Hi. My name is Amber and I have never even HELD a bow, yet alone bought one... so many sites and the prices (HOLY COW!). I know you all probably hate posts like this... My boyfriend used to do some bowhunting when he was younger (FFA, Highschool, etc), but that was a while ago. He talks about wishing he had kept his archery equipment for shooting hay bale targets on our property. I would like to find a decent starter bow/arrows on a budget. I know it is kind of last minute... ANY HELP OR ADVICE IS SOOOOO APPRECIATED! Please email me amberjanaebast@aol.com THANK YOU!

I really want to get this for him for Christmas, I know it is last minute!!! Thank you in advance for any / all suggestions and feedback!

It's pretty tough to buy a bow for someone else - so much of choosing one comes down to personal preference. You 2 are going to need to make the rounds of the shops and have him try several and let him see what feels best and work for him.

We make some of the best Ladys bows on the market and fast..
www.alpinearchery.com

Get on www.hoyt.com and check out the turbohawk and powerhawk kits. Both of these bows can be purchased as a kit with a rest, sight....everything you need to get started.

They also have a wide range of adjustment to assure a good fit for him. On the Hoyt web site you will be able to find your nearest Hoyt dealer that will give you professional help in setting up.

Going through a pro-shop is not always fail-safe, but you have a lot better chance than at the local big-box retailer with the high school kid behind the counter. Being completely green to the sport I'd shy away from buying something over the net or mail-order as you will have NO support in getting set up right.

Even if you go with one of the price-pointed bows in PSE's line try finding an "Archery" shop that has the staff to get him set up right. Ill-fitted poor-performing gear is the biggest deterrant to enjoying a life-long hobby.

By the way, welcome :welcome: to the forum and good luck! Keep us posted on what you get him and how he likes it. I have to warn you though-if you stick around here we will have you shooting too:D

Get on www.hoyt.com and check out the turbohawk and powerhawk kits. Both of these bows can be purchased as a kit with a rest, sight....everything you need to get started.

They also have a wide range of adjustment to assure a good fit for him. On the Hoyt web site you will be able to find your nearest Hoyt dealer that will give you professional help in setting up.

Going through a pro-shop is not always fail-safe, but you have a lot better chance than at the local big-box retailer with the high school kid behind the counter. Being completely green to the sport I'd shy away from buying something over the net or mail-order as you will have NO support in getting set up right.

Even if you go with one of the price-pointed bows in PSE's line try finding an "Archery" shop that has the staff to get him set up right. Ill-fitted poor-performing gear is the biggest deterrant to enjoying a life-long hobby.

By the way, welcome :welcome: to the forum and good luck! Keep us posted on what you get him and how he likes it. I have to warn you though-if you stick around here we will have you shooting too:D




+1 on the turbo and power hawk....either or would be a great start.

Have him hold his arm straight out and measure him from finger tip to finger tip(tell him your measuring for a coat or something) any good archery pro shop should be able to get his draw length close with that measurement.

No matter what advice you get here.....

GO TO A PRO SHOP!!!!!

If you want a bow, try to make sure the shop has a woman working there.

No matter what advice you get here.....

GO TO A PRO SHOP!!!!!

If you want a bow, try to make sure the shop has a woman working there.

give him an IOU and go with him to above stated. he will feel like a lucky man! and who know when you get home you might be a lucky girl!!! LOL

give him an IOU and go with him to above stated. he will feel like a lucky man! and who know when you get home you might be a lucky girl!!! LOL

best thing you can do is a gift certificate. to get started.. and get into someting decent (dont go lowend, its simply NOT worth it!) its going to run about 8 bills. heck, in many cases, just the bow alone is over $800!

Not knowing anything about either one of you I would second the gift certificate to a local archery shop.

Not knowing anything about either one of you I would second the gift certificate to a local archery shop.

I agree with the gift certificate......my wife wouldn't have a clue on what to get me and I wouldn't want her to have to find something that I may or may not want. There are too many variables with picking a bow. I think $1000 would give him a great setup. But then again, that would barely pay for a PSE Dreamseason bare bow but it would allow him to get something like a PSE Bow Madness fully loaded and ready to shoot!

as far as on a budget goes......

I'm thinking you want something around the $300 mark or less?

Try something like a PSE Firestorm 2007 or 2008 used on ebay. Perhaps a first gen PSE X-Force used.......

Parker's Outfitter series is good, as well as the Diamond Razor Edge packages from Bass Pro Shops and Cabelas. You can get nice NEW packages ready to shoot and they are adjustable for many different draw lengths and draw weights.

+1 on the turbo and power hawk....either or would be a great start.

Have him hold his arm straight out and measure him from finger tip to finger tip(tell him your measuring for a coat or something) any good archery pro shop should be able to get his draw length close with that measurement.

hoyt is the way to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!