Beginner’s Guide To Selecting a Bow
July 18, 2009 by Bowhunter
Filed under Selecting a Bow
There are many things you should know before you go out into the field on your first bow hunting trip. Many people are introduced to the sport by someone who can teach them the basics, but others must teach themselves. Either way, there is a lot of information you should know, more than I can provide completely here, but there are a few easy guidelines that will get you started in the right direction.Obviously, you are going to need a bow. The first guideline is that a bow should feel good in your hands. If the bow doesn't feel comfortable, you won't be able to get a true shot, or you simply won't use the bow at all because it feels awkward.When it comes to draw weight, there is a popular misconception that it is best to buy the heaviest draw weight bow you can handle. This is definitely not true. The draw weight of the bow should be dictated by the type of hunting you will be doing. For most situations, such as hunting deer or turkey, a lighter, easier to carry bow will be the best choice. If you're going after big game, then you will need a heavier, stronger bow with more stopping power. But for most of us, the big game hunts are few and far between and you can always rent a heavier bow if you need one, so your "everyday" bow should probably be one suitable for smaller game.
Since you're not lugging them on long hauls through the bush, heavier and stronger bows are often used in 3-D target tournaments, where you want to shoot very fast arrows on a flat trajectory. Otherwise, when hunting whitetail, birds, or maybe even small black bear, a compound bow in the 50 pound weight range is usually the best choice. A bow in this size range can easily put an arrow all the way through the game, yet is still very comfortable for most hunters to handle. Women usually prefer a bow in the 45 pound range.
As I said before, the most important consideration when choosing a bow is finding one that fits you. Bows are not a one-size-fits-all piece of equipment, and different styles and brands will all have a different fit and feel. Be sure the bow you choose feels comfortable in your hands. It should feel balanced and you should be able to pull the bow to full draw comfortably.
Many beginners buy bows that are too heavy for them. They think the bow is going to loosen up and get easier to draw, or that their muscles are going to develop simply by using the bow a few times. Neither assumption is true. Using a bow that is too heavy for you will throw off your shot and ruin your accuracy. If you can't comfortably hold the bow at full draw, you will end up rushing your shots, or you will find that the shot presents itself just as you've let off because you couldn't hold the draw for the time needed.
Another thing you should definitely do when shopping for a bow is to look at a lot of bows before you buy. Don't buy the first bow you see that is in your price range and don't assume that a "big name" brand is automatically the best choice. Choosing a reputable brand with quality construction is important, but be sure to browse around and look at everything available. Ask questions. Read what the manufacturers have to say about their bows and read the reviews of bows you can find in bowhunting blogs and forums. Buy a quality bow and buy the bow that makes solid sense for you.
Here are the current eBay listings for Bows:
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BARNETT BANDIT CROSSBOW 1037 | ![]() |
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US $16.18 | 17m |
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BARNETT BANSHEE YOUTH BOW 1075 | ![]() |
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US $43.99 | 17m |
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BARNETT LIL BANSHEE BOW ARCHERY SET 1072 | ![]() |
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US $36.99 | 17m |
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BARNETT LIL SIOUX ARCHRY SET 1071 | ![]() |
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US $24.99 | 17m |
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BARNETT LIL SIOUX PINK RECURVE BOW SET 1071P | ![]() |
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US $24.99 | 17m |
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BARNETT PANZER RED DOT BOW PKG 18064 | ![]() |
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US $249.00 | 17m |
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BARNETT QUAD 400 AVI 4X32 CROSSBOW SCOPE PKG 18017 | ![]() |
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US $639.00 | 17m |
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BARNETT QUAD 400 AVI CROSSBOW KIT 18014 | ![]() |
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US $429.00 | 17m |
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BARNETT QUAD 400 BOW PACKAGE W REDDOT 18071 | ![]() |
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US $429.99 | 17m |
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BARNETT TEAM REALTREE BANSHEE QUAD BOW 1089 | ![]() |
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US $59.99 | 18m |
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BARNETT WILDCAT CROSSBOW C5 CAMO RED DOT PKG 18076 | ![]() |
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US $399.00 | 18m |
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BRAND NEW RH FRED BEAR LIGHTS OUT BOW 29 60 70 | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $249.99 | 18m |
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BRAND NEW EASTMAN X FORCE DX300 CROSSBOW PACKAGE | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $279.99 | 18m |
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USED LH HOYT TRYKON XL BOW PACKAGE 60 70 30 DRAW | ![]() |
16 Bids | US $257.00 | 23m |
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Laser Sight 150lb 180lb Crossbow Pistol Rifle Scope 150 | ![]() |
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US $34.99 | 23m |
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USED JENNINGS BUCKMASTER BOW PACKAGE 29 60 70 | ![]() |
20 Bids | US $67.00 | 23m |
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1 Doz 50 to 80 lbs PVC Crossbow Arrows or NEW Low$ | ![]() |
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US $1.49 | 24m |
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12 Aluminum High Stress Bolts 50 or 80 lbs NEW Low$ | ![]() |
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US $2.50 | 25m |
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NEW 2008 LH BOWTECH EQUALIZER FS GREY 26 50 60 | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $399.99 | 26m |
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BRAND NEW RH 2010 ROSS CARDIAC 31 25 30 60 70 | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $379.99 | 28m |
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BRAND NEW RH 2010 ROSS CARDIAC 31 25 30 50 60 | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $379.99 | 28m |
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BRAND NEW HORTON KNEE POD CROSSBOW SHOOTING REST | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $14.99 | 29m |
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BRAND NEW BARNETT WILDCAT C5 CROSSBOW PACKAGE | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $299.99 | 31m |
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BRAND NEW BARNETT QUAD 400 CROSSBOW PACKAGE | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $349.99 | 31m |
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BRAND NEW 2008 RH BOWTECH COMMANDER HW GREEN 29 50 60 | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $409.99 | 31m |
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BRAND NEW 2008 LH BOWTECH COMMANDER APG 29 60 70 | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $399.99 | 31m |
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BRAND NEW 2008 LH BOWTECH COMMANDER APG 29 40 50 | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $399.99 | 31m |
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BRAND NEW 08 RH DIAMOND JUSTICE 29 50 60 DRAW | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $329.99 | 31m |
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BRAND NEW 08 LH DIAMOND JUSTICE 29 50 60 DRAW | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $299.99 | 32m |
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003 COMPOUND BOW 36 25 lbs 24 Draw w ARROWS | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $63.00 | 35m |
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New 24 Bolts Arrows Arrow Darts for 50 lb Crossbow | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $2.99 | 35m |
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Barnett quad 300 compound crossbow | ![]() |
26 Bids | US $240.50 | 37m |
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50 Lb Pistol Crossbow Hunting Archery Cross Bow Ne | ![]() |
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US $9.00 | 39m |
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Horton Edge Compound Bow Deer Hunting Camoflauge | ![]() |
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US $200.00 | 40m |
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Mission By Mathews Eliminator Compound Bow With Extras | ![]() |
21 Bids | US $325.00 | 44m |
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BROWNING PSE MIRAGE COMPOUND CAMO HUNTING BOW PACKAGE | ![]() |
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US $119.99 | 44m |
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2010 barnett predator avi crossbow | ![]() |
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US $610.00 | 49m |
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LH Mathews Switchback XT Compound Bow w accessories | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $500.00 | 53m |
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shakespeare bow and 3 arrows | ![]() |
14 Bids | US $25.00 | 54m |
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2009 Martin Cheetah Compound Bow 70 ready to hunt | ![]() |
6 Bids | US $245.00 | 57m |
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Mathews LX RH compound bow in very good condition | ![]() |
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US $403.75 | 1h 1m |
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Barnett thunderbolt compound crossbow | ![]() |
7 Bids | US $91.08 | 1h 1m |
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Martin Archery New 00 HUNTER Vintage Recurve Bow 45 | ![]() |
21 Bids | US $306.00 | 1h 2m |
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BRAND NEW 2009 BARNETT PREDATOR AVI PKG WITH 4x32 SCOPE | ![]() |
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US $625.00 | 1h 8m |
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Deer hunting t shirtWhite tailbuck rack archerydeer | ![]() |
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US $15.00 | 1h 10m |
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BARNETT PREDATOR AVI CROSSBOW PACKAGE WITH SCOPE 175 LB | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $565.99 | 1h 10m |
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Martin Archery New 2002 MOUTAINEER Longbow 70 | ![]() |
11 Bids | US $157.50 | 1h 11m |
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High Country Archery Compound Hunting Bow | ![]() |
9 Bids | US $86.00 | 1h 16m |
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180lb 180 lb Camouflage Hunting Crossbow Scope 12 Bolt | ![]() |
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US $124.99 | 1h 17m |
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BBDDeer HuntingBuckArcheryBow HuntingT shirt grey | ![]() |
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US $10.00 | 1h 23m |




























































