Archery question. Need a bow recommendation.

IM_Lugger

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Wasn’t sure where to post this, but I’m thinking of getting into archery :) I used to enjoy it when I was kid. (Made my own basic bow a few times when I was a kid…) Anyone made their own?

It would be used for target practice but it’d be nice to get something powerful enough for deer hunting. (BTW what kind of velocity do I need for that?). The thing is I don’t want to spend a lot of money on it, I looked around and seems like they have children’s/youth size bows for cheap and then fancy adult size bows starting at $300-400. Is there something I can pick up for say $100, doesn’t have to be too fancy?
 
Wasn’t sure where to post this, but I’m thinking of getting into archery :) I used to enjoy it when I was kid. (Made my own basic bow a few times when I was a kid…) Anyone made their own?

It would be used for target practice but it’d be nice to get something powerful enough for deer hunting. (BTW what kind of velocity do I need for that?). The thing is I don’t want to spend a lot of money on it, I looked around and seems like they have children’s/youth size bows for cheap and then fancy adult size bows starting at $300-400. Is there something I can pick up for say $100, doesn’t have to be too fancy?

Howdy,

As far as poundage for hunting, pick up a Hunting synopsis at a Sporting Goods store that handles archery stuff. Here is Saskatchewan, the minimum draw weight is 50 lbs.
Ask around to see if there is an archery shop in your area and buy used from them. It saves a whole lot of hassle as the used stuff has already been checked over. They will also be able to measure your draw length and set you up with arrows, etc.
Bow hunting is a whole lot of fun as it allows you to get up close and personal with wildlfe.

Dr.Bob
 
I agree with roybatty. Go to an archery store and check out the used selection. Some names worth mentioning : PSE, Browning, Fred Bear, Hoyt, etc. All majot bow manufacturers make a very good product. Find one that fits you well (with the salesperson's help), and hit the range! You may not get the best bow for $100, but look around.

Good luck, and enjoy archery and bow hunting!
 
Ahhh...thanks :D

I have some very basic question;

what is a let off weight?

diff. between compound and recurve? I have an idea but 100% cetrain.
 
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Wasn’t sure where to post this, but I’m thinking of getting into archery :) I used to enjoy it when I was kid. (Made my own basic bow a few times when I was a kid…) Anyone made their own?

It would be used for target practice but it’d be nice to get something powerful enough for deer hunting. (BTW what kind of velocity do I need for that?). The thing is I don’t want to spend a lot of money on it, I looked around and seems like they have children’s/youth size bows for cheap and then fancy adult size bows starting at $300-400. Is there something I can pick up for say $100, doesn’t have to be too fancy?
not for 100 $ but for around 250.... PSE Deerhunter bow , complete and ready to go, all you need is arrows.......265 ibo , 40-70 lbs draw 60% letoff , nice little "starter bow"........ I personally went with the PSE Xforce but at 1200 $ i think it's not quite what you were looking for , but I do have a "deerhunter' and it's a nice little bow to start out with :)
 
if you have say a 40% let off then your 80lbs draw weight will feel like you are holding 48lbs. Compound bows have letoff, recurves dont.
 
PSE Impact, old but I like it....60/40 let/off.
If you ever 'pop' a trophy sized animal, last time I heard Pope & Young (North American stick/string big game record book) this is the least one can go for entry.
I also play around with a Browning Fury I recurve.
Most provinces add a cutting edge measurement of broadhead, about 7/8 inch or wider & a minimum poundage draw of 40 lbs for big game use.
This varies somewhat.

How many provinces add the minmum draw length?

EDIT: One thing I must add Lugger, get a GOOD archery magazine, such as Traditional Bowhunter. Read up on what works in the field, before you lay out cold, hard, cash.

Old standbys, like Zwicker Eskimo broadheads/Muzzys/Thunderheads and such, have long proven track records of performance.
Ther is alot of newer 'gadgets' out there, solely made to lighten your wallet.

High tech 'expanding' ($$$) broadheads, demand high tech, super fast bows($$$) and expensive carbon arrows.
 
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Ontario Archery regs for deer:

Longbows:
Bows must, at a draw length of
700 mm (27.6 in.) or less, have a
draw weight of at least 18 kilograms
(39.7 lb.). Arrows must be at least
600 mm (23.6 in.) long and have at
a minimum a 22 mm (0.87 in.) wide
arrow head with at least two cutting
edges that are sharp, unserrated,
barbless, straight and made of steel.

Crossbows:
Crossbows must have a draw length
of at least 300 mm (11.8 in.) and a
draw weight of at least 45 kilograms
(99.2 lb.). At a minimum bolts must
have a 22 mm (0.87 in.) wide bolt
head with at least two cutting
edges that are sharp, unserrated,
barbless, straight and made of steel.
 
You won't get a new bow that's good enough for deer hunting for $100. You'd be lucky to find a used hunting bow for that either.
"...all you need is arrows..." That must be the right length for you. They run $10 or so each for Al arrows.
Go to a bow shop and get fitted for both the bow and the arrows. Then start doing some upper body exercises. Shooting any bow uses muscles you use for nothing else. Don't buy a bow with a draw weight that's more than you can easily lift. Not even a compound. Then practice at 20 yards at the 9" pie plate until you can hit it every time. Then move back to 30 and repeat.
 
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