[AceArcher]

I have shot compounds and recurve bows for better than 20 years, Have harvested at least 2 metric s**t tons of venison with them in Maryland and Delaware.

From my first button buck to 2 pope & young class animals been there done that.

In addition i shot on the IBO local circuit for quite some time. Started out with a pure round wheel Martin Prowler, and have progressed through numerous different styles and types of bows.

Here's some advice for you.

#1 If you buy a bow from some Big box store "cabela's, bass pro, academy, etc" and expect the teenager behind the archery counter to properly set up your bow then you are delusional.

#2 Buy from an archery pro shop, yes you will pay a premium for the bow. But the simple fact that the bow will be set up and tuned specifically for you will make all the difference in the world.

#3 spend a lot of time working with the pro shop to get the bow set up properly for you. ITS MORE IMPORTANT THAT YOU DO THIS... than it is to wrangle for a good deal. I would go so far as to let the pro shop know that you really want the bow to be set up good for you and that your willing to TIP to make that happen.......

#4 Insist on paper tuning (with broadhead) the bow before you leave / pay for it. You should have a near to bullet hole (with vane rips) Anything else means you have problem with arrow flight which will effect EVERYTHING ELSE

#5 DONT GET to heavy of a bow for you!!!! You might think you need Heracles bow..... but the deer and pigs dont.... the heavier the bow weight the faster the arrow.... (TRUE)... but the noisier the bow... no bow shoots fast enough to eliminate an animal jumping / dropping at the sound... so you want your bow to be quiet as well. Most adult men are very comfortable with an adjustable bow which can range from 45-60lbs your going to want to set the bow at near to its max (58-60) because that is the range in which they will operate the best.

Dont overdo the weight because the bow needs to become an extension of you.. you need to shoot it religiously... take a shot or two in the morning as you drink your coffee... in the evening when you get home from work... limit the mega shooting sessions.... your trying to develop muscle memory not muscle mass.

day in, day out... when you get to the point that you dont like shooting more than one arrow at a target dot because your ruining too many arrows... ..... then your getting there.

dont get talked into some super fancy schmanzy crap.... stick with tried and true products. Carbon fiber arrows. Whisker bisquit arrow holder, a LARGE APETURE hunting style peep sight. solid broadheads (like g5 montecs or something) with matching weight field points. a solid truglo sight with good small fiber optic pins. appropriate stabilizer so that the bow rest's neutral in your hand after shooting. wrist strap..... release, and quiver. make sure the quiver you get locks the arrows in ROCK solid with 0 rattling at all.... you can't afford to make any noise.

As far as brands... hit the pro shops and test drive em all. fall in love with the bow.. that feels very comfortable when you have it drawn back and are in the pocket. by the time you leave the shop you should feel like if any animal is within 30 yards of you it's toast. you should have shot a lot... your muscles should be hurting.....

if you were silly enough to bring the wife and kids along, she should be threatening you with divorce by now.... are you getting that this should not be a quick process?

seriously take your time and let an expert help you set it up. it's gonna cost you a good bit more up front.. but it will make all the difference in the long run.
After getting the bow join a 3d archery league for a season. it's loads of fun and will get you up to hunting form quickly.


and if you ever need any help with one and are in my neck of the woods i will be happy to help you out.

Have fun.