What are you shooting?
Massachusetts
Contributors to this thread:
I am shooting a twelve year old Bowtech Old Glory. 60# with a 30 inch draw. My accessories are as old and in some cases older than the bow.
I have been poking around at the comments on archerytalk.com about the latest and greatest, but those folks are off the charts into bows, buying new stuff every year. Us mere mortals cannot drop a grand plus every year on new stuff.
I was thinking of investing in a new sight after hunting season. Mine is definitely old, with the fibers being only about an inch and half long. I suspect the newer ones with wrapped fiber hold light a lot longer. I would also like to have a sight with a longer bar/extension. I think mine is only 4 inches.
Was also kicking around the idea of a new fall away rest. I have a Dalton, which probably nobody ever even heard of. It is simple, drops away, but adjusting is a bitch and there is nothing to hold the arrow in place; unlike the new ones.
Then there is the bow. My bow is quiet. It does not spook deer when I shoot. It is plenty fast. It is 37 ATA. I have always thought long ATA was needed for accuracy, but I am seeing all these 30 inch bows out there that are supposed to be real shooters. I guess the one thing that would convince me to switch though, would be if the new designs and cams, made my 60# feel more like 50#. I have to work hard when I get very cold to draw the bow smoothly and without a lot of movement.
So, have bows changed that much? And are you guys swapping out bows often?
Pete
Yup since you bought your bow. Much faster, much lighter, much quieter, smoother draw cycle and much more expensive. You will blow through a grand and then some.
Bear arena 30 70# 28.5" draw... 30.5 ATA.QAD HDX Ultrarest Spot hogg Boss hogg single pin.
Love this bow... quiet, compact, very accurate, fast etc.
I will switch out bows every 5 yrs or so. The advances in technology are very noticeable in the time frame you are talking about. Don't know if you will shoot any better with a new one but I do know you will shoot flatter trajectories with a new bow. I won't even think twice about taking a 40 yd shot if I can. Would you ??? Is the question
A new rest is a good idea especially one that locks in the arrow. A new sight might help extend your shooting time. It all comes down to this. Can and will you kill deer with your current setup? If so then no need for a new bow until a day comes you have an extra 1500 to spend. That's what it will cost to fully setup a new bow
My bow is a 5 year old Elite Hunter. I have yet to draw back a bow as smooth. I’m not sure if I’m going to get a new one yet or not. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it but if it is showing wear then you may want to.
I've got a cheaper model Bear that will be 5 years old in the spring. It's the only bow I've ever shot, so I can't compare it to newer or more expensive bows. I will say that after I put on a drop away rest and new sight my groups became considerably tighter and extended my range.
2016 Hoyt carbon Spyder ZT 34 long draw. Z5 cam and a half, 7 1/2 inch brace height, 34 inch ata, QAD drop away rest, 3 pin sight. #63 lbs at 32 inch draw.
Smooth and fast, nice draw on the cams, very forgiving. Paid dumb money for it, one thing for sure, it doesn't put more deer in the sights!! LOL.
Buying used is probably the best way to go if you're looking for a upgrade, lots of good used bows all set up.
My buddy shoots a 30 year old PSE. It's really a piece of crap. Wrong draw length, junk rest and old brass pin sights. He shoots a deer every year with it.
It really comes down to your hunting skills and knowing your equipment. Most bows will get the job done, some are just a little faster.
Good luck.
obsession defcon m7 26.5 in draw 52 lb Apex lighted sight with 4power scope Qad hd rest Beman 400 arrows
Good points by all. I am definitely going to do some accessory upgrades, the rest being the first one. I like the idea of a limb activated rest, vs cable (or in my case a cable slide) connection. The Old Glory kills just fine. I am interested in trying the new draw cycles of a modern bow though. One morning I got so cold that I couldn't draw my bow back. It was the only time I was happy not to see a deer. It is rare that I get that cold, but it sucked. Not sure a modern bow would have made a difference. A layer of fleece would have done the job.
A 40 yard shot....hmm. I wish I was hunting in an area where I had an opportunity to shoot that distance :) 100% of all my shots on deer have been 20 yards or less. I practice at 30 yards. I will be shooting a lot next year during the off season, much more than I have in the past. I am going to have to see how my bow does at longer distances. I do practice 40 yds occasionally, but never with the intention of shooting an animal at that distance.
Coming back from a few year hiatus, I am beginning to realize how much I love this sport, and how much I have missed it.
With the way my season is going a tree branch with yarn on it would serve just as well. And be lighter too!
Bowtech Diamond Outlaw- 70# - 31"draw length. Easton Arrows- Rage 2"- Qad Ultra rest. about 6 yrs old now.
Nice to see the snowmobile in background muzzy! I'm hoping for a good winter. Bought a new sled in March..............sorry to change subject guys.
Love riding sleds, spend about 5 weeks total every year in Maine riding the whole state top to bottom.
New sled for me next year. What did you buy Proline?
Muzzy takes a dragging sled to another level!!!!!
Muzzy how tall are you, 32 inch draw man, wow
Wow - thought I was the only person in history to shoot a Dalton rest :). I dont now, but I shot one for a while on a few different bows. A limb driver or Hamskea would be a great rest on the OG Pete.
You didnt happen to get that Old Glory at a shop that used to be in Leominster did you Pete? Those Old Glory's are great shooters.
I have been shooting my 82nd Airborne since they came out - has to be close to 10 years. Still really enjoy it... though the Halon 32 is intriguing to me. My 82nd has a goofy stabilizer I'd bought for a Bowtech Allegiance from maybe 2004 or 2005, it' has all sorts of rubbery things hanging off and angles down with a dongly front end thingy. Goofy looking but has always felt good. Hostage bristle 360 rest (a version of a biscuit basically) and HHA Optimizer sight. Octane quiver. Maybe the coolest part, is a custom grip by Grip Werks - Mike, the owner used to be on here. Good guy, and his grips were awesome (not sure if he still builds em).
Really enjoy the bow... It's not "fading"... But at some point, new technology just starts to look exciting.
I'm picking up my G5 prime tomorrow! 60# with 29.5" draw. Centergy hybrid. Sunday I will pass hunter education.
Captain, thought I was the only guy here with a 26.5 draw.
Hey did you know that you tall guys are more prone toward foot injuries? Because of extra distance nerve signal must travel (such as from the toe to the brain), takes longer for tall person to react (to stepping on a nail, for example). I'm not making this up. I read it somewhere, and it seems to make sense. So all you tall folks walking around with nails and chunks of glass stuck in your feet, be sure to get a tetanus shot and some antibiotics.
sorry spike your not alone I really don't mind shooting a shorter draw I have friends that shoot full length arrows so if they miss a target guess who gets the broken arrow i cut them down and can use
Hay with a short draw i get a lot of broken arrows from my friends
Hi Will, yes it was a shop in Leominster. That was definitely a while ago.
I may have to take a trip to Bob's Gun and Archery in Webster one day, especially since he has two of my favorites, guns and bows. Maybe bring the OG and test it against something new and shiny. A new bow would have to to be remarkably better in my hands to make a switch. My first bow was a short ata PSE. The OG was night and day better than that thing, so who knows, maybe I will be surprised.
I am eyeballing the Vapor Trail Limb Driver to replace the Dalton.
ok, now you got my attention. hunting and snowmobiling
Pete - I got my 82nd at Bobs. I had bought a few BT's at the shop in Leo prior to that - they suggested the Dalton, which is why I wondered if you had gone there given they were BT dealers and Dalton dealers.
I think I still have a limbdriver in the basement that I had on my allegiance prior to selling it, then on a Guardian (prior to selling it) and briefly on the 82... before opting to try the hostage rest. If you want to try the Limbdriver and still live close to Leominster, I'm happy to hand it over (free). Let me know and Ill double check to make sure it's still in the basement where I last saw it... It's an older one, but the same concept and worked great on the Ally and Guardian. The steeper draw cycle on the 82 just didnt like it as much.
I have a Darton dealer in my area that is a small shop and sells Darton bows, Muzzy drop away rests and Vortex broadheads. Every person who buys a bow there has the same exact set up. My cousin always said if his crew were shooting and all dropped their bows they wouldn’t know which is which lol. My buddy bought a bow there and I said let me guess what the set up is. He said how did you know!
I know the shop you are talking about but the old muzzy drop away doesn't work on the newer Dartons because of the curved cable rod. Bummer because it was bomb proof. Biscuit for me!
snowmobiling- fills the void between fishing and hunting!
I shoot a first year z-7. Every year I kick the tires on a new bow but I love how the z shoots so why spend a G-note if you don't have to. But now that I think about it my son needs a upgrade . Can you say hand me down and buy a new bow. (LOL)
I shoot a 62 inch takedown recurve. Draw weight is 50lbs at 30 inch draw. I am left handed and my recurve is left handed. I also shoot a borrowed mathews right handed compound when I need a little more range. I have no problem grouping shots at 40 yards with the compound but beyond is difficult as my right eye is not as strong as my left. I have been looking for a used LH compound but they are few and far between, and I am a broke student at the moment anyway.
You do not need to spend 1500 bucks,.. it would be fun to do so though,..
I picked up a Hoyt Lasertech,.. 2009 era,.. 175.00 bucks at R&R used bow section,.. ditched the whisker biscuit for a drop away +150 (freaking Hoyt!), new string +120. All in under 500 and I shoot fine,..
Been eyeing new bow down the road but my guess is I will pick up another "newer" used one,.. honestly there is nothing wrong with a used bow. The guys at the shop said it is just like a new car,.. you walk out the door with a new bow and it instantly loses 1/3 of its value,..
I guess if ya got the money to treat yourself ,.. have at it. But,.. I would recommend you put the extra money into more stands (climber, fixed, etc) , warm gear, and therefor having multiple/many hunt locations,.. IMHO
I started to take bow hunting seriously this season (I've been shooting off and on since I was a kid, but only went hunting a few times) I traded a 20yr old PSE for a Bear Cruzer. Didn't want to break the bank, but wanted something respectable. I love it. 70lb draw, 25" draw length, shooting FMJ arrows and Rage Hypodermics. I also use a Hind Sight instead of a peep. My buddy loves his as well, and they come fully set up (minus the Hind Sight) for about $340.
You don't need to break the bank when it comes to buying a bow. Bows are so efficient you can get in the woods for little money and still have good quality. Whatever you can afford to get you out there. I agree with you BB nothing wrong with buying a used bow.
For those few times I climb a tree I will use my 9 year old bear instinct compound. Worked fine 9 years ago, works fine now. This year when hunting from the ground I have been using a 50# Samick stingray recurve.
Tekoa
Hoyt carbon defiant 34. Carbon express reds. Hha single pin. Qad drop away.
Bowtech Carbon Knight. Carbon Express Mayhem Hunters with Slick Trick 100gr Magnums. HHA Optimizer light single pin and Rip Cord drop away rest.
Skippah, I'm only 6' 4''. My draw length is actually 32 1/2 inches but the new bow only goes to 32.
Jerry from the archery shop said I had the longest draw he ever measured until about two years ago when some 7 foot customer came in. I'm no knuckle dragger, Jerry says it's my shoulders that add to my draw length, I do have long arms but very wide shoulders.
The new bow is 34 inches ata, my old Ulta tech was 44. Really like the new one.