New bow hunter has some questions!

Buckshot82 · #1 06-16-2021, 07:28 PM

Hey everyone, as the title says I am new to the bow hunting world, I just turned 18 and am able to go out with the bow for myself this season, but I would like to get some opinions on my setup before I get ahead of myself. I am currently shooting an old hand me down Browning micro Midas. It was my uncles range bow a long time back that he occasionally took out for small game. I have the draw weight set at 45#’s, at 27 inches, and have shot it on occasion at the farm. I am going to begin practicing with it more frequently on the weekends. It currently has some crappy little pins on it so I would be investing in a new sight. I also have some older Easton 2117 arrows with solid 3 “ridge?” Tips. The area I am hunting will be majority whitetail with the possibility of a mule deer. I have been involved in hunting since my first years on this earth, and since being able to hunt have harvested 5 whitetail, 2 mule deer, and a moose between my .243 and my 6.5 Creedmoor. I am more then patient with waiting for the correct shot, so shot placement should not be an issue. I am wondering if this is an adequate setup to go for my first archery whitetail, so I can determine wether I enjoy it and want to spend the money on a nicer setup. Any feed back is appreciated. Thank you for your time!

brendan's dad · #2 06-16-2021, 08:02 PM

Nothing wrong with the bow to determine if you like the sport. I would suggest the following upgrades

1. Whisker Biscuit rest
2. D-loop set properly for nocking point
3. Wrist release.

Probably get all 3 for around $100-120.

Where are you located?

3blade · #3 06-16-2021, 10:26 PM

First things first: go to a pro shop, have them check it over and confirm it’s safe to use. Lot of old bows are fine and some will blow up. Next they will measure your draw length and help you tune the bow and arrows. This is somewhat involved and it’s much easier to have someone teach you than try to google it all for first time.

After that, I’d recommend a rangefinder and 3D target. You need to know how far you are shooting (we almost always range trees, etc in anticipated shot locations) and the 3D target trains your brain to pick a spot on a blank brown animal, not a bright aiming point in a bullseye (many target archers neglect this and miss or gut shoot their first deer, despite shooting tiny little groups on paper)

For broadheads I’d recommend slick tricks or g5 strikers. You can google how to spin test them on your arrows. Do not use mechanicals on a 45lb bow. I agree with Brendan’s dad, get that stuff and have it installed at the shop.

With a moderate investment and plenty of practice you will be well on your way into the world of bowhunting.

Edit: get rid of that peep elastic. Those things are great at breaking and smacking you in the eye.

Buckshot82 · #4 06-17-2021, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3blade

First things first: go to a pro shop, have them check it over and confirm it’s safe to use. Lot of old bows are fine and some will blow up. Next they will measure your draw length and help you tune the bow and arrows. This is somewhat involved and it’s much easier to have someone teach you than try to google it all for first time.

After that, I’d recommend a rangefinder and 3D target. You need to know how far you are shooting (we almost always range trees, etc in anticipated shot locations) and the 3D target trains your brain to pick a spot on a blank brown animal, not a bright aiming point in a bullseye (many target archers neglect this and miss or gut shoot their first deer, despite shooting tiny little groups on paper)

For broadheads I’d recommend slick tricks or g5 strikers. You can google how to spin test them on your arrows. Do not use mechanicals on a 45lb bow. I agree with Brendan’s dad, get that stuff and have it installed at the shop.

With a moderate investment and plenty of practice you will be well on your way into the world of bowhunting.

Edit: get rid of that peep elastic. Those things are great at breaking and smacking you in the eye.

Okay thank you! I appreciate the info! I have the rangefinder and a small block target but I will have to search marketplace for a 3d target haha, if I’m getting rid of the peep sight, do you have any recommendation for a budget sight? The one pin on mine is bent so I was going to look into a new sight anyways

brendan's dad · #5 06-17-2021, 10:23 AM

I would be fairly hard to beat this price for the quality you get.

https://www.amazon.ca/Trophy-Ridge-E...946846&sr=8-12

Buckshot82 · #6 06-17-2021, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brendan's dad

I would be fairly hard to beat this price for the quality you get.

https://www.amazon.ca/Trophy-Ridge-E...946846&sr=8-12

Okay sounds good, thank you! Im heading to jimbows right now, will send an update when I am home!

Buckshot82 · #7 06-17-2021, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brendan's dad

I would be fairly hard to beat this price for the quality you get.

https://www.amazon.ca/Trophy-Ridge-E...946846&sr=8-12

Ended up getting helped by a member of the Cabelas team while picking up that sight. The bow is now fitted with a D loop, whisker biscuit, and that sight in the link. He also helped adjust the bows draw weight (I thought it was maxed out but it was not) and is now shooting at 53#… they said the bow is a little bit short for me, but it’s close enough that I shouldn’t have an issue using it. So it appears I am all setup and ready to get testing for my first archery hunt!
Oh one thing I forgot; I was suggested that I look into new arrows relatively soon, he said the aluminum Eastons are good and all but being that they are old they have a tendency to break and could be a safety hazard. Any thoughts on that? And if you agree should I be buying a certain brand, or just some of the cheaper carbon arrows they sell. Thanks!

Buckshot82 · #8 06-17-2021, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brendan's dad

Nothing wrong with the bow to determine if you like the sport. I would suggest the following upgrades

1. Whisker Biscuit rest
2. D-loop set properly for nocking point
3. Wrist release.

Probably get all 3 for around $100-120.

Where are you located?

I’m located just east of Edmonton, I believe from what I have seen jimbows is one of the most reputable places around here so I’ll bring it in to see if I can get these picked out! I forgot to mention in the ad I do have a wrist release, just have never used it.