Other than whatever we shot at scout camp 25 years ago, I have never shot a bow in my life. My family has been blessed enough to have access to some land to hunt this year, and of all things, the wife and kids want to try bow hunting!

By way of background, I have gun hunted my whole life and my oldest (11 y/o girl shot a doe last year with a .243) Both girls have been bird hunting with me. Wife has limited hunting experience, but really wants to go now that we have a place.

I'll cross post this on a few forums to accelerate the learning curve.

Here's what I need: Our budget is really tight, but I want to start by getting a bow that my daughters (9 and 11) can shoot in the back yard (I live on an acre). I assume that my wife could shoot the same bow. I don't even know if a kid bow is capable of killing a deer/hog???

Soooo....does anyone have one that their kid has outgrown?

What should I be looking for if I can't find a used one? Brands? Arrows? I KNOW NOTHING!!!!...but I look forward to sharing pictures and venison with you guys!

Diamond razor edge or a cross bow.

my wife and daughter hunt with parker challengers , you can pick them up on archery talk or e bay pretty good , the browning micro adreniline is pretty cheap ,very broad adjustment range and good price used

You need to take them all in to a local archery shop to have them fit. There's a good chance their draw lengths will not be the same so it may not be feasible for them to share the same bow. A good archery shop really needs to be your first stop. At least then they can get measured and even shoot a few bows to see what they think.

You need to get everyone measured as Im sure they all are different heights/builds and there for have different draw lengths. Also knowing what your budget is would also help, since bare bows can go anywhere from 300-1300. But there are also some good package bows out there for not to much money, it just depends on what you can spend. Also the arrows will most likely be different sizes for each person just another thing to keep in mind. But like was said before for sharing equiptment a crossbow is the easiest route, but they may need help drawing it back.

My whole family and I shoot mathews, you can pick up older Q2/SQ2/MQ2 ect for half the price of new from Archery talk. I havent found another bow I like better then the Mathews.

Just to let you know at any diamond or bowtech retailer you can buy a diamond razors edge bow package thats ready to shoot for 329 dollars a piece

If your interested in a crossbow, I would recommend the Parker Challenger http://www.parkerbows.com/crossbows.html?action=detail&detailsku=1117

It's good for youth and women. My nine year old is shooting it well.

I like the Diamond razor edge, bought it for my son he was 12 then i set it up for me when i had back problems now my wife is shooting it

Another vote here for the Diamond razor edge. Bought it for my wife and upgraded the sights and rest. Has a very broad range of adjustment in both draw lengths and draw weight. You more than likely will have to get a bow for the kiddo's and one for the wife due to draw lengths and the weight. I really would hate to see someone get into crossbow hunting rather than with a bow, but it's just my opinion. Either way you are getting your family into hunting period, how they do it or weapon of choice isn't the issue. hope everything works out for all of you.