Interested in bow hunting - help get me started.

haggis · #1 03-07-2009

Hello,

Stumbled across this site while doing a search on google - great info here by the looks of it.

I am interested in learning how to hunt (no previous experience) and like the idea of doing it with a bow.

Can you guys and gals suggest how to go about getting started, selecting a bow, where to learn how to shoot, hunting regulations etc. I am in the Edmonton area.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

CoyoteChallenger · #2 03-07-2009

it would be a little easier if you told us what you were looking for in a bow. do you know your draw length or when wieght you can pull? These will help you get a look at so possible bows but to get one that you will really like you must go to one of your local pro shops and try some.

Cowboy Al · #3 03-07-2009

Being as your from the Edmonton area there should be alot of options for you to check out. For starters I'd go to a place like Sherwood Park archery lanes. Ask a tone of questions, shoot several different bows. I'm sure a place like that should be able to point you in the right direction.

haggis · #4 03-07-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowboy Al

Being as your from the Edmonton area there should be alot of options for you to check out. For starters I'd go to a place like Sherwood Park archery lanes. Ask a tone of questions, shoot several different bows. I'm sure a place like that should be able to point you in the right direction.

Thanks - was thinking of going to the archery lane in Sherwood Park. Would they have a good selection of bows that I could try/rent. How does it work when you go there - do they also sell bows? When I get a feel for what I want where is the best place to buy bows in the city and what are the price ranges. Completely new to this - never pulled a bow since I was a kid.

Cowboy Al · #5 03-07-2009

I've never been to the archery lanes in Sherwood Park, but I'm sure they sell bows and accessories. If it's like other shop's I've been to (like Jim Bow's in Calgary, now there's a guy who could help you out if your in the neighborhood) I would imagine that if you expalin what you want (ie. a new bow and are new to archery) they will probably have several for sale from different makers like Alpine, Bowtech, Hoyt, PSE, Mathews, APA etc. Once they measure you up for draw length they will allow you to shoot a few that they pick out to see what you enjoy shooting, then based on price, feel, how well you shoot them etc you can make an informed choice on buying one. You might want to check out other shops in the area or maybe even return to the same one a couple of different times before you decide. Take your time enjoy the process, do your homework and you'll get a bow and accessories that will last you throughout your hunting career. I was like you and out of the archery game for a while I bought a Bowtech Tomkat. It comes fully set up with sights, wrist sling, bow quiver. I'm not sure if Bowtech still offers this but if not there will be something compareable.

elkhunter11 · #6 03-07-2009

I bought my first bow from Sherwood Park Archery Lanes,and they were very helpful in helping me choose the proper equipment.The had a good selection of equipment,and I was able to try several bows before making a selection.However,that was a few years ago,and I haven't been in the store in a while.

Knownonscents · #7 03-08-2009

Sounds like your getting started in the right direction for a bow in your neck of the woods. However, as far as hunting goes. A great place to get any and all info you need is AHEIA(alberta hunters education and instructers association. I highly recommend taking your hunters training there. And they offer other courses as well that are benificial such as International bowhunters Education program(or something like it) and Field techniques(where you can actually put your blade to work and skin and gut a deer before heading out in the woods). Pick up a set of hunting regs. and read it frpnt to back several times. It may change slightly in 09 but it will give you a good undeerstanding of what is law. You can pick up regs. anywhere like crappy tire.

Good luck. and keep us posted.

sureshot · #8 03-08-2009

Sherwood park archery is a good choice or there is Jim out at pipestone archery, my advice is stay away from trophy book archery.

BigRackLover · #9 03-08-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by haggis

Hello,

Stumbled across this site while doing a search on google - great info here by the looks of it.

I am interested in learning how to hunt (no previous experience) and like the idea of doing it with a bow.

Can you guys and gals suggest how to go about getting started, selecting a bow, where to learn how to shoot, hunting regulations etc. I am in the Edmonton area.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Come out on Wednesday nights to Sherwood Park Archery Lanes - that is the Sherwood Park Archery Club night. My name is Gord. I'll help fill your curiosity. Just let me know what night/time you plan to go.

PSE_Girl · #10 03-09-2009

Go to a range and ask the guys and gals there tons of questions. When I am shooting I have no problem helping the new guys out and answering any questions they have. The key is being friendly and talking to the people down there. Some of the most important things I have learned about archery and hunting have been from some random stranger that I happened to be standing next to at the range. Some people will look at you funny and might be kind of rude but 90% of the bow hunters I have met have no problem helping you out and answering questions.

joeya · #11 03-09-2009

I have hunting experience, but i never had any experience with bows up until last fall when I wanted to get into bow hunting. Like you, I had no idea about bows whatsoever, I went to Sherwood Park Archery Lanes and Dallas helped me out with picking a bow and figuring out draw lengths and such. I was there for about 3 hours and was all set up and shooting tight groups by the end of the night. I have been practicing all winter and look forward to my first bow hunt this year!

Since you are from the area, I would recomend stopping by to have a look around.

AlbertaOutdoorsmen19 · #12 03-09-2009

I too am a beginner bow hunter and I went down to Sherwood Park Archery lanes and Dallas and Doug helped me pick out the bow that fit me best and am most comfortable with. They have a great selection and great service!

Rackmastr · #13 03-09-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSE_Girl

Go to a range and ask the guys and gals there tons of questions. When I am shooting I have no problem helping the new guys out and answering any questions they have. The key is being friendly and talking to the people down there. Some of the most important things I have learned about archery and hunting have been from some random stranger that I happened to be standing next to at the range. Some people will look at you funny and might be kind of rude but 90% of the bow hunters I have met have no problem helping you out and answering questions.

Good advice here.....dont be afraid to head down to the range and talk to a bunch of guys to get their opinions on stuff and ask them some questions....

solocam3 · #14 03-18-2009

I would suggest joining your Local Fish and Game Club. At the Boat and Sportsman Show our booth (Fort Saskatchewan Fish and Game Association) was surrounded by Fish and Game Clubs from the Edmonton Area. Not only was there, Lamont, Edmonton but Morinville, Onoway, and Sherwood Park. From these clubs you can get a raft of information about what you want. As was mentioned, AHEIA (Alberta Hunter Education Instructor Association) is a great place as well. They are always offering courses from Hunter Education to PAL and POL Challenges. They send out a Monthly Calender of Events that lists what is going on but I would Join a Fish and Game Club near you.

sparky660 · #15 03-19-2009

How much would it cost to get setup with a decent hunting compound bow?

munyee4321 · #16 03-19-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparky660

How much would it cost to get setup with a decent hunting compound bow?

depends if your buying used or new

used 200-400 set up
new 400+ bow,sights,quiver, release, half a dozen arrows maybe.

sparky660 · #17 03-19-2009

So if one had a limit of $1000.00 would that get a decent hoyt(new)?

munyee4321 · #18 03-19-2009

1000bucks depending on what model of hoyt would probably set you back on the bow it self naked, if you got an older model probably set you up with sights and rest. But that all depends on the sight you want and rest. If hoyt is the brand your settled on then you should find a hoyt dealer and see if you can try a few models out. For a $1000 there are a few decent bow packages that can set you up to start out. Check out some of the dimonond bow packages, bowtec packages and a few others. It is best if you can handle any particular bow of your interest personally and shoot it and see how well it fits and shoots for you.

sparky660 · #19 03-19-2009

Not really set on Hoyt. I have heard good thing about them and would probably buy one when the funds are available.

jacob1202 · #20 03-20-2009

www.buffalovalley.ca/swampdonkey/index.htm .....that is my cousin martin...check out his website....dont go to sherwood park....theyll try to make big sales....thats their motto....

Albertabowhunter · #21 03-20-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacob1202

www.buffalovalley.ca/swampdonkey/index.htm .....that is my cousin martin...check out his website....dont go to sherwood park....theyll try to make big sales....thats their motto....

I call BS on that. SPA is fairly reasonable, considering they service everything they sell, and do it as often as needed. Trust me, I'm very particular with my bow, and if its even a hair off, I have them working on it. Because of this, I am willing to spend a few extra dollars on my bow if it is needed. But for what i have found SPA is no more expensive than anywhere else. Go look at the price of bows at Trophy book, same price range. Maybe they are cheaper in Red deer and Calgary, who knows, but I'm not going to spend a 75 on gas and 6 hours of driving to save a hundred on a bow if that is even the case.

Go see Doug or Robin at SPA and tell them what your looking for and what your budget is. I would suggest to get the best you can afford. In archery its like anything else, the more you spend the better the quality. Cast risers or Machined. type of limbs, cams, smoothness, speed, ect. You dont need to break the bank to get a good set up, but just figure out what your goal is in the sport(hunting, target, 3d), what your willing to spend, now and later (remember you can always buy a package bow and upgrades pieces later as needed) and go from there.

Another place to check out is Heidi or Justin at WHolesale. Wholesale is starting to finally get stock in, YEAH! So take a look there, heck there open to 9 most days, and even open Sunday now. And again another couple are Trophy book in Spruce Grove, or even Try Swampdonkey.com they are out of Spruce grove as well I believe, and he always has stuff on sale.

My best advice is go and look, try equipment out, go home think about it. go back retry if needed, pick a bow that fits you and suits your needs, and as well fits your budget. You can get great set ups for under $800.00 inc bow, release and arrows, if you ask.

And dont forgetthere are plenty of great used bows out there, check the boards at the the archery shops. Most only have a year or 2 on them and people are just upgrading. Save a few dollars that way.

feel free to PM me if you have anymore questions. Best of luck which ever way you choose to go, and just enjoy!

Trav · #22 03-20-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparky660

Not really set on Hoyt. I have heard good thing about them and would probably buy one when the funds are available.

I see you are from lloyd go see Corey at jodi-lee if you get a chance he has some nice bows out there. Main thing is to try the bows first to make sure they fit you proper and how they feel compared to another brand. If you are in Edmonton go to Sherwood park archery or Trophy book They will all help you get set up with what you need and offer assistance in learning proper form and tuning.

Albertabowhunter · #23 03-20-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trav

I see you are from lloyd go see Corey at jodi-lee if you get a chance he has some nice bows out there. Main thing is to try the bows first to make sure they fit you proper and how they feel compared to another brand. If you are in Edmonton go to Sherwood park archery or Trophy book They will all help you get set up with what you need and offer assistance in learning proper form and tuning.

I agree, If your in Lloyd go to Jodi lee, SPA and Trophybook is just too far unless your going to be in the area. Nice thing about buying local too is you get to know the owners and people who work there.

sparky660 · #24 03-20-2009

It has been along time since I have had a bow and didn't think there was a place in town. I will drop by there tomorrow and see what he has. Thanks for the heads up guys.

whitetailnut · #25 03-20-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparky660

It has been along time since I have had a bow and didn't think there was a place in town. I will drop by there tomorrow and see what he has. Thanks for the heads up guys.

Excellent idea, Once you are in there you will realize that it is not like alot of sporting goods stores. Yes, the stock makes it look like one, but, you'll notice the customer service is second to none, there is no pressuring, and Corey is one of the nicest guy's you'll meet. Good luck.

sparky660 · #26 03-21-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitetailnut

Excellent idea, Once you are in there you will realize that it is not like alot of sporting goods stores. Yes, the stock makes it look like one, but, you'll notice the customer service is second to none, there is no pressuring, and Corey is one of the nicest guy's you'll meet. Good luck.

Stopped by Jodi lee today and they are closed for a "fun shoot".

. Guess I'll have to stop next week to kick some tires.

Trav · #27 03-22-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparky660

Stopped by Jodi lee today and they are closed for a "fun shoot".

. Guess I'll have to stop next week to kick some tires.

He is usually open tuesday to sat unless something comes up he is closed sunday and monday for doing inventory and restocking. He is usually around those days also but the open sign might be off

Give him a call 306-825-4102 This Sat Corey himself will not be there for sure the guys working there can help you also. We are heading to nationals this weekend

If you need help on a monday or Sunday let me know I can run up to lloyd and help you out also

Travis

sparky660 · #28 03-22-2009

Thanks for the offer Travis, that would be great. I will stop in next Friday to take a look. It will be nice to have a place in town to deal with instead of having to drive to Edmonton. Was there something going on in the Archery world at the Lloyd F&G indoor range? I was at the outdoor range and there were people constantly coming and going and a few had bow cases.

mikeo2 · #29 03-22-2009

yah they were having an indoor fun shoot out at the range on saturday, you should have popped in. I was stuck in edmonton or else I would have been there. Go talk to Corey, he will let you try a bunch and set you up with a solid bow.

Trav · #30 03-22-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparky660

Thanks for the offer Travis, that would be great. I will stop in next Friday to take a look. It will be nice to have a place in town to deal with instead of having to drive to Edmonton. Was there something going on in the Archery world at the Lloyd F&G indoor range? I was at the outdoor range and there were people constantly coming and going and a few had bow cases.

Phone ahead he might not be around friday I was told today so he can get ready to get to nationals. He will prob be there till noon on friday but after that I think he is picking me up and we are heading to red deer.

We had a fun shoot at the new building this weekend, you should have came over and stopped in and took alook at the building. We shoot tuesday and thursday nights there and we have 40 yards indoors. stop in anytime you want to come shoot or BS