I am looking into getting my first bow but and a little overwhelmed. What will it truly cost? I am thinking a sub $500 bow. I see bow sights from $50-$200+ the same for releases. I know better than to cheap out on those two as I would never put a $50 trigger and scope on my rifle. Then arrows, stabilizer, quiver, target and anything and everything else. What will it truly cost me?

I went through the same dilemma starting out a few years ago. I bought each piece of equipment over the course of a year id say. I still have some of the same equipment, and same bow I started with. I just upgrade apiece here or there. I figure I don't need the newest bow or sight since they still all work perfect. My buddy on the other hand needed this years newest release, arrows, wraps, different broadheads etc, so he sold me last years models at near dirt cost. Used isn't a bad way to go FWIW.

Let me know when your friend is ready for an upgrade lol. I am left-eye dominant so used maybe a bit more of a challenge.

I would look for used, let someone else take the beating of depreciation. Besides the cost, it also takes a lot of dedication to spend the time practicing. I had access to an area that was close to town that I could shoot at targets. 2 or 3 times a week, I would shoot for awhile, and once I was satisfied with the results I still kept going at least once a week, and some weeks twice.

Years earlier, back in the 1960's I bought a used recurve. In was in the 80's that I bought my first compound, also a used bow up until medical problems sidelined my bowhunting, those were my only 2 bows. One is over 50 years old, still hits the target, as does the compound that s probably about 40 years old.

It's up to you. If you are one of those folks whose self worth is based on the higher cost you have in equipment you can count on dropping a couple grand. Plus.
However if you are willing to buy a used bow, or a "box store" bow that comes as a set up with rest, sight and maybe even a stabilizer you can get set up for well under a grand. Get on Archerytalk and look for the guys who have to upgrade annually or every other year. There are some good deals starting now and you can get set up well for a reasonable cost.

There are some really good RTH bows out there with quality components. My favorite is the Martin Rev. It is a nice bow for around $350 and $500 RTH at shops around here that are Martin dealers. Some people like and have great luck with the Mission set-ups. Nothing wrong with a Diamond with the right configuration and Obsession makes a sub $500 package too.

A dozen decent arrows are going to cost you $115 or more cut to length. You should be able to dedicate 3 to 6 for hunting and practice with the others. A really nice release can be from $50-$100 depending on your preferences, but often bow shops will have pre-owned releases at great discounts.

I think realistically to be able to practice enough and then hunt you'd spend around $650 - $700 new and half that used.

I am far from your location but the two shops here have several new and used RTH packages for under $500 and many used releases and components in the showcase. I think the one thing I would change if not offered would be to get a drop-away rest, my bow shop here has three or four pre-owned drop-aways for $40-$65 each.

What will Bowhunting cost you??? Look at last year's Box 1 of your W-2s. Double that. Add 2 lives and your soul.

That's just your down payment.

Im also in Colliln County and have a used bow I need to sell. Has everything youll need except a rest. And i may have an old one to throw on. Thats the only reason I havent listed it yet. Its an 09 (i think) Diamond Iceman

There you go Shane!, You found a good start here^^

Iceman bows are some of the smoothest drawing bows ever built, solid bow.

You will not beat this deal right here.
https://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=738263

Cost is the reason that I still shoot some good old Hoyt's that I bought used from a Pro Staffer almost 30 years ago and learned how to build and fletch own arrows. Many a night sitting at kitchen table enjoying that... miss those days of simplicity. Got away from routine practice so picked up a crossbow a few years ago that has refueled desire to pull out the compounds again. As other recommend, get on archery boards and visit shops to find a used set up to start
Good Luck

Do not over look the RTS package bows from the large dealers. Back in 2014 I had not shot a bow in 15+ years when I decided I wanted to bow hunt again. So instead of investing $1000+ in new setup, I opted to buy a lower end RTS from Cabelas. I bought a PSE Stinger RTS package on sale for $299, reg. $399. For the money it really was a very good shooting bow and it came with the site, rest, release, peep, quiver and arrows to start. I took it to a local shop and had them set the draw weight and length for me. I killed a buck with it the next season after I bought it. I ran into a great deal on a 1 yr old Elite Impulse 31 that was to good to pass up. After the PSE sitting around for 3 yrs I gave it to friends son when he wanted to getting into bow hunting to use as a starter bow.

I too bought my compound used. It was last years model, a 2018 Martin Max33 and came with sights and stabilizer which was a good deal. My problem was I didn't know what draw weight I was able to pull starting out. It ended up being too heavy of a draw so I had to call Martin and order a set of lower poundage limbs which added more to the cost.

Then, not knowing anything about compounds, I took it to a pro shop to get it tuned (more $). I got arrows for practice ($40 for 6) and arrows for hunting ($80 for 6) then add the cost of broadheads (even more $$).

Since then I have learned to tune my own bow and have the equipment to it. Definitely cost more than expected but I love archery and wouldn't have it any other way.

I bought and still have a parker package bow from Cabelas came with everything but arrows, a target, points, and a release. It was $320 and ive killed several deer and hogs with it.

When dad started hunting with a bow he bought the new cabelas package bow, a diamond. It is 15 years newer than mine and a hell of a lot better. Came with the same set up as mine but more modern and catch this $280 on sale regular was a little over 300.

You do not have to spend a bunch of money to get a more than adequate bow to hunt with. You can spend $5000 on a rifle or you can spend $500, same is true with bows.

I purchased a “n almost new Diamond bow package for my daughter at a pawn shop for $145.00. Had the quiver, decent 3 pin sight and ok release. The bow shoots great and has plenty of adjustments. You don’t have to spend a ton of money to get into the game.

Gotta agree Bigjoe. I have rarely seen a worn out bow.

I bought the PSE Stinger RTS from Bass Pro and it has done me very well for $449... Only downfall is I wish I could ramp up the draw weight to 75-78lbs. Being I only deer hunting through the month of October, maybe a weekend in November then I switch to duck hunting.. I will use this bow for a very long time.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/PSE-Archery-Stinger-Extreme-RTS-Compound-Bow-Package

Ill add to my comment, I shot my buddies $1200 matthews or hoyt, can't remember which one he has and it shot the same. Only difference was his was a tad bit lighter, but I am a bigger guy so that little bit more weight helps with my stability with a heavier draw.