I would like to get into bow hunting , but am having a hell of a time figuring out what I should buy . I have looked at BPS and shot a parker legend xp, and a bear truth 2, not my choices just what the guy offered. The parker seemed awkward it had a 28" draw, the guy said I probably needed a longer draw bow. The bear had a 29" draw and seemed better but what do I know. This guy told me (I am right handed) that your left arm hold the bow should be bent at the elbow when shooting.
I went by a place called kustom archery today in wilsonville. This was an older gentleman, the guy at BPS was a kid. The older gent said no the left arm should be straight when shooting. I am getting conflicting advise here, what say you?
This kustom archery place has bear as well but apparently most of there bows are 07 left overs the guy wanted to make me a deal on a Bear element bow, any opinions on this and the others would be much appreciated.

If you can shoot several and decide what brand you like best and figure out your draw length, look at www.archerytalk.com and pick up a used 1-2 year old bow. Bows are a terrible investment and take a dive when it comes to depreciation. Some guys feel like they need the latest and greatest thanks to some excellent marketing by the big guys like Mathews. You can by their year old bow and save several hundred dollars. I bought a 2 year old Mathews last year after killing a truck load of deer with a Martin I bought new over 15 years ago.

I've been going to Kustom Archery for 8 years or so. I have never bought a bow from him, but he has paper tuned my bow and I have bought some accessories from him. He has a lot of knowledge and most of all he doesn't push anything on you. I would stick with him rather than getting advise from a chain store or Marks.

As far as picking a new bow, this is a fun thing to do. My is to only shoot bows with the correct draw length. You won't get the right feel if you shoot something too short or long. The guy at Kustom should have measured you first thing. He has measured me before.

I used to have a Parker. Great bow, but it was time for a change for me. I went with a Mathews Switchback. If you are talking about buying a new Bear or Parker, you can afford a Mathews if you choose to go that route. As far as feel, the Mathews is smooth as pie compared to my old Parker.

On the arm straight thing....I was at Kustom a few years ago shooting and I kept slapping my arm. I then started bending it too much and the older gentleman said the same thing about keeping my arm straight. I do keep my arm straight without going hyperextended which caused the slapping.

Good luck.

I like to have a little bend in my left arm. That just helps me with my form so I don't feel over stretched.

I am by no means an expert on this. But I'm sure some of our guys on here that have been doing this longer than me will be along to help you out.

I shoot with my left arm bent a little as well.

First of all, the elbow on your bow arm should be unlocked.

The best advice I can offer is visit a good pro shop. This is easier said than done these days because reputable pro shops with good experienced people are few and far between. Your draw length needs to be properly measured. To shoot a bow accurately is all about repetition and consistency. If the bow doesn't fit you properly, you'll never achieve this. As mentioned on here before, you need to shoot as many different bows as you can to learn what you like and dislike. The advice about buying a used bow is good, but first you must find out what you want.

The best archery pro shop I've ever stepped foot in is located in Prattville, not too far from BPS. It's called Archery Unlimited and it's owned by Rick Hellums. I work on my own equipment, but if I was to let anyone else do it, it would be Rick. He can properly fit you and will let you test out as many bows as you want. He has a very nice indoor range. Unlike many so called "pro shops" these days, he has a huge selection of used bows. Plus while you're testing the bows out, he can give you tips on shooting and your form.

I've been sponsored by four archery shops in the past 8 years. I left two of them because of their customer service. If I can't trust them to treat the people I send them right, I will not shoot for them. I've been shooting for Archery Unlimited the past two seasons.

I will try to get by Archery Unlimited today.

Tell Rick that Sonny told you to stop by.

will do

It will be well worth the trip to go see Rick. He's one of the best.

When I lived in Clanton and had Army drill in Montgomery I went by Archery Unlimited on several occasions.

Now this is my experience, things may have changed:

Parking was a pain in the butt.

Never could get anyone to help me. And if they did, after I went and stood nearby with a 'I need help look' for a while, it was a quick answer and back to hanging out with what I assumed was the local regulars.

Prices weren't too bad.

Instead of shopping there I ended up going further out of my way to Mike Bentley's over off of 231 North of Wetumpka to buy my new bow ( a Mathews).

Mike worked with me, let me shoot several different bows and the experience was much better.

I even drove to Anniston from Clanton to a shop I used to go to which was much farther than Arch Unl.

Don't know, things may have changed. Especially since BPS moved in. But they lost a lot of my business.

Just my experience and unbiased opinion.


Ricky

Thanks for all the response, but my shopping is over. Just got back from archery unlimited, Rick was very courteous and extremely knowledgeable. He went into great detail explaining the different bows and accessories, he didnt push anything just explained and let me decide.
I got a 08 Reflex Growler package, a dozen Beman arrows, a copperhead release, a bow case, and a block 4x4 target. And upon leaving had to go buy my wife a new laptop.

I just looked up the Growler. Wicked looking bow! I bet you will enjoy it. Glad to know you found a great place to shop.

I learned a long time ago that just because someone has been doing something for a long period of time doesn't make them an authority!!! There are some things that are basic and won't ever change. On the other hand, if you're not willing to embrace technology, and be open to new ways of doing things, you will fall way behind! Being good at something is a combination of repetition and a "willingness and desire" to learn better ways.

You would NOT or should not go to a surgeon that says, "I've been taking gallbladders out for 25 years and there ain't nobody that can tell me how to do it!" Well buddy, medical technology has changed for the better and so has the technology in bows.

I'd pick and choose who I listen to. Shaw is someone I WOULD listen to and WOULDconsider an authority on bows.

Ditto!!!

I was in your same position back in April of this year. I drove 3 hours up to Prattville to Archery Unlimited, and it was well worth the drive. I left the store with everything I needed to go bow hunting, except for the practicing. Rick walked me through every piece of equipment I need. He explained the pros and cons of each piece. He installed everything on my bow, got me fitted for the bow, then made sure I was hitting the bullseye at 20 yds before I left the store.

First You need to go to a good pro shop. They will measure you for draw length and all that. Myself I go to Pat's Archery in Jasper because it's close and Paul and Pat are good at what they do. As far as bow selection all I can say is shoot em to you find the one you just fall in love with. Most bow companies try to make their bows kinda like the Mathews but i dont think any companie compare.Does that mean other bows are not good,absolutely not. The bear bows are good bows,nearly every model has an IBO rating over 300FPS, the browning bows are good, martin bows for the money are excellent bows. It just all boils down to how much you're willing to pay. Why buy a cheaper bow and hate it and be stuck with it then pay the extra cash and get a good bow that will last. You'll know when you find the right bow. Just look around til you find the one you love

Oh yeah by the way, I've been shooting the same bow for years. I got a hand me down from my uncle which is a HighCountry Excalibur dual cam bow. I have it set on 70# and it shoots in the 260 FPS range and I've never had a problem killing deer with it.

I bought the mathews DXT from archery unlimited about 2 months ago and I love it, not sayin go bye a mathews but it is one of the best on the market, just sayin go th archery unlimited shoot everything you can and Rick will walk you through is step for step its the best archery shop ive ever been in.