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The incredibly needy godchild has gotten the bug for bowhunting, something I know exactly ZERO about. How much would a good but not great bow run, and should it have one cam or two, overdraw or not? Draw weight for a 15 year old?

Pardon my profound ignorance on this subject [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

GC, I'd check on a Hoyt, probably the best made. You need to get him fitted for the bow. I take a 29.5 inch draw so I needed a Hoyt cuz you can set them up quickly. You can probably get one with 2 cams, arrows, peep sight, equalizer pins for around $300. The release will cost $25. For a fifteen year old I'd say 50-60 draw weight with at least 70% letoff.

GulfCoast - is he deadset on a compound? I know how 15 year olds can be. However, there is a lot to be said for starting out with a recurve. One can learn an awful lot about the mechanics of shooting, and you could buy a nice one for a few hundred dollars. Just a thought. If you're interested in that as a possibility, send me an email - I can hook you up with someone who knows quite a bit about them.

Oh Boy, have you hit on a hard question, and anyone who thinks Hoyt makes a usable bow is not familar with PSE's custom shop. (Just kidding), my advise is: go to a bow shop quick, before it gets to close to Oct. 1, and get some help. If you get the chance go to Waldo's in Columbia, (ask for Kim, that's Waldo's wife, (and pro shooter) or Rackmaster in Hattiesburg. That's not too far from home. Good luck GC....

Buy him one that he can use forever. Buy the boy a Mathews bow!!! No doubt the best bow ever made!!

The best advice you've receiced so far is to go to an archery shop and get some help. Beware, though, the folks there are going to be trying to sell you a bow, not help you. I speak from experience. I used to work in a bow shop and the boss didn't like me 'cause I always tried to help people instead of push merchandise on them. What the sales man won't tell you is about a problem that I remember having when I was 15 and learning to bow hunt. At 15 you are too big and strong for juvenile equipment and not quite big enough or strong enough for the big boy stuff. Also,If you find a bow that is somewhere in the middle you out grow it really quickly. You could find your self buying a new bow every season for a couple of years. I would consider buying something slightly used since you will likely replace it soon. If you have trouble finding that middle ground bow you could also consider a woman's bow. I know that sounds awful but the women's hunting bows aren't pink with pretty tassles and flowers or anything like that. They are just like a man's but a little smaller and easier to handle. Good luck.

I'd be wary of the perimeter weighted one cam bows or extreme hatchet cam bows because of the lack of forgiveness. Most bows of this type have fairly short brace heights, which is the measurement from the string to the back of the grip, to gain speed but demand good technique to shoot accurately and consistently. For a young shooter just starting out you might try an eccentric wheel bow. The longer the axle to axle is and longer brace height will make for easier shooting for the beginner. Also these bows employ less let-off which builds the back and chest muscles vital to consistent shooting. Sorry so lengthy, just wanna help!!

GC, I feel the most accurate and most accurate bow is a Matthews. I have shot six differnt bows trying to find the right bow and I think Matthews out does all of them. Of course opinons on the best bows are just like opinions on guns. My Mathews has a weighted Cam and I bet I have shot over 5,000 arrows through it with no problems. Another advantage with matthews is the let off, you get 80% so even a young hunter can shoot 50-60 lbs without much difficulty. Waldo in Columbia is absolutely wonderful for help. Antoher that may be of some help that may be a little closer is Primitive Arms here in Gretna. They sell Mathews, Hoyt and PSE. They are very knowledgebale and also carry the big three in archery. Wherever you go make sure you get good help, a good proshop is invalubale in getting started in archery. There is so much to learn and so much to do that you will becme good freinds with whoever you buy from. Just my opinion, Jeff

be sure and check your states poundage weight on bowhunting-KY is 45 lbs MIN,get him a bow with alot of letoff and make him practice,also buy him 4 dozen arrows,just wait and see what I mean.. good luck! black birds are fun to shoot!

I can see right now I am gonna have to drive the boy to Columbia and hand them a blank check. This is over my poor little old head [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

You have the right idea about a blank check.
Dixe Boy was right about the Mathews. That would be a bow he would not out grow. Come up here and I think he can be ready to go for about $750-$800 for now.

You need to get ready to spend some money. YOu'll see that starting out bowhunting is as expensive as starting out duckhunting good luck. [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]

I'm not saying that the folks on here don't have some good answers, but if you want some more, shoot over to MsDeer.com and ask the folks in the bowhunting forum there...
I am sure you will get plenty of advice, and there might be someone who has a good deal on one that would work, if you could "get by" with buying a used one...
I thought children were expensive until I got grandkids!!!!

Bass pro shop has a bear/jennings Whitetail supreme II kit, bow,quiver, and sight for around 250.00. Ive used mine from Miss to Colorado on deer and elk. It is a flat, hard shooting bow. One sight pin out to 35 yards. Save yourself $500, I think your godchild will pleased.

Thanks for all the input. It is amazing how much of your time can be taken up by a child that you don't even "own." [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] He really digs the mossy oak camo arrows. Those are "the bomb." I take it that means that they are approved. I never thought at my young age I would be generations removed from the current slang. I guess that I am getting old. [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[ September 03, 2001: Message edited by: GulfCoast ]