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I picked up archery again last year. My advice is to go to different stores and shoot as many bows as you can and see what works good for you.
If you passed hunter ed already you don't have to take it again. You can buy a new blue card but with the new computer systems you really don't need it. When you log in on the DWR site it has that information for you most of the time. I think it was ten bucks to get a new one when I had to have one to hunt in WY.
Now until the first of March is the time to put in for most of the hunts. Everything is a draw anymore. You have to buy a hunting tag to put in for the draws. It is $10 by itself or $4 if you buy a combo when you get your fishing license.
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Keep in mind archery hunting can be very expensive if you go to the wrong salesman. My advice to you is get on ksl/ebay and buy a used bow at dramatically reduced prices. i found my buddy a used Mathews Switchback last yr for $500, completely set up with carbon arrows and case. When looking on ksl for a bow you want to minimize the additional items you will have to buy. First go to your local archery shop..i.e. sportmans/cabelas and get your draw length measured. If you can purchase a bow already set to your draw length, that will save you money.
Next if you can find one that has a quiver/rest/arrows/stableizer/sights and maybe a case. This will pretty much complete what you need to start shooting besides a release, you may want to go and try different releases since everyone has their own taste. This is by no means everything you need to hunt but starting with GOOD used equipment will save you money and if you figure out its something you dont want to continue your not out 1K. Hope this helps...their is alot more i could say.....good luck.
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[font "Times New Roman"]The replies already given are great and there’s not much to add. I will say that there are many great bow makers out there. PSE, Hoyt, Matthews, Bear, are just a few of the big names in archery and you can’t go wrong with any of them. What it comes down to is personal preference. Some bows are built for speed, some are built for comfort and stability, and some for silence and forgiveness. You need to find what you like best. These days you can get a bow with all of these features but you will pay a pretty penny for it. [/font]
[font "Times New Roman"] I started out a with a PSE Nova. I got it at sportsmans warehouse 5 years ago and it came with a site, quiver, and rest all installed. I think I paid about $300-$325 or so and then about $50 for arrows. That’s not bad for starting out. I would go with a basic bow for a couple of years to figure out exactly what you want in a bow. You won’t be able to figure out your preference just by shooting a few at the store. You need a lot of experience with a bow of your own and a lot of shooting. After a few seasons you will know exactly what you want.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"] I now have a PSE X-Force Dream Season bow. It’s a sweet set-up and shoots really fast.[/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]I would highly recommend the “Bear Truth series” bow. It’s a great bow and a good starter bow as they are reasonably priced and shoot great. You can get a package deal at Cabelas I think. [/font]
[font "Times New Roman"] As far as opportunities go, you will have many, but don’t expect to come home with a deer every year. You will probably see more bucks on the archery hunt and less people, but it’s hard getting close to those bucks. I focus more on the “Extended” archery hunt on the Wasatch front. This hunts starts after the general season and you can hunt through November. This provides a great chance at a buck, because they are focused on the rut. You simply need to find does, and there will most likely be a buck with them. I love this hunt and I have been up close and personal with a few really nice bucks on this hunt. I have yet to kill anything with my bow, but I love getting out and just seeing those big boys. [/font]
[font "Times New Roman"] It’s a great sport and extremely rewarding. Good Luck with your adventures and feel free to ask any more questions on the forum, there are a few really experienced bow hunters on here that can help out. [/font]
[font "Times New Roman"]Hookjaw[/font]
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I just bought a bow from e-bay, the sale is still going I think. Just search PSE Nova on e-bay. There is a shop selling some '07 Nova's shipped to your door for $230, with lighted Truglow sights, wisker bisquit rest, and 6" shocktherapy stabilizer.
You will then need to set the noch point, add a d-loop, and peep sight, and buy some arrows, but I think it's a good deal on a halfway decent bow. Keep in mind you will some cash (I am thinking about another $100 for me-for my bow) to pay a shop to do that (set the nochpoint, tie in d-loop do a tune and lube, etc.) unless you feel good about doing it all yourself.
I didn't realize that arrows are at least $55 a dozen, releases are a little more, targets are a little more, it is looking like it will kind of "nickle and dime" to get set up at first.
I hope once I get set then it will only be nickles.
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HAHA!! Once you get all nickle and dimed to get setup you're gonna realize how bad you want the to spend Quarters![:p] It's addicting!
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Aint that the truth![:p]
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My brother is letting me borrow his bow for this years hunt because he only doing rifle this year. Its a PSE Nova, we set the draw to fit me and so far its pretty comfortable to shoot. I figure I'll use his bow this year and see how much I like it, and see how much I want to really get invested in this sport...
Thanks for the help you guy gave me.
Mike
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I'd add weight of the bow if you're hiking great distances as something to consider. I have a Hoyt Alpha Tech and that sucker is heavy. I'd really like to upgrade to a lighter bow.
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That's a wise decision Mike, try it first before you spend your money on a bow or decide archery hunting isn't for you. Once you have enjoyed hunting the archery season and being in the outdoors with out all hunter orange on the mountain and gun shots echoing across the canyons you will understand why so many of us prefer archery hunting. Good luck to you this season and have fun.[cool]
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Mike,
Lots of very good advice here!!
If you have applied for hunts online your HE # is on file and you will not need a duplicate unless you go out of state.
We will be doing a Bowhunter Ed course at the Lee Kay Center June 22d to 26th and I think you would enjoy it if you have the time. Lots of good information exchanged and a pretty good time too.
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