Three shops in LC area, Matthews shop on Prien, shop on Common behind McNeese, and at McNeelys in Sulphur ( located in Maplewood ). I would try one of these shops and decide which bow you like for the price range. All three handle different bows. I owned a Hoyt and now shoot Matthews.

A lot of great advice on this topic.

I strongly agree on the advice of getting the bow set up properly.

Think of it like this..........if the bow is not "adjusted" or set up correctly, the arrow will be wobbling in the air as it flies toward the target. This is not good.

Most Bow shops can check and adjust a bow so that it shoots good. The key word is "MOST". That is why AceArcher said to check the "paper tune" at the bow shop so you can see that the bow shoots "bullets" holes. When shooting the paper tune arrows, this should be done at 2 different distances [like 5' and 10'] because the arrow wobble might not show up at one distance but be "off" at the second distance.

I check my bow and adjust as needed. Years ago, I could not get my arrows to shoot "bullet" holes. They were close, but could not make it shoot "perfect". I finally learned that the 2 limbs on the bow were not doing "equal" work. Once I adjust that, the bow shot much better.

I have been shooting the PSE for about 10 years. I am shooting the bowmadness XS.. fairly smooth and quick. your best bet is to get something in the middle of the bows. not high price not bottom line price. and parallel limbs.

I shoot an older Mathews Switchback XT... I hear all the time that guys regret getting rid of some of these older Mathews bows. Take a look at the used bows at bow shops like previously mentioned.

If you are really wanting a new bow, you should take a look at the Mission Bows along with all the others previously mentioned. Mission is made by Mathews and I've heard nothing but good reports from their owners.

Another tip to pass along... Louisiana has an abundant amount of public land available for bowhunters. It isn't always easy hunting but can be very rewarding to harvest a nice buck on public land. If you need any help with tips or recommendations let me know. I've been hunting almost exclusively on public land for the past 6 or 7 years.

very true. buddy I work with killed the state record with a crossbow last year on public land

what you looking at getting B? I've got to start putting a lot more time into shooting mine

Check out the new matthews creed. It is their first split limb solo cam bow, and shoots very quiet and very forgiving. If I pick one up this year it will probly be the creed. Only bad thing is matthews introduces a new bow every year so you could kind of feel outdated if you like the newest neatest stuff. For arrow rest the QAD is the best way to go, and for arrows everybody has there opinion, but don't buy some 5$ pos generic brand. Anything carbon express, gold tip, or easton is good.

I can't add much more than these guys here. Everyone has their favorite bow and there are a lot of good shooting bows on the market. I've had PSE, Mathews, and Bowtech and they all kill a deer just as dead as the other. I've settled in with bowtech and have beens shooting the Admiral for a few years. Find a bow that you like and feel confident and practice, practice, practice! I haven't shot a deer with a gun going on 5 years and managed to whack 4 with my bow last year. There are a lot of good guys here on SC with good advice. Like most of us agree on, stay away from the big stores and find yourself a good private owned bowshop that will take the time to help you along. Good luck and remember....pick a spot and follow through!

Don't pick a spot.... pick a hair and then follow through... :) :grinpimp:

sorry that along with "aim small, miss small" are my favorite archery sayings. :spineyes:

I haven't shot in a while but highly recommend looking into pendulum sights. I am sure they have advanced from my former shooting days, but they work great and take the guess work out of shots out to 30 yards.

Also a big fan of this style of broadheads - they fly very similar to field points and they get the job done.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Grim-...h-All+Products

Most bows these days are pretty similar. Get something with good let-off and practice, practice, practice.

There is some "bow pro" that works at Bass Pro... i think he only works once a week though... he lined me up with a diamond/bowtech the rock... a couple years ago... i have no complaints.

Been bow hunting for30 years want pick a smoke pole up again. The adrenaline rush is unexplainable having animals that close. Ace archer said it all. Get something you like and don't over do it. Buy from a local bow shop if you have one close.

Well here's an update on my day today

I went to all three shops in the LC area (archery outfitters, outdoor specialties, and McNeely's) and all three were great to me

I shot a few bows between all three places. I shot a Mathews creed, Mathews monster chill, Hoyt (can't think of the name), and a bear method, along with the PSE Brute and diamond outlaw I shot yesterday

So far Mathews creed takes the cake, the bow I shot was stripped except for sights and arrow rest and it outshot every other bow I put my hands on, it was very well balanced, no shock, light, and had a very natural feel to it. I love this bow

I am gonna do some more research and probably head to Bridge City tomorrow to look and shoot some more

But Danny at the Mathews shop on Prien lake, made me feel like he wouldn't let me walk out of his shop until he was 10000% sure the bow fit me EXACTLY the way it should ... I was also impressed with the warranty, made in USA, and too many other things about Mathews to name

I still have alot of shopping to do but that's where I'm at .. And I also want to get my hands on a Bowtech Assassin .. The biggest problem I'm having is finding a left handed bow to shoot, but so far they all have found great ways to accommodate me

The Hoyt that I shot was the charger

If you go to precision deal with Donnie shop owner. Good guy they deal mainly bow tech and Matthews.

I bought my bow from Danny at Outdoor Specialties... I can tell you that there aren't many people around as experienced/knowledgeable as he is with setting up a bow.

I'll just give you a quick story about my experience with Danny. From the time I got my bow, he was my only source for archery equipment as I gave all of my business to him as "my pro shop". That all changed when I received a free set of World's Best Strings from a friend of mine that was in business with the owner of the company when they first came out. It was a demo deal to promote the new strings. Of course I went to Danny to have them put on my bow and I was kind of treated less than expected for not buying the strings from him. I got the message that he didn't appreciate me bringing something not purchased at his shop for him to set up. While I acknowledge his skill, experience, and craftsmanship I didn't appreciate being treated that way. And just because I haven't been bowhunting for 40 years doesn't mean I don't know anything about bowhunting and what works best for me. Not ALL bows need to be set up exactly like Danny's bow.

Last year I made my first trip to Precision with a friend and I was very impressed. They do promote Bowtech and Mathews but they really don't care what kind of bow you shoot. They only seemed interested in helping out all archers and promoting the sport of bowhunting. When I need something now I drive right past Lake Charles and head for Bridge City. ;)

i shoot mathews i have shot many diffrent bows an i always go back to mathews i just cant find anything that can beat it.

good job!

Debating right now between PSE and Matthews, not sure which one I want to go with. Need to go shoot them all again and pick.

Mathews heli m is my choice. Smooth shooting