Choosing a compound bow is a fundamental step for any budding archer. There are a number of different things to pay attention to:

Axle Length

The axle length denotes the entire length of the bow. The shorter the axle length the easier the bow is to hold and carry. But, what you gain in maneuverability you give up in accuracy. That is, a longer bow is more forgiving to archer. So, if you are new to the sport I would purchase a longer bow to start with.

Draw Length

The way to calculate your draw length is to enter your local bow show and have an expert help you, but if you are buying a bow online this is almost never possible. So, for an easy estimation of your draw length - hold your arm out by using a clenched fist as if you are holding the bow a the ready. Then measure from the point just beyond your fist to the closest corner of your mouth. This will get you more or less your draw length.

Brace Height

Brace height is the measurement from the string to the grip while the bow is dormant. Basically the smaller this distance is the faster the bow. But, again, with speed you give up accuracy for beginners. If you are new, stay on a brace height of over 8 inches.

Draw Weight

This is actually an individual preference, but don't get one too big for you to shoot. Make sure you can draw the bow easily. Also, keep in mind what type of game you are hunting as you many have to get a stronger bow to take down that big game.

Overall Bow Weight

Again, is an individual preference; but I want you to be mindful of the overall weight of the bow you choose. Most beginners make the mistake of getting a compound bow that is too heavy to hold at the ready.

New 2010 Martin Bengal Compound Bow Package 55-70lb RH $499.00

Martin Firecat 2008 Left Lefty LH Compound bow $199.00

2009 Diamond Marquis Compound Bow 26-30in Draw 50-70lbs $430.00

Genesis Pro compound bow-Left Handed-4 children, adults $184.95

NEW KIDS 27"FIBERGLASS TOY COMPOUND BOW AND ARROW SET $16.59

Mathews Legacy Solocam Compound Bow with accessories $355.00

2008 Reflex Prohawk Small Frame/Youth Compound Bow $217.51

Mathews Switchback LD Compound Bow $480.00

46" COMPOUND BOW CASE "BODY PIERCING BY MARTIN" ***NEW $24.95

46" COMPOUND BOW CASE "BODY PIERCING BY MATTHEWS" **NEW $24.95

46" COMPOUND BOW CASE "BODY PIERCING BY HOYT" **NEW $24.95

46" COMPOUND BOW CASE "BODY PIERCING BY BOWTECH" **NEW $24.95

Mathews SQ2 Solo Cam Compound Bow Great Condition $280.00

PSE COMPOUND BOW THE BEAST $100.95

46" COMPOUND BOW CASE "BODY PIERCING BY JENNINGS" **NEW $24.95

46" COMPOUND ECONO BOW CASE MARTIN ***NEW $19.95

46" COMPOUND ECONO BOW CASE MATHEWS ***NEW $19.95

PSE MOJO COMPOUND BOW $102.50

46" COMPOUND ECONO BOW CASE JENNINGS ***NEW $19.95

46" COMPOUND ECONO BOW CASE BEAR ***NEW $19.95

PSE COMPOUND BOW- Left Handed! Excelent Condition! $175.00

46" COMPOUND ECONO BOW CASE HOYT ***NEW $19.95

46" COMPOUND ECONO BOW CASE MATHEWS ***NEW $19.95

Parker Legend XP EZ Draw Compound Bow $300.00

PSE MACH PRO TARGET COMPOUND BOW $202.50

PSE Nova Jr Youth Compound Bow $22.50

HOYT ARCHERY KOBALT RH COMPOUND BOW 27/40 ( 25.5-28) $489.99

46" COMPOUND ECONO BOW CASE PSE ***NEW $19.95

Hoyt Protec xt 2000 compound bow $296.00

46" COMPOUND ECONO BOW CASE BOWTECH ***NEW $19.95

2 Peep Sites and 1 Stabilizer for Compound Bow Archery $1.95

oneida eagle areo-force x80 rh compound bow $152.50

Hoyt Superslam Compound Bow Fully Loaded Ready to Hunt $200.00

LH Parker Buck-Shot Compound Bow $127.50

PSE ELITE COMPOUND BOW $15.50

Hoyt Trykon Sport Compound Bow $359.95

Mathews OVATION COMPOUND BOW LIMBS 70 VERY NICE MATTHEW $125.00

Darton 30MX Compound Bow Made in the USA $51.36

PSE NOVA (RH) Compound bow (arrows & case included) $122.50

Martin Cougar Speed Flite Compound Bow $80.00

mathews dxt compound bow 29'' cam $49.99

child kid hunt hunter hunting Compound Bow $15.00

Diamond Iceman Compound Bow $425.00

Fred Bear Signature Line Tactical Compound Bear Bow 25" $49.99

Bear Whitetail compound Bow $12.00

Mathews Switchback XT Compound Bow $510.00

Sticker for archery Compound Bow Arrow Sights Case NEW! $1.95

Ben Pearson Compound Bow $29.95

Hoyt Proforce Extreme 65-70 lb Compound Bow w/ Cobra RH $32.99

Bow Hunting Arm Guard Longbow Recurve Compound bow $18.99

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Your Basic Selecting, Tuning, and Shooting Guide for Modern Compound Bows $25.00 ...

How to Set Up Your Compound Bow Setting up your compound bow properly is easy especially when you have television personality Wayne Pearson and archery champion Jesse Moorehead to help. In just half an hour, this video from Bear Video Theatre guides you through the occassionally confusing steps of mounting accessories, tying peep sights and silencers on to your bowstring, checking your arrow rest for center shot and much more...

Phantom Of The Fall $9.88 As the dog days of summer end and the cool crisp air of fall begins to lay its hands upon the hills and swamps, every hunter gets that instinctive urge to pursue the whitetail deer. This ritual has been going on for thousands of years and with a little luck and a lot of hard work by dedicated sportsmen like yourself, we, along with future generations will be able to take to the woods in hopes of c...

BARSKA Red Dot 30mm Riflescope for Crossbow $26.99 DEAD - ON: Barska 30 mm 3 - dot Crossbow Sight. Improved accuracy! Eyeball this Red Dot Sight for ultra-fast target acquisition, pin-point precision and a wide field-of-view. Universally ideal for most crossbows, it offers: 3-dot crossbow reticle; 11 adjustable brightness settings; 1X magnification; Multi-coated optics with anti-reflective coating; Weaver style base; Unlimited eye relief; Powered ...

Foam Strike Compound Bow $20.98 Get ready to take aim with the ultimate in bows; the Foam Strike Compound Bow X2. Shoot long-range, short range, and anywhere in between as your arrows hurtle right on target! Designed with dual power cords for maximum distance. Soft foam arrows fly over 100 feet. Guide wire provides easy and accurate aiming. Just line them up and let them fly! Set includes 1 bow, 3 arrows, and 1 arrow holder....

Surefire Compound Bow, Like Nerf, SHOOTS 100FT + $24.95 The all new surefire compound bow x2 is the most accurate, high performance foam bow and arrow around! It's twice as nice with dual power cords, totally on target with guide-wire technology and super-safe soft foam arrows! Includes 1 compound bow and 4 soft foam arrows. About the surefire line featuring classic, long-loved concepts that have now been infused with even more action, style, and fun e...

Compound Bow Jr. Archery Set $13.50 Set includes: 34-inch camo bow, 3 camo arrows and a game target. Real fiberglass bows....

Classic Accessories 18-022-011201-00 Double Bow Case $86.62 18-022-011201-0 Features: -UTV/ATV double bow case in Realtree hardwoods. -QuadGear Extreme collection. -Construction material: Polyester and PVC. -Holds two large compound bows. -Two fully lined bow pockets with thick protective padding. -Four additional zippered pockets for tools, broad heads, and accessories. -Heavy Protek X Extreme fabric with waterproof backing for extreme weather and abra...

Genesis Original Bow Right Handed Blue Kit Md: 10926. $189.95 Genesis Original Bow Right Handed, Blue, Kit, Genesis Original Kit The Genesis, the first compound bow that automatically covers all draw lengths, is available in a convenient kit. It is the perfect introduction to the sport of archery for young and old alike. Along with the single-cam Genesis bow, the set features several other components that will help beginners be fully prepared to take o...

Monkey Business Sports Surefire Compound Bow X2 $24.95 Surefire Compound Bow X2 Get ready to take aim with the ultimate in bows, the Surefire Compound Bow X2! Shoot long-range, short-range and anywhere in-between, as your arrows hurtle right on target! Just line them up and let them fly! Includes: 1 bow 3 arrows 1 arrow holder Features: Two times the power, 2 times the fun! Dual power cords for maximum distance Soft foam arrows fly over 10...

Monkey Business Extra Arrows for Surefire Compound Bow $11.95 Replacement Arrows for Surefire Compound Bow X2- 3 Pack Arrow refill pack Comes with 3 extra replacement arrows. We know that sometimes with the high-flying fun of the Surefire Compound Bow X2 from Monkey Business Sports that an arrow may go astray or may not last up to all of your play! The Surefire Compound Bow Replacement Arrows Set will keep you playing with the Compound Bow with no proble...

On Target for Tuning Your Compound Bow $8.14 Includes chapters on tuning single cam and super cam bows, making, serving, and repairing cables and bowstrings. Details the workings of the bow, arrow selection, and shot testing. 122 page paperback. Features many illustrations....

Doctor Your Own Compound Bow: A-Z Manual for Target Archers, Bowhunters, Compound Owners, Future Owners ...

Rain + Bow = Rainbow (Rondeau, Amanda, Compound Words.) $19.93 ...

Barnett 18071 Quad 400 Crossbow Package $335.99 FAST and furious! All NEW Barnett Quad 400 Crossbow delivers a heart-stopping 345 F.P.S. Faster than a teenage boyfriend with a midnight curfew! Barnett has done it again. Born is the top performance Quad 400 Crossbow. Speed. Comfort. Mean looks. And peak performance. It all collides to form cutting edge technology second to none. My heart is pounding. Check the exciting, all new composite stock. ...

Barnett Outdoors Junior Team Realtree Lil Banshee Compound Archery Set $26.99 Team Realtree Lil Banshee Jr. Archery Set by Barnett The Lil' Banshee Compound Set is a 18 pound compound bow featuring an all new soft touch grip, an ambidextrous reinforced handle and is offered in an eye catching color for the beginner. The set includes a multi-color target, 2 target arrows, finger tab, arm guard and an adjustable sight. Included Accessories: Adjustable Sight Multi-Color T...

Bear Archery Brave 2 Bow Set $69.99 Make sure your young shooter has the best chance to develop his or her skills with the Bear® Archery Brave 2 bow set. Suggested age range is 8 years and up....