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Feb 7th, 2025
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 OK.. need advice form the GURU's of the stick and string
#277477
12/15/07 04:55 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 610
bankrunner
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 610 |
I have been a rifle hunter almost all of my life with the exception of 2 or 3 years tromping around with an old Bear Whitetail hunter. A lot has changed over the years and now I am ready to expand my season and pick up a bow again. So... advice anyone.? A few things to keep in mind LOL and this will make it fun :
Left handed but right eye dominant... shoot left or teach myself to shoot right handed?
What manufacturer do you recommend?
Draw weight recommendation?
Shaft recommendations and broadheads?
Release?
Sights?
You get the picture... when you respond take afew minutes and tell me why you made the recommendation... I want to get tooled up shortly after the first of the year so I will have ample time to practice before next fall... will be heading back to Kansas for archery and later on rifle season.
I appreciate your time and one more thing... Dallas area here..so what shop do you recommend?
bank...aka SLASH
In Memory of my 36 yr old nephew Paul Dobbins that lost his fight to cancer... Never GIVE UP !!! He fought it hard and was determined all the way to the end to beat it.
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Re: OK.. need advice form the GURU's of the stick and string
[Re: bankrunner]
#277478
12/15/07 07:29 PM
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 812
Arrow_Splitter10
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 812 |
As far as bow i would go with a martin they are fairly low priced and I LOVE MINE better than any matthews or hoyt and yes i have shot both.
Doonan Cattle Company, Midlothian, TX specializing in club calves and commercial replacement heifers (979) 820-4388-Kevin
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Re: OK.. need advice form the GURU's of the stick and string
[Re: Arrow_Splitter10]
#277479
12/16/07 01:50 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 695
calls
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 695 |
As far as the right or left handed question don't know what to tell ya. As far as the rest of the questions that's easy. IGNORE everyone elses PREFERENCE and get the best equipment you an afford. DO NOT be brand specific, take the time to go shoot all the different bows you can and buy what YOU shoot good with and that YOU are comfortable with. The rest of the equipment a good archery shop can go over with you and help you pick out. Just remember, if you don't have confidence in your equipment your never gonna be satisified or as good as you'd like to be with it. There are a lot of good bows made these days and to tell you which one to buy would be like telling you what caliber rifle you should be shooting.
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Re: OK.. need advice form the GURU's of the stick and string
[Re: calls]
#277480
12/16/07 02:45 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20,770
cbump
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20,770 |
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Re: OK.. need advice form the GURU's of the stick and string
[Re: calls]
#277481
12/16/07 12:13 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 344
BowStalker
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 344 |
Quote:
As far as the right or left handed question don't know what to tell ya. As far as the rest of the questions that's easy. IGNORE everyone elses PREFERENCE and get the best equipment you an afford. DO NOT be brand specific, take the time to go shoot all the different bows you can and buy what YOU shoot good with and that YOU are comfortable with. The rest of the equipment a good archery shop can go over with you and help you pick out. Just remember, if you don't have confidence in your equipment your never gonna be satisified or as good as you'd like to be with it. There are a lot of good bows made these days and to tell you which one to buy would be like telling you what caliber rifle you should be shooting.
Good post, I think its almost like getting a new car.It would be nice to have a Lamburguine (spellling) but you buy what you can afford and what you like. Some like blue ...some like yellow.. Some like big and roomy..some like small and compact. Lost of variables here. So look around buy what fits your budget and UR prefrences. Almost everything on the market today will work it all depends on the Hunter ...
JMO..
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Re: OK.. need advice form the GURU's of the stick and string
[Re: bankrunner]
#277482
12/17/07 04:36 AM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,597
HunterTed
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,597 |
Quote:
I have been a rifle hunter almost all of my life with the exception of 2 or 3 years tromping around with an old Bear Whitetail hunter. A lot has changed over the years and now I am ready to expand my season and pick up a bow again. So... advice anyone.? A few things to keep in mind LOL and this will make it fun :
Left handed but right eye dominant... shoot left or teach myself to shoot right handed?
What manufacturer do you recommend?
Draw weight recommendation?
Shaft recommendations and broadheads?
Release?
Sights?
You get the picture... when you respond take afew minutes and tell me why you made the recommendation... I want to get tooled up shortly after the first of the year so I will have ample time to practice before next fall... will be heading back to Kansas for archery and later on rifle season.
I appreciate your time and one more thing... Dallas area here..so what shop do you recommend?
bank...aka SLASH
Matthews shooter here, but like someone else said shoot what you can afford, but more importantly shoot what feels comfortable. My wife is going saturday to look at the Matthews DXT and make a decision on either that or an Elite Ice. She shot an Ice tonight and fell inlove with it. I was impressed with it myself. But she still wants to shoot the matthews..........
as far as your eye dominance problem I can't answer that. I am left handed and left eye dominant. I can shoot a bow right handed just fine, but I prefer to do it left handed. Try both ways before you buy and see which feels better.
As far as shafts and broadheads, I am using the Carbon Express Maxima camo Hunters with 4 inch vanes. I absolutely love them. I also use both Spitfire XP Pro mechanicals and Crimson talon fixed balde broadheads. Again like everything else, use what works for you. I had to try a few before I found what worked for me.
Mathews Legacy
Mathews Ovation
Square Up Archery & Lightning Bowstrings Staff Shooter
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Re: OK.. need advice form the GURU's of the stick and string
[Re: HunterTed]
#277483
12/17/07 03:27 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 50
thunderhead100gr
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 50 |
pre-welcome to the bowhunting ranks. You`ll fall in love all over again. Bowhunting will definetly get you that divorce you mentioned. LOL I shoot a Hoyt but like the experts have said it comes down to what you can afford and what shoots and feel best for you. Shoot several then go back a few times and shoot them again. Just like a litter of pups, you`ll know which one is right for you. Also I`m sure you know in KS you can only get 1 buck tag. So you have to decide your weapon of choice. I hope you go with the bow. It`s a thrill a second when one of those whoppers comes in close! 
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Re: OK.. need advice form the GURU's of the stick and string
[Re: thunderhead100gr]
#277484
12/17/07 03:35 PM
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 883
TX_Hoghunter
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 883 |
I am right handed and left eyed. If I had it to do over again I would learn to shot left handed. At this point I have been closing my left eye to shot since the 80's so changing would be a pain.
I shot a Mathews. You can get by with a cheaper bow, but in the long run you normally get what you pay for, but what ever you get make sure that everything is properly setup and matched. With draw weight I figure out what is the absolute max that you can pull now and get a bow that starts there and goes up. After a month of shooting it you should be able to pull a lot more weight then right now. Of course all of this is real general so common sense should always be applied.
There are a lot of local shops. My favorite is Arlington Bow Hunting World. (817)478-5990 Ken can be a little rough around the edges, but he means well. And he is extremely good at setting up bows and getting you started right.
-john
Time to catch a hog..........
A friend of Ken's
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Re: OK.. need advice form the GURU's of the stick and string
[Re: thunderhead100gr]
#277485
12/17/07 05:08 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 610
bankrunner
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 610 |
Quote:
pre-welcome to the bowhunting ranks. You`ll fall in love all over again. Bowhunting will definetly get you that divorce you mentioned. LOL I shoot a Hoyt but like the experts have said it comes down to what you can afford and what shoots and feel best for you. Shoot several then go back a few times and shoot them again. Just like a litter of pups, you`ll know which one is right for you. Also I`m sure you know in KS you can only get 1 buck tag. So you have to decide your weapon of choice. I hope you go with the bow. It`s a thrill a second when one of those whoppers comes in close!
thunderhead... yeah Ron sold me on the bow this year.. I sat up above him in one stand and was running the video cam when deer weere coming in... that had me all jacked up, being right on top of them when they came in, a real thrill to see behaviour up and close... sure gonna miss the wife LOL. Also, I had heard that next year KS may have a new law in affect... license would be good for muzzle loader, bow or rifle... will have to watch the web site and stay in touch with you and Ron, that would be sweet... if I failed during archery I could go back with rifle, a great safety net.... SLASH...aka.... bank
In Memory of my 36 yr old nephew Paul Dobbins that lost his fight to cancer... Never GIVE UP !!! He fought it hard and was determined all the way to the end to beat it.
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Re: OK.. need advice form the GURU's of the stick and string
[Re: bankrunner]
#277486
12/17/07 06:14 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,317
Redneck_Hunter
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,317 |
Like everyone else said, get what you can afford and feels comfortable. I recommend finding a good pro shop and shooting several different bows and comparing the feel of each.
As for the left hand / right eye thing, just shoot with your right eye closed. I'm right handed, but left eye dominant, so I shoot with my left eye closed, and I shoot pretty dang good.
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Re: OK.. need advice form the GURU's of the stick and string
[Re: TX_Hoghunter]
#277487
12/17/07 06:31 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 577
taxidrmst_james
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 577 |
i to am rt handed but left eye dominate and close left eye ,would still shoot right handed if had to do all over again ,,like the others said dont worry about brand shoot what feels good to you and what you can afford (just make it a hoyt)lol,,,jk 
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Re: OK.. need advice form the GURU's of the stick and string
[Re: taxidrmst_james]
#277488
12/17/07 06:42 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,703
slow944
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,703 |
I shot a Mathews Switchback XT now, but I started out with a $25 PSE in 1995, and have had several other bows since. Living in Frisco I know that BPS has an archery range but I don't know if they will let you try a lot of different bows. There is a place in Garland on Beltline Rd. called Outdoor Pro Shop. Chuck is the Bow Technician and will really work with you on picking the right bow for you. He has an 20yd indoor range and that helps a lot. Check them out and see what you think. Hope this helps.
I Have A 45 And A Shovel. Don't Mess With Texas!
According To "Kierchof's Law" Murphy Was An Optimist!
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Re: OK.. need advice form the GURU's of the stick and string
[Re: slow944]
#277489
12/18/07 12:11 AM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 95
Jerry
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 95 |
I'd go with the eye. My son is right handed but left eye dominant. I bought him a left handed bow and he shoots great.
Finding right handed bows will always be easier. Most stand/set-ups will be for right handed shots.
Being left handed, life would be easier if I were right handed!
Get the best equipment you can afford and practice. Don't let someone talk you into buying what they like! Buy what FEELS good to you.
good luck,
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Re: OK.. need advice form the GURU's of the stick and string
[Re: bankrunner]
#277490
12/22/07 12:37 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,092
elkhunter7x6
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,092 |
I am left handed and right eye dominant as well. Years ago when I decided to buy a bow I tried both right and left handed models at the store, both felt equally awkward .....so I went with my dominant eye and learned RIGHT handed. As far as which bow you need , find the one that feels good to you.
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Re: OK.. need advice form the GURU's of the stick and string
[Re: bankrunner]
#277491
01/14/08 07:51 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 183
stdcrk17
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 183 |
Left handed but right eye dominant... shoot left or teach myself to shoot right handed?-teach yourself to shoot right
What manufacturer do you recommend?-matthews is my favorite
Draw weight recommendation?-whatever you can easily pull back and hold
Shaft recommendations and broadheads?-i use cheap ole beman ics venture shafts and classic muzzy 3 blad 100 gr. broad heads. they seem to do the trick for me
Release? whatever feels good in your hand
Sights?-i use a hind sight and a HHA bracketed sight(1 pin). i like this combination because the sight is easily adjustable and the hind sight is good for looking out of both eyes and using your prepherial vision. Once again, whatever you feel comfortable with is what you should get
The main thing is to make sure you are comfortable with whatever you get. Go to a bow shop and try a few bows, look at a few sights and try a few releases. As far as arrows go, that really should be decided after you buy a bow.
-coy
Last edited by stdcrk17; 01/14/08 07:52 PM.
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Re: OK.. need advice form the GURU's of the stick and string
[Re: bankrunner]
#277492
01/14/08 08:02 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,334
PrimitiveHunter
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,334 |
Maybe we are etheral twins. I am left handed and right eye dominat and I also started out with an old Bear Whitetail. It's De Ja Vu all over again.
My Dad taught me to shoot right handed because he was worried about the selection of left handed firearms. This was almost 50 years ago. Shooting a long gun is the only thing I do right handed but I can't imagine doing it any other way. I don't see how you could get behind the sights shooting left handed but I haven't ever tried so maybe you can. I do shoot a handgun left handed but I shoot it better right handed. I just keep forgetting to put it in my right hand.
So having grown up in the same stew pot as you, I'd suggest shooting right handed since that's your dominant eye. Sorry I can't help on the equipment. I shoot traditional now with wood shafts, no sights, and a shooting tab. I do believe however that you can learn to shoot any bow that's been set up correctly. The best bow on the market won't shoot well otherwise. It really depends on how much money you want to spend, how much "bow bling" you want, etc. I think every major bow manufacturer makes a bow that can be shot well enough to hunt with.
Practice doesn’t make perfect.
Practice makes permanent.
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Re: OK.. need advice form the GURU's of the stick and string
[Re: PrimitiveHunter]
#277493
01/14/08 08:26 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 314
meathunter
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 314 |
I shoot a gun left handed, and shoot my bow right handed. Shoot bow with both eyes open and have no problem with accuracy. I was taught to shoot with both eyes open at a bow shop in SA.
Living Day by Day.
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Re: OK.. need advice form the GURU's of the stick and string
[Re: meathunter]
#277494
01/14/08 09:14 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,203
Koenig
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,203 |
DUDE get you butt to Sportsman's Warehouse all they have left is left handed bows!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 never trust a man that rents pigs....
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Re: OK.. need advice form the GURU's of the stick and string
[Re: Koenig]
#277495
01/16/08 01:40 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,783
passthru
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,783 |
I would train the hand to shoot righty cause you'll never train the eye to got the other way. It won't matter if both eyes are open unless you shoot instinctive. If you go sight and peep it will wear you out. JMHO.
I'm a Mathews guy for the quality of the bow and the resale value is there when it's time to trade for the new model. I prefer fixed broadheads but I'm not afraid to try new stuff either. I plan to try the Rage line this summer on a hunt. I would suggest carbon shafts for the fact that they are light, small diameter and tough. Draw weight is up to you but from the "50 years ago" comment I would assume you're closing in on 60 and unless you are in above average shape for 60 I would suggest staying around 55 to 65 pounds as it will be easier on your back and shoulders. I shoot 70+ and it's okay until it's cold and I've sat for a couple of hours then it can get tough. Definitely buy the best you can afford but shoot several before you decide then practice.
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 Re: OK.. need advice form the GURU's of the stick and string
[Re: passthru]
#277496
01/27/08 09:51 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 822
1tex
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 822 |
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Re: OK.. need advice form the GURU's of the stick and string
[Re: 1tex]
#277497
01/28/08 05:28 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,814
1000YRDSTARE
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,814 |
Bankrunner, I just picked up the bow after many years also, Sarah said when you get your bow, she will cook dinner and you and your wife can come over and shoot the bails at our house and catch up, and if you want to hunt some pigs on public land there are a few spots by our house, as for a suggestion I have no clue, the bow scene has came a long way since I set my bow down. Good Luck
Tim And Sarah
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Re: OK.. need advice form the GURU's of the stick and string
[Re: 1000YRDSTARE]
#277498
01/28/08 06:43 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 196
EliteShooter
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 196 |
Shoot them and decide. THat is always the best. Also watch the classifeds on all the hunting sites you just might come across a really good deal. 
Hunt Hard,Hunt Safe. Put Some Meat On Your Plate.
Team MOFEA
Staff Shooter Murphey's Archery
Two Racks Taxidermy
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Re: OK.. need advice form the GURU's of the stick and string
[Re: EliteShooter]
#277499
02/02/08 04:23 AM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,603
Parker
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,603 |
Wow...it's funny with bows. It's kind of like trying to tell a guy what kind of underwear to buy. I shoot a Reflex Ridgeline. Reflex is to Hoyt as Tikka is to Sako (I also have a Tikka). You won't see it on the hunting shows. It's not the glamorous thing to buy (like Bowtech Guardian). But, for me, it felt good, I liked the way it shot, I was comfortable with it, and the price was in my budget. A bow's a big investment. It's much more personal than a rifle. Choose your bow like you choose a wife...she might not be a supermodel, but as long as she lights YOUR fire, that's all that matters!!!
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