Bow Upgrade for Hunting

[ahab78]

I'm new to tradgang, and I am so pleased to be a part of such a great community. I've been a hunter my entire life, but mostly with a shotgun and rifle. I hunt deer, hog, and turkey on private property in Southeast Georgia. I grew up hunting with shotguns and rifles but decided I wanted a greater challenge, so I bought a compound bow ten years ago but was really turned off by all the gadgetry, so I never really hunted with it.

On a whim, I bought a cheap 30# recurve a few months ago and, to my surprise, I found that I really loved shooting it. I shoot instinctively, but I've got a lot to learn and I need to improve a lot before I hit the woods with a traditional bow.

That said, I am in the market now to buy a stronger, higher quality bow (under $500) that I can both shoot daily (I shoot anywhere from 30 to 200 arrows a day, depending on my work schedule) and hopefully use in the fall for deer and hogs. What poundage would you recommend for both daily practice and ethical hunting of whitetail deer and hogs? My budget is pretty lean at the moment, so I need a bow that can fill both roles, though I do see buying several in the coming years.

I don't have the macho bug. I did when I was younger and bought a 70# compound right out the gate and ended up hating it because I thought I needed to shoot 300 fps to be legit, but the bow was a pain to shoot more than 20 arrows out of in a session. I have a 26" draw and primarily hunt on the ground. My property is really thick with pines, oak flats, and swamps. The max distance I've ever shot a deer was 25 yards with a shotgun and 50 with a rifle, but I regularly kill deer and hogs inside of 15 yards, so I know I can get close. The last hog I shot had the wadding from the shotgun shell in its chest cavity (I think it was about 4 yards). I just want to make sure I have enough bow to make an ethical kill. I'm extremely blessed to have property to hunt on and animals to hunt, so I think I should be responsible in this decision.

I also welcome any recommendations for bow models. I hunt some pretty thick stuff, so a short bow would be ideal.

Thanks in advance, and sorry for the lengthy post.

[RJonesRCRV]

Bear Griz or Super Griz.

Maddog Archery (sponsor here) should be in your price range.

Dont skimp on arrows.

[shag08]

I would go with a 50#@28" bow. That'll put you right around 45# at your draw length and, as they always say, that's more than enough weight with a properly tuned arrow and razor sharp head.

Bows are completely subjective. I've owned probably 75 in the past 6 or 7 years. Learned a lot about what I DONT like lol. There are limitless bow possibilities in your price range. I'd try picking up a vintage 50# bow on the cheap and see how you like it.

[shag08]

Got to thinking on it. I've been blessed in the bow department as of late. I've got a 58" RWH 50@28 that has been collecting dust for years. If you are right handed, it's yours, free of charge. Spend that money on arrows (.500 spine probably) and broadheads.

[ahab78]

Thanks RJonesRCRV, and special thanks to shag08!

[FITTER]

Originally posted by shag08:
Got to thinking on it. I've been blessed in the bow department as of late. I've got a 58" RWH 50@28 that has been collecting dust for years. If you are right handed, it's yours, free of charge. Spend that money on arrows (.500 spine probably) and broadheads.

     

[Buckeye1977]

   

[Chad Orde]

Wow Blessed is the giver! Amen                    

[Gator1]

Originally posted by shag08:
Got to thinking on it. I've been blessed in the bow department as of late. I've got a 58" RWH 50@28 that has been collecting dust for years. If you are right handed, it's yours, free of charge. Spend that money on arrows (.500 spine probably) and broadheads.

Wow that is unreal.    And a fantastic shooter to boot.  

Good for you.    

[slowbowjoe]

What a fine offering!
Just a note though, Ahab - while 50# is a great hunting weight, that's a huge jump from the 30# you're used to. Lot's of folks here shoot that weight, and also lots of us don't; what's important is to NOT learn/practice if you're overbowed. Check back in and let us know how it's going.
You're also fortunate to have Big Jim's shop to deal with in your home state.

[ahab78]

Thanks, Joe. I understand your concern. I'll probably stick to shooting the 30# to focus on form and gradually work my way into the 50# like I did the 30. I always stop shooting just before I get fatigued to prevent injuries and learning bad habits. I'm in this for the long haul, so I want to be sure I'm doing it right. Other than the obvious appeal of hunting with a bow, I find it is a great way to unwind every day. Plus, it is a lot of fun.

I'll have to check out Big Jim's shop in ALL-BENNY!

[kevsuperg]

Ahab78 welcome to the gang
Shaq08, nice offer, by the
 Way I'm thinking of getting into archery too. What else you giving away      

[Terry Green]

I just emailed you....now I see someone offered you one for free....great.

[Red Beastmaster]

Originally posted by slowbowjoe:
What a fine offering!
Just a note though, Ahab - while 50# is a great hunting weight, that's a huge jump from the 30# you're used to. Lot's of folks here shoot that weight, and also lots of us don't; what's important is to NOT learn/practice if you're overbowed. Check back in and let us know how it's going.
You're also fortunate to have Big Jim's shop to deal with in your home state.

He's only drawing 26". It's a 45# bow now, a very doable increase in wt.

[Butch Speer]

Shag,
Very nice offer!!

[fnshtr]

Welcome to tradgang, what a great place. Good people!

[slowbowjoe]

RB, thanks for pointing that out; I overlooked the draw length.

[crazynate]

What a guy offering you that bow.That's awesome. I was going to recommend a bear grizzly or super grizzly. Both great bows

[Homey88]

Welcome to trad gang!
Shag08      

[Eric S]