archery gear is the depreciation of the high end bows. In 3 years that $1200 bow will be worth $600. That same $1200 gun will still be pretty close to $1000 if not higher. Give it 10 years that gun will still be holding pretty close...but the bow will be lower...probably $400. I remember when the Hoyt Carbon bows came out....awesome bows.....they can now be had for around $400.

Heck not even 10 years ago a bare Mathews Drenalin would run you like $849. Now you can pick one up for $250 bare that is absolutely in MINT condition if you look around. That bow will last you a lifetime if you take care of it.

I have shot a DXT for the last 7 years and I am just now getting the itch to buy a new bow. The new ones all look so pretty! I will probably end up getting something lightly used though...as I will save big $$$ but still get a bow very close in performance to the new ones.

As long as people keep paying these ridiculously high prices for new bows...the prices will continue to go up. There has to be a cap. Probably around $2K :)
 
  • Deleted by Wapsi Tree Rat
Show…
I'm still drilling tacks with my 2004 Fred Bear....bought it new, fully loaded out the door with a new case for $700. Never even had a new string put on it. Speed is good cause I can still pull 70 lbs at 31" draw.....so until it breaks a limb, I'm drinking $6 beer!
 
I have always owned a used bow or one that I got from a trade or less than new cost- but I have to say this past year I bought a brand new Halon - ( I didnt pay full price keep in mind) but I honestly couldnt believe the difference- faster, quieter, ease to shoot. I was truly blown away at the leap I went from my other bow to that........worth the money to me Granted I will likely have this for years to come unless something changes with TBI in the future where I cant shoot it-
 
I've owned 2 new bows in the last 7 years. Both middle of the road models. I've never even shot a high end bow, never felt the need.
 
$6.00 beers !!!! That was a good one.. Bottled water was the market we should of hit 10 years ago , $2.00 for a bottle of water that comes out the faucet.. As far as gear I try to keep my bows only have had 3 in the last 25 years bought my last Matthews off eBay for a fraction on the cost completely set up. You guys probably going give me a hard time but I got the works on the Sitka Gear and I paid a lot but it cover me in all situation and has held up the last 3 years So if I can get 10 years out of it it's worth it to me as well it keeps me comfortable so I can enjoy the outdoors more :) Lots of Mark up in the retail world..
 
Jbohn said:
$6.00 beers !!!! That was a good one.. Bottled water was the market we should of hit 10 years ago , $2.00 for a bottle of water that comes out the faucet.. As far as gear I try to keep my bows only have had 3 in the last 25 years bought my last Matthews off eBay for a fraction on the cost completely set up. You guys probably going give me a hard time but I got the works on the Sitka Gear and I paid a lot but it cover me in all situation and has held up the last 3 years So if I can get 10 years out of it it's worth it to me as well it keeps me comfortable so I can enjoy the outdoors more :) Lots of Mark up in the retail world..
Click to expand...
Haha no hard time, If I had the money thats what Id probably buy as it is some of the most high quality hunting clothing no doubt about it, unfortunately Im a kinda a tight *** and tend to spend the rest of the money in other departments.
 
  • Deleted by JNRBRONC
  • Reason: duplicate
Show…
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom