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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Parallel Double Compound Bow Case for PSE Browning | ![]() |
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US $49.95 | 17m |
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PISTOL CROSSBOW 50 LB 24 ARROWS BOLT FREE 1 ONLY | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 17m |
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PISTOL CROSSBOW 80 LB ARCHERY HUNTING STRING | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 17m |
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Premium Double Compound Bow Case fits Mathews Z7 | ![]() |
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US $49.95 | 19m |
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Parallel Double Compound Bow Case for BowTech Diamond | ![]() |
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US $49.95 | 20m |
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Parallel Double Compound Bow Case fits Hoyt Reflex | ![]() |
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US $49.95 | 22m |
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Parallel Double Compound Bow Case for Mathews Mission | ![]() |
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US $49.95 | 23m |
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Parallel Double Compound Bow Case for BowTech Destroyer | ![]() |
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US $49.95 | 25m |
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Parallel Double Compound Bow Case fits Hoyt Maxxis | ![]() |
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US $49.95 | 28m |
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Kay Tropic carbon limbs ILF style short length | ![]() |
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US $187.50 | 37m |
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Kay Tropic carbon limbs ILF style medium length | ![]() |
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US $187.50 | 39m |
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Kay Tropic carbon limbs ILF style long length | ![]() |
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US $187.50 | 40m |
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Browning Compound Bow | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $120.00 | 40m |
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Fred Bear Compound Bow Great Condition | ![]() |
7 Bids | US $207.54 | 42m |
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PSE COMPOUND BOW BABY G FORCE | ![]() |
10 Bids | US $153.00 | 44m |
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Excalibur Exomax Crossbow with The Right Stuff Package | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $739.00 | 50m |
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CB 50 Crossbow and ArrowsI have a full line available | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $4.96 | 50m |
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1250 to 80 lb Crossbow ArrowsNew Item | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $.01 | 51m |
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180 lbs 180lbs Camo Green Hunting Crossbows Laser Combo | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $119.99 | 56m |
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New 2010 Martin Bengal Compound Bow Package 55 70lb RH | ![]() |
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US $499.00 | 57m |
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80lbs Plastic Body Self Cocking Pistol 27 ArrowString | ![]() |
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US $44.99 | 57m |
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HORTON LEGACY 175 HD CAMO CROSSBOW SCOPE PKG | ![]() |
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US $509.99 | 1h 9m |
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Martin Firecat 2008 Left Lefty LH Compound bow | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $199.00 | 1h 9m |
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2009 Diamond Marquis Compound Bow 26 30in Draw 50 70lbs | ![]() |
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US $750.00 | 1h 12m |
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Genesis Pro compound bow Left Handed 4 children adults | ![]() |
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US $184.95 | 1h 14m |
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Hunting Metal Stock 150lb Crossbow w 2 ArrowsArchery | ![]() |
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US $89.99 | 1h 20m |
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12 Premium Aluminum Arrow Crossbow Bolts | ![]() |
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US $12.59 | 1h 20m |
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NEW Hunting Archery 50 LB PISTOL CROSSBOW Gun w Arrows | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $4.99 | 1h 23m |
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CB 50 Crossbow and ArrowsI have a full line available | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $4.69 | 1h 30m |
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New 50lb Metal Bow Pistol w 5 Arrows ArcheryHunting | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $13.99 | 1h 35m |
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Browning Barracuda Bow | ![]() |
12 Bids | US $202.50 | 1h 36m |
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NEW Hunting Archery 50 LB PISTOL CROSSBOW Gun w Arrows | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $4.99 | 1h 41m |
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Genesis Original LH Bow Kit Red arrowsquiverarmguard | ![]() |
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US $199.95 | 1h 51m |
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Mathews DXT Bow Left Hand LH 28 draw 60 70lb Limbs | ![]() |
21 Bids | US $495.00 | 1h 53m |
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150 lbs Camo Hunting Crossbow Scope Laser Tips Arrows | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $119.99 | 1h 56m |
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180LB CAMO HUNTING CROSSBOW LASERSCOPEBOLTSHEADS | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $134.99 | 1h 56m |
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2 Sets 50 lbs METAL PISTOL CROSSBOW30 ArrowsStrings | ![]() |
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US $36.99 | 1h 57m |
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BowTech TomKat Bow | ![]() |
17 Bids | US $400.00 | 2h |
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EXCALIBUR CROSSBOW BOWSTRING COCKING AID Archery New | ![]() |
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US $24.99 | 2h 3m |
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New 24 Bolts Arrows Arrow Darts for 50 lb Crossbow | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $2.99 | 2h 5m |
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Barnett Crossbow 18 Arrrows w Field Points Set of 5 | ![]() |
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US $32.00 | 2h 5m |
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Hoyt Trykon Sport Bow 20 30LB 23 255DL Hunt Ready | ![]() |
13 Bids | US $201.00 | 2h 7m |
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2009 Sims Limbsaver Deadzone DZ32 Loaded 70lbs 28 | ![]() |
9 Bids | US $344.66 | 2h 8m |
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2005 Hoyt Ultra Tec Target BowEXCELLENT CONDITION | ![]() |
2 Bids | US $425.00 | 2h 9m |
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25 Arrow 15 150 LB Aluminum Bolt Cross bow Metal lbs | ![]() |
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US $44.99 | 2h 9m |
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Bow Accessories Book WOW | ![]() |
4 Bids | US $17.50 | 2h 10m |
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NEW KIDS 27FIBERGLASS TOY COMPOUND BOW AND ARROW SET | ![]() |
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US $16.59 | 2h 13m |
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2010 Martin Archery LEOPARD MAG Camo Compound 45 60 | ![]() |
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US $329.99 | 2h 15m |
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OMP Adventure 54 Take Down Recurve RH 25 | ![]() |
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US $89.88 | 2h 19m |
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Wood Stock 150lb Crossbow crossbow cross bow hunting | ![]() |
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US $89.99 | 2h 20m |
























































