Any Bow Hunters Out There?

HDdave · January 26, 2008

Well I've been hunting since ive been 10 years old, and I've finally decided to give archery a shot. Mainly because I'm going to college very close to the city of Pittsburgh, and its going to be a lot easier to find areas to hunt with a bow rather than a gun. I will be buying a used Mathews Switchback XT thats about 2 years old from my local dealer. They are putting a new string and cam on it right now, because the string snapped on the guy that had it, and somehow the cam got messed up. The bow comes with a drop away rest and a stabilizer for $450. Hopefully it will hold together and shoot well for me, because I can't afford a new bow unless its of much lesser quality than a Mathews. What do you guys shoot, and how much do you like bow hunting compared to a high powered rifle?

gave20 · January 26, 2008

I hunt north of Pittsburgh, in Butler, I love archery hunting but I also love rifle season too, as long as I'm killing deer the type of weapon doesn't really matter to me. I shoot a '99 Hoyt, it still gets the job done and I can't see dumping a lot of money into a new bow only to gain a few fps.

Have fun in Allegheny County, there's a pile of deer there but some places are overrun with hunters. I've hunted it a few times but I'm not real crazy about urban/combat hunting.

January 26, 2008

Well I've been hunting since ive been 10 years old, and I've finally decided to give archery a shot. Mainly because I'm going to college very close to the city of Pittsburgh, and its going to be a lot easier to find areas to hunt with a bow rather than a gun. I will be buying a used Mathews Switchback XT thats about 2 years old from my local dealer. They are putting a new string and cam on it right now, because the string snapped on the guy that had it, and somehow the cam got messed up. The bow comes with a drop away rest and a stabilizer for $450. Hopefully it will hold together and shoot well for me, because I can't afford a new bow unless its of much lesser quality than a Mathews. What do you guys shoot, and how much do you like bow hunting compared to a high powered rifle?

There ain't a thing wrong with that Mathews! I like both because it prolongs my hunting season. A couple of things you may want to do. First, get with a seasoned professional so he/she can show you the proper techniques for drawing, anchoring and releasing your arrow. Getting good habits now will beat trying to correct the bad habits later. Some swear by using their fingers to release the string, but I love using a release. To me, it keeps me consistent in my release. Hell, even Ted Nugent uses a release now! Second, once you get comfortable with your technique, keep practicing...and not just in your back yard. Go out into the field with a good range finder so you can get an idea of how to judge distances for real life hunting situations. Another thing to do is learn how to fix your gear. It's much cheaper than taking your bow to a shop and it will help you in the field if anything goes south. Good luck and have fun!

thecraft · January 27, 2008

My best friend really got me into bow hunting this past season, so I'm planning on buying a bow sometime soon for next season. But don't see myself bow hunting all the time during rifle season like he does though.

HDdave · January 29, 2008

Well I picked the bow up last night. I went with a set of codbra 4 pin sights and a scott release with a string loop. I'm a big duck hunter, and archery season is during duck season, but with me spending most of my time in alleheny county, I wont be able to do as much duck hunting as I usually do. I have a bunch of people who have been shooting for years who are going to help me learn. I took about 30 shots at the store's range and I did ok, well at least I never missed the target. I will haveto practice a lot, but hopefully I will be able to zero my shots in a little better. I got out of there for $645 with a fully set up Switchback XT, arrows, and release, so I think I made out pretty well..

ws6_guy · February 1, 2008

I tried bow hunting once, takes awhile to get used to I'm not real good at it, but this was my first year trying it

jsn0801 · February 1, 2008

I am pretty good with a bow. I won a couple tournaments years ago. I've never had a new expensive bow. A well maintained, old bow, will give you no problems, and should shoot very consistent. The trick is becoming a consistent shooter utilizing the same anchor points, and knowing the effect wind and distance have on your set up. As for hunting...being 20yds. from a beautiful 10pt buck is much different than 100yds+. and there's not much you can do to prepare for that. Good luck!

Dyabolical · February 1, 2008

I shoot a '05 Hoyt Ultramag with Gold Tip HunterXT's.

Bow hunting is a more indepth type of hunting. You have to pay closer attention to stand placement and wind direction. Almost anyone can find a tall hill and use a gun with a 2 mile range and kill a deer. It takes a true hunter to have a deer walk within 30 yards and not be seen or heard.

dietz4ibanez · February 2, 2008

Hey man I put a thread on here with my Thanksgiving morning kill with my bow. Check this out!

Bow Kill

February 3, 2008

I shoot a '05 Hoyt Ultramag with Gold Tip HunterXT's.

Bow hunting is a more indepth type of hunting. You have to pay closer attention to stand placement and wind direction. Almost anyone can find a tall hill and use a gun with a 2 mile range and kill a deer. It takes a true hunter to have a deer walk within 30 yards and not be seen or heard.

It takes an even more true hunter to spot and stalk a deer. Now that's a rush!

HDdave · February 4, 2008

d**n BLKChevy! Thats a nice deer! I shot a little bit last night and got pretty confident and accurate with 20 yards, so I moved back to 30 and that was a little harder. I'm going to an indoor 3-d range today, so I'm just hoping I don't shatter an arrow..