Who here is into archery?

[Chris]

My daughter is 12 and for Christmas she is telling us that she wants to get into archery. Every year she goes to church camp with the youth group and they do it there as an activity. She's grown quite fond of it apparently.

In any case, she also has expressed interest in hunting with me. I am not an archer and know very little about it. I'm curious if anyone here is an archer and if you might be so kind as to recommend a good compound bow for her.

Ideally I'd like something that would last her several years at least before having to upgrade. If I buy the cheapest bow out there my worry is that she's going to outgrow it and want to upgrade to something different in a year.

A bow with the features of an adult compound bow but meant for a youth would be ideal.

 

[Apparition]

Two of our boys did archery for a while.

They used these bows and I ended up buying one of them so all the kids could share. Our local park has an archery range they can use.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00269U5RG/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[Chris]

Two of our boys did archery for a while.

They used these bows and I ended up buying one of them so all the kids could share. Our local park has an archery range they can use.

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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00269U5RG/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Did that seem to last them a while before they needed to upgrade to something bigger / better? Or are they still using them?

 

[Apparition]

Did that seem to last them a while before they needed to upgrade to something bigger / better? Or are they still using them?

They haven't used it in a while. I had to really lighten it up so the daughter could use it she was 9 when she started. None of them have moved to anything else. They have been asking about using it but we haven't had time to go.

They are ages 10-13 now.

It's a good bow to learn with and step into something later on if you determine what you really want to do such as hunting or just target shooting.

 

[Chris]

They haven't used it in a while. I had to really lighten it up so the daughter could use it she was 9 when she started. None of them have moved to anything else. They have been asking about using it but we haven't had time to go.

They are ages 10-13 now.

It's a good bow to learn with and step into something later on if you determine what you really want to do such as hunting or just target shooting.

Gotcha

She wants to hunt (and target shooting as well). I'm trying to avoid buying something so cheap that I'll have to replace it in a year. At the same time, she doesn't need a $2000 compound bow just yet (not until she can show me she's seriously committed).

 

[Apparition]

 

[Vulture]

I used to be an instructor in NASP, the National Archery In Schools Program. Check it out. The Genesis bow is the official equipment for that program. It isn't a very high poundage bow, adjustable from 10 to 20 lb if I remember correctly. This may not be legal for hunting out there in Wyoming but it's a wonderful bow for kids to start out on. You might consider something like a Bear Outbreak compound bow. It's adjustable from 15lb draw to 70lb. and I think they are about $400. My girlfriend and I started out with these bows and we both still use ours. You also might consider starting her with traditional archery. We started out with compound bows and then started in traditional archery and we love both. I know you live (thank heaven) out in the boonies but there may be a local archery club that can give her some exposure to the different types and she can give it a try. Good luck!

 

[LukesfirstJeep]

In my area, the better archery shops have indoor ranges and sponsor a winter shooting league. The local paper used to print the scores. This is the type of shop that will give good advice.

 

[MaximusLJR06]

Gotcha

She wants to hunt (and target shooting as well). I'm trying to avoid buying something so cheap that I'll have to replace it in a year. At the same time, she doesn't need a $2000 compound bow just yet (not until she can show me she's seriously committed).

I don't think anyone really needs a $2,000 compound ever. I used a 20 year old Hoyt bow up until 2021 and then in 2022 got a 10 year old Mathews Drenalin solocam for free and they both kill deer the same as a $2,000 bow. I may buy a new bow for next year since I haven't bought a bow since like 2002 and have really gotten into archery since 2018.

I know people that buy a new $1,500 - 2,000 bow every year and it blows my mind. That's like buying a new high end hunting rifle every year.

This is very good advice Below.

I used to be an instructor in NASP, the National Archery In Schools Program. Check it out. The Genesis bow is the official equipment for that program. It isn't a very high poundage bow, adjustable from 10 to 20 lb if I remember correctly. This may not be legal for hunting out there in Wyoming but it's a wonderful bow for kids to start out on. You might consider something like a Bear Outbreak compound bow. It's adjustable from 15lb draw to 70lb. and I think they are about $400. My girlfriend and I started out with these bows and we both still use ours. You also might consider starting her with traditional archery. We started out with compound bows and then started in traditional archery and we love both. I know you live (thank heaven) out in the boonies but there may be a local archery club that can give her some exposure to the different types and she can give it a try. Good luck!

I do all my hunting in the mountains and from the ground with my bow as well. Which is not very common among most archery hunters.

2018

2021

2022

2024 (Two weeks ago)

 

[Chris]

I don't think anyone really needs a $2,000 compound ever. I used a 20 year old Hoyt bow up until 2021 and then in 2022 got a 10 year old Mathews Drenalin solocam for free and they both kill deer the same as a $2,000 bow. I may buy a new bow for next year since I haven't bought a bow since like 2002 and have really gotten into archery since 2018.

I know people that buy a new $1,500 - 2,000 bow every year and it blows my mind. That's like buying a new high end hunting rifle every year.

This is very good advice Below.


I do all my hunting in the mountains and from the ground with my bow as well. Which is not very common among most archery hunters.

2018
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2021
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2022
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2024 (Two weeks ago)
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I know nothing about archery but I get what you're saying. I see these $2000 compound bows and for the life of me I can't figure out what's different betwen one of those and say a $1000 bow. I'm guessing it's weight and materials used.

In any case, it seems like those Genesis bows would be perfect for her. I'm not trying to overcomplicate things, I just want something that will last her a good while.

Archers don't hunt often in the mountains or on the ground? I didn't know that. Archery interests me, I'm just trying to temper my interests since it seems like every new hobby I pick up is ridiculously expensive. Seems to be a guy thing.

 

[Zorba]

...I'm just trying to temper my interests since it seems like every new hobby I pick up is ridiculously expensive. Seems to be a guy thing.

Then for Goddess's sake, don't get into Belly Dance! Costumes can cost upwards of $2K, and you need several of them. Mine aren't that expensive, but I'd hate to total up what's in my costume closet. A trip to the Mac counter at Ulta can run several hundred dollars, blah, blah.

Then start messing around with musical instruments - that's another hole you fill with money. At least I don't own a boat, despite my wife wanting one - the Jeep's bad enough!

 

[MaximusLJR06]

I know nothing about archery but I get what you're saying. I see these $2000 compound bows and for the life of me I can't figure out what's different betwen one of those and say a $1000 bow. I'm guessing it's weight and materials used.


Archers don't hunt often in the mountains or on the ground? I didn't know that.

A lot of it comes down to the brand, Obviously Hoyt and Mathews are probably the biggest 2 in game currently, but there are plenty of other brands with high quality bows for less.

There are plenty that hunt the mountains, but very few that hunt on the ground. Most Archery hunting is done from a tree stand, I've personally never been in a treestand and it doesn't fit my style of hunting. I have a lot of friends that archery hunt and none of them can even comprehend hunting from the ground with a bow, they are always making comments about it.

 

[BlueC]

I'm trying to avoid buying something so cheap that I'll have to replace it in a year.

Don't. Get something cheap and see if she likes it enough to stick with it. If she likes it, then get a better setup.

BTW, bows seem to be one of those things that people spend money on and have very little value retention. I have a whatever name brand unit (Bass Pro sells them for $200-500 new) that I got for free, and that's about what I'd pay for it. A box of decent bolts cost about $70. Years ago, my dad bought my younger brother a $700 set up because he had tried archery at some summer camp thing. He used it for a little while. Now it's dusty, and he'd be lucky if he could get near $100 for everything.

 

[tworley]

Rokslide forum has a lot of used bows for fractions of the cost of new.

 

[Chris]

There are plenty that hunt the mountains, but very few that hunt on the ground. Most Archery hunting is done from a tree stand, I've personally never been in a treestand and it doesn't fit my style of hunting. I have a lot of friends that archery hunt and none of them can even comprehend hunting from the ground with a bow, they are always making comments about it.

Strange. While I understand the point of a treestand, I don't see the appeal of it. I'd much rather hunt from the ground.

 

[John Cooper]

I bow hunted for 35 years, I shot instinctive with either a recurve or a longbow.

Hunted from the ground and from tree stands.

I killed deer every year except for the last 3. A place I had permission to hunt, got leased out to city folks and so I put my bows away and stopped hunting.

The Genesis is a great starter bow and if you look you can find them cheap used.

I would recommend finding an Archery in School program or a Pro Shop and let her learn from someone who has taught others.

Practice is the key and don't over do it to start. Shoot 10 arrows and go pull them. I used to only shoot one arrow and pull it.

When you shoot and are tired you will develop bad habits.

 

[DuckNut]

Go to cabela's or BassPro. They have knowledgeable people and a good selection. You should be able to get a good outfit for $500. My son (10) shoots a Bear Cruzer ready to hunt (RTH), i believe it was a bit over $400. Great little bow for the money.

 

[Granite]

I just got my daughter a used Mission Craze 2 for $100. It’s made by Mathews and adjusts from something like 17lbs all the way up to 70lbs and has the draw length range to match, so it fits everybody. As soon as she can pull back 40lbs she’ll be legal to hunt NH with it.

I’d recommend going right to one of these bows that adjusts up to hunting weights and will allow you to raise the draw length as she grows. That way she can get used to her bow and stay confident with it, and save you from having to buy new accessories every year! You can go long on the arrows initially to make them last.

I think you are going to have to get into it with her. I cant stand having to go to a pro shop for everything, and the box stores don’t have the attention to detail that a highly interdependent system like archery gear requires. Learn to fletch arrows, serve strings, and the basics of bow maintenance and shooting form and you two will have a strong bond over this great hobby.

 

[AFF]

Go to a real archery shop and talk to them. Generally speaking, the big box stores don’t have the same level of knowledge as the archery shop that specializes in archery. Most have multiple brands of bows and you can compare. You can then make a decision on what is best for your daughter (and your wallet).