Bows

[GHShunter]

I am looking for a bow for my son, who is 17 years old, and have been told that the best one for him is the Hoyt Turbohawk. Does anyone have any ideas?

[Coach]

I suggest having him shoot as many as possible to see what feels best to him. Just about all major brands have some really nice bows these days - just comes down to finding the one that feels right in his hands.

[mulie hunter]

I would take him to a Pro shop in your area. To get him set up with a bow he's comfortable with. You might try Archery headquarters in Chandler.

[arizonaelitefreak]

I suggest having him shoot as many as possible to see what feels best to him. Just about all major brands have some really nice bows these days - just comes down to finding the one that feels right in his hands.

+1 the bow has got to feel right to the shooter that is a must, if you get a chance to get to aj you should check out Broken arrow archery great selection of bows and top notch customer service,

[jakehaffey]

Im not sure how far you are from Bear Mountain but they are one of the sponsors here and they have a bunch to have him try out.

[BowFly]

Yep... He really needs to shoot them to see what fits him and feels the best to him. What he shoots well is what is important.

 

for the compound/recurve choice, here is a quick test to help out.

 

Do you like machined metal or the feel of wood action?

Wood - recurve Heavy Metal = compound

 

Do you like a heavier, slower arrow or blistering speed?

Heavier/slower = recurve blistering speed=compound

 

Do you want to be able to shoot in awkward positions, i.e., off your back, your stomach, under limbs, lob short shots over logs and stuff?

Yes = recurve Huh?!@#@! = compound

 

Do you like to carry lots of gadets with you when you hunt?

NO!! = recurve Yea man!! = compound

 

Do you shoot reguarly, (i.e., daily, or close to it), or when you feel like it?

Reguarly = recurve when I can = compound

 

Do you plan to take most of your shots going to be under 30 yards?

Yes = recurve Further!! = Compound (unless you said you would practice daily)

 

Do you want to be able to shoot quickly and instinctivly like a shotgun, or take aim like a rifle?

Snap shooting = recurve dead aim = compound

 

Fred Bear said that if you can consistantly put arrows into a pie plate at 20 yards, you are capable of taking deer. But not many recurve shooters can hit an asprin at 100 yards on purpose, consistantly. (I will probably get email from the Traditional Archer's Society for that one).

 

That should get the decision going in the right direction. It's really like choosing between a 1911 and a glock. Yea, they will both get it done, one in a traditional way, with a snese of history and style, and the other with more modern materials and technology (I like recurves and 1911's, but find a compounds and a Glocks to be very effective tools too).

 

 

disclaimer: I don't advocate taking a long shot at any animal period. I normally hunt with a recurve, and have watched many, many animals walk away because I didn't feel comfortable taking the shot. I have also missed deer at 30 yards with a compound. So... it's what you are comfortable with, and how much you are going to practice.

 

Almost forgot. Go to ARchery HQ, Randy is the only guy I trust to touch my compound bows to do stuff I can't or don't want to. Other than him, no one touches my Mathews. The guys at Bear Mountain are good guys too, but Randy is the only one I trust to work on my bow. He is an honest guy and will take care of you. Plus he stands behind the products he sells.