Need Help - Getting back into Bow Hunting

67Elmo · #1 03-20-2014, 12:19 AM

About 25 or so years ago I was an avid bowhunter when I lived in Sherwood Park. The bow I used (Martin Cougar11) compound was stolen, and with small kids, etc. I never got back into it. I shot with the "Northern Bowhunters" at ME Lazerte School in Edmonton at the time once a week or so.

I'm in great health and RETIRING this spring. Work just got in the way of all the things I wanted to do. So I want to get back into bowhunting around Edmonton this coming fall. I have a lot of fond memories of being in a tree stand waiting for "the big one" to appear, and the smells of the forest in the fall.

I'm sure a LOT of things have improved in bows since then. The big thing I recall is get a wooden riser as the metal I had was too cold to hold on to when the temperature dropped. Also a short compound bow was better for drawing back if there were tree branches around.

So I'm looking for a good reliable workhorse type of a hunting bow with a 32" draw length. I'm embarassed to say I don't even know any of the Edmonton archery shops anymore. I've got lots of time until fall, but ideas of bows, and where to look at a few would be helpful, ideally where I could shoot a few arrows with them and get a feel. Comments? Thanks.

brohymn2 · #2 03-20-2014, 06:18 AM

wyld archery in Edmonton, pipestone creek archery in millet, accurate archery in alberta beach are good places to start

as far as a workhorse of bows theres lots to look at, first are you interested in a wooden recurve/longbow or a modern aluminum/carbon fibre compound

my advice would be decide what style of archery interests you and then shoot as many bows as possible until you figure out what you like. let the bow pick you

another option once you figure out what you like is to watch the classifieds on archerytalk. you can pick up a lightly used bow for pretty good prices there

Lefty-Canuck · #3 03-20-2014, 08:04 AM

Unless you go traditional you will be hard pressed to find a bow with a wooden riser...BUT carbon fiber is light and does not feel cold to the touch like metal does. They are quite $$$ but if this is one feature you would like it is available.

LC

brohymn2 · #4 03-20-2014, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

Unless you go traditional you will be hard pressed to find a bow with a wooden riser...BUT carbon fiber is light and does not feel cold to the touch like metal does. They are quite $$$ but if this is one feature you would like it is available.

LC

if he gets a carbon cure or a carbon knight they arnt that pricey

Lefty-Canuck · #5 03-20-2014, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brohymn2

if he gets a carbon cure or a carbon knight they arnt that pricey

That is true! best priced carbon bows out there.

LC

waterboy · #6 03-20-2014, 09:43 AM

just a suggestion, but if looking for a good "workhorse" bow and great quality, Elkoholic was selling an almost new Prime Defy (shorter axle length) and a Prime Impact (longer length) bows....could be as bare bows or set up and at a fraction of the price of new. I have Primes and they're not the fastest, but they are good solid "workhorses" shooting with IBO's of 330-340 fps. Just throwing it out there, take care.

Riverbc · #7 03-20-2014, 12:11 PM

having a 32 inch draw definitely limits the bows to chose from.

Riverbc · #8 03-20-2014, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brohymn2

if he gets a carbon cure or a carbon knight they arnt that pricey

maximum draw length for these 2 bows is 30.5" OP is looking for bows with 32' draw length.

L.O.S.T.Arrow · #9 03-20-2014, 01:34 PM

APA has several Models for the long arm 32" shooters...

Neil

brohymn2 · #10 03-20-2014, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L.O.S.T.Arrow

APA has several Models for the long arm 32" shooters...

Neil

if you want a hunting bow the features of an apa are hard to beat, I feel the carrying handle alone isworth its weight in gold

67Elmo · #11 03-20-2014, 06:00 PM

Yeah, it was a bit of a problem even 25 years ago, my 32 inch draw. I'm 6'4" with a "basketball player" build, kind of long and lean, so I need 32". While I respect "traditional" archery, I figure my chances of actually getting a deer with a bow are higher with a compound, so that's what I'd prefer. Plus the compound bows are way shorter, so much better to shoot out of a brushy tree stand.

I appreciate all the comments so far, thanks!

Riverbc · #12 03-20-2014, 08:13 PM

On the APA site I found 4 bows that will fit a 32" draw.
Viper X7
Viper T39
Mamba X7
Mamba T39

All four bows are priced at $1,149

PSE has
Freak SP $949.99 us
Dominator Max $ 1,299.99 us

Hoyt

Carbon Spyder 34 Long Draw $1,399.00 us

Bowtech

Insanity CPX $1049 us

Mathews

MR8 No price on site
Z9 "

Martin

Phantom X4 no price
Seeker "
Pantera "

Elite

TOUR w/ ESX Cams no price

Bear Archery

nothing with 32" draw. Several with 31.5"

Strother

Moxie

mountainmike · #13 03-20-2014, 08:31 PM

Wouldn't hurt to go get your draw length check at a shop and see if you are actually a 32" DL. Just a thought I know some really tall dudes and they are 30-31" just a thought anyhow.

Cheers MM

brohymn2 · #14 03-20-2014, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainmike

Wouldn't hurt to go get your draw length check at a shop and see if you are actually a 32" DL. Just a thought I know some really tall dudes and they are 30-31" just a thought anyhow.

Cheers MM

I was thinking the same thing, worst they will tell you is your 32"

Riverbc · #15 03-20-2014, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainmike

Wouldn't hurt to go get your draw length check at a shop and see if you are actually a 32" DL. Just a thought I know some really tall dudes and they are 30-31" just a thought anyhow.

Cheers MM

actually a real good idea!

L.O.S.T.Arrow · #16 03-21-2014, 08:00 AM

Good job on the research for the LDs Riverbc...

Neil

L.O.S.T.Arrow · #17 03-21-2014, 08:08 AM

I agree on the second opinion of draw...we have several shooters 6'4" and plus...none are a true 32" draw

Some brands like the APA or some Mathews tend to draw long so that adds to your selection at 31" or 31.5...

A shooter will know when the right draw is established with a bow as it draws, anchors and shoots being the most comfortable...

A lot of shooters struggle with their bows as its not comfortable for them to shoot...find their right darw and they cant belive how comfortable that same bow becomes...with improved accuracy

Neil

Riverbc · #18 03-21-2014, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L.O.S.T.Arrow

Good job on the research for the LDs Riverbc...

Neil

Thanks, Neil.

cdnbowhunter · #19 03-26-2014, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brohymn2

if he gets a carbon cure or a carbon knight they arnt that pricey

I got a bowtech assassin and its pretty awesome, especially for the price. Got it at swamp donkey.

brohymn2 · #20 03-26-2014, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdnbowhunter

I got a bowtech assassin and its pretty awesome, especially for the price. Got it at swamp donkey.

I got my assassin from him too. he has the carbon knight on sale I think btw

67Elmo · #21 03-28-2014, 06:25 PM

Thanks again for the replies! I will most certainly get my draw length re-checked. But I think it probably is 32". I wear a 37" sleeve on my dress shirts, so I'm one of those "long armed guys".

catnthehat · #22 03-30-2014, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L.O.S.T.Arrow

I agree on the second opinion of draw...we have several shooters 6'4" and plus...none are a true 32" draw

Some brands like the APA or some Mathews tend to draw long so that adds to your selection at 31" or 31.5...

A shooter will know when the right draw is established with a bow as it draws, anchors and shoots being the most comfortable...

A lot of shooters struggle with their bows as its not comfortable for them to shoot...find their right darw and they cant belive how comfortable that same bow becomes...with improved accuracy

Neil

A person's draw length can and does quite often change as they get older, as well!

joints compress, we shrink in height and length, it's almost frightening !!
Cat

sns2 · #23 03-30-2014, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainmike

Wouldn't hurt to go get your draw length check at a shop and see if you are actually a 32" DL. Just a thought I know some really tall dudes and they are 30-31" just a thought anyhow.

Cheers MM

Congrats on making it to retirement with health intact!

This is good advice to go get checked again. One of my best friends is a retired CFL offensive lineman. He's a mountain of a man and his draw length is not 32". Drop into Cabelas or Wholesale Sports and they will be happy to measure your draw length. After you have determined your draw length, cruise the buy and sell forum on this website. Many people change their guns and bows like underwear

You can get a great deal on a lightly used bow and save yourself hundreds.

If you want to go new, Accurate Archery would be my first and last stop.

Good luck and let us know how you made out.

brohymn2 · #24 03-30-2014, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sns2

Congrats on making it to retirement with health intact!

This is good advice to go get checked again. One of my best friends is a retired CFL offensive lineman. He's a mountain of a man and his draw length is not 32". Drop into Cabelas or Wholesale Sports and they will be happy to measure your draw length. After you have determined your draw length, cruise the buy and sell forum on this website. Many people change their guns and bows like underwear

You can get a great deal on a lightly used bow and save yourself hundreds.

If you want to go new, Accurate Archery would be my first and last stop.

Good luck and let us know how you made out.

archerytalk is another good place if you wanna go used, lots of killer deals